Cue an influx of biker spam to show up in these parts. 

Whenever I go into my local guitar center they push everything BESIDES gibson and tascam.  It's like any war, they have to win the  hearts and minds of musicians.   Cakewalk has a very loyal user base, so much so that they overlook DAWS that are much better, or at least more free from bugs.  They have a great forum though.  Now I'll duck and cover.

The other issue is there are tons of used Les Paul's out there in great condition. I haven't bought one new in quite sometime.

drewfx1
Cue an influx of biker spam to show up in these parts. 

OK, here's my last Harley.  Sorry. no parts close-ups
 

BobF

drewfx1
Cue an influx of biker spam to show up in these parts. 

OK, here's my last Harley.  Sorry. no parts close-ups
 

That's sure one pretty bike, Bob.

Same article quoted Steinway's parent as about to go t up.  

space_cowboy
Same article quoted Steinway's parent as about to go t up.  

Fender wasn't doing so hot either according to the article.

BobF
 They also have the same problem as Harley.  That being that their biggest fans are getting older and older.  

So basically Gibson and Sonar are a match made in heaven! Phew, I can stop worrying

I was talking to a fellow who was involved in marketing at a major instrument manufacturer on my way to NAMM in 2015.  He was saying that sales are *way* off compared to what they were 15 - 20 years ago.  Much of the reason, he assumed, was that the iGeneration had no use for such pursuits as making music (unless it was via a no-investment vehicle like Garage Band).  Very, very sad, IMO.

dmbaer
....the iGeneration had no use for such pursuits as making music (unless it was via a no-investment vehicle like Garage Band).  Very, very sad, IMO.

Money's not the only thing the iGen have no interest in investing; the other is time. Immediate gratification is the highest goal for them. Anything else is considered failure and/or an ineffective investment. And if/when the extremely rare occasion occurs when they do decide to "invest", they mistake technical precision and imitation for creativity.
 
Real creativity necessarily involves a risk: one's work may be rejected. Imitation is much safer. And we all know how the iGen have no use for anything but personal affirmation.