Let The Purge Begin !!

[HSB0531]

FMIC is the Harman International of the musical instrument world.
They swallow up and kill off brands.

Let The Purge Begin:
I own 5 Fender basses.
4 will go bye-bye.
With the money I get, I'm going to buy Hamers.

Feel free to add and discuss.

[Ting Ho Dung]

I haven't really thought about selling any of mine. But your post is provocative. Is that what you had in mind? For someone to offer up a hidden gem? My first post here was similar and got me great scorn. I simply stated I wanted to buy a guitar "tonight". I wish now I hadn't deleted that thread 'cause I'd like to know who the characters in the play were.

[cmatthes]

I think he is just showing his frustration with FMIC for putting the Hamer brand on the shelf/on hiatus.

[gorch]

Well, the thing is there is nothing to discuss. The idea is great. My saying: Pics or it doesn't count.

[Ting Ho Dung]

I think he is just showing his frustration with FMIC for putting the Hamer brand on the shelf/on hiatus.

This bold thing is starting to get weird. How many peeps are grillin' ribs this week? On sale everywhere. Mine are about done.

Now, onto FMIC. Frustrated. I agree. At first I really didn't care. I figured, "Oh well" another group screwing up a good thing. But after seeing the threads you guys have posted of your custom orders and those who nearly had them, well it is frustrating. To me too.

[Turdus]

FMIC is the Harman International of the musical instrument world.

They swallow up and kill off brands.

Let The Purge Begin:

I own 5 Fender basses.

4 will go bye-bye.

With the money I get, I'm going to buy Hamers.

Feel free to add and discuss.

Unless you are giving away those 4 Fenders, you may be waiting a long time to get the money. I've attempted to sell a few Fender basses in the last couple years. All I will say is... "good luck"

[Steve Haynie]

Keep your Fenders if you like them. Selling them off will do nothing to FMIC. 4 more used instruments on the market will not hurt that company. You will never get Fender out of the public eye, either.

[JohnnyB]

Nobody swallows up brands to kill them. They buy them up to save the brand names and make them profitable. Harman International owns an impressive number of companies that far exceeds any they've had to close down. Ditto Fender. It's just that one of your favorites got the axe. Hamer's been on borrowed time forever, and Fender has been a godsend to Guild and Gretsch.

[HSB0531]

Yes Chris exactly, I've been pissed about FMIC scrapping Hamer.
It means no more custom orders for anyone.
Thorn: Yes, think of the C/O's that could have been. Frustrating it is.
Steve: Will it hurt Fender? Sure, in a small way yes. I always bought brand new basses, mostly Fenders. This will be the first time in 42 years that I will buy used. In this case, Hamers. And I think the HFC would be the best place to do that.
Turdus: You may be right, but it depends on timing and if what's in demand at the moment is what I have.
JohnnyB: I respect your opinion, I do, but I said "And" kills them, not "to" kill them. Although I could argue that point.
Crown amps made in China, Crown Mics discontinued so as not to interfere with AKG, JBL raw frame speakers discontinued, most JBL product made in China, and the biggest sin: killing of U.R.E.I. (my opinion)
Fender buying Sunn and killing it almost immediately, giving us 50 versions of a Strat in even More colors.
Gorch wants pics: you want 'em before it happens or after it happens?

BTW: The title of this topic was meant a little tongue in cheek.

I wasn't expecting some of the responses, but always appreciated.

[JohnnyB]

JohnnyB: I respect your opinion, I do, but I said "And" kills them, not "to" kill them. Although I could argue that point.

Crown amps made in China, Crown Mics discontinued so as not to interfere with AKG, JBL raw frame speakers discontinued, most JBL product made in China, and the biggest sin: killing of U.R.E.I. (my opinion)

UK's Celestions are made in China now too, as are many products from historical British audio companies such as Wharfedale, KEF, Cambridge Audio, Musical Fidelity...Mirage, Energy, and most other speakers out of Canada are now made in China too. It's all part of the fun of a globalized economy.

[HSB0531]

JohnnyB: I respect your opinion, I do, but I said "And" kills them, not "to" kill them. Although I could argue that point.

Crown amps made in China, Crown Mics discontinued so as not to interfere with AKG, JBL raw frame speakers discontinued, most JBL product made in China, and the biggest sin: killing of U.R.E.I. (my opinion)

UK's Celestions are made in China now too, as are many products from historical British audio companies such as Wharfedale, KEF, Cambridge Audio, Musical Fidelity...Mirage, Energy, and most other speakers out of Canada are now made in China too. It's all part of the fun of a globalized economy.

Yes I know. I was saddened to hear that all Midas consoles are made there too. Almost all Allen & Heath consoles are.

Most of Celestion is, yes, although I think the Blue is made in the UK. Fane makes the Axiom and Pro series speakers in the UK.

