Gibson Acquires Mesa/Boogie

[winston]

Eek..."Gibson, where great brands go to become a mere shadow of their former selves". They'll need to work hard to not screw this up, but I wish everyone the best. The Norlin and Henry J. eras don't inspire confidence, but hey, they're under new leadership now.

I see this as different from Aguilar purchase - after the '80s Korg has been by far the most innovative/forward-looking of the big 3 Japanese synthesizer companies (Roland and Yamaha being the other 2) with a real eye/ear towards both user requests, and coming up with fun, affordable bonkers gadgets that do well in the marketplace.

 

[Geri O]

What's a REV assignment? I haven't seen that expression before.

Revision number. To track changes in the design and/or manufacturing process.

A way of assigning culpability (I guess...).

 

[beans-on-toast]

Watch some of the Gibson factory tours (GibsonTV) on youtube. See The Process, a multi-part set of videos.. They’re doing a great job and have workers who care.

Part 1:

 

[StayLow]

Watch some of the Gibson factory tours (GibsonTV) on youtube. See The Process, a multi-part set of videos.. They’re doing a great job and have workers who care.

Part 1:

Thanks. O/T, this Fender factory tour is excellent and suprising too -




Exponentially more in-house and by-hand work than the vast majority of "hand made" boo-teek instruments that definitely do not, and can not, do and manufacture all that Fender does.

I won't argue it means Fender is "better", but it's definitely less outsoured and more "hand made" than so-called "hand made" brands that only do a bit of sanding, soldering and fret work in their shop while all the parts, hardware, necks, and painting is outsourced.

Same's true of Gibson.

But please let's not let facts get in the way of imagined self-worth via debt spending on brands most working pros have never heard of, or the popular pastime of villifying anything that's successful on a large scale.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thanks. O/T, this Fender factory tour is excellent and suprising too -




Exponentially more in-house and by-hand work than the vast majority of "hand made" boo-teek instruments that definitely do not, and can not, do and manufacture all that Fender does.

I won't argue it means Fender is "better", but it's definitely less outsoured and more "hand made" than so-called "hand made" brands that only do a bit of sanding, soldering and fret work in their shop while all the parts, hardware, necks, and painting is outsourced.

Same's true of Gibson.

But please let's not let facts get in the way of imagined self-worth via debt spending on brands most working pros have never heard of, or the popular pastime of villifying anything that's successful on a large scale.

The current quality of instruments is better than ever before. So good that high end products have gone a long way to drop the bottom out of the vintage market. We live in a great time.

 

[basscooker]

Revision number. To track changes in the design and/or manufacturing process.

A way of assigning culpability (I guess...).

Well.....

Culpability may be a strong word. More like being able to distinguish any "pre-Gibson" units from new old stock, or units manufactured after any changes made in general. Hell sometimes later REV versions are better than previous ones. I wasn't implying anything. Just putting it out there.

 

[Geri O]

Well.....

Culpability may be a strong word. More like being able to distinguish any "pre-Gibson" units from new old stock, or units manufactured after any changes made in general. Hell sometimes later REV versions are better than previous ones. I wasn't implying anything. Just putting it out there.

No, no, I’m sorry for making you think that.
I was told the culpability part eons ago by someone at Peavey. It just came to me as I was typing the answer.

Sorry about that! It’s all good...

 

[Geri O]

Thanks. O/T, this Fender factory tour is excellent and suprising too -




Exponentially more in-house and by-hand work than the vast majority of "hand made" boo-teek instruments that definitely do not, and can not, do and manufacture all that Fender does.

I won't argue it means Fender is "better", but it's definitely less outsoured and more "hand made" than so-called "hand made" brands that only do a bit of sanding, soldering and fret work in their shop while all the parts, hardware, necks, and painting is outsourced.

Same's true of Gibson.

But please let's not let facts get in the way of imagined self-worth via debt spending on brands most working pros have never heard of, or the popular pastime of villifying anything that's successful on a large scale.

If you thought about this a little more, you could have posted with less of an insult to the countless number of folks that bought Mike Lulls, Sadowskys, Laklands, Roscoes, and other similar basses. Have we done something wrong with our imagined self-worth (I’m still trying to figure it out, I’m pretty sure I never slagged Fender or Gibson)?

 

[StayLow]

If you thought about this a little more, you could have posted with less of an insult to the countless number of folks that bought Mike Lulls, Sadowskys, Laklands, Roscoes, and other similar basses. Have we done something wrong with our imagined self-worth (I’m still trying to figure it out, I’m pretty sure I never slagged Fender or Gibson)?

There was no insult.

Since you named brands (I dind't), I own NYC Sadowsky and Lakland, among other boo-teek brands... including one that's actually all "hand made" in-house ...except for the hardware. Bought new or pristine and gigged hard enough they'd now pass as well relic'd for that's worth, which is to say I dig 'em.

They are what they are and they aren't more "hand made" or in-house than Fender or Gibson. Actually less. Anyone stating otherwise is insulting facts and possibly insulting the intelligence of others I very respectfully suggest.

