News
Gibson Island launched on Second Life
Rob Hughes Jul 21 2008, 10:29am
Comments (17)
First major music manufacturer to establish itself within the virtual world
Gibson Guitar has announced the launch of Gibson Island on Second Life.com and has become the first major music manufacturer to establish an official home within the virtual world. The island was launched on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, with an exclusive live music performance by Bob Welch.
Second Life is a 3-D Virtual world entirely created by its residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown to host over 14 million inhabitants from around the globe. Visitors discover a vast digital continent, teaming with people in entertainment, other experiences and new opportunities. Millions of users launched Second Life five years ago along with Linden Labs and some of the world's greatest musicians have already created their own avatars to explore the virtual capacity of Second Life. The virtual world is free to join and available for Mac, Windows and Linux computer platforms.
In tribute to the Gibson Les Paul guitar and musician, the Gibson Island is in the shape of the famous guitar body and rises up from the ocean in Second Life. The island will feature humbucker mountains, full theatres, mini-theatres and other areas resembling pickups and other aspects of a Gibson guitar.
As part of the launch, the 70s multi-platinum solo artist and former Fleetwood Mac vocalist/guitarist will perform in an exclusive concert with other Second Life musicians. Bob Welch's avatar, Bob Welch Magic, will also appear on stage along with celebrity musicians Cypress Rosewood and Von Johin. The concert kicks off a series of concerts, which will be produced and performed only on the Gibson Island in Second Life over the period of a few months. Wednesday's inaugural concert series is a first for the musical instrument manufacturing industry and features an entire day of exclusive performances on the Gibson Island.
The Gibson Island features various stages including mini-theatres featuring classic blues performances by Matt Murphy, Howlin' Wolf and more.
A variety of movie screens scattered around the island provides exclusive audio content and experiences along with news and information sites.
Second Life residents will have the opportunity to experience some of the world's most popular Gibson guitars for free. Over two-dozen high prim virtual Gibson models will be available throughout the Gibson Island only, allowing Second Life residents to own their dream guitar in this virtual world. The models will include Gibson's Hound Dog Dobro Acoustic, Hummingbird Acoustic, Flying V, Slash Inspired By Les Paul, John Lennon Signature Les Paul, Les Paul Robot, SG Diablo, and Les Paul Classic models, among many others
Second Life Gibson avatars will have exclusive opportunities to own Gibson Gear, apparel and accessories virtually. Gibson Entertainment will provide exclusive produced videos and audio programming which will play on the movie screens throughout the 65,000 sq foot virtual island including celebrity interviews, music lessons, fun facts, company history, documentaries and performances. Visitors will be able to explore the island's many areas on the Gibson Tour Trolley or simply fly or teleport through each location.
Features of the Gibson Island will include the Gibson Forest, where visitors can walk the path and learn about the woods that make Gibson guitars, Gibson Radio, playing music from Gibson artists along with live interviews, Gibson Rock and Roll Stage – a full sized concert stage for musical performances, the Gibson Custom Guitar Shop, Gibson guitar of the month boardwalk and much more.
To register and visit the Gibson Island, go to www.secondlife.com
Comments
“Second Life”
Posted by: PJ Music - Jul 21, 10:46am
Wow. This Second Life world is really creating a stir if Gibson is getting involved. How do the gigs work exactly? Are they filmed prior to it in some club?
“Re: Second Life”
Posted by: Sonic Producer - Jul 21, 10:50am
Maybe they will take the lead from Radiohead and start offering 'pay what you want' deals for Gibson guitars. Whadayasay Gibson?
“Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: Richard Gear - Jul 21, 10:53am
RE: "Second Life residents will have the opportunity to experience some of the world's most popular Gibson guitars for free."...
How do you experience a virtual Gibson?
“Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: Andy Barrett - Jul 21, 10:56am
Wow - PJ Music needs to be reminded that geurilla marketing is not allowed on this site.
One more and the comments will be deleted
“Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: no front teeth - Jul 21, 10:59am
virtual guitar...? like guitar hero?
“Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: Little Hands of Concrete - Jul 21, 10:59am
A great move. And it might be the only way I can own a cherry red ES 335.
“Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: Lifer - Jul 21, 11:45am
A great example of old and new media coming together. Gibson seems particularly switched on to this kind of thing (eg Guitar Hero) - hopefully other guitar brands will follow suit.
“Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: lovely boobs - Jul 21, 11:45am
Gibson rock!
“Re: Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: rok_playa - Jul 21, 12:04pm
Is everything virtual or will we be able to order a real gibson guitar?
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: iggypope - Jul 21, 4:58pm
John Lennon signature Les Paul?!
Once again George misses out.
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: Amalfie - Jul 21, 5:17pm
Cool stuff. Wonder who'll be next to follow Gibson's lead?? (arf)
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: RB - Jul 21, 5:58pm
Let see DW get involved, then we're half way to making a virtual band :)
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Virtual Instruments”
Posted by: Jano Runo - Jul 21, 9:07pm
Gigs are done by streaming a live audio performance feed back from the audience in real time through chat. Your avatar takes the virtual stage in your representation.
Virtual Bands actually exist using NINJAM or other e-jamming software to colaborate with streaming audio en real time. At least 2 of these bands perform frequently in Second Life.
“gibson!”
Posted by: simon - Jul 22, 12:25am
well done...money well spent!!!!
is there anyone out there that thinks... like me that gibson would gain more respect in the uk sorting out its main dealer network in a progressive way that will benifit all?
discuss!!
“Re: gibson!”
Posted by: guitarman - Jul 22, 10:05am
What an utter waste of time and money.
God help us from these lunatics. How much longer can such idiocy be sustained by the Les Paul. Let's just stop buying anything Gibson and wave goodbye to them once and for all
“Re: Re: gibson!”
Posted by: David Jackson - Jul 24, 3:27pm
Fantastic work Gibson.
Meanwhile, I'm luck to get a Les Paul into my shop which doesn't need major maintenance, and I still can't get straight information from Gibson Europe about the distribution of their guitars.
But as long as I agree to hang 80% of my walls in their stock, what would they care?
“Re: Re: Re: gibson!”
Posted by: Pob - Jul 25, 10:45am
Hmmm. Sounds like desperate measures to me. Trying to be ''Cool'' to the kids when Gibson have taken the p+ss out of UK retailers with badly set-up and finished product, terrible margins and poor service - the good ship Gibson has hit stormy waters since SC went bump. There's better product out there, with better margins and much better service. Looks like Gibson are going to have to stop playing cool and start giving a proper service.