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Post by earleg on Jan 28, 2020 14:25:57 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2020 16:15:16 GMT -5
Well, that is a surprise.
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Post by jbone on Jan 28, 2020 16:25:56 GMT -5
Interesting. So the CBS era was a fairly sucky time for Fender guitars it sounds like. Then the employees and an outside entity bought it out and did some good work bringing it back. Once a company goes global though the future is never certain. I know Fender had some very good guitars made in other countries, as has Gibson and others, but along with that we've seen some pretty low on the scale axes too. The article did not go into design or manufacturing futures at all.
Along to same lines Hohner began having some low end harps made in China, or rather rebranding them with their logo, to tap into the cheapo market. You can get a "Hohner" harp at Cracker Barrel for $5. It won't last 'til the water gets hot. Other sellers began moving harps made in China as well, and these days there are actually some decent harps coming from China. I remember in the 90's I could buy 4 Chinese harps for the cost of one German Hohner, and maybe one of the Chinese harps would be fairly reliable and tuned halfway okay. At the time Hohner was having quality issues related to higher demand for products, and their harps suffered. That's when I began looking for something I could depend on, that did not cost as much. Of course at the time I was a hard player and could wreck a harp in one gig.
So I wonder if this change with Fender will affect their mid and higher end guitars' quality? What do y'all think?
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Post by whitefang on Jan 29, 2020 10:25:34 GMT -5
So all I get is simply an ownership change, no change in management. For now anyway. That can change anytime down the line. I've known new owners in other businesses claim the management and operation will remain the same, but then one day their position of power gets to them and then they start to thinking they can do things better and changes start taking place. Several good stores and eateries 'round here went down in that fashion.
As for Fender, we'll just have to wait and see. Whitefang
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Post by earleg on Jan 29, 2020 15:03:41 GMT -5
They own these brands > Fender (of course), Jackson Guitars, Squier, Charvel Guitars, Gretsch, Guild Guitars, Tacoma, Groove Tubes, Fender Digital LLC, Baldwin It is a bit sketchy on Gretsch as mainly distribution at first but seems there is ownership involved and manufacturing now. They also distribute for a few other brand names .
"On October 28, 2007, Fender acquired Kaman Music Corporation, which owned the Ovation Guitar Company, Latin Percussion and Toca hand percussion products, Gibraltar Hardware, Genz Benz Amplification, Charvel, Hamer Guitars, and is the exclusive U.S. sales representative for Sabian Cymbals and exclusive worldwide distributor of Takamine Guitars and Gretsch Drums."
From Wikipedia: "As of July 10, 2012, the majority shareholders of Fender were the private equity firm of Weston Presidio (43%), Japanese music distributors Yamano Music (14%) and Kanda Shokai (13%), and Servco Pacific (5%).[10][11] In December 2012, TPG Growth (the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG Capital) and Servco Pacific took control of the company after acquiring the shares held by Weston Presidio.[12] In January 2020, Servco Pacific became the majority owner after acquiring the shares of TPG Growth.[13]"
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Post by whitefang on Jan 30, 2020 10:33:35 GMT -5
HOY!
So, maybe this isn't about an ownership change, as much as it is an ownership addition!
Whitefang
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