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Thread: End of an Era. 43 years with JBL is Over

  1. #1
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    End of an Era. 43 years with JBL is Over

    I was unceremoniously separated from employment by Harman following a 90 second explanation. My position was eliminated! Following an explanation of benefits, I was escorted out. The timing came as a surprise and as such, I haven't thought about my future plans. While I don't need to work financially, I need to be active and challenged so I must figure out what makes sense for me going forward. To be clear, this is not what I wanted or deserved, but I will not comment further on details until a much later date. My decision, not theirs.It was a good run and I am very pleased that I have brought so many people enjoyment with the products I have developed over the last 4 decades. Once things settle down, I hope to be more available on the forum, but I need some time to adjust.My best wishes to all you JBL fans. Treat your products well and enjoy them while you can.Best Regards,Greg Timbers
    Last edited by gtimbers; 09-30-2015 at 10:29 PM. Reason: Typo

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    I am speechless... What the... !

    But probably, now you can design even better sounding systems in the future (if you want to), free from the commercial interests of the big corporation.

    Maybe this is a case of the Peter principle? I find this amusing, that all large corporations, by nature, in the end are managed by incompetent persons on all levels. Just ask Volkswagen!
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle
    Last edited by bubbleboy76; 09-30-2015 at 11:36 PM. Reason: Added Volkswagen.

  3. #3
    Senior Member BMWCCA's Avatar
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    I'm only sorry to hear the news because it wasn't by your own choice. I appreciate that you've brought it to our attention and proud that you think of yourself as one of us. My favorite systems are those in which you had a hand and I am grateful that you had such a positive impact on the way I enjoy music.

    All the best and I hope we'll hear from you again soon and often.



    We've been talking about the end of an era at JBL for a few years, but this clinches it for me! So sad.
    ". . . as you have no doubt noticed, no one told the 4345 that it can't work correctly so it does anyway."—Greg Timbers

  4. #4
    Senior Member Hoerninger's Avatar
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    thank you for the time.
    __________
    Peter

  5. #5
    Senior Member ivica's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gtimbers View Post
    I was unceremoniously separated from employment by Harman following a 90 second explanation. My position was eliminated! Following an explanation of benefits, I was escorted out. The timing came as a surprise and as such, I haven't thought about my future plans. While I don't need to work financially, I need to be active and challenged so I must figure out what makes sense for me going forward. To be clear, this is not what I wanted or deserved, but I will not comment further on details until a much later date. My decision, not theirs.It was a good run and I am very pleased that I have brought so many people enjoyment with the products I have developed over the last 4 decades. Once things settle down, I hope to be more available on the forum, but I need some time to adjust.My best wishes to all you JBL fans. Treat your products well and enjoy them while you can.Best Regards,Greg Timbers
    Dear Mr. G.T.,
    I have been amassed while reading this post, and I believe that most of this Forum members would be sorry while reaching this information, that JBL legendary Mr.G.T. will not continue to improve JBL product in the unselfish way as He has done in last 43 years ( what a coincidence - number 43 - for the novice: do read more about 43xx studio monitors ), but his work would leave non hide-able groves in JBL engineering profile. To day we are aware of the statement that most of the engineering production company are "led" by the PEOPLE for home ONLY Stock-exchange index are the only reference without any future vision. We can remember the name "ALTEC (Lancing)" what is was, and what it is now, in the audio field.
    Me, as a AH Forum member, would enjoy in the opportunity that respectable Mr.G.T., would spend some more time with us, giving to us a piece of his enormous knowledge and experience in the science of sound, and engineering trade-offs, that would effectively lead us to the more realistic reproduction of music, and voices.

    Best Regards
    Ivica

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    Tragic news mate. To me, you were always synonymous with JBL.

    I tend to gravitate towards speakers you designed and will pretty much buy anything if it is a Greg Timbers design/influence.

    Appreciate all you have done and am excited that you are gonna be around here to contribute a bit more!

    All the best in future endeavors and I am sure if you wanted to pursue work in a similar field you would have quite the CV.

  7. #7
    Senior Member martin2395's Avatar
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    Oh wow, that's bad! Can't find a better description other than the Harman acted like ungrateful scumbags.
    The name "Greg Timbers" was a synonym for JBL for many years and it will always remain that.
    I know, I know it's not the time for jokes but.....43 years, could it have something to do with the '43 series?

