Vic wrote:
Re. Fender....Jennings Musical Industries (JMI) makers of Vox amps were in the same position in the mid 60's.....mainly as a result of over-growth and diversification, trying to satisfy the US market. Bad thing.
Do as Ferrari does....not everyone is going to drive one of our cars....toughies.....if you want one (we only produce x number per year, because that's what our economy of scale can handle) you go on a waiting list and you pay the $.
Both Fender and Gibson are producing far to many instruments (some of which are horrors in their own right) trying to raise more income for the struggling companies. Clearly it's not a viable solution to their problems.
Agree 100% .
Fender and Gibson head managers are greedy as any other managers on the world .
Result of chasing a profit is a product which never seems to be close to something called Quality Control , quality parts or proper guitar setup (not even proper strings on factory guitars)
Cheap wood, cheap parts , no more passion for making guitars = crappy guitars , but for the price of proper, boutique guitars .
Give me just one reason why today's guitars are not even close to those master pieces back in '50, '60 or even '70 ties ?
Because new greedy management cannot find anymore good luthiers or proper wood ?
No more good pickups, no decent wires and pickups ???
Shortage of solid hardware , no more good paint ??????
What a shame !
Founders of Gibson and Fender will never allow such a business policy in their time .
I think , both companies will get to the bottom and get bankrupt .
That might be good, because this is the only way to stop to foolish guitarist all around the world.
Than , the owners have to fire current management team , and appoint people who will produce again the best guitars on the World, with love and passion .
And that include not too much higher price, if not the same .
Everyone with a little bit of brain can order parts from internet and build (DIY ) BETTER guitar than any Fender or Gibson , mass produced .
Let China and Co. honestly and proudly produce almost the same guitars for $300 per each , at least they don't foolish us with $2.000 -$3.000 price tag .
And let bring Gibson and Fender back on the top .
My 2c , in the sake of guitarists sanity ?
ps
I owned Gibsons and Fenders (still have one) , nothing against guitar owners, this is about wrong management and managing of two legendary World companies .
