Gibson is coming under scrutiny after a recently leaked video captured the manufacturer destroying hundreds of seemingly usable guitars.
The video, released by ex-Gibson employee BJ Wilkes, shows a large collection of new Firebird X instruments being crushed by a construction vehicle. Wilkes worked for Gibson for six years, handling maintenance and facilities duties.
According to the former employee, Gibson chose to destroy a large amount of Firebird X guitars, after the model was met with poor sales. “Gibson literally could not sell these guitars and they were on the books,” Wilkes explained to YouTube channel Guitologist. He added that the company’s new investors were “trying to clean up the mess before the end of the fiscal year.”
