FMIC announces Acquisition of Bigsby

SFIV1967

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Thought this might be interesting.
Ralf

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (JANUARY 8, 2019) — Fender® Musical Instruments Corp (FMIC) announced on January 8 the acquisition of the Bigsby® brand and its assets from Fred Gretsch Enterprises.
The Gretsch family and FMIC have a longstanding relationship and have partnered to ensure that the transition of the business is a smooth one.
“We are excited to acquire Bigsby® and add to our esteemed portfolio of specialty brands.” said Jeff Cary, Senior Vice President of FMIC Specialty Brands. “There is such a rich history with the vibratos, and a mystique around the guitars, pedals and steel instruments that is fascinating. Fred and Dinah Gretsch have been wonderful owners and we look forward to working with them to ensure a smooth transition.”
“Paul Bigsby, Ted McCarty, Dinah and Fred Gretsch and Fender Musical Instruments Corp. all have one thing in common, an unquestioning dedication to product excellence over the long haul,” said Fred Gretsch. “We congratulate team Fender on this strategic acquisition.”
Bigsby® vibrato tailpieces have a long history that dates back to the earliest days of the modern electric guitar. Wildly popular with guitarists as an aftermarket product, the vibratos are featured on a wide range of instruments as original equipment offered by dozens of guitar manufacturers around the world.
Bigsby® will continue to run as a standalone business under FMIC’s Specialty Brands. Orders, inquiries or questions should be directed to Jeff Krause (JKrause@fender.com), who will be leading the business out of the FMIC Scottsdale, Ariz., office.

FMIC is currently working with a team in Pooler, Ga., to integrate the business into its systems before moving it physically to a new location.
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Source: http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/2019/01/...-corporation-announces-acquisition-of-bigsby/
 

Walter Broes

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I can't be enthousiastic when a corporate conglomerate buys up yet another privately owned company. And also - Paul Bigsby must be cursing from his grave.
 

chazmo

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Well what's really interesting / concerning is that FMIC was shedding brands a few years ago -- as we all know. I guess they're back in acquisition mode.
 

geoguy

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FMIC may have judged that having ready access to Bigsby vibrato units was necessary for enough of their guitars (particularly the Gretsch line) that they didn't want to risk Bigsby being owned by one of their competitors.

Guild wasn't so indispensable. :jaded:
 

dapmdave

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Not sure if Gretsch is a Fender competitor. The Gretsch family does still own the company but Fender has most of the control over marketing, production, and distribution of guitars since 2002. Unless there's been a recent change.
 

adorshki

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Not sure if Gretsch is a Fender competitor. The Gretsch family does still own the company but Fender has most of the control over marketing, production, and distribution of guitars since 2002. Unless there's been a recent change.
Sounds to me like it's still that way:
“Paul Bigsby, Ted McCarty, Dinah and Fred Gretsch and Fender Musical Instruments Corp. all have one thing in common, an unquestioning dedication to product excellence over the long haul,” said Fred Gretsch. “We congratulate team Fender on this strategic acquisition.”




FMIC may have judged that having ready access to Bigsby vibrato units was necessary for enough of their guitars (particularly the Gretsch line) that they didn't want to risk Bigsby being owned by one of their competitors.
One's gotta wonder who they'd be worried about "losing" 'em to.
Gibson?
Oh, waitaminnit...maybe an offshore competitor.
Guild wasn't so indispensable. :jaded:
To be fair I think it was an issue of profitability of Guild when Fender was on the ropes and needed to sell something AND reduce the cost footprint.
Suspect they actually picked up some equity on the deal.
 

geoguy

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Not sure if Gretsch is a Fender competitor. The Gretsch family does still own the company but Fender has most of the control over marketing, production, and distribution of guitars since 2002. Unless there's been a recent change.

I meant that FMIC wouldn't have wanted to risk needing to purchase vibratos from a competitor, for example if Gibson had bought Bigsby.
 

SFIV1967

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Now waiting for the Bigsby equipped Stratocaster!
Like Dave said, they do exist:

img539d07779579b_l.jpg



Much more common on the Telecaster models, and yes, they come from Corona like this!

teles1.jpg


fe9235210844-xl-02.jpg


fe9216008320-xl-02.jpg


Ralf
 
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