End of an era - McGibbon's closing down.

Bob-Dubery

Andy McGibbon's Guitar World closes doors for good today.

Heath

Now that is very sad news .... I can't believe it .

Gearhead

? ☹ ???

IceCreamMan

oh no ..... is this related to the theft by any chance?

And what of the give a guitar program? i left a guitar there for that ?

guidothepimmp

any reason why?

surely someone of Andy's rep in the industry nd his workshop there should be some sort of press release? :-\

Bob-Dubery

IceCreamMan wrote: oh no ..... is this related to the theft by any chance?

I don't pretend to speak for Andy, but it's clear that the robbery was a factor. Losing that kind of stock is going to put a shop on the back foot.

And what of the give a guitar program? i left a guitar there for that ?

Andy is going to keep that program running and is going to set up drop off points.

VellaJ

That is incredibly sad news... Always sucks to see a business hurt like this...

Seventhson

Thats really sad. Feel bad now :'(

AlanRatcliffe

Sad indeed...

So much for the theory that local music stores are making money hand over fist at our expense, eh?

racman

Very, very sad!
☹ ☹

[deleted]

IceCreamMan wrote: oh no ..... is this related to the theft by any chance?

Definitly not.

I actually heard about it about a month ago from a very close source.
I just wasn't going to say anything ☹
As it was very hush at the time...

Very sad to lose in my opinion the finest guitar store with the best customer service and smiles in the Industry.
The only store I swore loyalty to..

Thank you to Andy, for ALL he did in the industry.. Great guy.

Wizard

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: So much for the theory that local music stores are making money hand over fist at our expense, eh?

+ 1

[deleted]

Wizard wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote: So much for the theory that local music stores are making money hand over fist at our expense, eh?
+ 1

chris77

Yup. Also so much for the theory that the current way music stores operate is viable in the internet age.
But it's sad news indeed. I Never had the privilege to visit the store or meet the man, but his reputation as a professional and a gentleman is something to aspire to no matter what line of work you're in.

Bob-Dubery

Well if you're in Jo'burg and you want to buy him a beer or shake his hand or donate a guitar, then he is running a show for TJ's Thursday next week. All performers invited by His Andyness. I don't have details of the line up yet, but I think it will be a little different for TJ's & if it's the same standard as his own evenings you'll get great value for your R25 entry fee.

Bob-Dubery

Andy is a decent, generous guy.

A couple of years ago he gave up a good chunk of his own time to host a two night "set up workshop" for GFSA. Lectures both nights and then practical demonstrations on guitars that GFSAers bought along for Andy to diagnose and (in most cases) correct on the spot.

See
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/guitar-events/joburg-setup-workshop-with-andy-mcgibbon-%28week-1%29

Andy also runs (still) an initiative by which he collects instruments that are donated, renders them playable and then distributes them to organisations or persons who are in need and can make good use of them.

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-discussion/happy-ngd-for-gee-i-don%27t-know/

ICM asked about this. Andy intends to continue this project and will be arranging for other stores to provide "drop-off" facilities. He'll also be continuing with repair and restoration work, though obviously not on a "walk in" basis.

Sean

Goodness, that is sad news

Tokai-SA

Very sad new indeed.

Now you guys know just how brutal the SAfrican music gear industry can be.

Like Bob said, "Andy intends to continue this project and will be arranging for other stores to provide "drop-off" facilities. He'll also be continuing with repair and restoration work, though obviously not on a "walk in" basis".

All the best of luck to Andy and his wonderful wife, Eve, she's been INCREDIBLE to me from day one and helped me immensely when I first started in the Tokai distribution business.

Fingerpicker

Bad news this. Always got good advice and service from Andy, never had to go looking in the dungeon for the answers. Always a coffee up front.
Is he going to operate from home?

Ray

This is sad. Was he not the agent for Larrivee? If so would this mean that Larivee dont feature here no more? For the time being that is.