GIBSON GUITAR AND TC GROUP TO MERGE

[Howard Jones]

TWO OF THE WORLD'S MOST RECOGNIZED AND RESPECTED BRANDS EVOLUTIONIZE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Anaheim, California...January 18, 2008...Gibson Guitar, the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology and TC Group, leaders in professional audio, have announced that they are planning to merge. The announcement was made at the NAMM 2008 show in Anaheim, California by both Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and CEO of TC Group, Anders Fauerskov.

The TC Group, headquartered in Risskov, Denmark, develops and manufactures first class audio products that provide lasting user value for audio professionals and musicians. The company has a number of premium brands of pro audio technology and produces amplifiers, speakers, digital processors, guitar pedals and other pro audio and MI products. TC Group's customers include top musical artists, world class recording studios, television and radio/TV stations, prominent theatres, commercial installations, and home entertainment.

"This merger will revolutionize the music industry for many years to come," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "The synergy between the two companies will allow us an enormous advantage in the development of new audio technologies and brings together two of the world's most powerful brands."

"The opportunities ahead are very exciting for us," said Anders Fauerskov, Chief Executive Officer of TC Group. “This merger will create exciting new opportunities for all employees within TC Group and Gibson, and in particular, fantastic new tools for our markets and customers . This partnership will allow us to expand our leadership position in the marketplace."

The announcement marks a preliminary agreement between the two companies. Under the terms of the merger, Anders Fauerskov will remain based in Europe, and serve as Chief Operating Officer of the new combined Gibson Guitar Corp. The two companies expect to finalize the deal by the end of February 2008. Terms of the deal are not disclosed.

About TC Group:
TC Group is a holding company of five individual companies consisting of Tannoy Group, Lab.Gruppen, TC Electronic Group, TC-Helicon and TC Applied Technologies. The TC Group was formed in early 2002, when the 'old' TC Group of companies merged with Tgi plc. The merger was completed to create a Group with the necessary expertise and market access to take advantage of the trend towards convergence of digital and acoustic technologies in the audio industry. The company goal is to produce and distribute the best engineered and most recognized and respected brands of high-performance audio products in the world. TC Group also is a leading player in the global speaker-audio industry. For link to more information go to www.tcgroup.tc

About Gibson Guitar:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar and the Gibson Robot Guitar represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press

[TimS]

WOW - what a combination of 2 companies.
I've had lots of TC gear over the years (for my guitar rack/rig)
The TC stand at ENTECH was very cool and had some really nice gear on display.
Will be interesting to watch this development over the next few yrs..
T..

[tunetown]

Mmmm, Maybe Gibson guitars with onboard TC effects.

Cool

Peter

[TimS]

Thats what I was thinking too!!
T..

[rick]

cool instead of ignoring one companies new products now i can ignore two at the same time:)

[TimS]

such the optimist you are Rick!! ;)

[tunetown]

I kinda know what he means regarding Gibson. I recently bought a 2006 Les Paul Standard new and it was so poorly set up from the factory it was embarrassing. Once my Luthier sorted it out it was great, but, Sheesh, You'd think after the money they charge it would come out playable. I mean the frets weren't even levelled. The new Burstbuckers aren't to bad though.

Peter

[rick]

gibson have always been the best made hi production guitar , but now its mega high production and frankly of no interest to me at all

i have tried tc stuff again and again at great expense
after 10 of thousands of dollars down , i am no better of for having ever tried it frankly it is now of no interest to me at all either

[Ausrock]

I kinda know what he means regarding Gibson. I recently bought a 2006 Les Paul Standard new and it was so poorly set up from the factory it was embarrassing. Once my Luthier sorted it out it was great, but, Sheesh, You'd think after the money they charge it would come out playable. I mean the frets weren't even levelled. The new Burstbuckers aren't to bad though.

Peter

While I'm aware of the questions about Gibson's quality control, I have to ask if you purchased it from a reputable retailer and if so, that then begs the question of WTF they were doing letting it go out in that condition.

[tunetown]

I kinda know what he means regarding Gibson. I recently bought a 2006 Les Paul Standard new and it was so poorly set up from the factory it was embarrassing. Once my Luthier sorted it out it was great, but, Sheesh, You'd think after the money they charge it would come out playable. I mean the frets weren't even levelled. The new Burstbuckers aren't to bad though.

Peter

While I'm aware of the questions about Gibson's quality control, I have to ask if you purchased it from a reputable retailer and if so, that then begs the question of WTF they were doing letting it go out in that condition.

Absolutely. I bought it from a reputable authorized dealer who I have known for a long time. In his defence, I usually do my own setups and this guitar was straight out of the box. I just never expected it to be this poor. There was something like 11 high frets. The nut was so poorly roughed in and not tuned I had my Luthier Carve me a new Bone one. I can understand intonation and neck relief, but frets and nuts should be right out of the factory.

Cheers

Peter

[Howard Jones]

TC & Gibson have just announced that they "have discontinued discussions regarding a potential merger between the two companies".