Author Topic: Fishman Backordered  (Read 6703 times)

Go Navy

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Fishman Backordered
« on: February 11, 2012, 11:25:30 AM »
This is a bit frustrating.  Around Feb. 6, I bought a Loudbox Artist Pro amp from the local Guitar Center (GC).  This GC had none in stock and no demos.  They indicated the far away warehouse was expecting them on Feb. 9.   Now, it looks as if the warehouse won't get them until around Feb. 18.  That's when it would ship, UPS ground, to the local store.....add a few more days.

I wonder if Fishman has mis-managed its supply chain?  Maybe they underestimated the demand?  None of the other major online sources, including but not limited to ZZ, Musicians' Friend, Sam Ash, etc. have this amp. 

GC's website this morning indicates that they have the Loudbox Mini in stock, somewhere....you can't tell from the site if an individual store has them physically on hand. Compare that to Best Buy's system, which gives you that capability. 

I hope the latest supply date estimate is accurate.  I want to get my hands on this amp and see what it will do.

Maybe I should scout around and find the discontinued Loudbox 100.
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Gutch

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2012, 11:53:39 AM »
Patience is a virtue, my friend.  In many cases, it's not a supply chain mismanagement situation.  It can be final safety consortium (UL, CE. etc) certification, production issues (China closed for two weeks for the new year), piece part shortages (Out of manufacturer's control), US border customs delays -- Any of a variety of issues that can pop up when you're filling the new product pipeline.  Another thing that I've dealt with in my job, as a Distribution Manager for a large technology company, is the distributor/reseller didn't place their orders early enough to get the product before the others do.  Then, they make up stories to cover their backsides when, in fact, they screwed up in the first place.

Whatever the situation, chances are good that you will have the new amp in a couple weeks and you'll be good to go.  Deep cleansing breaths now... In...  Out...  In... Out...    8)
‎"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
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roadbiker

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2012, 12:12:39 PM »
I received my Loudbox Mini without any delay and it's a great amp - perfect for home use and small venue use, and 1/2 the price of the Artist, but with fewer controls and 1/2 the wattage. Still a great amp. I'm very happy with mine.

Jim
1980 Guild D50 (Westerly), Antique Sunburst
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500R Acoustic/Electric
2010 Taylor GS Mini
2011 Taylor 814CE Acoustic/Electric
2015 Taylor 356ce
1975 Carlo Robelli SG Custom (Sam Ash model)
Fishman Loudbox Mini
VOX AGA70

www.jmaurophoto.com

Go Navy

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2012, 12:37:01 PM »
Ok,  I'll calm down and be patient.  Deep breathing, too.  Thanks for the rational explanation, Gutch, and for the endorsement of the Mini, Roadbiker.  I really like that Mini.  In fact I almost bought it instead of the Pro.  I'm thinking that if for some reason I don't like the Pro, I'll take it back and try the Mini.  Maybe I should have done that the other way 'round.
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Scriptor

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2012, 02:47:27 PM »
Go Navy,

Sorry to hear of the frustrations.  Hope you get your Loudbox Artist soon.  I got lucky.  The local Raleigh, NC Sam Ash had 3 of these (2 in box, 1 display) when I went there last week.  Once you get it, it will be worth the wait IMO.  I really like mine.  Every guitar I plug into it sounds great with very minimal tweaking.

I used to not really care for playing through an acoustic amp at home but this Loudbox Artist has changed that.  I am playing more plugged than unplugged right now.  :)

- Rick (aka Scriptor)
-- Scriptor

Featured demo: http://www.ricklangdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/58-Weeping-in-Ramah-mix-2.mp3

For more very simple demos of original music recorded with Taylor guitars: http://www.ricklangdon.com

Go Navy

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2012, 06:07:40 PM »
Well, I'll have to re-read that advice about deep breathing.  I went to GC a couple of hours after I started this thread, to pick up a small order of three items, and asked the Sales Manager, a very nice chap, to find out what's going on with my Fishman amp order.

He went into one of their computers, came back, and told me:  1) GC's next shipment of Fishman Loudbox Artist amps is scheduled to arrive at the warehouse on 23 Feb. Orders will be filled in their chronological order.  He didn't know the quantity or where I am in the queue, but my order was dated Feb. 6  I think.  So maybe I have a shot.  2) IF my order is not filled from that shipment, the next shipment won't be until 20 March.  This is amazing, as GC has to be a major retailer with big volumes.  One would think GC would get priority treatment from its suppliers, but maybe they are.  Maybe this IS priority treatment.

Note:  if my new 812ce gets built on schedule, it'll be done on or before 19 March, coincidentally.  It was  ordered about 3 Feb. So, it might take as long to get an Artist Pro amp as it takes to build a special order Taylor.

