Summer NAMM is around the corner...

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Well, no wonder there is no info... It's NAMM 2011, and we're in the NAMM 2010 section... :dunno:

[holycross1]

I just took a look at the Exhibitors' list at the NAMM site, and Gibson is the only large guitar manufacturer I saw. No Fender or JCMI on the list. Here's the link to the Excel file:

http://www.namm.org/files/showdir/Ex...rList_SS11.xls

Now that is an epic fail. FMIC not showing in Nashville?
Telecasters's and Stratocasters? Leo is turning in his grave.

[holycross1]

That file won't open on my Mac. Said its to old to be supported.

[holycross1]

Well, no wonder there is no info... It's NAMM 2011, and we're in the NAMM 2010 section... :dunno:

Now thats funny. This forum is slower then the Jackson website.

[Hellbat]

Summer NAMM is the redheaded stepchild music industry event. I don't see the point of spreading doom and gloom because of non-attendance for a show most major manufacturers ignore. Would you like to see guitar prices rise because Fender spend $150K setting up a booth for 2000 people to look at?

[BenoA]

ESP has a couple of nice new guitars... 6, 7 and 8 strings!

http://www.espguitars.com/news/2011-summer-fall-models.html

[holycross1]

Summer NAMM is the redheaded stepchild music industry event. I don't see the point of spreading doom and gloom because of non-attendance for a show most major manufacturers ignore. Would you like to see guitar prices rise because Fender spend $150K setting up a booth for 2000 people to look at?

Maybe you missed my point.
I have been to a few NAMM shows. I have sold Jackson/Charvel at every store that I have helped get back on their feet. Because I am a fan and devotee of the brands.
I am not spreading doom and gloom.
If you read my post, I am hoping that FMIC is doing something cool reguardless. But since I have been in this area of business off and on since 1992.Though now I am an observer. I happen to notice that Fender has alot of interest in the Nashville market.
Its not a readheaded stepchild show if your a dealer that doesn't travel to calfornia every winter NAMM. The Summer NAMM has always serviced the eastern dealers who want to merchandize their stores with quality they can see and touch before placing big orders that could harm there business or get them over the economic hump we are facing.
To travel to each manufacturer would be cost prohibitive for many if not most dealers. Its also a great way to get a little training and knowledge to service their customers better.
Imagine what would happen to small stores that had to take it on faith that an accessory or larger product is right for them because the internet or rep just said so.
Plus this is where a lions share of holiday sales items are shown. And ordered ahead of time in some cases. The holiday season makes or breaks many new stores and is the last stand for many older ones. Tax season is the next.And thats where Winter NAMM comes in.
FMIC is a massive company that encompasses many brands like:
Jackson and Charvel Guitars
Gretch Guitars
Tacoma Acoustic Instruments
Guild Acoustic Guitar Company
Squire
Fender (duh I know)
EVH products like 5150III Amps and Wolfegang Guitars
They have bought KAMAN music recently which includes
Hamer
Ovation
Takamine
Gretch Drum company
Gibralter Drum Hardware

Thats a small partial list of FMIC's interest that are not at the show.
Do you see where I am getting at yet?

I said the sky was not falling. But I am aware that an absence of their brands is considerable.
Reps cannot carry an entire line to show the dealers either, in light of that large a net.
I am into following the ebb and flow of the MI industry as I am Jackson/Charvel.
And I do have to correct an earlier statement I made. ESP and Schecter and Ibanez were not on the exhibitor floor plan that I looked at a moment ago on the NAMM website.
I have introduced the stores that hired me to the reps and took them to the show to handle the product and even made their opening orders as well as stocking and displaying while in their employment. I have seen all but 2 stores out of 6 that I have worked for triple their business in just a little over a year or two. The 2 that didn't just din't want be in business bad enough. One is out of buisness and the other does karaoke.
This economy has me worried for the bread and butter stores.
Plus I really like new toys.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Summer NAMM is the redheaded stepchild music industry event. I don't see the point of spreading doom and gloom because of non-attendance for a show most major manufacturers ignore. Would you like to see guitar prices rise because Fender spend $150K setting up a booth for 2000 people to look at?

Nah, I'd rather see them go up because a guy who used to play whatever model of guitar I'm interested in died recently.

[holycross1]

Nah, I'd rather see them go up because a guy who used to play whatever model of guitar I'm interested in died recently.

ROTFLMAO! Thanks for that. I feel better..

