Gibson Acquires Mesa/Boogie

[MordBass]

I can not believe anything wrong will happen to Mesa. You can't put down such a brand without paying the price a way or another as I mentioned earlier.

I would agree with you if not for the trail of dead in gibsons wake

 

[bassinflorida]

True, but not since they changed the CEO I think

That would likely be a step in the right direction.

 

[Snaxster]

Or ya could go out and buy a bunch of amps and cabinets today, keep them in the boxes for twenty years, then loose a ton of money because "pre-Gibson" never materializes in the vintage Mesa market.

Or make a ton of money because it does.

Sorry... I couldn't resist (stating the opposite possible outcome (contrapositive?) in your invocation of risk-return in speculation).

 

[Pops OB]

One thing is certain...

Time will tell.

 

[DJ Bebop]

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.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

For Gibson, not to have taken advantage of the availability of MB would have been a mistake. Acquisition may be proof that management is savvy. Extrapolating on bad data will not lead to enlightenment. One should wait and see.

The above was in the fortune cookie that came with the takeout.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I don't think it's about being cynical at all and I don't think the revenue stream of those past companies is a concern either.
I think it's about the lack of quality in products after Gibson gets their hands on them. Most of the people in this thread aren't cheering on the demise of Mesa and they aren't saying they'll be gone in six months either. They're genuinely concerned that the quality of the products will drop below a level that they're willing to purchase at.
We love Mesa amps so we're worried that Gibson won't do right by them.

I think Gibson now may have a better idea of what to do.

Mesa IS NOT a floundering brand. There is no reason for them to fold with Gibson unless, those with brand loyalty towards Mesa back away prematurely.

As mentioned with the other brands...

Folks already left those brands and tone goals. And when they were revived,
It was too late, folks had moved on. That is why brand support is so important.

If enough people were buying SWR or whatever brands have folded,
They would still be here, Ampeg anyone? Despite the ups and downs, on shore, off shore, ownership over the years, they are still here.

This is not the case here unless, we back away as far as bass gear goes.

In case we didn't know Mesa also sells guitar amps and cabs too, I hear they are a good seller for them

 

[Madhouse27]

With all the great Mesa bass equipment now in house, I wonder if Gibson looks to acquire a bass brand to go with it. What would Rickenbacker cost? What else is out there?

 

[knadles]

I've been a Mesa user since the '80s, with the original Bass 400 (not "+").

These things never go well once the MBAs take over. I might have to pull the trigger on the TT-800 before they move production to Asia.

 

[old player]

The old saying, "birds of a feather", Expensive guitars, and expensive amps.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've been a Mesa user since the '80s, with the original Bass 400 (not "+").

These things never go well once the MBAs take over. I might have to pull the trigger on the TT-800 before they move production to Asia.

What if they did both like Sadowsky?

Mesa continues to do what they do out of Petaluma under the Mesa branding. ATST Andy designs some other budget friendly stuff that can be built out of country like everything else coming in except, it will be built with the Mesa thought process. I mean something like the TC BAM or the Trace Elliot Elf only with Mesa sensibilities under the Gibson name so as not to be confused with the boutique Mesa line. The difference between Sadowdsky NYC line vs the Metro line.

Think about it...

 

[SunByrne]

OK, yes, we all know that Gibson doesn't have a great history with many of its previous acquisitions (see the many references to Tobias, Trace Elliot, Steinberger) and that doesn't only apply to Gibson, as lots of "small company gets gutted by big company" scenarios can be found. Nor, frankly, am I particularly a big fan of anything Gibson makes.

But I think it's way too early to panic. Gibson is under new leadership and the new leadership seems like a big step up from their immediate predecessors, and @agedhorse knows more about this particular situation than the rest of us combined, and if he's not concerned, well, maybe we should hold off instead of jumping to conclusions.

I know, I know this is the internet and jumping to conclusions is half the point...

 

[Element Zero]

I've been a Mesa user since the '80s, with the original Bass 400 (not "+").

