AUG. 8 | GARRISON | BRAND
Retailers Vocal About Garrison Warranty Change

Garrison dealers recently expressed concern over news that Gibson will no longer honor warranty repairs for Garrison instruments sold before July 3, the date Gibson purchased the Canadian guitar manufacturer.

“Garrison was small, independent and made a great guitar at a great price, and they were very nice [as people],” said Myrna Sislen, owner of Middle C Music in Washington, D.C., and a Garrison retailer. “My wish, and I am sure [it’s] the wish of the other 300 Garrison dealers nationwide, is that the purchase by Gibson will enable more guitars to be built in a timely fashion and with the same superior quality and pricing that we have enjoyed in the past.

“Will that become a reality? At this point, I don’t know. The signs are mixed at best, although I must say that Janice Lewis in Gibson development and the Gibson credit application department have been very friendly and helpful. Let’s hope that is a sign of good things to come.”

Pete Gamber of Alta Loma Music in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., also a Garrison dealer, said he believes the Garrison brand will be hurt by Gibson’s ownership.

“And who gets reamed by this [policy]?” he asked. “Not Gibson. You, the local dealer, who sold the Garrison guitar to your customer. And the consumer.

“This direction by Gibson is just one more reason, in a list of many, to salute [Garrison] goodbye for good.”

gibson.com; garrisonguitars.com