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

[60bass]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

No I do get your point, but this is a supply train and logistics gripe. If there was a market to support the expense, they would be amps available.

I kind of agree with this but its the old catch 22 thing. How can you build a market if there's nothing there for people to see and try?

Let's say 1 guy buys the rig and all his friends see and hear it and they like it. That type of experience builds possible customer interest but still doesn't mean too much if there's no stores stocking the product. It's a tough call for store owners.

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by willsellout

I hear wishbass is buying Peavey.

Darrin Huff is putting a deal together to buy Wishbass first and own them all, he has $70K in billable orders to use as collateral for a down payment.

[BuffaloBass]

Well, I am a pretty awful bassist at times and only mediocre at the best of times, but if you'll indulge my vocation for a mite, I can assure you I am truly a pro....

While many here are in the belief that Genz-Benz, as being popular, particularly
in the TB community, this likely does not translate into positive marketing driven sales data in a macro sense.

Two: like it or not, the overall climate of the music products industry can be viewed as only mediocre ( we're spending more in the collective on wireless data feeds which cannabalizes much else) as oppossed to other segments of the music or even entertainment industries.

Three: I would almost characterize the music instruments industry as one in perfect competition, which is a consumers' boom ( in the 70's when I was a kid, a "squier" level bass would have been like $39. AND A DECENT PLAYER. Trust me $50 got you junk new in 1970)

With that backdrop, y'all must realize that most manufactuers are barely getting by, and there will be change and consolidation. I am surprised that some havent already gone and suspect many are just, just getting by. A few more % demanded by their bankers and they'll not be able to make it.

From that, my takeaway is that you'll get a very interesting annoucement at NAMM on this. If this was a public co, we'd be privy to the merger docs with GB, and we'd be able to really hone our speculations.

Barring that, and since I feel no ethical constriants commenting on a private entity, I might start the brainstorm by positing:

What if Fender decided to can the BG name and use all the tech in a new Fender Bassman 21 series ( 21st century, that is) with the marketing goal of putting PV right the heck out of buinsess, or at the least, going head to head with them and dominating the mid market? SWR is in EXACTLY the same space.

So thats my spec'; the names SWR and GB can be dropped by contract, and might be.

Or I just gave them one decent market penetration idea, this post serves as copyright proof! - WILL WORK FOR GEAR!!!!! ( and that's worth a micro-head)

i say again, WILL WORK FOR GEAR!!!!

Peace y'all!

[bugbass]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

No I do get your point, but this is a supply train and logistics gripe. If there was a market to support the expense, they would be amps available.

GB is new in Norway, but there is no products to try out, how can
anyone know if the market is there?

[Stingray5]

I'm very surprised no one from Genz has chimed in here. Gives me the sense SOMETHING is up. The only news I could find was this:

http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/index.php/ne...-follow/017230

"In 1988 it was bought by US distribution giant Kaman which was snapped up by Fender in 2007 for $117m giving the guitar manufacturer distribution of Hamer and other brands such as Ovation, Takamine and amp brand, Genz Benz.

A spokesman for Fender told MI Pro it was: “Transitioning Hamer to focus on more profitable lines. At this point in time it just makes sense. Sales have been declining for a long period of time.”

"The question it does raise, however, is what fate awaits some of the other brands under the Fender ownership? The firm’s spokesman did seem to indicate that Hamer would not be the last name to disappear.

“It’s too soon to tell but,” he said, “but I imagine, based on our 65-year history, that it would be the case, yes.”


I hope this doesn't spell the end for Genz.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by B-string

If you are not familiar with corporate policies it would be far out-stepping agedhorses position to make comments on world wide distribution concerns. He is an amazing resource to GB and everyone here and I for one would not like to see him endanger his position with Genz Benz.

^^^ this. Lack of direct reply by anyone at GB shouldn't be construed as "confirmation" of "facts" or "rumors." People who are employed by companies, especially companies owned by larger companies, have to be very careful and what they say and how they say it. Social media is a blessing and a curse. My guess is that some (many?) here have never worked in a position roughly equivalent to agedhorse or Jeff G.

[joelb79]

For FMIC, I am sure that it is a challenge to balance giving the customer what they want and competing within their own brands; especially when buying a brand name means increased overhead costs and lower profit margins. The point is, you will never see the Fender brand sacrifice for the other brands they own as the longevity of the Fender name is key for the company. When the sales numbers do not gain because of the ownership of other brands, then ultimately those lower sales numbers translate into limited days.

