Gibson Acquires Mesa/Boogie

[Element Zero]

I've noticed a major decline in Mesa over the past 20 years.

You have? Interesting. I’ve noticed the exact opposite.

 

[micguy]

I’m waiting for a Subway amp with roboknobs. ;-)

Actually, that makes more sense than robotuners.

 

[wagdog]

On the upside Andy should now get a sweet employee discount on Gibson gear.

 

[JTE]

Didn't all the Gibson acquisition fiasco happen under Henry J? So why the knee-jerk assumptions that current owners/management will continue that legacy when those kinds of decisions are precisely why Henry was chased out?

 

[Matt Dean]

You have? Interesting. I’ve noticed the exact opposite.

Me too... I love my TT800 and 115/210 stack.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Wow.
It is entirely possible that they will be smart enough to leave well enough alone.
I hope so.

Gibson has gotten a reputation for being where brands go to die.

 

[Jazzdogg]

As a guy who started playing in 1976, a lot of that was fiction and nostalgia.

It was great if you owned a pre-CBS instrument, but a lot of it was hype. I would happily sell a pre-CBS instrument for a premium price, but I would also play a post-CBS instrument if it played well.

You may be right. I started playing around 1968 and remember Fender amps being held in low regard after CBS bought Fender, but I was just a kid in high school at the time.

 

[Matt Dean]

Wow.
It is entirely possible that they will be smart enough to leave well enough alone.
I hope so.

Gibson has gotten a reputation for being where brands go to die.

I don’t think that will happen... Mesa/Boogie is just too good.

 

[BunchyMutt]

Greenboy Fearful, Aguilar, Mesa Boogie, Reverb Sites what's next?

What's this about greenboy fearful?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

What's this about greenboy fearful?

The Greenboy forum went away suddenly along with the Fearful plans. I believe the plans are still available at speaker hardware . com

 

[BunchyMutt]

The Greenboy forum went away suddenly along with the Fearful plans. I believe the plans are still available at speaker hardware . com

Gotcha, but no purchase/buyout (that we know of) per se

 

[lomo]

I don’t think that will happen... Mesa/Boogie is just too good.

In these situations, whether the comany is good/makes good products is usually considered irrelevant by the bigger fish. The questions are 1) Is the small fish is profitable, and 2) Will "changing" it make the overall profit of both companies increase......and question #2 is often is asked in the context of the next fiscal quarter or 2, not beyond.
i don't blame Mesa's ownership for selling, but my view is akin to a band name I've always wanted to use (but haven't after being repeatedly overruled): low expectations

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Elaborate. Or get off the pot....

Apt analogy!

 

[Mudfuzz]

Best case scenario: Boogie continues largely uninterrupted and also provides Gibson with the capability to reproduce their old-school amp offerings (GA40 etc) to compete with the likes of Supro and bite into the blues lawyer market share

Worst case scenario:
Gibson : Boogie as Fender : SWR

Or Gibson : Trace Elliot......

 

[coreyfyfe]

Funny, I've been thinking about the employees and culture more than ownership.
I believe that quality products can be built in China assuming good design, parts specs, and project management.
Who knows if Gibson's interest is to lower Mesa pricing? Surely Mesa has never let prices affect manufacturing or features.
OTOH, I am afraid that some of the creative energy and/or nearly unlimited number of products from Mesa may be limited in the future.

I actually kind of wonder if this will lead to some interesting import tier products. Mesa-designed/epiphone-branded amps made overseas? Gibson hasn’t really done Gibson branded amps outside of their reissues of various vintage models, but they did try a number of epiphone models over the years.

 

[Bent77]

I actually kind of wonder if this will lead to some interesting import tier products. Mesa-designed/epiphone-branded amps made overseas? Gibson hasn’t really done Gibson branded amps outside of their reissues of various vintage models, but they did try a number of epiphone models over the years.

That small import combo market has been an absolute boom for Fender. I’m sure there’s enough market there for others to take a cut if they make a comparable or better product

 

[cusar5]

You have? Interesting. I’ve noticed the exact opposite.

Agreed. The Subway series was a massive step forward for the company.

 

[Jack Butler]

Interesting, I’ve actually witnessed the exact opposite. Mesa has always been good, but I feel like in the last 10 years they are the leaders in production amps,the only step beyond is custom/boutique. Plus competitive pricing for a made in USA product.

I've noticed a major decline in Mesa over the past 20 years. As such, I don't really care what happens to them. They were already well on their way to the crapper.

 

[4andnomore]

This is a brilliant move on Gibson's part. Under new leadership and are turning the corner. I doubt they will kill off Mesa - the brand has far more cache than say SWR or Tobias. I am expecting great things.

 

[Loring]

In other news you may have missed:

Ibanez has purchased Wal. Wal basses will now start at $269.
Fender has acquired AudioKinesis. Get em while you can.
And Behringer now owns Bergantino! Get ready for Behrintino!





I kid! I kid!

you kid but Behringer owns turbo sound and Midas now...
(have for a while)