cbs and fender

[fenderx55]

When ppl say CBS in re: fender, is it the actual media conglomerate or another company with the same name? Why would a broadcasting company acquire a guitar manufacturer, even if it is one of the biggest in the world.

[bucephylus]

Originally Posted by fenderx55@yahoo

When ppl say CBS in re: fender, is it the actual media conglomerate or another company with the same name?

yup, it was the conglomerate.

Originally Posted by fenderx55@yahoo

Why would a broadcasting company acquire a guitar manufacturer, even if it is one of the biggest in the world.

They thought it would be profitable. In typical big company fashion, they ended up just milking profits and destroying the quality. Bottom line: they wanted profit, and didn't really care about the product. That said, the instruments through that period weren't as cool, but also weren't total losses; and there are some great examples of basses folks like a whole lot. That says a ton for Leo's designs.

[Philbiker]

Same reason AMF bought Harley-Davidson. With basically the same result. Both were eventually bought back by employees and grew to be much better than they were in the "conglomerate" phase.