Fernandes Bankrupt

[scottcald]

1 hour ago, Biz Prof said:

Since you asked....

I suspect a larger than expected used guitar inventory is impacting new guitar sales overall, but hurting some makers more than others.  Recall that guitar sales spiked during the pandemic, and that was roughly 3-4 years ago.  At least some percentage of those buyers were newbies who didn't stick with it. Others were existing players looking to overcome boredom and isolation. Then, there's good old fashioned GAS.  That spike simply wasn't going to continue, thus the moniker "spike". Short lived.

FMIC, Gibson, Ibanez (Hoshino), Yamaha, and ESP have larger market shares, dealer networks, brand recognition, and general consumer interest than virtually all other (electric) brands.  All can more more easily weather cyclical demand. Fernandes was always a marginal player in the global market, and over 40+ years, it simply never generated a unique identity with its product line that garnered either an A-list endorser or sustained interest from buyers.  If Fernandes had developed a product line like Yamaha's Pacifica, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. But they didn't, so here we are.

FWIW, this reply and $2 will get you a large coffee from McDonald's or Sheetz.

 

And Yamaha also makes like 1000 products for the music industry and however many beyond that.

[Disturber]

I had to google it myself. It does not seem like Fernandes even have a crew of their own builders, or their own factory / work shop? Just a name on OEM built guitars?
Not much brand identity in that. I can see why they are going out of business.

[Cboss]

7 minutes ago, Disturber said:

I had to google it myself. It does not seem like Fernandes even have a crew of their own builders, or their own factory / work shop? Just a name on OEM built guitars?
Not much brand identity in that. I can see why they are going out of business.

If only they had called them slammers..🤔

[scottcald]

On 7/20/2024 at 4:25 PM, Disturber said:

I had to google it myself. It does not seem like Fernandes even have a crew of their own builders, or their own factory / work shop? Just a name on OEM built guitars?
Not much brand identity in that. I can see why they are going out of business.

Ibanez does that.  Fujigen and Cort build their stuff. 

Edited July 23, 2024 by scottcald

[Disturber]

1 hour ago, scottcald said:

Ibanez does that.  Fujigen and Cory build their stuff. 

Did not know that. Weird. Glad I am not into Ibanez. Only had one. A bolt on SG that I bought in 1982. Not that great.  

[scottcald]

44 minutes ago, Disturber said:

Did not know that. Weird. Glad I am not into Ibanez. Only had one. A bolt on SG that I bought in 1982. Not that great.  

I had an '87 RG550 with original Edge.  That thing took a LOT of abuse and never went out of tune. 

[tbonesullivan]

On 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM, scottcald said:

Ibanez does that.  Fujigen and Cort build their stuff. 

They also have an LA custom shop, again, though I don't know where the parts are made. I have had two Prestige model Ibanez guitars, and they were both excellent.

They now have a "J. Custom" line, as well as a "Design Lab" line, though I don't know if those are also made by FujiGen or by someone else.

[scottcald]

On 7/25/2024 at 3:27 PM, tbonesullivan said:

They also have an LA custom shop, again, though I don't know where the parts are made. I have had two Prestige model Ibanez guitars, and they were both excellent.

They now have a "J. Custom" line, as well as a "Design Lab" line, though I don't know if those are also made by FujiGen or by someone else.

Not sure but my understanding was that J Custom was also Fujigen. 

[Jimbilly]

speaking of Fernandes: - just got a really nice MIJ jazz style bass with ohsc off offerup for 140. It needs a setup, other than the headstock shape it looks like an old Fender, and 9.1 pounds. 

[hamerican gigolo]

On 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM, scottcald said:

Ibanez does that.  Fujigen and Cort build their stuff. 

Ibanez has had some great models over the years...