All Genz Benz products on "standby" by Fender ??

[BillisCool]

Maybe fender will start making better hybrid amps now!

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 My point was that they are a small part of one big honkin' company.

+1 And have been for a while, so I don't think there is any reason for folks to get too upset.

[arai]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

....I don't think there is any reason for folks to get too upset.

Originally Posted by tombowlus

As a large, complex and established company who cares about a coordinated interface with the public, Fender has a policy of asking their employees to not engage in social media. With that in mind, my guess is that we will see less responses from individual Fender (Genz-Benz) employees on threads which directly relate to their products. This makes sense, and many companies do this.

....

I think not having a voice on here would be a big loss. I would call that a reason to get upset

[Randy S]

Don't ever doubt Fender's ability to destroy a company they "bought out".

I still mourn the loss of Tacoma.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by arai

I think not having a voice on here would be a big loss. I would call that a reason to get upset

Has anything changed in that respect? Ownership change took place when, 2009, something like that? The GB gang has been on here daily since then, it's only this thread they've stayed away from I think.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

Has anything changed in that respect? Ownership change took place when, 2009, something like that? The GB gang has been on here daily since then, it's only this thread they've stayed away from I think.

I believe the issue as stated by Tom is that they are now part of Fender, not a 'sister company' of Fender under the overall holding company. Again, who knows, but that is a change, I believe, if it is true.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by KJung

I believe the issue as stated by Tom is that they are now part of Fender, not a 'sister company' of Fender under the overall holding company. Again, who knows, but that is a change I believe, if it is true.

If that's the case then that is indeed significant, and probably not good. Nothing against Fender but from the customer standpoint even if their production doesn't change that likely means we've lost that great customer service and access we've all appreciated so much.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

If that's the case then that is indeed significant, and probably not good. Nothing against Fender but from the customer standpoint even if their production doesn't change that likely means we've lost that great customer service and access we've all appreciated so much.

Again, these corporate shuffles go on all the time. I guess, if I am remembering correctly, FMIC owns KMC. So, not sure what it means if Genz is moved out from the many KMC brands to being a 'sub brand' of Fender directly. Who knows.... probably just putting all the amp brands (SWR, Fender, Genz) under one roof. Makes sense from a corporate efficiency and R&D perspective.

Who knows though... just musing based on Tom's posts above.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by KJung

I believe the issue as stated by Tom is that they are now part of Fender, not a 'sister company' of Fender under the overall holding company. Again, who knows, but that is a change, I believe, if it is true.

I wonder how this will effect product pricing

[odineye]

I was going to suggest this thread be moved to the humor section. But now I'm wondering if there's an"acid trip" section because this has passed beyond funny and entered the surreal...


Forums are a trip.

[blowinblue]

I'm going to look on the bright side here (assuming any of this hysteria is true). Bright side #1 is that I have only one piece of Genz-Benz gear to malfunction and so be forced to call up and talk to someone from the evil Fender empire. Bright side #2 is that I have several pieces of reliable, great sounding Aguilar gear. I feel better already. Let's hope Dave doesn't sell out to some big corporation.

M. M.

[jza57]

Wow.... ! I am really late to the parade . What time do the Lebanese Clown Hookers hit the stage ?
I guess this is better than Politics on the radio .

[IPYF]

So it all turned out to be a storm in a teacup? What a surprise (detect sarcasm).
Company restructures are super common. Happens within my corporation all the time. It usually just means that I have to email someone I haven't emailed before about something I used to email someone else for.

There was interesting point brought up earlier though, insomuch as we don't really know which amp companies are actually doing well. Sure. We're the biggest bass community on the web so we often get caught assuming that the amplifiers that we all hail are selling as well as we think they should be

It's probably not the case. The reality is that I've never once seen a Genz at a gig in Australia. I know I certainly couldn't afford to buy one from a store, not that I could anymore since the only carrier of GB buckled here recently.

The only brands of amps I see consistently in Melbourne are Ampeg and GK. And for every one of those amps I see about 3 Mark bass amps. I reckon if a city could have an official amp ours would be the Little Mark. And because these brands are so consistent the second hand market is massive.

This is the primary issue with amplifiers. Even the cheapest bass amps are specialty products, and if they're not designed to last they become unpopular extremely fast and you would probably not buy the same brand as a failed unit again. So how well are amp manufacturers doing in this economic climate? Potentially all the amp makers are in as much trouble as the rest of the retail industry. Just because the amps are amazing doesn't mean that the company is doing ok.

[sonic 7]

I fear Aguilar will also be sold to the highest bidder, i would hate to see that but I cant think of any other successful independant amp company that didnt go that route.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by sonic 7

I fear Aguilar will also be sold to the highest bidder, i would hate to see that but I cant think of any other successful independant amp company that didnt go that route.

G-K. Started in Robert A Gallien's garage in the late '60s. Still wholly owned, operated and designs by Robert A Gallien.
How about Peavey as a second?

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

The Genz-Benz designers and engineers are still involved in the company, only they now have wider responsibilities.

I like the sound of this. My guitar player friends seem to like GenzBenz acoustic amps better than Fender ones. Fender and SWR have had some potentially great amps that always miss the mark in some way. I am hopeful that the guys at GenzBenz will get their hands on these designs and have some input into Fender's other acoustic and bass amp offerings.

[sonic 7]

I did speak a little soon, i forgot. GK, Mesa, I wouldnt really consider Peavey a small amp builder at this point. Im sure Ive omitted someone else but the list of independent amp companies sold to larger buisness' is long. Ampeg,eden, swr , genz , trace elliot , sunn , marshall , vox, ....

[B-string]

Well you did say "independant amp company"? Carvin also makes the not sold out list IIRC. Mesa's original designer/owners moved on didn't they? Asking cause I don't know for sure.

[JTE]

Originally Posted by Randy S

Don't ever doubt Fender's ability to destroy a company they "bought out".

I still mourn the loss of Tacoma.

Tacoma was in trouble before FMIC bought them. QC issues were popping up regularly and there was a seeming decline in quality to the point FMIC decidednit just wasn't worth screwing up Guild's reputation and trying to turn Tacoma around.

John

[Primakurtz]

Originally Posted by B-string

Well you did say "independant amp company"? Carvin also makes the not sold out list IIRC. Mesa's original designer/owners moved on didn't they? Asking cause I don't know for sure.

Mesa is still owned and operated by its founder.