Email from Barefaced

[lermgalieu]

My tiny Barefaced 1x10 cab easily fills a medium sized room without breaking a sweat, and outcompetes most of the other 2x10's that I've used - not to mention that it weighs next to nothing.

Yep - I tend to take my Super Twin to rehearsals and gigs with my loud two-guitar rock band, but I am always tempted to try it with just the 1x10 and see if it could cut it. I tend to think it might be able to.

 

[moon-bass]

Inflation is not a good indication for the products needed to make a great quality Bass Cab (or Guitar Cab).
I think inflation is based more on things that the "average" consumer uses, not the best wood glue there is and quality speaker stuffing and specialized speaker drivers etc.
If the price of a Lamborghini goes up it wont show up in any inflation numbers.

If the Bareface bank balance has slowly been dropping then either the quality of material used has to drop to a cheaper quality or he has to put his prices up to continue providing the same or better quality goods.
I think most people prefer to pay a bit more then to get poor quality gear, and he has even given a heads up so people can still get some speakers ordered before the price increase.
I think that is a very nice thing to do, how many places just put the price up with no warning at all ?

that's not how inflation works. This is a fairly simplistic explanation (there is more nuance and other factors, but I'm trying to keep it simple), Inflation is an indicator of average consumer prices across the board.

Perhaps the easiest way to understand it is by using shipping costs - shipping costs affect just about everything. If a cab builder orders wood, that wood must be shipped from somewhere.

When shipping prices go up, either the wood supplier has to pay for it, and therefore they must raise their prices, or the buyer must pay for it and must raise their prices. Either way, there is a price increase that is most always passed onto the consumer.

Of course, there is also "greedflation," which doesn't apply here.

Like I said, a simplistic explanation, but hopefully you get the gist

 

[gtirard]

On the positive side

we're going to hold off the pricing revision until Monday 21st October. If you'd like a Barefaced cab at the current price, please order one now.

There's never been a better time to order a BF cab (11 days left)

To end on a more positive note, since we began all those years ago, I've been astounded and delighted by the quantity of repeat customers we get! For those of you that haven't heard/owned a Barefaced cab, please take note of how many people keep coming back to Barefaced for all their bass and guitar cab needs, and how many who've heard a cab in person then get in touch to help choose their own.

True, I've never seen a higher level of brand loyalty, in any industry

 

[Joebone]

Curious as to when they last raised prices. This feels like one where they probably should have increased prices earlier, during the nasty inflation curve we've experienced with Covid/Ukriane War/Weather disturbances to global supply chains and commodity pricing, and perhaps the US Federal Reserve keeping rates too low through 2015-2018...an issue first flagged by Fed officials who remembered the 1980s collapse in agriculture. The good news is the rate of inflation has slowed tremendously, but the bad news is that the new normal embeds the last few inflationary years. Never played a Barefaced cab but used Audiokinesis for many years, employing similar techniques and goals, and am a long-time user of UK audio gear - the UK really does have a profound understanding of audio for consumer and musician use! Very best to Barefaced in continuing their journey.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I got this email too and at first panicked because I thought they were going out of business. They aren't. Just a price increase. Par for the course.

The GBP has been historically weak for the last several years, which probably isn't helping them. I came close to buying a Three10 from them recently because a new one wasn't that much more expensive than a used one. Ended up working out a deal for the used one which should be here soon. I've had a Big Twin and a Super Twin in the past and they are tremendous cabs. Barefaced is a small company that makes a niche, boutique product for people who are willing to spend money on a niche, boutique product. It's likely a tough business to sustain and I'm actually surprised and pleased that they've been around for 16 years. They seem like great people (Alex is always super helpful if you email him with a question) and they make a great product. That said, it's not easy for ANY small company to stay in business, let alone one that sells a niche, boutique product in an inflationary environment to a global marketplace with a weak currency on top of it all. I would encourage any of you to give one of their cabs a try if you've got the coin (I say this as if I have the coin. I don't. I had to sell stuff, lol.)

I had the same initial response, and was glad to see it’s just a price increase not a closure. Stinks to have to raise prices but if the product is worthwhile the market will still be there.

 

[Wasnex]

He’s also trying to spur a few last-minute orders from potential buyers.

IMHO this is likely the primary goal.

Inflation is a normal and expected element of any economy. So it's normal for producers to raise prices over time. Most companies just do it; rather than sending out a press release.

Broad market deflation (price reductions) is rare and most likely indicative of serious problems with the economy. So while you may wish for lower prices, you probably wouldn't like the conditions that would cause prices to drop across the market. For example there was 7% deflation during the great recession.

The Fed's goal is to keep inflation near 2%. AFAIK this rate is rarely achieved or sustained. However, the current inflation rate is 2.44%.

 

[RobD_BritBass]

My tiny Barefaced 1x10 cab easily fills a medium sized room without breaking a sweat, and outcompetes most of the other 2x10's that I've used - not to mention that it weighs next to nothing.

Yeah I use two 1x10 cabs as a stereo pair, and I've not really ever been in a situation where I've needed more where additional PA support wasn't there. I don't play super loud/heavy rock, in which case I might consider bigger/more speakers, but for everything else they really are amazing.

I think I remember a similar email from Barefaced quite a few years ago when their prices were going up, again, nice that they give a heads up, they're essentially letting you buy them while they use their supplies that were potentially bought at a slightly lower price.
In the UK I think they're still good value, no they're not cheap, but it's not a cheap product, when shipped to the US I think those costs make them less competitive, but in a similar way to Aguilar & Mesa cabs being more expensive over here.

I also don't think the price rises are especially outrageous, when you look at certain brands that have just gradually crept prices up each year over the last 4 or so years, vs the prices of the BF cabs staying largely the same in that time.

