EuroAussie Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Maybe they saw it as a way to make their products and people behing them a bit more appealing to potential investors .. ? http://www.mmrmagazine.com/4812/news/fender-files-for-200m-ipo/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fungus Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I can tell you from working in big Corporations, that having one of your best folks jump ship does not look good to investors at all. It will make them question why you did it? And if the person is a big enough icon in the company, all the worse..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Something like one-third of every guitar sold is under the Fender banner. I don't think they needed Ren to entice investors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fungus Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 my bad.....didn't know Ren is going to work for Fender. I was saying that it won't look good for Gibson having one of their top guys leave. let me ask this..and I know it'll open a big can of worms......... Why do you think Fender sells more guitars? Price? ???....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I can tell you from working in big Corporations, that having one of your best folks jump ship does not look good to investors at all. It will make them question why you did it? And if the person is a big enough icon in the company, all the worse..... Huh??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Maybe Ren was offered pre-IPO stock options as part of his deal to leave Gibson and go to work for Fender. That would entice me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I thought that Ren retired for health reasons, didn't know he went to work for Fender. What a maroon!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 . When Ren found out about all the plans for laminated guitars and processed woods he told Gibson to take a hike. . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fungus Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Huh??? I work for large multi national corporations. I have seen what happens when key folks leave when investors are trying to be rounded up. It usually does not go well. To clear up your "HUH" ....... again, I did not realize Ren had been snagged up by Fender. Good on him for holding to his principles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I thought that Ren retired for health reasons, didn't know he went to work for Fender. What a maroon!!! ...Heheeeeee. Larry mate,...you were a bit slow off the mark on this one!!! Fender Musical Instruments Corp. (FMIC) announces today that world-renowned master luthier Ren Ferguson has joined its Research & Development (R&D) team as Chief Acoustic Engineer. In that role, Ferguson will assist in the Fender, Guild, Ovation/Adamas and Takamine acoustic product lines, through the creation of innovative new products, and refinement of existing products and related manufacturing practices. Ferguson comes to FMIC with more than 50 years worth of instrument building experience, focusing on the crafting of acoustic guitars, mandolins and banjos. In 1962, Ren set to pursue his lifelong passion for instrument building that soon expanded to include research and development, manufacturing and training. "We are very pleased to welcome Ren to the R&D team," said Keith Chapman, senior vice president, R&D for FMIC. "His experience and long history of innovation, high quality and expert craftsmanship will prove to be invaluable to our R&D and manufacturing departments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 . When Ren found out about all the plans for laminated guitars and processed woods he told Gibson to take a hike. . B) . BK,...you are funny!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisA83 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 ...Heheeeeee. Larry mate,...you were a bit slow off the mark on this one!!! Oh wow I didn't actually know it was official! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I sort of hate to damp the speculation but Fender did not lure Ren away from Gibson. He chose to retire from Gibson, gave notice, and very shortly afterwards received an offer from Fender that was too good to pass up. (Ren's son works for Fender, which explains how they got the news so quickly.) -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I sort of hate to damp the speculation but Fender did not lure Ren away from Gibson. He chose to retire from Gibson, gave notice, and very shortly afterwards received an offer from Fender that was too good to pass up. (Ren's son works for Fender, which explains how they got the news so quickly.) -- Bob R I agree with Bob , plus I doubt Ren is looking for money. I think he just wanted to start doing different things now that he still has the time to do it . I guess he didn't have much spare time for other stuff while working at gibson so he chose to leave to have that time. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 . Sounds like another documentary subject for Al Gore, tackling the big questions of our time - A Convenient Truth. . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaster Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Maybe moving to warm climates on the West Coast was a factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojorule Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 my bad.....didn't know Ren is going to work for Fender. I was saying that it won't look good for Gibson having one of their top guys leave. let me ask this..and I know it'll open a big can of worms......... Why do you think Fender sells more guitars? Price? ???....... Actually I don't buy the price argument when it comes to their USA-made guitars. I was seriously in the market for a new USA Standard Tele when they were in the 600-pound category a few years back, but by the time I got around to pouncing they'd gone up to a grand. That suddenly made certain Gibsons look much better value, though not so much the ES 335 which had been my main goal before deciding a Tele would be the best compromise. I like Teles and have no problems with a bolt-on neck, but I do have something of a problem with paying a grand for a bolt-on neck guitar, even if made in the USA. Especially when there are SGs and LPs available for less despite the extra time and labour required to spray the nitro and glue the neck. And when a Tele costs over a grand, even a 335 at under 2K seems more palatable. The whole point of Fenders is that they introduced full-on production line procedures to the manufacture of electric guitars. They simply never should cost as much as a Gibson, because even though Gibson also operates a production line, its different stages require more time and skilled labour than a poly-coated Fender with bolts. For an inexpensive USA-made electric workhorse, I would be looking at a Melody Maker or an SG Special and not at a Fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Maybe moving to warm climates on the West Coast was a factor. They might be -- if he was moving to the west coast. But he's actually staying put in Montana. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 But he's actually staying put in Montana. Yep. That was the single most important factor in making the offer too good to refuse. -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I do hope that he needs the money. I can't think of another reason why a legitimate luthier would leave one corporate context for another rather than choosing to build what he wants on his own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I can't think of another reason why a legitimate luthier would leave one corporate context for another rather than choosing to build what he wants on his own. Ren's not just a luthier. He's interested in figuring out how to improve the guitars turned out by factory production lines. He can't make much progress on that problem if he's restricted to experimenting in his home workshop. -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Does this now mean we can expect Guild Guitars to be built the best they ever have been? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Does this now mean we can expect Guild Guitars to be built the best they ever have been? IMO the US made Guilds are very nice. As you have indicated, I'll be watching to see what comes down the pipe. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modoc_333 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I do hope that he needs the money. I can't think of another reason why a legitimate luthier would leave one corporate context for another rather than choosing to build what he wants on his own. He can do this too. Fender advertises him, but they don't have him in the same capacity that Gibson did. he doesn't work EXCLUSIVELY for Fender. He is free to do whatever he wants. He can build his own stuff, consult for other brands, even consult for Gibson.... Fender DOES have the advertising rights to him basically.... and his input on things as well. It was good money, he was able to stay home, and can do whatever he wants. Who here WOULDN'T take that job? at HIS age. remember, he IS at retirement time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Why do you think Fender sells more guitars? Price? ???....... Because most beginning guitar players are about 13 and want a strat like electric, that would be my guess. :huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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