I for one would love to see a source that Genz Benz is Fender's best seller. I really do not think that is the case; it's not what I see here locally. Talkbass is not the real world nor the majority.

And also, as a guy who was considering a shuttlemax.. I'm going to can that idea for a bit until this rumor is somewhat verified or dismissed officially (and also for financial reasons as well).

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by joelb79

For FMIC, I am sure that it is a challenge to balance giving the customer what they want and competing within their own brands; especially when buying a brand name means increased overhead costs and lower profit margins. The point is, you will never see the Fender brand sacrifice for the other brands they own as the longevity of the Fender name is key for the company. When the sales numbers do not gain because of the ownership of other brands, then ultimately those lower sales numbers translate into limited days.

I for one would love to see a source that Genz Benz is Fender's best seller. I really do not think that is the case; it's not what I see here locally. Talkbass is not the real world nor the majority.

And also, as a guy who was considering a shuttlemax.. I'm going to can that idea for a bit until this rumor is somewhat verified or dismissed officially (and also for financial reasons as well).

I've noticed much the same thing where I live, and I don't live out in the sticks. Most bass players around here use GK, Hartke, and Peavey, or go IE. I have never seen a Genz Benz amp used locally, unless it was the one I was using. And, I doubt whether I would have used it either, if it had'nt been for TalkBass !. And yes, Fender has been around for 65 years, it's not going away anytime soon, mostly because of it's instruments, and guitar amps, I'd bet.

[B-string]

I understand withholding purchase for personal finance reasons. BUT, withholding a purchase because of rumor is the best way to make rumor become truth

[AtomicPunk]

I'm never selling my Shuttlemax 12. Never. And especially if this is true. NEVER.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by B-string

I understand withholding purchase for personal finance reasons. BUT, withholding a purchase because of rumor is the best way to make rumor become truth

Exactly. I would expect the opposite reaction--get it now if there is any doubt you might not be able to later!

[kurosawa]

[SteveC]

Thankfully I am not in the market for an amp right now. I love my little GB combo/extension rig. We've gone IEM at church so no amp needed there. The little stack works for everything else I have...for now.

If I did go shopping, it wouldn't be Fender, maybe Ampeg. I tried a couple little combo's I've liked lately.

[Stingray5]

Originally Posted by nostatic

^^^ this. Lack of direct reply by anyone at GB shouldn't be construed as "confirmation" of "facts" or "rumors."

never-the-less it's curious. I remain surprised that there isn't even a benign update based on GB's response level here historically. This is eerie silence.

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by Stingray5

never-the-less it's curious. I remain surprised that there isn't even a benign update based on GB's response level here historically. This is eerie silence.

The GB folks are happily posting on the forum, just not in this thread. Smart cookies.

[60bass]

Originally Posted by Stingray5

never-the-less it's curious. I remain surprised that there isn't even a benign update based on GB's response level here historically. This is eerie silence.

As an owner of a Genz Benz rig I hope it's a case of "no news equals good news".

That being said if it comes down to it, Fender will do what's best for Fender and it's always been that way.

[B-string]

It comes down to who do want to see fired, demoted, pending distribution deal ruined or no news available yet for new distribution network.
No reason to think they are anything but healthy here in the USA.

[joelb79]

Originally Posted by B-string

I understand withholding purchase for personal finance reasons. BUT, withholding a purchase because of rumor is the best way to make rumor become truth

Not having money for purchase being the biggest factor right now... Even on the used market i'm sorta short big time. Yay! However, I have other reasons for being cautions; mostly due to the PC board design of things when they break they will be gone for good without GB corp. I love the big lead-sled versions of their heads but I'm not willing to drag around electronics+case that outweighs my 15/6/1.

[jumblemind]

Rumors are rumors, but I imagine a LOT of people are watching the fate of Guitar Center, especially very large companies that do a considerable portion of sales through them. Doesn't GC have some sort of their own "fiscal cliff" approaching in April?

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by jumblemind

Rumors are rumors, but I imagine a LOT of people are watching the fate of Guitar Center, especially very large companies that do a considerable portion of sales through them. Doesn't GC have some sort of their own "fiscal cliff" approaching in April?

Anybody remember Mars Music ?