Who Owns Fender

One of our neighbors passed just a few days ago. That also creates a significant change of perspective. When i look back now, i realize that all the time invested in these bands was simply wasted. All that remains now are a few photos. I was the only one who wasnt wealthy and for me, it was serious business. Everyone else was just playing.

The harder i worked and the more that i earned created a beautiful home that i was never home to enjoy. When i finally had a day, or a night off, i was so exhausted that i would doze off in the middle of a conversation.

I suppose that it was something i simply had to experience to finally understand it....perhaps to better understand myself, but i feel like i have the benefit of those experiences now.
 
Session 5 said:
And I would not hesitate to buy a Fender today. They still make better guitars than Gibson for the price..
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Personally, I’m not particular either way. I don’t really try to compare Gibson with Fender. To me, they are two different beasts that do their own things and I like each of them for their uniqueness. What I care about is if the instrument is built well, if it is reliable, sounds good, and performs the way I need it to.
 
smitty_p said:
Personally, I’m not particular either way. I don’t really try to compare Gibson with Fender. To me they are two different beasts that do their own things and I like each of them for their uniqueness. What I care about is if the instrument is built well, if it is reliable, sounds good, and performs the way I need it to.
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I still have the old YelloStrat. It hasn't been played since the last time we needed tremolo on a recording. Funny that a group of guys at Fender examined it and still couldn't figure out how it stays in perfect tune.

Probably the only thing i like about it is the 1-3/4" wide neck, but the scale length makes it a chore to play...a lot like the DoubleNeck. They may spend 8-9 months or more in the case.

Put .009's on YelloStrat and you break strings so often you can't depend on it, inckuding Boomers, Dean Markley, NYXL & Paradigms.

You may recall that StringJoy actually figured out what caused this...the increased tension of the scale length and my heavy-handed approach that caused brinneling and hour-glassing of the strings across the tops of the very hard Jescar Gold Evo Frets, coupled with very extreme bends.

The Les Paul is a lesson in harmony.

I bought it November 18, 2021 and played the stock strings daily/nightly until just before our February 23, 2022 NASCAR show. I put a set of Ernie Ball Paradigm .046 x .010's on it and they are STILL on the guitar, despite being played daily at work.

When I'm given another guitar (other than a Les Paul) to play on a recording, it doesn't feel comfortable. It's like wearing a shoe that's too small.
 
smitty_p said:
Personally, I’m not particular either way. I don’t really try to compare Gibson with Fender. To me, they are two different beasts that do their own things and I like each of them for their uniqueness. What I care about is if the instrument is built well, if it is reliable, sounds good, and performs the way I need it to.
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I don't think Gibson and Fender can ever be compared. The precision construction methodology of Gibson (hence its higher production costs) is such a stark departure from Fender's 'make it cheap' approach, that its like arguing the points of a Lamborghini Gallardo vs. a Ford Pinto.

This doesn't mean that you - or anyone else - is wrong to like the Pinto, its just my response to your observations.

The times I used the Yellow Stratocaster, it was often because i either needed a tremolo or because its lightweight nature and spray can finish didnt cause me worry on tight stages where we sometimes banged into the end of a drum mount post.

The stage at Escape Craft Brewery in Redlands is an old stock trailer with a steel fence welded around it. I doubt its even a full 7 feet wide. To get into my corner, i had to turn sideways tk shimmy past the drums.

Take a look...

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Note the solid rubber tires. The stage is bolted down to a 1919 Mack Truck Chassis.

Now, the more i have learned about Luthiery, the less and less Fender style instruments appeal to me in general.
 
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Robert is in good hands here.
I am glad that for the most part if my assessment is correct, no one in here feels compelled to attack, belittle, pick on or denigrate his or any other member's life, opinions, choices, or posts.

Now if what Robert has just said regarding his 50 year penchant now evolving into an altered plan of attack for the future, bravo.

As my stepdad used to preach, moderation is a good way to avoid the pitfalls of choosing the extremes.

Kind of like preservation of capital when one is in the investments or running a business type arena.

Anyway,. I wish Robert and his whole family the best life has to offer them. Same to all my sisters and brothers here.
 
smitty_p said:
Personally, I’m not particular either way. I don’t really try to compare Gibson with Fender. To me, they are two different beasts that do their own things and I like each of them for their uniqueness. What I care about is if the instrument is built well, if it is reliable, sounds good, and performs the way I need it to.
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Or at least built well enough by the manufacturer that within reason and with a few refinements from a good setup can be made into a decently reliable if not exceptional instrument.

But things like twisted necks, high frets, bad neck angles, or other stuff that mess up playability, these are the things we hope are less the norm " after QC" instead of it being normal to pass off flawed products to the public just to make a sale.
 
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Gretsch Jet 5220. A very good playing guitar, hard to beat for the price, i paid new. Finish is flawless a beautiful guitar. Its a keeper.. And Made in China.
 

