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

[DrumsAndBass]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

How about the new Super Bassmans ? Seems like a hell of an improvement over the old Bassman, which alot of us had to use back in the day.

Right on, a big yes, but those two Super Bassman amps are exceptions. Maybe as a company Fender is spread too thin ? Needless to say, we'll all hope for no degradations in the Genz designed bass amps.

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by DrumsAndBass

Right on, a big yes, but those two Super Bassman amps are exceptions. Maybe as a company Fender is spread too thin ? Needless to say, we'll all hope for no degradations in the Genz designed bass amps.

I am not business savy or an economist by any stretch, but it seems to me that Fender probably makes the bulk of it's profits with the instruments and guitar amps. There were some " super " types of ss bass heads throughout the years, but the lightweight bass head trend over the last decade or so has sort of passed Fender by. I also hope the GB heads continue their innovative success under the Fender name.

[Musicman20]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

How about the new Super Bassmans ? Seems like a hell of an improvement over the old Bassman, which alot of us had to use back in the day.

I'd love a Super Bassman! The price is a bit high though.

[Limeman]

Originally Posted by wcriley

Ummm...don't you think that Fender/FMIC would have used "cheaper components, cost-cutting, etc..." in Genz Benz products from the onset if that was their intent? All the amps you mentioned were designed/marketed/manufactured after Fender/FMIC acquired Kaman.

Well, as I best understand it, GB ran independently of Fender/FMIC and Kaman, so the answer would most likely be that GB designed, manufactured, sold and supported their gear as they saw fit - with little to no outside pressure. Now that Jeff (and hopefully the others from GB - for the sake of their employment) are under the "guidance/control" of Fender, the same can no longer be said. Thus, my concern. Not saying in any way that the outcome of GB, or of the GB designs for that matter, will be negative, but Fender's past with the bass amp companies that they have absorbed has not been particularly positive.

[B-string]

Okay guys I've had enough. I am consulting my crystal ball right now for the answers.....OH......OH.......OH NO I DROPPED IT The answer was right there! Now we will just have to wait...........

[IPYF]

So this is confirmed now as a proper merger?

I'm not surprised that the corporation want to bring their best product line in under the flagship name. It's hardly a bad idea. There's every chance that the results won't be bad either.

I mean look at what products Fender have brought out recently. The new Pawnshop guitar and bass line show really sparky innovation; they're giving the player something completely quirky and new. The new Blacktop basses and guitars are also really high quality for a smart price, and I'm told by my local store that they can't keep them on the shelves.

So the indication to me is that the corporation are looking to properly innovate and that's probably why they've rolled in Genz Benz; because if there's one group in the bass world who know how to make waves it's GB. Additionally, I haven't read whether SWR has gone, but if it has it wouldn't surprise me if they've done it deliberately to put all their eggs in one basket here.

Think about it. The formidable backline titan of yesteryear coupled with the pioneers of lightweight modern amp technology, bankrolled by Fender. Imagine the kind of bass amps and technology this team could potentially produce if managed correctly.

[Limeman]

"IF"... now that is the operative word. One can only hope and I would be thrilled if the synopsis you suggest comes true. Will be interesting to see what happens, but I am for sure nabbing a few extra GB amps if they hit the streets at blow-out prices.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by B-string

Okay guys I've had enough. I am consulting my crystal ball right now for the answers.....OH......OH.......OH NO I DROPPED IT The answer was right there! Now we will just have to wait...........

You musta' dropped yours the same time I dropped mine... had to delete my post...

All I know is, some of the latest vintage/retro stuff Fender has done is really great, and the last run of products from GB was their best ever. FWIW, I'd like to see both do more along the same lines, and maintain the brand differentiation based on that.

BUT, I don't know squat regarding any real/detailed info, so we'll just have to see what happens and hope for the best.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by Vic

You musta' dropped yours the same time I dropped mine... had to delete my post...

It's this thread Vic . Brought bad ju-ju to our balls. That didn't sound right? To our crystal balls. That's better (I think?)

