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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:59 pm
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Just as a repeat to a post on another thread.
Have a "low as you can get, set up and action" on at least some of the wall to wall multitude in store's. Even the custom shop examples I dare to pick up have the same bog standard, that's how we do it, Strat set up. Just a little area set among the swathes of strats, with a "Plays like butter" sign above.
It's kinda like stuck in the Henry Ford "You can have any colour you like, as long as it's black" type thingummy.
ps If sales go skyrocketing as a result a mere 5 percent on say first million sold will be adequate :lol:


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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:30 pm
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Probably do just what Bluer Monkey has done, ask what customers want then get it done.....simples, doh wait a minute Bluer Monkey are you...time to come clean ya varmint :)


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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:59 pm
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Leo Fender spent years developing his manufacturing capability around hand-wired equipment; Which was the standard for decades. And he was a genius at coming up with ways to save money without sacrificing quality. Unfortunately, all that manufacturing capability was dismantled long ago.

Today, Fender's manufacturing facilities are geared toward automation with very little emphasis on hand-wired anything. Which is why such equipment is so expensive when they do come out with a 'custom hand-wired' whatever.

I would have to be CEO for more than a day but if I were the man I would at least research the possibility of a implementing a portion of the manufacturing to 'old school' amps. I put old school in quotes because I am not necessarily concerned with replication of vintage amps. The goal would be simple; to build great sounding, high quality, products.

If I could not figure out a way to sell significantly cheaper than the boutique builders, while maintaining quality, I wouldn't even make the effort.

Cheers,

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2016 6:32 am
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mhowell wrote:
... I would have to be CEO for more than a day ... If I could not figure out a way to sell significantly cheaper than the boutique builders, while maintaining quality, I wouldn't even make the effort.
Good points, mhowell. In fact this thread has brought forth several good points which may somehow get back to CEO actual. Maybe he's lurking in the Lounge as we read ... :twisted:

Indeed, one day would not be enough to effect substantial change so let's change the scope and assume that you were a Fender CEO for a one-year term.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:41 am
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CC Blues wrote:
I'd like to think I got the right instrument to (re)start with, an American Standard Tele with a Blues Jr to push it through. The gear outstrips my current abilities (and probably always will), but I'm working hard to close the gap.

That's an awesome start, and that's what I'm talking about...a good-sounding, decently priced tube amp that can be used as a practice/student amp but also be mic'd for live performances.

...and as far as guitar--you're way ahead of the curve. That American Standard Telecaster could easily be a lifetime instrument. Shoot, I've got an hecho-en-Mexico Telecaster that I consider my main, go-to axe (ahead of my US-made Strat or vintage G&L).

A person doesn't have to spend a fortune to get a good rig...and if Fender would concentrate on a good line of tube amps (read: durable, well-made, repairable), priced from "Student" to "Pro", they'd see their market share increase dramatically. I don't even care if they were made in Mexico or overseas, as long as they were made properly.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 12:03 pm
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
...and if Fender would concentrate on a good line of tube amps (read: durable, well-made, repairable), priced from "Student" to "Pro", they'd see their market share increase dramatically.

and what are you basing that on? Got any data to support that opinion? Will you have your products priced accordingly to offset the increase in manufacturing expenses? Sounds expensive to me.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:20 am
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strings10927 wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
...and if Fender would concentrate on a good line of tube amps (read: durable, well-made, repairable), priced from "Student" to "Pro", they'd see their market share increase dramatically.

and what are you basing that on? Got any data to support that opinion? Will you have your products priced accordingly to offset the increase in manufacturing expenses? Sounds expensive to me.

I'm basing it on the premise that Dr. Z is making great amps at a reasonable (admittedly higher-end, but not ridiculous) prices...and he's doing it with limited production facilities and limited distribution. They are succeeding at every level--durability, artistic design, satisfied customers, good looks, and (most importantly) great tones...and that's just one company.

Now, if Fender, with their better/larger production facilities and far superior distribution abilities, coupled with a greater ability to recruit talented designers and laborers, as well as their greater buying power and (most of all) Brand Name Equity, would make the effort to create a line of tube amps such as Dr. Z (and other boutique makers) are capable of making, it would undoubtedly be a successful venture...and with the factors (volume component procurement, larger production and distribution) I already mentioned, they wouldn't have to cost an arm and a leg.

Yes, it would cost more than a Fender Mustang amp or a Line 6 Spider, but that wouldn't aimed at the same consumer.

Also, I never said that Fender couldn't or shouldn't make amps at a lower price point. I praised several of their solid-state offerings (specifically the Frontman 100, which is put to good use by a bandmate of mine, and the Rumble series of bass amps, which I bought for the Armadillo Teen)...I also thought the idea behind the Pawn Shop offerings was very good (although they didn't always work due to poor execution and cruddy parts).

I'm also not against foreign production of instruments. My main guitar is an hecho-en-Mexico Telecaster. My most recent acquisition is one of the Fender Modern Player Thinline Deluxe Telecasters...made in China! Yes, I changed some cosmetic/aesthetic things, but the electronics, feel, fit, finish and function were spot on in her stock condition. If I were in need of another guitar, I would seriously consider one of the Classic Vibe Strats or Tele's...So obviously they can make a good, durable instrument at a reasonable price.

Digital amps and effects have gotten much, much better than the early efforts...(and I'm not completely against digital devices--I own a couple of digital effects and a Korg digital recording consol).