    A BIG thank you to you for all your knowledge, time and effort.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Odd's Avatar
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    Thanks for many fine products through many years.

    Hope you will spend some of your time here on the forum.
    43XX (2235-2123-2450-2405-CC 3155)5235-4412-4406-4401-L250-18Ti-L40-S109 Aquarius lV-C38 (030) 305P MkII

  9. #9
    Senior Member macaroonie's Avatar
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    Greg , I would like to offer a big thank you for the many fantastic designs you have had a hand in over the years and the pleasure that you have given me and many many others.

    Sorry to hear of your sudden walk to the car park , Harman do make some very strange decisions.

    The very best wishes for the future Greg , I'm certain that when the dust settles you will find avenues in which to apply your considerable talents.

    Mac

  10. #10
    Senior Member baldrick's Avatar
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    I'm totall in shock how Harman can treat the sngle most imortant person in JBLs history this way, it makes me just sad.

    The only positive thing about this is that we might see more of you here Mr Timbers!

    We are so many that appriciate what you have done, hope this is not the final end of Your creations!

  11. #11
    Senior Member Doc Mark's Avatar
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    Good Morning, Greg,

    Many thanks for sharing this sad news with us, and for your very even explanation of how things went down for you, literally and figuratively, when you got the word. As has already been said, you most certainly deserved better, and I am sad, mad, and quite ashamed of JBL for doing what they did, and for the manner in which they did it!! Like others, I get joy from your designs every single day, and very seldom do I listen to our L300's, or think about the 4-way, 4345-inspired system that is in the works, or look at the L250's that still wait for me to get time to get them up and running, that I do not think of you, Sir, and all that you did for those of us who love the "real JBL" systems!!! HUZZAH!! to you for all that you have done, and for all that you will, I'm sure, continue to do, in the loudspeaker design arena!!! For JBL to be so callous about all this, is short-sighted, mean-spirited, and ignorant, IMHO. But, it does show just how much things have changed since the "good old days" at that company. To me, you were the heart of JBL, and also their "soul", keeping them in touch with their roots, all the while continuing to design new and innovative systems!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Greg, for all you have done for us, and also for being a down-to-earth, regular guy, who loves what he does!!! It was great meeting you at Doug and Annie's, a few years ago, when Howard Durbin also joined us (he came with my friend, Bob Walker)!! Keep the faith, my friend, and my wife and I wish you all the very best, in whatever you decide to do in the future!!!! Whatever you decide to do, I know you will be a success!! Take care, and God Bless!!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc Mark
    The only thing that can never be taken away from you, is your honor. Cherish it, in yourself, and in others.

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    Well Greg I'm very sorry to hear that. This kind of stuff really makes me mad about modern companies. You give them years of your life and when they let you go they treat you like a criminal. I work in research labs primarily for the oil business. I experienced this first hand when I was laid off a couple months ago. Modern companies treat people like shit and expect you to ask for more with a smile on your face. Sorry for the bad word.

    I wish you the best of luck and I hope you figure out something that you enjoy, preferable working for yourself.


    Nick

  13. #13
    Senior Member srm51555's Avatar
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    With the GT name behind the speakers you we confident a good, well developed product was produced, without it they are just like all of the others speaker manufactures. They will eventually regret this, probably not today, tomorrow, or even this year. The sad thing is they will never even know it because if it's like anywhere else management turns over every two years. Thank you for all you have done.

  14. #14
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    The Unwinding

    Hey Greg. Been there! Seems this is pretty much SOP in the corporate universe these days. New people come in and have a new "vision" (complete with blinders). Management blows up, the game changes. Check out George Packer's, The Unwinding. A lot of us are going through it. Appreciated all your submissions here in the forum! Stuff I would never find elsewhere - basis for my DIY 4-way (never ending) experiment. Mike

  15. #15
    Webmaster Don McRitchie's Avatar
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    This is sickening. I too am speechless. I'll weigh in with more detail once I let this news sink in. For now, my condolences and expression of disgust with Harman management on this development.
    Regards

    Don McRitchie

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