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

The prices seem to only go up, either way, so... What the hell.

I did hear a rumor from my dealer that there was some "interesting" stuff coming up from Jackson and Charvel. I didn't push the issue, and he didn't volunteer any more info than that, but... I hope it has a head adjust truss rod at least.

[holycross1]

When people mention FMIC, I don't think they realize how much that company encompasses.
Did you know that when they recently purchased KAMAN, they bought into the aerospace/weapons world? The Hamer and Ovation factories are all together with the laser and aircraft product geared towards military and defense. They in addition to what I listed above:
Benedetto guitars
Manuel Rodriguez Classical Guitars
Slammer (Hamer entry line)
SWR Amplification
Latin Percussion
Genz Benz
Groove Tubes
Exclusive distribution of Sabian Cymbal
CB Percussion
Applause guitars (Ovation entry line)
Jasmine (Takamine entry line)
Toca World Percussion
Seiko tuners and metronomes
Hercules Stands
LP Rhythmix Children percussion.
Vic Firth Percussion

So as you see FMIC could have their own version of the NAMM show. And not invite anybody else to the party. They have become a "Noah's Ark" of the MI (Musical Instrument) world. I am waiting for them to do a traveling FMIC showcase of sorts. On a bigger scale then the Sonisphere thing they are doing right now.
The only thing they lack that I know of, is Pro Audio companies, brasswinds, woodwinds, and a pro level stage and lighting company.
There are some amazing new technology companies that would be really good matches with FMIC that would be amazing to round them out. But they would have to come to me to find out who. LOL
Maybe they realized that they can build a better system then NAMM? I am excited to see what FMIC has up their sleeves.
But I actually think the stalled promises and lack luster roll outs of the Jackson and Charvel have been often and many to the point that "we the devotees" have lost some of our excitement.
Plus we can be a bit opinionated about designs. How many said the KV2T was a fail on this forum? simply because it was a 24 3/4 inch scale. Almost EVERY Jackson guitar in Production is a Fender scale 25 1/2 inch scale. The Morton Signature and KV2T are the only exception. But you will find threads scoffing the short scale from folks who just have a preference they scream everyone else has. And we know that just isn't true.
We are part of the marketing team for Jackson Charvel. Our forum says alot about the product to perspective customers and new players that want to stand out from the strat and gibby crowd.
The new Brodrick Signature will be a great selling staple for Jackson. IF they would just get serious with coordinating their website with production and product rollouts and image updates and ACTUAL production runs they would fix many problems.
One in general that I can think of is get the guitars that have binding now on the website. How many folks have hesitated on buying an RR5, KV5, KE5, SL3, SLMG, SLAT3-6, SLAT3-7 etc etc, just because the site shows no binding? And how many Just bought something else because the guitars on the other companies website looked just like the one at the dealer?
I have read more then a few speculative threads about whether a model has binding or not. They always end with; I want to wait to see one first.
Product confusion is at an all time high for what the features REALLY are.
Who cares if the Custom Shop has gone up? They are selling aren't they?
Most players are looking at imports on real purchases in this economy. I don't care about Schecter, LTD/ESP, Ibanez, Dean or B.C. Rich, because I play Jackson Charvel. And when someone sees a Jackson in action and hears them on an album or catches site of one on a video or in an advertisement. They should know its such a special brand to have that the 10% cost difference should not even matter to the buyer or reviewer.
Jackson necks should play great up to the 24th fret. As most do.
The others only seem to pay attention to the first 12 these days.
Many of the MG models have outlived their shelf life and need some complete remodeling that amounts to more then a recessed or non recessed control knob. A WRMG with a reverse headstock is past due. Even if its a limited run.
Not one single humbucker model any where in the production line in how long? Really? It will not hurt custom orders to make ONE.
And the Musicians friend models do not count. Its a shame that the DK2M does not have a stable mate with a reverse head and 1 humbucker.
They can crank out a million strats of different colors and accouterments because they are on the Fender site. And they still sell Custom Shop strats that look JUST like many of their imports and Squires.
Where is the Jackson Custom Shop Calender?
The Charvel Custom Shop Calender?
I actually look for one every year. And I have noticed that Fenders Calender has some of their other brands mixed in. But no Jackson/Charvel to be seen. FMIC does need to call the Jackson/ Charvel team to the principals office. And find out why this is. Then they need to....what does Nike say?.....just do it. What ever is not getting done that should have been done.
These Brands deserves it. And so does the next up and coming player.
Lets get some more unique designs like the Broderick soloist. They need to quit dragging their heels on that guitar hitting Japanese production. Give Morton another shot at another design. Signatures do not all need to look alike. Phil Collin has how many other models? They are not in production except 1. The PCAT should have been a part of the stable without an absence since its inception. Try to quit making RR's for a few years and tell me how that effects business. LOL
At least try to push a new design idea without having our approval on the board sometimes. We may start to like whatever it is. And if we don't, maybe a new generation or evolving market will. Its your company FMIC.
FMIC should pay attention to the players here.
But FMIC should also pay attention to the players outside our group. Since they are the ones who have not tasted of the Jackson fruit yet.
They should all know that The LTD/ Horizons and M models V's and kelly wanna be designs are just shiny counterfeits that look good but do not measure up to REAL value of the originals on any level. It should be engrained on their mind every issue of a guitar mag, artist interview, concert festival, trip to the local GC or small dealer.
Its not that they suck. They just are not the same. Not unique on their own. They have not even innovated the designs they copied. They just made it cheaper. So what.
I could go on. But the size and scope of FMIC should reflect in these 2 brands alot more then it has thus far. But all things a re subject to change no matter what, who, where, when or how.
Maybe their absence at NAMM is a sign of an industry innovation fixing to hit big with Jackson/Charvel being a part of it all.
I am game for that. Change is good. To stay the same and expect any improvement is just failure slowly taking place. And its lazy.