However, many/most digital amps and effects are not equal to their analog counterparts, especially in the case of repairability and durability.

...and I think history would agree with me on this--when Fender first made a line of solid-state amplifiers, the technology and execution didn't match the idea. Many years later, the technology caught up to the idea, and there have been some good solid-state amps made with the Fender name on them...but Fender's brand name equity was hurt by the poor design and shoddy construction of these and other instruments of the time.

The large pile of non-functioning, non-repairable Cyber-series (Cyber-Twin, Cyber-Deluxe) and G-DEC amplifiers that are sitting on the side of Fender's road is a testimony that a good idea doesn't always work...and in some cases, didn't work that great in the first place.

IMHO, Fender should either wait until the technology catches up to the idea or put a different name on the device...

I understand that you own (and love) a Mustang amp, and that my personal opinion about those amplifiers has "gored your ox". I'm glad you found a device within your budget that works for you.

If our difference of opinions or me stating my opinion hurt your feelings, I truly apologize.

I'm not here to fight you--or anyone...but the very reason for these forums is for people to state their opinions, and in my humble opinion, I don't think the Fender name should be used on certain items, especially items that are targeting the same audience as users of Line 6 amplifiers. You can disagree, and neither of us are right or wrong.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 11:20 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
However, many/most digital amps and effects are not equal to their analog counterparts, especially in the case of repairability and durability.

Another bold but entirely baseless statement. Well I guess the point of this thread is to dream a little.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 11:54 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
I'm not here to fight you--or anyone...but the very reason for these forums is for people to state their opinions, and in my humble opinion, I don't think the Fender name should be used on certain items, especially items that are targeting the same audience as users of Line 6 amplifiers. You can disagree, and neither of us are right or wrong.

In my humble opinion, you shouldn't sully the name of Line 6 amplifiers like that...
But unlike me, others don't think that buying a Mustang amp was the worst purchase ever, and like theirs. Odd as it seems to me. Some people like asparagus too. I can't judge their preferences, and only state mine.


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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 12:14 pm
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strings10927 wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
However, many/most digital amps and effects are not equal to their analog counterparts, especially in the case of repairability and durability.

Another bold but entirely baseless statement. Well I guess the point of this thread is to dream a little.

Again, I'm not here to argue with you.

I have basis for my opinion: my ears. I've had them my entire life, and they rarely steer me wrong. I trust them most of the time.

Sound, sound quality, tone, whatever you want to call it--that's the largest determining factor as to whether a device is good or not. Durability and reliability are close seconds.

Many/most digital effects and amps do not have the same dynamic richness and fullness of the effect or amp they're emulating. Hardly any digital effects or amps can be repaired (especially compared to my personal benchmark, the tube amps of the 50's, 60's, 70's).

There are some exceptions, and some devices that are acceptable (to my ears/in my opinion/to fulfill my needs as a musician), but the larger number of them are not even close to hitting the target.

You can disagree, but you can't say my statements are baseless. Bold, yes...baseless, no.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 12:25 pm
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arth1 wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
I'm not here to fight you--or anyone...but the very reason for these forums is for people to state their opinions, and in my humble opinion, I don't think the Fender name should be used on certain items, especially items that are targeting the same audience as users of Line 6 amplifiers. You can disagree, and neither of us are right or wrong.

In my humble opinion, you shouldn't sully the name of Line 6 amplifiers like that...
But unlike me, others don't think that buying a Mustang amp was the worst purchase ever, and like theirs.

I suppose I should qualify my statement regarding Line 6...

I regularly use a Line 6 POD for recording. I ignore the labels of what amp the device is supposed to be emulating and tweak the knobs until I get a sound I'm satisfied with, and then use it as needed. It is a good studio tool...it does not sound good for live applications (IMHO).

There were/are a few Line 6 amps that sounded good for live use. One in particular (I think it was called the Duotone?) had some nice applications--again, if you ignored the labels and just tweaked until happy.

However, I have not had similar good experiences with the Line 6 Spiders nor the Fender Mustang amps. They seem to be aiming for a target I don't even have on my horizon.

If it works for someone else, more power to them!

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:14 pm
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
However, many/most digital amps and effects are not equal to their analog counterparts, especially in the case of repairability and durability.

Screamin Armadillo wrote:
I have basis for my opinion: my ears.

Well that explains it then. You listened to every digital and analog amp ever made, and your ears told you which ones were more durable. Amazing!

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:39 pm
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strings10927 wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
However, many/most digital amps and effects are not equal to their analog counterparts, especially in the case of repairability and durability.

Screamin Armadillo wrote:
I have basis for my opinion: my ears.

Well that explains it then. You listened to every digital and analog amp ever made, and your ears told you which ones were more durable. Amazing!

Image

If you read my posts in whole, the point I was making is clear. You took my words out of context.
You just want to argue and turn a fun little exercise into a fight.
Good day, and good vibes to you.

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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:50 pm
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
I suppose I should qualify my statement regarding Line 6...


Yeah, Line 6 is more than Spiders, just like Fender is more than Mustangs and Frontmen.
I've heard good things about the Line 6 DT25, for example.


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Post subject: Re: If you were a Fender CEO for a day ...
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:09 am
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If I were the CEO of Fender for just one day , I'd have to treat myself to a Custom shop made, 1959 Telecaster with a sweet Blonde finish and then call it a day while I go home with my new guitar ! LOL !


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