Interesting announcement. The new CEO was the head of Guitar Center.

http://www.azcentral.com/business/artic ... irmen.html

"The company employs roughly 3,000 people worldwide. About 300 of them work at its Scottsdale headquarters in administration, marketing, research, technology and other areas.

Thomas, who was appointed a Fender director last year, previously served as chairman and CEO of Guitar Center Inc., a chain of music stores."

Did you expect this, Brad?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I'm thinking that Gibson might be a bit worried now?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Does this mean we have to stop ripping on Guitar Center?

Congratulations, Mr. Thomas!

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I expect a few changes, like this :

http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I'm thinking that also. The Fender/GC relationship might become closer. Is Larry Thomas still a member of the Board of Directors for GC?

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I think we should be watching out for a lot more interaction between GC and FMIC. I bet Gibson's biting their fingernails right now.

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'07 Squier Affinity Sunburst Strat SE
Fender Frontman 25R
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Danelectro D-2 Fab Overdrive
Delta Lab Multi Effects

Personally, i'm not too excited about the head of guitar center becoming the ceo of fender. I have heard too many horror stories from managers at my local GC, about extremely low pay, commission sharing, no company loyalty whatsoever to it's employees, the list goes on. Guitar center is a terrible employer, and everyone's heard all the customer complaints. Surely that fellow is well aware of all the bad in GC, what i'm wondering, is how much of it did he condone, or worse?

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

I'm concerned about that too Dave!!

Remember Larry Thomas is the EX-head of GC. He stepped down from CEO of GC in 2004. Geez, you're making it sound like GC now owns Fender. That is not the case. Although I agree that the Fender/GC relationship now seems a little too close for comfort.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I read the plea from Larry Thomas for everyone to do what they could to make music available to kids that normally couldn't afford it,at least his heart is in the right place.I wish him well and hope that he brings fresh ideas into Fender,you never know he may just might bring about the rerelease of guitars and amps that we've been asking for.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

We can only hope for the best! We shall see.

He's been a Director at Fender for the past year. My guess is that he impressed enough to get the gig.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Impressed in the bottom line( i.e. profits ) or in production of quality musical equipment? That's my concern. I'm not saying anything negative, just thinking.

No more on this from me. Carry on fellow members!!

Maybe FMIC will go public ? IPO watch ?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Thanks for the link Mike. Interesting news.