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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:52 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
The amp department is a different story. WAY too much emphasis on affordability and not nearly enough on quality and almost zero emphasis on historical accuracy. It makes no sense to me to meticulously recreate guitars and then only provide approximations and/or bastardizations of amplifiers.


+1000000

I'd score the entire division as an epic fail.

:evil:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 5:03 pm
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When I become CEO of Fender I'm making Arjay VP of the Amp Division. :) I'm sure the quality will sky rocket but what do you think the bottom-line for say a HRD would be?

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:34 pm
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The entire HR line (and the companion Blues Deluxe/DeVille models) would be totally revamped. Tube sockets would be anchored to the chassis (NOT the PCB), the PCB itself would be upgraded to mil-spec construction, ribbon connectors would be discarded in favor of hand-wired pots, switches, and trannies, the input jacks would be nickel-plated Switchcraft types mounted directly to the control panel, pine planks would replace the MDF used for cabinetry, speakers would come from Weber, WGS, or Celestion (no-charge option), and RoHS solder would be GONE GONE GONE.

The MSRP would likely increase by 100% but these amps would last 15, 20, or even 25 years. Guaranteed.

(and now you know why they'd never make me an exec at FMIC)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:30 pm
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Sounds to me like all I need to do as CEO for the Day is appoint most of those that have posted to this one as the VPs of the various departments first thing in the morning, Strongly suggest they add the option on the Vintage reissues to be hard tails, then head to lunch with the company credit card!

:mrgreen:

T2

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 6:12 am
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T2Stratman wrote:
Sounds to me like all I need to do as CEO for the Day is appoint most of those that have posted to this one as the VPs of the various departments first thing in the morning, Strongly suggest they add the option on the Vintage reissues to be hard tails, then head to lunch with the company credit card!

the company would be out of business in a week. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 6:16 am
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strings10927 wrote:
the company would be out of business in a week. :lol:
Perhaps, but we'd have hardtail Strats with vintage specs and HRDs guaranteed to last 25 years. :lol:

... unfortunately ...

There is not much love for the hardtail Strat let alone a hardtail Strat with vintage specs. And as for amps lasting 25 years, you'd think this would be a no brainer but many out there would not be willing to pay $1,400 USD for a HRD that came with a 25-year guarantee. They'd rather pay $700 for a 5-year warranty and take their chances.

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BM

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:40 am
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
strings10927 wrote:
the company would be out of business in a week. :lol:
Perhaps, but we'd have hardtail Strats with vintage specs and HRDs guaranteed to last 25 years. :lol:

... unfortunately ...

There is not much love for the hardtail Strat let alone a hardtail Strat with vintage specs. And as for amps lasting 25 years, you'd think this would be a no brainer but many out there would not be willing to pay $1,400 USD for a HRD that came with a 25-year guarantee. They'd rather pay $700 for a 5-year warranty and take their chances.

Cheers!
BM


I would really like it if the Vintage Reissues gave you the option at least of going hard tail! As for going out of business pretty quickly, if one lunch on their card is gonna break them...they are already done and don't know it!

T2

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:33 am
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T2Stratman wrote:
As for going out of business pretty quickly, if one lunch on their card is gonna break them...they are already done and don't know it!

I was more referring to firing every VP at Fender and replacing them with forum members.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:37 am
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Regarding "vintage specs" on guitars:

I personally prefer a 9.5“ radius fretboard over the more “vintage correct" 7.25“. I own guitars with both of those specs, and while I really like my (Vintage Spec) Stratocaster, I greatly prefer the playability and feel of my two Telecasters (both have 9.5" radius)...of course I'm one voice/one consumer amongst thousands, so you can take that as you please...

I have no problem offering two (or more) radiuses/radii/whatever.

G&L did it for many years, which addressed the needs for both "vintage" and "modern" players.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:42 am
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That's very democratic of you SA. After I appoint Ajay VP of the Amp Division, I'm naming you VP of production specs.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:09 am
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As far as the things I would do as CEO, everything Arjay/Retroverbial said re: build quality of amplifiers would be first on my list, and I would add this to his statement:

I'm not a purist.
I don't mind master volume circuits (one of my favorite amps from Fender history is the master volume-equipped Bassman Ten)...I like a lot of vintage silverface amps, and like a few of the recent '68 Custom Silverface series (especially the Princeton Reverb)...I don't mind solid-state rectifiers...I don't mind on-board channel switching...I don't even balk at the better solid-state amps such as the Frontman series...I even liked a couple of the Pawn Shop amps, for what they were...

