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KORG ACQUIRES AGUILAR

#201
Here's a feel good thought that has as much basis in reality as 98% of what's been posted in either this or the Mesa sale threads.

What if Aguilar was on the verge of a new product release and had the engineering, prototypes, pre production samples, and all required testing and certificates ready for production. But the company or owners either didn't have the ability to, or didn't want to borrow the huge amount of money necessary to get this new super amp into production? I don't remember Korg buying and screwing up companies and the few products of theirs that I used have been really good.
Maybe the cash infusion and expanded sales network would allow them to finally build the top secret 400 watt all tube bass amp that weighs 35 lbs...

Or, maybe Covid was devastating to Aguilar and that sales have been horrible while costs keep rising. Maybe Korg will keep a great company in business that just didn't have the resources or time available to ride out this horrible storm.

Or, maybe all MI amplifiers will need to have an offshore, inexpensive product just to survive without killing their pro gear offerings. A small company might not have enough time or resources to put a plan like this together in the near term.

Glass half full and 100% speculation but maybe a good thing we won't know more about for 6 months.
 
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#202
steve_rolfeca said:
On the lighter side, I see that the Yamaha acquisition has already resulted in exciting innovations at Ampeg:

Ampeg Announces Limited Edition Micro-VR Stack Bass Amp

Genuine red Tolex!
Click to expand...

Again... Ampeg is still a heritage brand, which the Japanese value greatly. The best examples of the opposite can be seen in Line 6 - also owned by Yamaha. A lot of innovation has gone into the Line 6 offerings after Yamaha acquired them.
 
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#203
Jim C said:
Here's a feel good thought that has as much basis in reality as 98% of what's been posted in either this or the Mesa sale threads.

What if Aguilar was on the verge of a new product release and had the engineering, prototypes, pre production samples, and all required testing and certificates ready for production. But the company or owners either didn't have the ability to, or didn't want to borrow the huge amount of money necessary to get this new super amp into production? I don't remember Korg buying and screwing up companies and the few products of theirs that I used have been really good.
Maybe the cash infusion and expanded sales network would allow them to finally build the top secret 400 watt all tube bass amp that weighs 35 lbs...

Or, maybe Covid was devastating to Aguilar and that sales have been horrible while costs keep rising. Maybe Korg will keep a great company in business that just didn't have the resources or time available to ride out this horrible storm.

Or, maybe all MI amplifiers will need to have an offshore, inexpensive product just to survive without killing their pro gear offerings. A small company might not have enough time or resources to put a plan like this together in the near term.

Glass half full and 100% speculation but maybe a good thing we won't know more about for 6 months.
Click to expand...

"no ifs, buts, or maybes" oh wait that is what this thread is about. I will join in:)

Maybe all new 'Aggie' amps will have built in tuner
IF like another poster said Korg dose not have reputation ruining company's bought all will be well
But if investors don't like profit numbers bad things can happen
 
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#204
The investors liked the profit numbers well enough to buy at the asking price. The question is, will Aguilar meet the new profit margin assuming a change is in the new business plan.

The top bass amps in the world all ship without built in tuners. Marketing for these companies must not see the value in adding the feature.
 
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#205
Jim C said:
"The investors liked the profit numbers well enough to buy at the asking price."

Do we know that? I am not saying this is a 'Corporate Buy and Kill' but the Corporate World has many dubious reasons for actions they take.

Korg has a wide range of products it distributes hopefully they feel Aguilar is worthy product for them.

My guess is the profit was not so good and price was right as they also get their technology to use where they please. Not all but History shows most acquisitions in this field [and others] the company be acquired wasn't exactly tearing things up.

"Registers ringing up sales is music to Korg's ears. Korg USA is the US-based distribution operation of Korg Inc., a Japanese manufacturer of musical instruments and professional audio equipment. The subsidiary boasts a vast musical products portfolio and sells such items as drum machines, keyboard synthesizers, recording and sound equipment, tuners, metronomes, foot pedals, cases, and related accessories. The company primarily caters to customers in North America and counts Beyoncé and Whitesnake among its customers. Korg USA also is a distributor of instrument amplifiers made by Marshall and Vox, as well as the Vestax line of DJ mixers, turntables, and other equipment."
Click to expand...
 
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#213
I use Aguilar P-style pickups on most of my basses. Hoping Korg will make a Fender-style 5-string pickup, so I don't have to mod the Aguilar pickups myself to make it fit.
IMG_4438.JPG
 
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#216
Matt Morgan said:
I literally involuntarily shot a good portion of the beverage I was drinking out of my nose upon reading this...effing priceless.

Brad owes me a couple napkins and some windex.
Click to expand...

It was such a great setup. I remember when Gibson was killing brands left and right. Like Tobias. How do you screw that up? Ask Gibson.

:D
 
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#219
fishdude101101 said:
You mean the 5-string P pickups Aguilar makes don't actually fit?
Click to expand...

Correct, Aguilar does not make the 3 and 2 configuration split-coil pickup. Their selections are all equal-sized split-coils. So I had to buy a 5-string and a 4-string pickup, desolder and mix-n-match them to make it fit the Fender body and pickguard.
 
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