I admit to being biased in this, both from personal experience with Gibson guitars and a lifetime of listening to music made with them, but mostly because I am strongly against the methods GuvCo used, whether against Gibson or anyone else.
After reading Scoutmaster's posts over the years about this whenever an article is posted, I confess to an appreciation of the info he brings to the forum, but am not fully persuaded to his opinion, as my emotions regarding GuvCo and their actions are stronger.
GuvCo's use of whatever alphabet agency is handy to intimidate, persecute and/or prosecute its political opposition and enemies, such as with the IRS against the TEA party, etc., is more than enough for me to derate whatever wrongs Gibson may or may not have done.
I can leave my LP in the case and Gibson won't come for me other than to sell me something else. Otoh, obama's GuvCo, who can/will come for you with a small army if they feel like it, can now lock you away for as long as they want to and not tell anyone. Scary.
Life was simpler without so many political considerations for a simple purchase. Now that Martin is off my shopping list, I need to find out if buying a Taylor acoustic will support free enterprise or the marxist socialist opposition. I really like my little GS Mini and would like to move up to a full size GS.
Thank you. If you track back through my posts, you'll find I've stated my opinion that the East Indian Rosewood should be returned to Gibson, despite all of the customs errors. It's also been my opinion that Gibson acted knowingly with respect to the Ebony, and it should be confiscated.
That's exactly what happened and I'm quite satisfied with the outcome.
However, I understand your emotions regarding the government action.