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Session 5 said:
Gretsch Jet 5220. A very good playing guitar, hard to beat for the price, i paid new. Finish is flawless a beautiful guitar. Its a keeper.. And Made in China.
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When I first started shopping for an electric back in 09ish…. Got some serious GAS for a used Gretsch G6114 New Jet. Only made 2001-2003. Discontinued when Fender bought Gretsch. Never pulled the plug. Bought a used G400 instead. I really do like the Epi…. But sometimes I do wonder if I should have gone with the Gretsch. Or gee…. Maybe both???

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iblive said:
When I first started shopping for an electric back in 09ish…. Got some serious GAS for a used Gretsch G6114 New Jet. Only made 2001-2003. Discontinued when Fender bought Gretsch. Never pulled the plug. Bought a used G400 instead. I really do like the Epi…. But sometimes I do wonder if I should have gone with the Gretsch. Or gee…. Maybe both???

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Fender never bought controlling interest in Gretsch. Fender sub-contracts to Gretsch for production, manufacturing and marketing. It's the only brand not owned outright by Fender.
 
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Inspector #20 said:
Fender never bought controlling interest in Gretsch. Fender sub-contracts to Gretsch for production, manufacturing and marketing. It's the only brand not owned outright by Fender.
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Just reporting what I read 12 years ago. Guess report was misleading. They used the actual words…. “Discontinued after Fender bought Gretsch.” So…… “shrug shoulders.”
 
Gretsch Family still owns company..


But ever since the company had left the family, Fred W. Gretsch, the great-grandson of founder Friedrich Gretsch, had vowed it would return. In 1984, Fred W. Gretsch, along with his wife, Dinah, purchased Gretsch back from Baldwin, returning it to the family after a 17-year absence. Throughout the 1990s, Fred and Dinah brought Gretsch back into the limelight with a series of successful reissues and new models.

In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distribution, allowing "That Great Gretsch Sound" to be heard in even more places around the world.


In 2002, Gretsch entered a business agreement with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). Under the terms of the agreement Fred W. Gretsch retains ownership while FMIC has the exclusive rights to develop, produce, market and distribute Gretsch guitars worldwide.[4][5]
 
Session 5 said:
Gretsch Family still owns company..


But ever since the company had left the family, Fred W. Gretsch, the great-grandson of founder Friedrich Gretsch, had vowed it would return. In 1984, Fred W. Gretsch, along with his wife, Dinah, purchased Gretsch back from Baldwin, returning it to the family after a 17-year absence. Throughout the 1990s, Fred and Dinah brought Gretsch back into the limelight with a series of successful reissues and new models.

In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distribution, allowing "That Great Gretsch Sound" to be heard in even more places around the world.


In 2002, Gretsch entered a business agreement with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). Under the terms of the agreement Fred W. Gretsch retains ownership while FMIC has the exclusive rights to develop, produce, market and distribute Gretsch guitars worldwide.[4][5]
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Yeah. Understand that in 2022. But in 2009, report I read did not spell it out that way. The insinuation was that fender purchased Gretsch. The meaning I got at that time was lock, stock and barrel. No biggy as I didn’t pull the plug and buy it. Sometimes still wish I had. Reviews made it seem it was a decent guitar. But even then, the cost for a used G6114 was 3 times or more what I paid for the G400.
 
iblive said:
Yeah. Understand that in 2022. But in 2009, report I read did not spell it out that way. The insinuation was that fender purchased Gretsch. The meaning I got at that time was lock, stock and barrel. No biggy as I didn’t pull the plug and buy it. Sometimes still wish I had. Reviews made it seem it was a decent guitar. But even then, the cost for a used G6114 was 3 times or more what I paid for the G400.
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Rick , you have some nice guitars, but a Gretsch Jet 5220 would be a nice addition to your lineup, would give you some of those nice Gretsch tones. Which only Gretsch can give , just saying..:) And the price is right for the pikkin..;)
 
Session 5 said:
Rick , you have some nice guitars, but a Gretsch Jet 5220 would be a nice addition to your lineup, would give you some of those nice Gretsch tones. Which only Gretsch can give , just saying..:) And the price is right for the pikkin..;)
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I’m sure it would Norm…. But I’m really not in the market for another guitar. I understand that contradicts everything TTR…. But, it is what it is.
 
iblive said:
Yeah. Understand that in 2022. But in 2009, report I read did not spell it out that way. The insinuation was that fender purchased Gretsch. The meaning I got at that time was lock, stock and barrel. No biggy as I didn’t pull the plug and buy it. Sometimes still wish I had. Reviews made it seem it was a decent guitar. But even then, the cost for a used G6114 was 3 times or more what I paid for the G400.
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Yeah. That reporting was not quite accurate. It’s an oversimplification of the actual deal.
 
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