Disappointed in NAMM

[InkCow]

Honestly, I would expect this to be the new normal. The MI industry is mature and highly consolidated: Korg, Yamaha, FMIC, Gibson are going to want to limit the competition between their own brands, for example. Companies, naturally, need to extend the life cycle as long as they can.

Until there’s another technological disruption (like class D brought, maybe something like NuTube would bring another wave), I think this is just how it’s going to be. Which isn’t bad, honestly! We’ve got a lot of great choices at all price points, so it’s hard to complain. I totally understand the disappointment, but we’re going to have to suck it up, buttercups

 

[agedhorse]

There will always be companies pushing things forward by developing new products to address what players are asking for. Some will be wildly successful, many won’t.

Also, successful and profitable don’t always go hand in hand (short term at least).

 

[Zooberwerx]

I think "anticlimactic" would be a better description. Never been to a NAMM show but I'd be secretly hoping it was like a new car show w/ scantily-clad models, free-flowing liquor, etc.

Riis

 

[6thplanet]

I’ll be in Nashville next weekend all the way from California. Anything I gotta check out before the show I’m seein at the grand ole opry?

The Low End bass shop. Literally a bassists mecca.
You'll have to contact Brian ahead of time to set an appointment for a weekend meeting. I've never seen a more diverse amount of basses in my life. Not that I've been everywhere, but wow, seems like one of every type is there.
Quite a few amps/cabs too. I have one of my amps there as well.

 

[tombowlus]

So, NAMM hasn't yielded much in the way of new amplification. Highlights seem to be Aguilar limited edition white amps( big deal), and maybe a bit more significant, GK led sleds. But, you'll have to haul 25 lbs in order to get 400watts @4 ohms. I don't know. I was hoping for more. Maybe there's a surprise or two lurking post NAMM from some companies. Still waiting for more combo amp entries now that weigh issues have been conquered.
P. S. There is a new amp from Seymour Duncan. Good to see a new contender.

It did seem that this year was light on the amplification side, but man ,were there a lot of phenomenal basses (different thread, I know).

On the amplification side, the new RB Legacy heads were far and away the most interesting/exciting. Sure, they may be "only" 400w, but if you have experience with the former RB heads, you will know that they are in no way limited when it comes to volume at a gig. They really did sound great, though I will admit that with their larger size and weight, they aren't meant for the masses.

Trickfish's Bullhead 3k was officially introduced as a demo last year, and was on display as a production unit this year, alongside their new lightweight cabs - which really did sound great!

As previously mentioned, Warwick has a new line of heads in 300/500/800w flavors, with one and two-channel options, plus a line dedicated to those who use pedalboard preamps. According to HP, the output module is proprietary to Warwick, and is not made by ICE or Pascal. I didn't spend a ton of time with them, but they looked very promising.

But yeah, all in all, this was a lighter than average year at NAMM in terms of new bass amplification products.

It was also the year of horrific mixes. Every performance I heard, from the smaller acts playing the beer garden, to Jon Batiste playing the NAMM main stage, had truly awful mixes.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

That's smart, as long as they don't increase the prices without increasing quality as a "Fender tax". IMO the Indonesian factory has been outperforming the Mexico one for quite a while in terms of value.

Mexican-built Fenders are about to get a 25% tax --er, tariff-- hike. And it won't be Mexico payin' the difference!

 

[tombowlus]

Mexican-built Fenders are about to get a 25% tax --er, tariff-- hike. And it won't be Mexico payin' the difference!

A whole lotta gear is going to get much more expensive for the consumer, and yes, they are all passing on the costs of the tariffs to the consumer. This was a big discussion at NAMM, and I would expect price increases across most of the industry. For those brands who do not raise prices, I definitely applaud you!

 

[OldogNewTrick]

snip...
As previously mentioned, Warwick has a new line of heads in 300/500/800w flavors, with one and two-channel options, plus a line dedicated to those who use pedalboard preamps. According to HP, the output module is proprietary to Warwick, and is not made by ICE or Pascal. I didn't spend a ton of time with them, but they looked very promising.

en/Warwick--Products--Amplification--Warwick-WA--WA-Serie-Ampheads--MS-800-Multi-Stage-Head--Pictures.html

 

[blizzard]

en/Warwick--Products--Amplification--Warwick-WA--WA-Serie-Ampheads--MS-800-Multi-Stage-Head--Pictures.html

Wow, how does Warwick still have that horrible website? Heads looks interesting, I'm not sure that the amps having it's own Warwick power module instead of an ICE one is really a pro.