[crunchee]

FMIC is the Harman International of the musical instrument world.

They swallow up and kill off brands.

Let The Purge Begin:

I own 5 Fender basses.

4 will go bye-bye.

With the money I get, I'm going to buy Hamers.

Feel free to add and discuss.

FMIC made the announcement of closing Hamer for good six months ago, more or less. It's kinda late to be making a stand about it now, isn't it?

Selling used stuff to make a statement against a company really doesn't make that much of a difference, in the greater scheme of things. FMIC already GOT their money from those basses you bought, wadda THEY care what you do with them? NOT BUYING NEW PRODUCT from a company would make a stronger statement...that's what they call a boycott. But, it's gonna have to take a LOT more than one person to make a dent in sales.

Now, GIVING away your basses because of your objection to FMIC would be a LOT stronger statement than selling them. You could always give them away to a charitable organization who could use them for a greater good, and make sure the message gets promoted that way. Or just sell them off for Tree Fitty here on the board, THAT'LL get some interest.

Edited to add: I never buy new anymore anyway, so no musical instrument company has seen my money anyway in a LONG time, unless they sell accessories (mainly strings). My Hamers were made before FMIC bought Kaman/Hamer. The newest Fender-branded item I own was made when CBS owned the company (pre-1985 or so), so it's REALLY kinda late for anybody to protest against THEM for THOSE items.

[cmatthes]

He's not thinking that his actions are really going to hurt FMIC at all. It's a personal protest.

[Disturber]

JohnnyB: I respect your opinion, I do, but I said "And" kills them, not "to" kill them. Although I could argue that point.

Crown amps made in China, Crown Mics discontinued so as not to interfere with AKG, JBL raw frame speakers discontinued, most JBL product made in China, and the biggest sin: killing of U.R.E.I. (my opinion)

UK's Celestions are made in China now too, as are many products from historical British audio companies such as Wharfedale, KEF, Cambridge Audio, Musical Fidelity...Mirage, Energy, and most other speakers out of Canada are now made in China too. It's all part of the fun of a globalized economy.

Yes. But you don't have to agree to this crap. I have decided that no "made in china" crap will come in to my music gear. It's just not rock n roll to play stuff that's been made in a communist dictatorship country.

If I can I have set it as a rule to pay a little more and choose to buy goods that is made in the western world. I'm not all anal about it, but I do what I can. I rather buy less stuff, but good stuff. Same when it comes to the childrens toys. So much crap to buy.

For Celestion speakers. I buy used "made in the UK", or new "made in the UK", rather than "made in china". They might not be better.

But Just Because I can.

[crunchee]

It's just not rock n roll to play stuff that's been made in a communist dictatorship country.

I will happily accept any new, or used in excellent working condition, pre-JJ Tesla or East German Siemens tubes of types (ECC83, EL34, etc.) that will work in guitar amps. And I won't even charge you for disposing of them for you.

[HSB0531]

FMIC is the Harman International of the musical instrument world.

They swallow up and kill off brands.

Let The Purge Begin:

I own 5 Fender basses.

4 will go bye-bye.

With the money I get, I'm going to buy Hamers.

Feel free to add and discuss.

NOT BUYING NEW PRODUCT from a company would make a stronger statement...that's what they call a boycott. But, it's gonna have to take a LOT more than one person to make a dent in sales.

That's exactly what I intend to do, not buy any more new Fenders.

I do boycott companies. I've done it many times in the past, and continue to do so.

And yes it takes a lot more than one person to do it. But there are a lot more people doing it than just me.

Look at it this way: If I buy a bass or two from HFC members as opposed to buying a new one, I see that as the better thing to do.

[MCChris]

I won't rain on your parade, other than to say that the demise of Hamer was a combination of the company's own failures in the marketplace and the unwillingness/inability of enough people to pony up and place a custom order, myself included.

In other words, the toothpaste left the tube long before FMIC arrived.

[HSB0531]

He's not thinking that his actions are really going to hurt FMIC at all. It's a personal protest.

JohnnyB: I respect your opinion, I do, but I said "And" kills them, not "to" kill them. Although I could argue that point.

Crown amps made in China, Crown Mics discontinued so as not to interfere with AKG, JBL raw frame speakers discontinued, most JBL product made in China, and the biggest sin: killing of U.R.E.I. (my opinion)

UK's Celestions are made in China now too, as are many products from historical British audio companies such as Wharfedale, KEF, Cambridge Audio, Musical Fidelity...Mirage, Energy, and most other speakers out of Canada are now made in China too. It's all part of the fun of a globalized economy.

Yes. But you don't have to agree to this crap. I have decided that no "made in china" crap will come in to my music gear. It's just not rock n roll to play stuff that's been made in a communist dictatorship country.

If I can I have set it as a rule to pay a little more and choose to buy goods that is made in the western world. I'm not all anal about it, but I do what I can. I rather buy less stuff, but good stuff. Same when it comes to the childrens toys. So much crap to buy.

