Why do some big names go from Gibson to Fender (or other)?

[Torment Leaves Scars]

I think it's silly that companies don't try to reach out to all people. Why are all Fender's either ash or alder? You know what, I like a hardtail HH strat, but the alder body makes it bleh. I want some mahogany Fender's. Same goes to gibson. It wouldn't kill you to make a guitar without a TOM, or a guitar that people can afford (that still plays well  :icon_tongue

Fender do make affordable instruments that play well. 

For Xmas, my wife got me one of those Squier "Affinity" gig packs with the J-Bass and after a minor setup, it plays very nicely.  I'd say it was $250 well spent!  I had the opportunity to play one back to back with an American model and believe it or not, the Affinity played every bit as nicely.  The main differences were in the jumbo frets and the woods on the American model.  Yes, the American model was better, but not by $1000...

 

[drewfx]

I think it's silly that companies don't try to reach out to all people. Why are all Fender's either ash or alder? You know what, I like a hardtail HH strat, but the alder body makes it bleh. I want some mahogany Fender's. Same goes to gibson. It wouldn't kill you to make a guitar without a TOM, or a guitar that people can afford (that still plays well  :icon_tongue

I think they both tried a bit back in the '80's, when the superstrat thing was in full swing.

Turned out people didn't want them; they wanted "traditional" guitars from Fender/Gibson. So they both came to the conclusion that branching too far from what got them there diluted their brands more than it sold.

Having said that, Fender has made a few mahogany strat models.

 

[AutoBat]

Gibson does make affordable guitars. They're called Epiphone.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

I think it's silly that companies don't try to reach out to all people. Why are all Fender's either ash or alder? You know what, I like a hardtail HH strat, but the alder body makes it bleh. I want some mahogany Fender's. Same goes to gibson. It wouldn't kill you to make a guitar without a TOM, or a guitar that people can afford (that still plays well  :icon_tongue

I think they both tried a bit back in the '80's, when the superstrat thing was in full swing.

Turned out people didn't want them; they wanted "traditional" guitars from Fender/Gibson. So they both came to the conclusion that branching too far from what got them there diluted their brands more than it sold.

Having said that, Fender has made a few mahogany strat models.

Fender and Gibson fans are some of the most loyal and diehard fans on the planet when it comes to musical instruments.  They're purists.  I belong to another forum, and when Gibson stepped up and said they were releasing some "robot" guitar (Firebird X?), people flipped.  They didn't like it;  "It was a robot, it did this, it did that, the next thing you know, guitars are gonna play themselves, blah blah blah."

Guitar makers are pretty much following the same trends as auto makers, especially when it comes to their "beloved" models.  Look at the Porsche 911, for example.  Yeah, it's evolved, but Porsche have never strayed far away from the purity with that car.  It still holds the same basic shape that it did 50+ years ago, albeit being slightly modified over the years.  As Porsche enthusiasts and buyers, they expect certain qualities in those cars, and if those qualities are lost, so are the fans and potential buyers.

Anyway, while Gibson and Fender may throw out a lot of limited editions and the like, you will probably never find either of them straying too far off the beaten path with either the Strats or LPs.  These are their bread and butter, and people have certain expectations of those models.

 

[Jusatele]

the truth is

ANY ONE who slams Fenders and says that any is crazy to switch to them is an IDIOT

Fender is a huge and well respected name in the musical industry, Leo was known for revolutionizing the guitar and how it was made.

Even when he was alive he was slammed for making cheap parts guitars, but sales have grown every year and they are very desirable instruments.

Cost alone does not make something better and the old maxim, A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED, is very much in place here.

Many huge Talents and very popular guitarist play Fenders over Gibson, the Strat is the worlds most popular guitar and the most imitated design out there, that in itself says a lot about the design.

If you could afford anything you wanted, and bought what you wanted, and you chose Fender does that not say something?

Look at all the guitarist that have switched from Gibson to Paul Reed Smith, I think that and the guys who have switched to Fender  tells us something about Gibson, that maybe the quality of the Gibson guitar is so bad guys are looking elsewhere for guitars.

Now back to watching the insanity being displayed in this thread.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

the truth is

ANY ONE who slams Fenders and says that any is crazy to switch to them is an IDIOT

Fender is a huge and well respected name in the musical industry, Leo was known for revolutionizing the guitar and how it was made.

