I just read this, sad.
Goodbye Fulltone
- Thread starter guitarweasel
- Start date
syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
Well, that really sucks since I'm a proud fan of Fulltone products. I still have four Fulltone pedals. In fact, about a couple months ago, I bought direct from Fulltone their 2B boost pedal (This a badass boost pedal for a very reasonable price... look it up!).
Don't blame Mr Mike Fuller for moving to greener pastures. I wish him and his family the best.
I got a little chuckle as I read his acknowledgement of "putting up with my eccentricities".
Don't blame Mr Mike Fuller for moving to greener pastures. I wish him and his family the best.
I got a little chuckle as I read his acknowledgement of "putting up with my eccentricities".
I hate to see another Made in USA go under....
OP
I have a Fat Boost V1, great, great clean boost. 
I'm sorry to see him go. I also think the next to last line of his letter is just silly:
"It's time for the old guy to get out of the way and make room for the geniuses of the next, more digital, generation."
Now, I use digital stuff a lot (as well-documented in numerous posts I've made), and I imagine I'll get into it even more as time goes on, but to suggest that he needs to step aside with his (very excellent) analog products is just one, glaring non-sequitur. There is no "making room". Music is not some fixed-size space or zero-sum accounting that only allows for so much innovation, such that an increase in digital necessarily requires a decrease in analog.
I realize it sounds magnanimous, and his intentions are likely very generous, but that statement simply doesn't follow.
I think he just shoulda said, "You know, I just feel like going fishing!"
"It's time for the old guy to get out of the way and make room for the geniuses of the next, more digital, generation."
Now, I use digital stuff a lot (as well-documented in numerous posts I've made), and I imagine I'll get into it even more as time goes on, but to suggest that he needs to step aside with his (very excellent) analog products is just one, glaring non-sequitur. There is no "making room". Music is not some fixed-size space or zero-sum accounting that only allows for so much innovation, such that an increase in digital necessarily requires a decrease in analog.
I realize it sounds magnanimous, and his intentions are likely very generous, but that statement simply doesn't follow.
I think he just shoulda said, "You know, I just feel like going fishing!"
One thing that is very apparent to me is how difficult it is to remain a Made In USA vendor in an age where the consumer prefers a Chinese product made for pennies on the dollar.
You might argue that said pattern is not a preference at all, but it really is. Our musical society still prefers the cheap products...guitars made in one or two Chinese super factories...all of which are exactly the same except for the name on the headstock.
Sad to see Fulltone go....but I understand his reasoning.
To say the market prefers cheaper products and he can’t stay competitive is one thing.
For him to think he needs to “make room” is another thing entirely.
I understand his statement in the spirit in which he describes it.
Oh, I understand it. It’s just fallacious.
Well, the cheaper products are preferred by the largest sector of the market, so he appears to be "making way" for them, in a sarcastic sort of way, but his comment isn't wholly facetious nor untruthful. There's so much on the forefront of digital development in music and I think he sees those who are "pioneering" in that arena as likely having a different skill set than he has and he's able to recognize that.
Either way, I'm sad to see another USA maker close their doors..
True. I recognized that a long time ago, too. But, I still disagree with the idea that he has to "make room" for anyone. His type of work in the industry does not obstruct others from pursuing a digital approach.
But, I do totally respect his decision to close up shop. I don't walk in his shoes and I don't live his life, so I am thoroughly unqualified to judge what decisions are best for him. I've never owned a single Fulltone product, but I do respect the entrepreneurial spirit and risk acceptance that it took to start Fulltone in the first place.
I certainly hope for the best for his employees, too.
I tried really hard to make guitars a few years back, 100% made in USA.
I contracted with B. Hefner in Whittier, CA., for all the wood, cutting out the shapes, routing, fret slotting, etc. I designed and trademarked a headstock shape and drew up plans. Initially, I had B. Hefner do the binding and finishes on the first 5 guitars. After that, I started doing the binding and finish with the help of a local luthier, eventually doing more of the woodworking in his home workshop.
In the end, it was a fiscal disaster. I made 28 guitars, which were basically custom Tele/Strat shaped instruments with '58 Les Paul profile necks and 24.75" scale lengths. All had different pickup and wiring combinations.
This wasn't a very original approach. Marty Sturart got one and the rest went to session players and musical friends in L.A., but TBTH, most people would rather have a Chinese made Jackson costing $400.00 retail.
Just the wood and machining on these 28 guitars cost well over $400.00 per unit. I had to pay my wife back the offset amount that I lost on this venture.
I even tried designing new shapes, but never saw anything that I liked, so I finally pulled out.
The best thing to come out of the project was that I developed the skills to build the 28th and final guitar - the VonHerndon DoubleNeck.
I've had people from all over the world email me from the address on the control cavity cover, asking if I would build them one, but that interest is very small and I always tell them I am grateful for the email, but I won't be building any more of them.
Now, having said that, I did design - and am in the process of building - a tounge-and-groove, neck though SG, but that's just for personal use as a stage/studio guitar.
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At least I have 'Fulton's Folly' LOL...
syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
True to Mike Fuller's self admitted "eccentricities", this statement was a parting shot in true Mike Fuller fashion. Running a small business in California, and watching it become less and less profitable in current times, will easily make most people very cynical.
ibmorjamn
Ambassador of Moar Jammin
I prefer the more expensive guitars but given the fact I am just playing at home.
They don't make income for me so I kind of missed the boat.
I could also afford them when I was younger because they were a lot less then than now.
Not all stuff that used to made here is the fault of the consumer.
America used to build tube TV's
I won't go in to labor costs, to many Blue collar workers don't make enough to keep up with inflation starting around 2008.
ibmorjamn
Ambassador of Moar Jammin
Nice!
Well, I can see that.
Style...