For Celestion speakers. I buy used "made in the UK", or new "made in the UK", rather than "made in china". They might not be better.

But Just Because I can.

Thank you. My thoughts exactly. I've been doing the same thing for several years now. Of course, it's extremely hard to find items that are not made in China.

[HSB0531]

I won't rain on your parade, other than to say that the demise of Hamer was a combination of the company's own failures in the marketplace and the unwillingness/inability of enough people to pony up and place a custom order, myself included.

In other words, the toothpaste left the tube long before FMIC arrived.

All true MCChris.

And to add: I waited 27 years to put money down on a custom order.

[JohnnyB]

And to add: I waited 27 years to put money down on a custom order.

Back when Hamer was run by Jol under Kaman, you might have had little chance of getting the custom order features/shape/color/details you wanted.

It was on Fender's watch that Jol was sent packing, which opened up the allowable range of custom orders for a couple years until they shut it down and reallocated the personnel.

I guess you should have waited 25 or 26 years.

[HSB0531]

And to add: I waited 27 years to put money down on a custom order.

Back when Hamer was run by Jol under Kaman, you might have had little chance of getting the custom order features/shape/color/details you wanted.

It was on Fender's watch that Jol was sent packing, which opened up the allowable range of custom orders for a couple years until they shut it down and reallocated the personnel.

I guess you should have waited 25 or 26 years.

Mine was put in back in 2008 and I got it in Jan. 2010, right before he left.

There were a few things he wouldn't do, like a 5-way Strat switch.

Otherwise it was all well worth it.

[coolfeel]

And to add: I waited 27 years to put money down on a custom order.

Back when Hamer was run by Jol under Kaman, you might have had little chance of getting the custom order features/shape/color/details you wanted.

It was on Fender's watch that Jol was sent packing, which opened up the allowable range of custom orders for a couple years until they shut it down and reallocated the personnel.

I guess you should have waited 25 or 26 years.

Mine was put in back in 2008 and I got it in Jan. 2010, right before he left.

There were a few things he wouldn't do, like a 5-way Strat switch.

Otherwise it was all well worth it.

Jol seems pretty open to custom features/shape/color/details these days. He was open to things I would not have thought when I placed my order for one of his guitars...

[HSB0531]

And to add: I waited 27 years to put money down on a custom order.

Back when Hamer was run by Jol under Kaman, you might have had little chance of getting the custom order features/shape/color/details you wanted.

It was on Fender's watch that Jol was sent packing, which opened up the allowable range of custom orders for a couple years until they shut it down and reallocated the personnel.

I guess you should have waited 25 or 26 years.

Mine was put in back in 2008 and I got it in Jan. 2010, right before he left.

There were a few things he wouldn't do, like a 5-way Strat switch.

Otherwise it was all well worth it.

Jol seems pretty open to custom features/shape/color/details these days. He was open to things I would not have thought when I placed my order for one of his guitars...

You're the exact person I need to speak to.

I can't find a link to his less expensive builds.

[coolfeel]

And to add: I waited 27 years to put money down on a custom order.

Back when Hamer was run by Jol under Kaman, you might have had little chance of getting the custom order features/shape/color/details you wanted.

It was on Fender's watch that Jol was sent packing, which opened up the allowable range of custom orders for a couple years until they shut it down and reallocated the personnel.

I guess you should have waited 25 or 26 years.

Mine was put in back in 2008 and I got it in Jan. 2010, right before he left.

There were a few things he wouldn't do, like a 5-way Strat switch.

Otherwise it was all well worth it.

Jol seems pretty open to custom features/shape/color/details these days. He was open to things I would not have thought when I placed my order for one of his guitars...

You're the exact person I need to speak to.

I can't find a link to his less expensive builds.

I don't know of a link to his less expensive builds per se'... I simply contacted him through email on his site to begin the process...

http://dantzig.com/contact

[HSB0531]

And to add: I waited 27 years to put money down on a custom order.

Back when Hamer was run by Jol under Kaman, you might have had little chance of getting the custom order features/shape/color/details you wanted.

It was on Fender's watch that Jol was sent packing, which opened up the allowable range of custom orders for a couple years until they shut it down and reallocated the personnel.

I guess you should have waited 25 or 26 years.

Mine was put in back in 2008 and I got it in Jan. 2010, right before he left.

There were a few things he wouldn't do, like a 5-way Strat switch.

Otherwise it was all well worth it.

Jol seems pretty open to custom features/shape/color/details these days. He was open to things I would not have thought when I placed my order for one of his guitars...

You're the exact person I need to speak to.

I can't find a link to his less expensive builds.

I don't know of a link to his less expensive builds per se'... I simply contacted him through email on his site to begin the process...

http://dantzig.com/contact

Thanks!