Even when he was alive he was slammed for making cheap parts guitars, but sales have grown every year and they are very desirable instruments.

Cost alone does not make something better and the old maxim, A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED, is very much in place here.

Many huge Talents and very popular guitarist play Fenders over Gibson, the Strat is the worlds most popular guitar and the most imitated design out there, that in itself says a lot about the design.

If you could afford anything you wanted, and bought what you wanted, and you chose Fender does that not say something?

Look at all the guitarist that have switched from Gibson to Paul Reed Smith, I think that and the guys who have switched to Fender  tells us something about Gibson, that maybe the quality of the Gibson guitar is so bad guys are looking elsewhere for guitars.

Now back to watching the insanity being displayed in this thread.

There are a lot of people who don't like Fender.  It doesn't mean he/she is crazy.  I hate the way Charvels, Jacksons, Music Man, Gibsons, Schecters, and Lagunas play.  I couldn't care less if I ever play another one of any of them in my entire life.  Does it make me crazy?  Some might say so, but personally, I just don't enjoy playing them.

For me, if it isn't a Fender, B.C. Rich (depends on the line...), or Ibanez, I don't wanna play it.  Warmoths are exceptions, because they feel like Fenders. 

 

[Jusatele]

re read the post Torment and get what I said right

I may dislike stuff, but I do not slam it for slamming sake

I said anyone who slams Fender and says that anyone who switches is an idiot, did not say if you do not like Fender you are an idiot. Do not mis quote me

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

re read the post Torment and get what I said right

I may dislike stuff, but I do not slam it for slamming sake

I said anyone who slams Fender and says that anyone who switches is an idiot, did not say if you do not like Fender you are an idiot. Do not mis quote me

Relax, no reason to get all defensive and nasty about it...

I'd agree that those who slam a product just because he/she doesn't like it is a bit lame.

 

[Cletus]

the truth is

ANY ONE who slams Fenders and says that any is crazy to switch to them is an IDIOT

Fender is a huge and well respected name in the musical industry, Leo was known for revolutionizing the guitar and how it was made.

Even when he was alive he was slammed for making cheap parts guitars, but sales have grown every year and they are very desirable instruments.

Cost alone does not make something better and the old maxim, A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED, is very much in place here.

Many huge Talents and very popular guitarist play Fenders over Gibson, the Strat is the worlds most popular guitar and the most imitated design out there, that in itself says a lot about the design.

If you could afford anything you wanted, and bought what you wanted, and you chose Fender does that not say something?

Look at all the guitarist that have switched from Gibson to Paul Reed Smith, I think that and the guys who have switched to Fender  tells us something about Gibson, that maybe the quality of the Gibson guitar is so bad guys are looking elsewhere for guitars.

Now back to watching the insanity being displayed in this thread.

I take it this will be called a Pro-Fender Troll?  :tard: :tard:

Seriously, my OP related not to Fender, necessarily, but rather to the [size=10pt]MUSIC[/size] they make with these tools (which is all they are). Perhaps if I rephrase my premise: "Does the search for tone mean you've run our of musical inspiration?"

Interestingly, I saw this basic topic on another forum, and it turned out a lot more mature than this one.

 

[Cletus]

Who the frick trolls a guitar forum?

Apparently anyone who doesn't like trendy, boring music.  Just ask mad kids!

-Mark

It's funny that. I don't listen to the radio, so I have very little idea what is hot, and what is not. I just don't care. I listen out for interesting things, just not where it's mainstream crap stuffed down our throats.

 

[Cletus]

re read the post Torment and get what I said right

I may dislike stuff, but I do not slam it for slamming sake

I said anyone who slams Fender and says that anyone who switches is an idiot, did not say if you do not like Fender you are an idiot. Do not mis quote me

For the record, I didn't say anything like that.

 

[JimBeed]

This post hasnt turned ugly, from what i read its all been civil to be honest, with no harsh words meant,
Ugly is not this, Ugly is a certain H****K*D post we all remember, Much like your civil war i presume,
but with more dire consequences Just messing no dig at our american members intended if it sounded like that

 

[Cletus]

Gents (and Hannaugh if you're about!) I think we ought to put aside this unfortunate business. I don't much like Fenders, everyone knows that, but it was never my intention to foment anger with this post. I probably phrased it poorly, apologies, but I think I'm going to lock the topic. Someone else is welcome to open up a more constructive topic using maybe using the second question I posed, but this one is done.