These things never go well once the MBAs take over. I might have to pull the trigger on the TT-800 before they move production to Asia.

They’re NOT moving anything. It’s all still gonna be built in Petaluma.

 

[Wasnex]

They have been in the past. Gibson owned the Orange brand for a time in the 90s and had something to do with Trace Elliot for a while on the aughts before selling it off again. Neither seemed to last long, maybe this time around will be different.

Just for the record Gibson's association with Orange was a fiasco. This is the story as I know it. Gibson did not actually own Orange, rather they licensed the brand from Cliff Cooper. Gibson had Matamp build and finance the 90's era reissue amps, but the amps did not sell well. Gibson essentially left Matamp holding the bag and there has been bad blood between Matamp and Orange to this day. Gibson handed the license back to Cliff Cooper in 97 and never paid for the amps. The current Orange was birthed in 97.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Truth.

Circumstances are understandable. Yet.

Hmm.

Understandable?!? Only if you are the US government

Gibson has an amazing amount of debt, they are restructuring and they buy ANOTHER company?

Bet they plan on selling the Mesa name.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Predicting the outcome: looks BAD at first BUT:

we'll just have to sit by and watch.
they might land on their feet.

 

[sleepingEB0]

Fun post, though the analogy doesn't hold. The move to water-cooled wasn't driven by an acquisition. Nobody who isn't a serious air-cooled 911 enthusiast would argue that the current products aren't superior. And Porsche resale values, 911s anyway, are stronger than ever before.

I'm sure that comes off argumentative - not really my intent; I just saw an opening for a Porsche conversation and couldn't resist.

I almost bought a 997 2S this year and I’m also not a subscriber to the philosophy of air cooled Porsches but it is a real sentiment that does have affect on the market was more my point in saying it.
I personally think a 2020 Gibson is as good functionally as a Kalamazoo but that’s also going to be a controversial statement.

I get the air cooled thing but I also would take a 992 any day ever. As much as thr old cars have soul and a unique ‘ analogue’ experience I’ll take the Convenience speed and comfort of a modern car any day.
However, I do enjoy old sports car and I especially enjoy driving and flipping them for bonus money instead of eating depreciation.
Old Porsches and BMWs and Audi’s are great fun to drive and hunt for.

 

[Altitude]

I almost bought a 997 2S this year and I’m also not a subscriber to the philosophy of air cooled Porsches but it is a real sentiment that does have affect on the market was more my point in saying it.
I personally think a 2020 Gibson is as good functionally as a Kalamazoo but that’s also going to be a controversial statement.

I get the air cooled thing but I also would take a 992 any day ever. As much as thr old cars have soul and a unique ‘ analogue’ experience I’ll take the Convenience speed and comfort of a modern car any day.
However, I do enjoy old sports car and I especially enjoy driving and flipping them for bonus money instead of eating depreciation.
Old Porsches and BMWs and Audi’s are great fun to drive and hunt for.

Indeed. I got a 991.1 this year, early 50th birthday present. My wife was awesome about it; I had a 2003 Boxster S that I had to sell when our business failed 15 years ago. Finally was able to get back in.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I get the air cooled thing but I also would take a 992 any day ever. As much as thr old cars have soul and a unique ‘ analogue’ experience I’ll take the Convenience speed and comfort of a modern car any day.
However, I do enjoy old sports car and I especially enjoy driving and flipping them for bonus money instead of eating depreciation.
Old Porsches and BMWs and Audi’s are great fun to drive and hunt for.

I'm embarrassed to mention my 924... a VW in most air-cooled Porsche owners' eyes.

 

[4andnomore]

I don’t think you have this right. Perhaps you are not familiar with the cost of the Subway D-800, D-800+ and WD-800? (the successor to the Walkabout, which was driven by suggestions made here on TalkBass)

I guest I wasn't clear. Two distinct points I was making, didn't intend to conflate them. Just say in' the old walkabout was a kick-ass amp.