Also, I regularly use an old Line 6 POD as a pre-amp/DI box for recording, so I know such devices are useful for certain applications. It can never compete with the sound quality of a good Fender tube amp, but it works for that one thing I use it for.

But in the name of everything Good and Proper, don't put out a sad-sounding, toy-effect-laden, poorly built crap with Fender's name on it.

Fender is not Line 6.
Fender should not stoop to play in Line 6's arena.
Fender is Fender, and should produce amplifiers that do what Fender amps do.

Several of the hybrid VM series of amps are somewhat usable and decent starter amps at their core...however, when you go past that "core" and add on the digital effects (digital reverb...really?) and 16 personalities/voices (each worse than the last), that significantly lessens the perceived value and tone quality of Fender amps. Add the fact that those amps are built on the cheap (read: poor quality/won't last long with major use), you're further lowering Fender's brand name equity.

...and don't get me started on the G-DEC/Cyber Twin-Cyber Deluxe/Mustang abominations that sully Leo's (and George's and Forrest's and Freddie's and...) legacy.

If you want to make a cheap starter line of digital-effect amps to compete with Line 6, put it under the Squier name, or make up a name, or name it after your least favorite aunt, but don't degrade the Fender Brand Name with such throwaway toys.

...and I have anecdotal evidence that guitarists (young and old) strive and will spend money for a simple (read: no added digital effects) amp over their current cheap-sounding toys:

Through my congregation and my daughter (the Armadillo Teen), I come into contact with young players who have acquired the best equipment they can afford on their limited budgets, which often means a lot of lower-end Line 6 Spiders, Fender Mustangs, etc. Some of them have progressed to mid-level solid-state Valvestate Marshalls or Fender Frontman amps, and a few have been blessed by inheriting a father or uncle's old mid-level amp. I never insult any of their equipment, because I remember when all I had was a little 1970`s solid state Gibson G-20 with a broken reverb tank...it wasn't/isn't a "bad" amp, but it is what it is.

However, I will occasionally make suggestions on improving their tone, and that generally includes turning off or turning down the digital effects on their amps. I also have "traded rigs" with them for the jam session, allowing them to play through my Big Ol' Board of Sonic Bliss and my '63-reissue Vibroverb (which is not a dead-to-rights accurate re-creation of a real '63 Vibroverb, but is a great amp in itself)...and I'll adjust their rig to fit my sound/preferences, while allowing them to do the same with my amp and effects.

Invariably, two things happen;
First, they are surprised at how much better their rig sounds when we switch back...because I turned down or turned off all the extemporaneous crap that was hiding the true sound of their guitar behind the digital processors.

Second, they don't understand how their "modeling amp" doesn't sound as full and rich as a real Fender tube amp...

Which often leads me to tell them how to find a decent amp on a budget, which doesn't always lead to Fender, due to their (FMC's) inability to offer a good "student" amp such as the Champs and Princetons of years gone by.

Several of them have sold their amps or second guitars with the idea of saving up for a good amp, whether it be solid-state or hybrid or tube...people want a something that sounds good at a decent price, and you can't tell me it's not possible to address that need.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 7:24 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
But in the name of everything Good and Proper, don't put out a sad-sounding, toy-effect-laden, poorly built crap with Fender's name on it.

Fender is not Line 6.
Fender should not stoop to play in Line 6's arena.
Fender is Fender, and should produce amplifiers that do what Fender amps do.
And that's why you'll never sit in that chair. I don't disagree that building some models up to old specs and charging an arm and a leg for them is a good idea. Hell, they might sell dozens of amps at that price point.

But you obviously do not have an eye for innovation. Remember, this is what a mobile phone used to look like. Just because it wasn't practical in the 80's doesn't mean it's a bad idea now.


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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:27 am
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I think you're barking up the wrong tree there, strings.
Like he said, sell as many cheaply made amps as you want but just leave the Fender name out of it.
Boogie sells lots of amps. More than dozens. You don't see them selling digital modeling crapola.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:50 am
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I first would question why there are so many models of the same guitar available. I got my first strat in 1964- they didn't have as large of a collection back then. seems as though there are too much to choose from. if they all sell well, then I guess I am wrong, and probably will get fired quick.

I don't have a problem with innovation. I have a mustang lll v.2 that I think is a great amp. there is a market out there for modeling amps, and fender will still sell a good amount of tube amps to those who want them.


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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 12:07 pm
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strings10927 wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
As for going out of business pretty quickly, if one lunch on their card is gonna break them...they are already done and don't know it!

I was more referring to firing every VP at Fender and replacing them with forum members.


Well I didn't say those new VP's couldn't use the previous one as a consultant! That way you could at least throw out their more egregious and obvious mistakes!

:mrgreen:

T2

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