IF, and I stress *IF*, someone is among those who net their self-worth through brand snobbery or debt binging well that's on them not me.

Relevant to Mesa - which I have a LOT of - I feel safe in stating that more than a few presuming the worst are primarily, or solely, worried that their brand cachet goes away due to this Gibson deal.

 

[JimmyM]

You forget Ampeg too.

That ship sailed in 1967.

 

[fishdude101101]

Watch some of the Gibson factory tours (GibsonTV) on youtube. See The Process, a multi-part set of videos.. They’re doing a great job and have workers who care.

Part 1:

Much must have changed since the last time I was a Gibson customer, and I've read that their manufacturing processes have been upgraded, but as recently as a few years ago they had pictures of guitars on their own websites with cracked finishes.

Back in the day I bought a Les Paul and it ended up having neck issues. Their answer was that I didn't buy an expensive enough Les Paul. They couldn't explain how other manufactures made cheap guitars without the same issues. Sold it and moved on.

 

[Salicete]

I didn't read the whole thread, too many replies, so if I'm duplicating some one else's question, my bad, but...answer this:

Can you name many (any) brand that got ~better~ once it was "acquired" by another brand?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Much must have changed since the last time I was a Gibson customer, and I've read that their manufacturing processes have been upgraded, but as recently as a few years ago they had pictures of guitars on their own websites with cracked finishes.

Back in the day I bought a Les Paul and it ended up having neck issues. Their answer was that I didn't buy an expensive enough Les Paul. They couldn't explain how other manufactures made cheap guitars without the same issues. Sold it and moved on.

They had to turn things around to survive. A name can only carry you so far. There was a time when quality at Fender was not what it is now. They even ceased production in the USA. They turned that company around, it’s a work in progress that never ends. Gibson is doing the same.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

I didn't read the whole thread, too many replies, so if I'm duplicating some one else's question, my bad, but...answer this:

Can you name many (any) brand that got ~better~ once it was "acquired" by another brand?

This is a repost of mine Post#327.

Ampeg exists now because of be acquired buy larger companies.

If they were not (and they have been passed around quite a bit) the last 30+ years of Ampeg would not exist, as well as the parts supplied that keep the old SVT's and V4B's going.
The ability to purchase new versions of these great amps with a warranty is also only possible because they are still around as well as great new amps and cabs.

Like them or not, Ampeg is one of the biggest bass amp companies around and they owe that to being bought out buy "Larger Companies".

Likewise, anyone with an Ampeg product that says, Magnavox, SLM, Loud, or Yamaha on the back has an acquisition to thank.

 

[ShadowGroover]

Can you name many (any) brand that got ~better~ once it was "acquired" by another brand?

Yamaha seems to have carried the Line 6 brand forward in a positive manner. And, many believe they will help restore Ampeg

 

[sleepingEB0]

Yamaha seems to have carried the Line 6 brand forward in a positive manner. And, many believe they will help restore Ampeg

They already have in my opinion, not to pre Vietnam glory but certainly turned that ship around

 

[Salicete]

This is a repost of mine Post#327.

Ampeg exists now because of be acquired buy larger companies.

If they were not (and they have been passed around quite a bit) the last 30+ years of Ampeg would not exist, as well as the parts supplied that keep the old SVT's and V4B's going.
The ability to purchase new versions of these great amps with a warranty is also only possible because they are still around as well as great new amps and cabs.

Like them or not, Ampeg is one of the biggest bass amp companies around and they owe that to being bought out buy "Larger Companies".

Likewise, anyone with an Ampeg product that says, Magnavox, SLM, Loud, or Yamaha on the back has an acquisition to thank.

Maybe...but as the owner of an original Blue Line and recent SVT, I would truly argue "better." Yes, Ampeg might not exist if it weren't bought and sold like a $2....well you know.

I don't know enough about Yamaha to say anything intelligent or well-informed about them, so I must defer to your judgement on that one.

 

[Al Kraft]

I didn't read the whole thread, too many replies, so if I'm duplicating some one else's question, my bad, but...answer this:

Can you name many (any) brand that got ~better~ once it was "acquired" by another brand?

Disney/Pixar, Exxon/Mobil, JP Morgan/Chase, and Sirius/XM are all lauded as great examples of where mergers between big companies (even competitors) had some impressive results for both customers and stockholders. I will admit they are not music industry examples, but at least it proves that it's not always a disaster.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Disney/Pixar, Exxon/Mobil, JP Morgan/Chase, and Sirius/XM are all lauded as great examples of where mergers between big companies (even competitors) had some impressive results for both customers and stockholders. I will admit they are not music industry examples, but at least it proves that it's not always a disaster.

L'Oréal/Maybelline

 

[JimmyM]

I didn't read the whole thread, too many replies, so if I'm duplicating some one else's question, my bad, but...answer this:

Can you name many (any) brand that got ~better~ once it was "acquired" by another brand?

Ampeg. Hartke. Line 6.