The Last Bass Outpost

nofi's original question was about "not very original" basses generally based on Fenders. Talking about Alembics, Wals, or other boutique basses is fine but it has nothing to do with what he's asking.

The way I see it, Roger Sadowsky and others looked at the original Fender designs said "I can do better than that." And they've found buyers who agree. Nothing more to it than that. Most of these builders are not hand cutting bodies, they're putting together carefully selected components, some of them their own designs, and making products for people who want something that even a CS Fender can't offer them. Maybe it's the pickups, neck radius, preamp or any number of factors. May not appeal to you but it does appeal to some.

Nobody's "ripping off" Leo. These designs are not protectable, any patents on them expired decades ago and fortunately the USPTO rejected Fender's attempt to trademark the shapes.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E25G5G0.htm

I don't know what it all means... any economists in the house?

This is bad, but not unexpected, since Moodys downgraded Gibson last fall and said a further downgrade was possible. See this from a few months ago.

"The ratings are considered non-investment grade." translation = their credit rating has reached junk status.

They still haven't released their audited 2008 financial statements. The longer that's delayed, the more I'm inclined to think the outlook really is dim.

Simon Townshend, Pete's younger brother.

I just flat out don't believe the story of the woman with the runaway Lexus. She changed her version of events after it was pointed out that she could have turned off the car. Now she says she couldn't put it in neutral and couldn't turn it off. What a damned liar.

No doubt there have been real problems, even fatalities. But these orchestrated hearings smack of a Soviet show trial.

Here's the truth about NHTSA complaints -- note that Toyota has had fewer complaints than everyone except Mercedes Benz, Porsche and Smart Car.

The Verythin is only reissued as guitar, not as bass unfortunately. BTW: The Verythin really is very thin!

Who would have guessed? 

Well, Peavey did buy the Trace Elliot name and all rights. Since you're in the US, why not just call Peavey headquarters and talk to someone about it?

I don't have a problem with him expressing anti-government views online or on paper. I have a big problem with flying an airplane into a building to express them.