Have a great day my brothers in metal.

[shadowcat]

Actually I really don't care much anymore.
I always wanted a neckthru stringthru KV and participated in many a thread holding up the flag since I've joined here about 9 years ago.
Hoped for a KV5T or similar each NAMM, until at the beginning of this year I bought a USA Custom KV from one of the members here that had all I ever wanted.
Also got one of the limited edition SLSMGs with the flame top (made in 2003) recently, which fits me like a glove.

I'm finally happy with what I have... I still keep an eye out for what is new in the J/C world, but I don't expect or hope for anything special.

[holycross1]

Actually I really don't care much anymore.
I always wanted a neckthru stringthru KV and participated in many a thread holding up the flag since I've joined here about 9 years ago.
Hoped for a KV5T or similar each NAMM, until at the beginning of this year I bought a USA Custom KV from one of the members here that had all I ever wanted.
Also got one of the limited edition SLSMGs with the flame top (made in 2003) recently, which fits me like a glove.

I'm finally happy with what I have... I still keep an eye out for what is new in the J/C world, but I don't expect or hope for anything special.

Hey FMIC! Case in point. Notice that neither of this gentleman's purchase were new purchases? Notice how the sentiment could effect a prospective buyer to just buy used after this read?
Make us all wrong please.

[TKEblue]

Im kind of curious, and I haven't been able to find any real answers, but does anyone know the real reason that so many players left jackson to be endorsed by esp after the buyout? Was fmic just not interested in them?

Now it seems like all of the newer talent gets snagged up by esp or schecter right away. Id really love to see Jackson get in there and pick up some up and coming metal players. I mean, i absolutely love Jackson guitars, but even I can't help but want an esp dan jacobs ex. Lol I mean, atreyus older music is what really got me wanting to rock. I think I still have recordings somewhere from when I was like 15 of me and my friends trying to do covers of songs off suicide notes with me on vocals. Think of how many other people are like me or are going to be like me.

Imo FMIC needs to get on that, and off of things like discontinuing the dk2m when it was one of their most popular guitars...really makes me wonder.

Sorry for rambling.

[Animus]

Im kind of curious, and I haven't been able to find any real answers, but does anyone know the real reason that so many players left jackson to be endorsed by esp after the buyout? Was fmic just not interested in them?

Now it seems like all of the newer talent gets snagged up by esp or schecter right away. Id really love to see Jackson get in there and pick up some up and coming metal players. I mean, i absolutely love Jackson guitars, but even I can't help but want an esp dan jacobs ex. Lol I mean, atreyus older music is what really got me wanting to rock. I think I still have recordings somewhere from when I was like 15 of me and my friends trying to do covers of songs off suicide notes with me on vocals. Think of how many other people are like me or are going to be like me.

Imo FMIC needs to get on that, and off of things like discontinuing the dk2m when it was one of their most popular guitars...really makes me wonder.

Sorry for rambling.

Well they did recently sign Chris Broderick up.