 

[GR7G5TER]

IMHO this is likely the primary goal.

I don't think it would be the primary goal TBH, but certainly a nice added benefit.

I think the primary goal would be not to go bust.

Whilst inflation in the UK has dropped 2.2%, I know that building material prices went through the roof (ie higher than 11% we were experiencing at the time) our energy prices are currently triple what they were in 2020 and we had a long period when they were insane (May 20 £24.14 per megawatt, over £200 pMW from Sept 21 thru Dec 22 and April 24 £77 pMW) add in our suicidal Brexit and these have been some of the main factors for driving up prices (not government over spending) Alex is a great guy and credit to them for not jumping on the band wagon and pushing prices up at the time.

I think anyone buying one of their cabs in that period got an absolute steal, I'm saving for Three10CR, if it goes up by 10% it's still value in my opinion, just means i'll need to save for an extra month or two.

Inflation “lower than it was” means prices are increasing at a slower rate.

It's amazing the number of people who don't understand this.

 

[Queue]

Thanks. Serious question: When has prices on musical equipment, from any vendor, gone down?

I was just thinking the same thing.

 

[Aussie Player]

He’s referring to a phenomenon known as “inflation”. Rent increases, cost of utilities increase. His commute to work cost increases because petrol increases. The cost of food his family selfishly consumes increases. Wood, hardware, speakers, shipping, coverings increase. Employees’ cost of living increases continuously.

In a nutshell he’s saying he is reluctantly increasing prices to respond to increased cost and economic pressures that are stressing the business.

He’s also trying to spur a few last-minute orders from potential buyers.

Exactly. The general publics' weakest subject is "inflation". Simply put, the current stated inflation rate is just the current rate if increase on top of the recent years past inflation rates which are already influencing the base prices of all consumable components within the product and also include the current direct costs associated with running a business.

The huge inflation rates of the recent years don't go away, they remain as the baseline number with the current inflation added to that.

 

[agedhorse]

Inflation has been a constant part of life since I can remember. My grandfather would complain about a loaf of bread costing a buck… because in his day it was a dime. I remember when a gallon of gas was 99 cents so it’s funny to me when people get miffed comparing current prices to 2 bucks a gallon. Fact of life.

That said, I’m grateful to have gotten my SuperTwin before this price increase. If I had the need for another though, I would definitely buy it again at the new price. Worth it in my opinion. (And I am VERY cognizant of how lucky I am to be able to make such a statement.)

Here’s a q: considering how much plywood is going to be needed to rebuild in Florida and the other areas affected by the hurricanes, I imagine plywood prices are going to be rising. Will that impact cab makers in general?

Probably not too much impact because most (at least premium) manufacturers don’t use those low plywood grades that are used in construction (with the exception of cabinets and casework).

Anybody price copper wire lately? I almost choked!

 

[Boneless]

The inflation thing is only true to an extent. The truth is that Barefaced is also willingly choosing to be small, and therefore, instead of using the income to grow the company and therefore increase their ROI (it's not that easy, I know, but it's easier than what many say it is - "impossible"), they are more subject to market fluctuations and in a weaker position. They can increase their prices but by so doing they may become less appealing for the customer.

Another thing to consider is that, from an economic point of view, production *must* be as cheap as it can be for the same level of quality. And that takes research and development, not just "cost-cutting measures". They probably are happy with what they have achieved and can't/don't want to tinker, improve, or optimise to get the same quality or better at a lower price (or a much better value at a higher price, what is called "iteration"). Sadly, this is the case with many small companies in general. Their small staff can't be expected to always be at the top of their game, also from a workload point of view.

 

[duncmill]

Most sources estimate it takes roughly $8:00 dollars today to buy what $1:00 dollar would buy in 1970. In 1970 an Acoustic 360 rig would run around $1200 dollars or $9600 dollars today. The Kalamazoo bass I bought in 1968 was $119 dollars (the body was made of particle board by a toilet seat manufacturer) would cost about $950 in today's dollars. Nice instruments are more affordable now than any time in my 68 year old memory.

 

[el murdoque]

I'm happy you say that, because I always feel like a stupid member of a cult, a propagandist, so sometimes I try to refrain because I imagine others may find it boring.

But yeah, I play very often with regular brands in rehearsal studios, like Markbass, Fender, Ampeg or Hartke. And I can relate that a Barefaced 1x12 is comparable to other brands 2x12, or better.

When I joined an 80's metal band, I brought my Super Mini. They had a Hartke 410 sitting around and offered me to use that one. I said I'm fine, thanks.
The two guitar players use full stacks, but they match their output volume to the drums - nonetheless, that room is LOUD.
I set up, and was looked upon with pity.
A short while later I was asked to turn down a notch - and what brand that cabinet is.

 

[agedhorse]

Inflation is a very, very real thing.

 

[Wasnex]

I think the primary goal would be not to go bust.

...the primary goal is to make a profit.

 

[Boneless]

...the primary goal is to make a profit.

Meh. That's (maybe) more of a long-term goal. See: Spotify, Amazon. Other times, the end goal is to be bought out by Yamaha.

"They're much larger companies", I hear you say. That ties in well with what I wrote earlier.

 

[Boneless]

Inflation is a very, very real thing.

Inflation is actually a very, very artificial thing.

 

[agedhorse]

Inflation is actually a very, very artificial thing.

Then we will have to disagree.

One dollar (or other unit of money) today purchases less than what one dollar bought 10 years ago, that's the very definition of inflation.

Inflation - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Boneless]

Then we will have to disagree.

One dollar (or other unit of money) today purchases less than what one dollar bought 10 years ago, that's the very definition of inflation.

Inflation - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That is not what I meant.