tobiewharton

Cracker! Enjoy

You're right, GK aren't Mesa. I mentioned them as an American-made Class D competitor. I'd consider them a premium choice but acknowledge that that's very much a matter of opinion. If we're comparing with Aguilar and Bergantino in the UK, one can currently get an Aggy TH500 for £800 or a Berg neo 410 for £1500. I just don't see the comparisons you're making. This is all inconsequential of course - any products are worth the price that people are prepared to pay for them, which has always been and continues to be absolutely fine. I'm just not sure who those people are intended to be in this case and I'm dubious that they're the same people that were targeted in the past. I've absolutely no issue with companies going 'exclusive', as mentioned in earlier posts by others, but I do prefer those companies to call a spade a spade.

I think you misunderstand me. I'm trying to understand why the gear is now considerably more than similar competitors. I don't have a particular brand allegiance - have owned a big variety. As such, I didn't say I wouldn't buy Mesa because I like another brand more (I actually use a Mesa preamp currently), I said I wouldn't buy new Mesa products because of these prices.

Am I missing something here? Anderton's has the Subway D-350 at £900 and the GK Legacy 800 at £850? The Subway D-800+ is £1250 from the same retailer.

It certainly is! IIRC that was in reference to songs people dislike? Equally true for gear of course. However, the suggestion here is that Mesa may no longer represent what it once did; a competitive choice for gigging musicians. 22 hundred quid for a 4x10? IMO that is pie in the sky. What I find irksome is the apparent disingenuousness of putting this purely down to market forces, with no acknowledgement of the effect of marketing strategies. Everyone can prefer what they choose but I won't be convinced that these offer value for money for the vast majority of players. It's a shame for me - I like the gear 👍🏻

Thanks for the reassurance that I am indeed expressing an opinion 🙄 Whom are the products 'for' exactly? Folk gullible and rich enough to fork out over 2K for a cab that isn't gold-plated?

Interesting thread... Forums like BC are such a great source of many things, from bon homie to amusing belligerence, and I'm sure we're all partial to the full gamut from time to time. This particular one irks me - These amps and cabs? Not on your nelly! I like Mesa stuff but these are priced out of the market for the majority of players. I earn good money from music and there isn't a world where I'd shell out for these products over, say, GK's offerings. I couldn't give two hoots where things are made per se, as long as the product, buyer experience and aftercare are fit for purpose. On the contrary, if I feel like I'm being taken the piss out of it leaves a sour taste, regardless of some superiority delusion masquerading as 'provenance'. Of course this is all my opinion, but it's not lost on me that I am in the relatively unusual position of having the funds and work to justify considering equipment that is towards the pricier end of retail. These are beyond that and yet are not a luxury; luxury is commissioning a build with a craftsman (like Jon Shuker for example, whose skill, time and flexibility add a unique and personal value), not preordering on Anderton's.

Very cool.

I think it looks rather nice - I wouldn't buy one at any of Fender's/Squier's price points but that's not the bass' fault!

Which is exactly what I took your opening post to mean - something I experience too! Perhaps we're just contrary...🤣 Funnily enough, I was having a similar conversation with my partner just yesterday. We were recalling that it's sometimes argued that the original must be superior simply because it is the archetype. Personally, I find that argument interesting but ultimately futile.

Jeez - it's about preference 🙄 So many of these threads seem to unnecessarily descend into discussion about the pseudo-philosophy of creating and performing music; it's supposed to be fun. It's fine to love and hate things with no justification and it's also fine to call something crap whilst not meaning it's objectively and universally bad.

Pap - in the same camp as Snow Patrol

Heard it Through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight All Along the Watchtower - Bob Dylan No Woman, No Cry - album version

This. Ten times over.

Woah there, tiger! Any rap/thrash metal is bad music huh? Not sure about that one. I do love to hate examples from each though!

A sniff? 🤣

It saddens me to tentatively agree with this. The truly special original recording of 'No Woman, No Cry' destroyed forever.

Oh, the Pet Shop Boys... And they've been wheeled out again recently! 😭😭😭

Great pickup - I have one in an M-Chick.

That Beyonce song is an abomination.