Published
Mon, Jul 22, 2019, 11:10
- Oberheim started the company from his garage in 1969 but lost control of his name in the '80s.
Guitar manufacturer Gibson has returned the rights to the Oberheim Electronics brand name back to Tom Oberheim.
Following the initial purchase in late '80s, Gibson CEO James Curleigh has said now is the time to "do the right thing" and return the brand, which Oberheim built from a DIY operation into a global company from the late '60s into the '80s. Unable to use the logo or name, he subsequently launched companies like Marion Systems and SeaSound and consulted for the likes of Roland.
"After over 30 years of being without it, I am thrilled to once again be able to use the Oberheim trademark for my products," Oberheim said in a statement. "I am very grateful to the new leadership team of Gibson for making this possible." Oberheim was responsible for creating numerous crucial electronic instruments and effects, such as the Four Voice, Matrix-12 and DMX drum machine.
Gibson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year, leading the company to rationalise its assets.
Oberheim collaborated with Dave Smith Instruments in 2016 for the OB-6, which built upon the sound engine behind Oberheim's famous SEM synths.