[IPYF]

Well it all depends on their intentions of course. I'm operating under the assumption that Fender isn't just trying to sweep two of its product lines under the rug for financial reasons. Admittedly they've done it before, but I think using Sunn as a case study isn't really fair in this instance since it happened so long ago for vastly different reasons.

I don't do Fender's books, so who knows. They could be in deep financial cr@p with a big red line under the P and L of their bass division.

I guess we're just going to have to wait and see. I mean I don't blame them for not hyping it yet, if they are trying to create some kind of 'supergroup'. Everyone knows that in marketing when you've got nothing new to show, you need to show nothing.

[Jim C]

Does this mean that older GB amps will be sold as Pre BS?

[chetmz]

Only 298 most posts of conjecture, worrying,whining and guessing and we reach 1,000. Then this thread will erase itself and we'll wait for a clear answer.

I love my Streamliner and am among those that is hopeful Fender determines there is enough market value in the line to keep it going and learns that continues to see the value in the product line.

[sratas]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

AFAIK, Bass Direct have been a huge Genz seller in Europe, (no doubt the biggest seller) and Mark always has pretty good offers on Genz gear. Those prices are clearance on the older discontinued models. They have been like that for months.

The NX2 cabs say 'arriving in March' - http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_...ox_Cabs_2.html

sorry, not exact, the .2 amps and streamliners are not the older versions (there are no .3 amps, right?). It seems that the "clearance" involves all GB gear, regardless of old or new. Check it, Musicman.
I hope this in only a good offer or that unsold amps are proposed at a better price. good for me.

[joelb79]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

I was only saying it in jest. I hope they stay as good as they are now. Not really bothered about the value, because I bought one before a price rise, and the other was a very clean second hand amp.

and half of what I said was a big "WAAAAAAAA" anyways because where is my pre-price-raise GB product where Jeff was available on the phone?



It's golden era for sure in GB days, but I don't think its a valid point that Fender integrating the designs into their newer stuff will be bad. Take the Superbassman for example, what a great amp. Light years better than the older stuff, but the older stuff will be easier to repair is my biggest point I wish to make.

All in all, if Fender is standing behind GB stuff while in warranty there shouldn't be much of a difference even if Jeff or crew isn't directly available anymore. The SuperBassman is exciting, i'd love to see what Jeff cooks up with Fender regardless of it if wears the GB name or not.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

How about the new Super Bassmans ? Seems like a hell of an improvement over the old Bassman, which alot of us had to use back in the day.

Those are the shizz, for sure. I think that the 800 Pro and TB600/1200 are also very excellent heads which never got the love that they deserved.

But, like many of you, I'm hoping that Fender utilizes Jeff and Andy and continues to offer high quality lightweight heads/cabs, regardless of what brand they put on it at the end of the day.

[mattbass6945]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Does this mean that older GB amps will be sold as Pre BS?

classic. i'm going to use that.....

[rpsands]

Let's figure out what they should call the new line.

Fenz Benzder?

[rapidfirerob]

Coconut Dark Chocolate.

[Limeman]

Originally Posted by joelb79

... All in all, if Fender is standing behind GB stuff while in warranty there shouldn't be much of a difference even if Jeff or crew isn't directly available anymore.

Ummm.... So I guess you've never dealt with Fender CS, or GB CS for that matter? Comparing the two is like saying a Toyota Yaris is the equal of a Corvette ZR1 on the Nürburgring. The idea of having Fender handle warranty or repair issues for GB is a sad thought.

[Musicman20]

Originally Posted by sratas

sorry, not exact, the .2 amps and streamliners are not the older versions (there are no .3 amps, right?). It seems that the "clearance" involves all GB gear, regardless of old or new. Check it, Musicman.
I hope this in only a good offer or that unsold amps are proposed at a better price. good for me.

They've been that price for some time. Good, yes, I agree. But they've been that price with Bass Direct for a while