The "Fender" Factor

Beowulf · Growing Lion Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 876

Does anyone have an opinion one way or the other about the recent Fender buyout? Should Fender (or "the Empire of Evil" as some Jackson fans have dubbed it) buy out smaller companies? Does this help or hurt?

My opinion - it's a win-win situation. Companies like SWR and Jackson can benefit from Fender's experience and advertising $$ while Fender can diversify and improve their lineup. People claim that now Fender will mass-produce these products in the same way they do with their Mexican and foreign-made guitars..... but I doubt that will reduce quality enough to complain about. Any thoughts?

CK · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2003 12:49 pm Post subject: Gbuyer1

I am a buyer for one of the largest music retailers in the country (not telling which one Very Happy

) and I have a personal and profesional relationship with Fender. As of right now production will be in Corona (Ca) not Mexico.

Before the buyout SWR was slowing production and was very behind in their deliveries and after the buyout Fender is playing major catchup. We aren't seeing much SWR and won't until late next month at the earliest.

GreyFox · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2003 3:43 pm Post subject:

it will mean lower prizes (because of mass production)
don't you think?
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bassman80189 · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2003 4:04 pm Post subject:

On a lot of companies it has been for the better, SWR, Jackson and many others have benefited from Fender's marketing power, but Sunn I believe was better before the buyout. A lot of people will also say that Fender was better before CBS bought them, so it probably won't make much of a difference, and is just a matter of opinion

Beowulf · Growing Lion Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 876

CK · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 7:15 am Post subject:

I don't think it will affect the price too much. The SWR line as a whole isn't that strong. Most SWR users prefer the higher end stuff and not the workingmans line.
The higher end stuff is very nice but the lower end workingmans stuff in my opinion is not very good.

supermau · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 4:48 am Post subject:

I could care less. I do own a pre-Fender SWR 350 Pro head. It's nice.

gibson_thunder · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 2:09 pm Post subject:

Trace Elliot went downhill after they were bought by Gibson...wait...am I insulting Gibson? Yes I am- They make great basses but they trashed Trace Elliot. Just a comparison...
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Beowulf · Growing Lion Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 876

What happened to Trace Elliot? I don't play their amps. Did they lower the quality or something?

gibson_thunder · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2003 6:58 pm Post subject:

they were LOUD, extremly clean & way under-rated powerwise before, & the ones ive seen from Gibson were decent, but nothin special. just another amp...I own a pre-Gibson combo & I wouldnt trade it for a Gibson model with twice the power rating. But I would trade it for a tube combo. any takers? Very Happy

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Beowulf · Growing Lion Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 876

Aw, man... I can't afford a tube combo. I wish. Anyway, I say "enjoy your Trace". You're lucky to have it. Cool