Ceriatone overtone special

[FUCHSAUDIO]

[TimS]

You have to trust that consumers will realize "you get what you pay for". And: Buying an amp from a guy who's never seen heard, or played the originals of most of what he builds and sells clones-of is pretty dumb.

Gee everyone says "he's such a great guy".....

All I know is that I sent Nik several emails and got no response, despite the fact that I was trying to buy something from him. In contrast, guys on this site like Funkalicousgroove have been extraordinarily generous in sharing their knowledge, with no expectation of monetary gain.

If I ever need a Trainwreck chassis (or another Dumble one, for that matter), I know who I'm buying it from.

[jurgen]

You have to trust that consumers will realize "you get what you pay for". And: Buying an amp from a guy who's never seen heard, or played the originals of most of what he builds and sells clones-of is pretty dumb.

Goes double if you're taking the time to DIY

PS. Andy I heard your Train45 at the LA Amp Show -just sounded killer.

[FUCHSAUDIO]

[Funkalicousgroove]

[FUCHSAUDIO]

[kleinm]

One of Niks defenders has already proudly posted "that he put his own name on it". Gee thanks.

Brandon, perhaps you could educate them to Niks stunning business practices ?

This should be interesting.

Being a person without much money to drop anywhere, I try to learn as much as possible about a given guitar-related company before I trade cash for product with them. Not that I'm interested in Nik's new amp, nor will I consider buying one, but I am curious what this talk is about.

I'm fully aware of Nik's use of "Trainwreck", "Marshall", "Matchless", and other names...but this seems to be something way beyond that. Could someone elaborate?

[FUCHSAUDIO]

[nickt]

Gone...

[Ears]

I sent this as PM to Fuchs Audio (my mistake) here is its intended destination.

I feel that some in the forum have a very US centric viewpoint. This is fine and understandable if dealing with purely US issues and costs (no comment here on middle-eastern wars).

Consider...a Hammond 378CX power transformer would cost me more than NZ$430 to land here. That's about average weekly take home pay. If I'm to build a 100W amp I'm looking at over $700 in chokes and transformers alone.

Mesa Boogie amps retail about $3000 to $5500.

So an outfit in Malaysia offers a complete clone for under NZ$1200 including shipping. So you want to build an amp it is a no brainer. Poor quality parts? Well wait for the feedback before buying (I remember heaps of derogatory comments about Ibanez gear in the '80's - now it commands a high price as high quality vintage gear. Same for Fender.

Now a 'lecture' <smile> - Our (NZ) economy embraced the the free market in the late eighties, it almost destroyed our manufacturing base (hence there no longer being any local sources for audio transformers) but the industries that survived are efficient.

Complaining about competition cuts NO ice in this part of the world and I'm certain it won't in far east asia.

Do what you do, and do it well. I'll always be happy to pay for quality, but I feel the US has closed market economy and little experience in real competition.

No insult intended but some comments in the thread reflect my viewpoint.

[Chris333]

Our (NZ) economy embraced the the free market in the late eighties, it almost destroyed our manufacturing base (hence there no longer being any local sources for audio transformers) but the industries that survived are efficient.

That's a pretty good description of the entire Midwest of the United States, except we still have a couple companies making transformers. Closed market economy? Little experience in real competition? Tell that to any of the thousands of people around here who've had their jobs exported to China/Mexico/wherever. Or any of the illegal aliens who work, live, and have their kids educated here but don't pay taxes. Next time you lecture us about the US economy, try pulling your head out of your ass first.

No insult intended...

[odourboy]

I feel that some in the forum have a very US centric viewpoint.
Consider...a Hammond 378CX power transformer would cost me more than NZ$430 to land here.

Interesting example. Made in Canada.

Next time you lecture us about the US economy, try pulling your head out of your ass first.

In fairness, the NZ economy was devistated. (But then I wholeheartedly share your concern. The fat lady hasn't yet sung.)

[FUCHSAUDIO]

[mhuss]

With the exception of the trannies, from what I've seen, Nik's kits are fine, quality- and safety- wise.

I'm not explicitly dissing his trannies either, I've just never had any experience pro or con, and I've heard from a few his OTs are not up to par with the Heyboers, etc. I agree with Andy that getting PTs from a known and certified source is not a bad idea!

I think there's far more danger from potential mistakes in the first-time builder's efforts then there is regarding the parts s/he uses, no matter who provides them.

--mark

[Ears]

Our (NZ) economy embraced the the free market in the late eighties, it almost destroyed our manufacturing base (hence there no longer being any local sources for audio transformers) but the industries that survived are efficient.

That's a pretty good description of the entire Midwest of the United States, except we still have a couple companies making transformers. Closed market economy? Little experience in real competition? Tell that to any of the thousands of people around here who've had their jobs exported to China/Mexico/wherever. Or any of the illegal aliens who work, live, and have their kids educated here but don't pay taxes. Next time you lecture us about the US economy, try pulling your head out of your ass first.

No insult intended...

I don't offer comment on the immigrant or tax issues only on the exportation of jobs etc. I don't see it stopping in a hurry. I don't necessarily LIKE it anymore than you do, but you've got to face up to it. Global wealth is being redistributed by market force mechanisms (currently that being mostly cheap Asian labour). On some levels it is fair enough as well, most of the world lives in dire poverty, which is not by any means always of their own creation. Maybe there is a touch of irony in that it is capitalist forces that are forcing the changes.
I believe that my country has faced up to global market and competition issues head-on, and it really hurt. In response to your last sentence the facts are that the US and EU do practise high levels of trade protectionism, especially in the agricultural sector, and these practices distort global markets and serve keep much of the world poor.

On the other hand I do agree with those who get upset over copyright concerns regarding stealing and marketing other people's ideas. That is a separate issue. Finally, my post above was written with a beer in my hand (not a good idea), it wasn't intended to be condescending but rather just to throw a different, non-N American viewpiont on Asian competition and some of the advantages it brings to us as most of the thread wasn't providing much of that up to that point.