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previous: Obvious Pseudonym I hate to be the cynic, but talent,... -- 4/5/2000 9:52 PM

Re: We need to take control!

4/5/2000 10:48 PM
Jeff S	Re: We need to take control! I definitly agree that the bottom dollar is king. I also agree that the big businesses have a huge upper-hand and competitive advantage. But, thats an obstacle not unbreakable wall. As for the tube thing. I think tube amps are the only amps as far as guitars go, and so do many (probably most) guitarists--I don't know too many guitarists who play with a SS amp, and the one's who do, either wine about what a piece of krap they're playing through, or they just aren't that into playing, have no cash, &/or know nothing at all about gear (& those people dont buy much gear anyhow). Note, though, that I'm not suggesting only tube products. IMHO, SS is great for most of the signal path, just not in the power section. I dont think that stompboxes need to be tube--I don't dont own, or even really desire, any tube based effects. Even for guitar amps, I think that a SS preamp section is fine. Would it take a ton of hard work, dedication, business smarts, etc...? Yes, of course it would. But it can be done (and has been done before), and there is a market out there for reasonably priced quality gear. In some cases, as with vintage effects for example, equipment prices are outrageosly high, and a similar piece could be sold for far less, even with the increased production costs associated with a smaller company. Ive made copies of stompboxes that sell for hundreds of dollars for less than $20--thats with no bulk discount at all. If you consider the markup on most of these products its mind-boggeling. I used to work at a music store and could buy things at cost, so I've seen what the wholesale prices are. Given that, and what it costs to design, build, market, and distribute a product, I would guess that the big guitar electronics companies make at least 300% profit--of course, that's just an educated guess (I'll look into it, and get the real figures). I appreciate your down-to-earth and realistic perspective, and I agree with your assessment of the difficulties involved in such an undertaking, but sometimes you have to have a vision or dream, and take a risk (it keeps life interesting). Thanks for your input, though (you've got me thinking like an accountant now--not a thought process I fancy), a good dose of reason is always helpful . Take care. Jeff S.

4/5/2000 10:48 PM

Jeff S

Re: We need to take control!

I definitly agree that the bottom dollar is king. I also agree that the big businesses have a huge upper-hand and competitive advantage. But, thats an obstacle not unbreakable wall.

As for the tube thing. I think tube amps are the only amps as far as guitars go, and so do many (probably most) guitarists--I don't know too many guitarists who play with a SS amp, and the one's who do, either wine about what a piece of krap they're playing through, or they just aren't that into playing, have no cash, &/or know nothing at all about gear (& those people dont buy much gear anyhow). Note, though, that I'm not suggesting only tube products. IMHO, SS is great for most of the signal path, just not in the power section. I dont think that stompboxes need to be tube--I don't dont own, or even really desire, any tube based effects. Even for guitar amps, I think that a SS preamp section is fine.

Would it take a ton of hard work, dedication, business smarts, etc...? Yes, of course it would. But it can be done (and has been done before), and there is a market out there for reasonably priced quality gear. In some cases, as with vintage effects for example, equipment prices are outrageosly high, and a similar piece could be sold for far less, even with the increased production costs associated with a smaller company. Ive made copies of stompboxes that sell for hundreds of dollars for less than $20--thats with no bulk discount at all. If you consider the markup on most of these products its mind-boggeling. I used to work at a music store and could buy things at cost, so I've seen what the wholesale prices are. Given that, and what it costs to design, build, market, and distribute a product, I would guess that the big guitar electronics companies make at least 300% profit--of course, that's just an educated guess (I'll look into it, and get the real figures).

I appreciate your down-to-earth and realistic perspective, and I agree with your assessment of the difficulties involved in such an undertaking, but sometimes you have to have a vision or dream, and take a risk (it keeps life interesting). Thanks for your input, though (you've got me thinking like an accountant now--not a thought process I fancy), a good dose of reason is always helpful

. Take care.

Jeff S.

Replies:

Obvious Pseudonym As long as you CAN think like an ac... -- 4/5/2000 11:40 PM
Rob P. Jeff,This is someth... -- 4/6/2000 3:36 AM
Farrow >>I don't know too many guitarists ... -- 4/9/2000 7:55 PM