 

[Alvin2022]

Mexican-built Fenders are about to get a 25% tax --er, tariff-- hike. And it won't be Mexico payin' the difference!

Looks like the 25% tariff hike on Mexican-built Fenders could be a great opportunity to bring more manufacturing back to the USA! This shift could help support American workers and create new jobs right here at home. Let's invest in local production!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Looks like the 25% tariff hike on Mexican-built Fenders could be a great opportunity to bring more manufacturing back to the USA! This shift could help support American workers and create new jobs right here at home. Let's invest in local production!

It's hard to believe Fender's US employees in Corona, CA are making just 25% more than their peers in Mexico. It's equally hard to see how the price of these new "lower-grade" US-made goods will not soar far beyond the 25% tariff. Or find US consumers who are willing to pay more for less quality. The math makes no sense.

 

[Alvin2022]

It's hard to believe Fender's US employees in Corona, CA are making just 25% more than their peers in Mexico. It's equally hard to see how the price of these new "lower-grade" US-made goods will not soar far beyond the 25% tariff. Or find US consumers who are willing to pay more for less quality. The math makes no sense.

Time will tell, but bringing Fender’s production back to its roots in the U.S. could certainly prove beneficial. It doesn’t necessarily need to be in Corona, as California is a high-cost state with substantial taxes and often burdensome regulations. Texas, on the other hand, presents an attractive alternative with no state or city income taxes, lower real estate costs, and a more business-friendly environment overall. It could be a strategic move for both the company and its workforce.

 

[InkCow]

That’s fine, but the tariffs don’t cost Fender anything. A new factory and American workforce does.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

When I went in 94... It sorta felt like I "sneaking " in.
The lead guitarist in my band owned a music store. Thats how I got a credential.
I was a guitar salesman for a day!

 

[agedhorse]

Looks like the 25% tariff hike on Mexican-built Fenders could be a great opportunity to bring more manufacturing back to the USA! This shift could help support American workers and create new jobs right here at home. Let's invest in local production!

Fender already manufacturers both guitars and amps in the USA. If it made sense, they would have already done it, except that you may find the cost difference is even higher.

 

[FRoss6788]

Time will tell, but bringing Fender’s production back to its roots in the U.S. could certainly prove beneficial. It doesn’t necessarily need to be in Corona, as California is a high-cost state with substantial taxes and often burdensome regulations. Texas, on the other hand, presents an attractive alternative with no state or city income taxes, lower real estate costs, and a more business-friendly environment overall. It could be a strategic move for both the company and its workforce.

I'd never buy a "MIT" Fender product.

Never.

 

[lefty1979]

Wow, how does Warwick still have that horrible website? Heads looks interesting, I'm not sure that the amps having it's own Warwick power module instead of an ICE one is really a pro.

I thought the same thing. I just picked up a used streamer LX and went to the website for info. I swear they haven’t updated that website since I bought my last Warwick when I was in high school!

 

[bumble yeti]

I think there will be some post NAMM releases that will prove to be more interesting, from companies that didn’t exhibit. I am aware of at least two.

Hmm… Is one from Mesa maybe?

 

[scuzzy]

I think it's significant that FMIC is now willing to sell Indonesian builds as Fender-branded instruments instead of of Squier.

I have a Chinese made fender, it's several years old. What's new?

 

[SJan3]

That’s just it…You are absolutely entitled to be disappointed and feel like it all blah. Absolutely…

My response was a blanket statement to the subject in and off itself, because at the end of the day, it’s ok to be bummed….But it also doesn’t owe you anything either.

There are a lot of keyboard warriors that complain like it justifies them . I’m not saying you in particular, but they do.

I am on the inside and I know what these companies go through…

I come in peace

On a side note: That GK “led sled” took best in show. There was enough of a demand for years to be back something RB like and it sounds amazing. I plan on not having one in my tour rig, but 2 of them

GK is a great product. I've owned 3 of their amps over the years. I can believe it won't best of show. But, at my age, I'd prefer to carry 5 lbs, not 25. Best of luck to you and
Go in peace.