If I I don't get filled on 23 Feb. with the Fishman, I'll head immediately to the internet and see who else might have the product; if that fails, Plan B includes maybe buying a Loudbox Mini and playing with that for awhile.

By the way, I did finally see a Fender Acoustasonic 150 at GC today for the first time.  I didn't have time to play it. I'm very impressed with the visible features, front side controls, outputs, etc., plus it supposedly only weighs 22 lbs.  I lifted it and that could be right. It looks nice, too.  The Acoustasonic 100 weighs only 18 lbs per specs.  I could get interested in the 100.  I put it on my Plan B list.
Guild Manhattan X-175 (1976)
Ibanez GB10 George Benson 1980
2012 Taylor 812ce Cedar

DennisG

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2012, 06:16:31 PM »
Go Navy,

I think the advice about exercising patience still makes sense.  The Fishman Loudbox Artist is the amp you want, not the Mini and not the Fender.  There's a reason you want this amp and not the others.  The others are a compromise.  Yeah, go ahead and see if you can buy the FLA from other sources, but do get that amp and none of the others.  A month from now, when you're getting incredible tone out of that amp, you'll forget all about the extra week or so you had to wait for it.
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Go Navy

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2012, 12:06:39 AM »
Go Navy,

I think the advice about exercising patience still makes sense.  The Fishman Loudbox Artist is the amp you want, not the Mini and not the Fender.  There's a reason you want this amp and not the others.  The others are a compromise.  Yeah, go ahead and see if you can buy the FLA from other sources, but do get that amp and none of the others.  A month from now, when you're getting incredible tone out of that amp, you'll forget all about the extra week or so you had to wait for it.

Solomonic advice, Dennis.....thanks.
Guild Manhattan X-175 (1976)
Ibanez GB10 George Benson 1980
2012 Taylor 812ce Cedar

Scriptor

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2012, 10:24:49 AM »
Solomonic advice, Dennis.....thanks.

a big +1 on the advice from DennisG ... I had actually been wanting a Fishman Loudbox for a long while but had some other things on the list with higher priority, so I was determined to wait; however because I had a rare chance to play out several months ago, had no acoustic amp and was short on cash, I was able to find an adequate used amp to "make do" ... then I thought, "well, maybe this can work long term", but I was never satisfied ... until I got my Loudbox ... if you know what you want and why, and have the resources to get it, don't settle (I am guilty of having to learn this lesson a few times before it really "took")  :)

-- Scriptor

Featured demo: http://www.ricklangdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/58-Weeping-in-Ramah-mix-2.mp3

For more very simple demos of original music recorded with Taylor guitars: http://www.ricklangdon.com

Scriptor

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2012, 10:31:55 AM »
Just a little in the way of an update ... it appears that the Loudbox Artist is out of stock in a number of places on-line ... I hope this means the initial demand was overwhelming and not well anticipated ... if so, then I'm sure Fishman is working overtime meet the demand ... maybe NAMM had something to do with a surge of orders ...
-- Scriptor

Featured demo: http://www.ricklangdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/58-Weeping-in-Ramah-mix-2.mp3

For more very simple demos of original music recorded with Taylor guitars: http://www.ricklangdon.com

Go Navy

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2012, 12:10:22 AM »
Just a little in the way of an update ... it appears that the Loudbox Artist is out of stock in a number of places on-line ... I hope this means the initial demand was overwhelming and not well anticipated ... if so, then I'm sure Fishman is working overtime meet the demand ... maybe NAMM had something to do with a surge of orders ...

I think you're right, Scriptor.  The latest skinny from Guitar Center is that a shipment comes in on 23 Feb and pre-existing orders get filled in chrono order.  Then there's another shipment in March......I forget the date.  I will hang on until 23 Feb and see what my status is at that point.  If I get the short end of the stick,  I'll have to re-evaluate. 
Guild Manhattan X-175 (1976)
Ibanez GB10 George Benson 1980
2012 Taylor 812ce Cedar

roadbiker

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2012, 07:20:24 AM »
If you can't or don't want to wait, and the Mini is not what you're looking for, maybe you should consider the VOX AGA70 as an alternative.

Jim
1980 Guild D50 (Westerly), Antique Sunburst
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500R Acoustic/Electric
2010 Taylor GS Mini
2011 Taylor 814CE Acoustic/Electric
2015 Taylor 356ce
1975 Carlo Robelli SG Custom (Sam Ash model)
Fishman Loudbox Mini
VOX AGA70

www.jmaurophoto.com

Go Navy

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2012, 12:10:48 PM »
If you can't or don't want to wait, and the Mini is not what you're looking for, maybe you should consider the VOX AGA70 as an alternative.

Jim

Thanks Jim.....I was completely unaware of the Vox product. I looked at the online review from Premier Guitar mag, and I'm seriously impressed.  I don't like tubes and have never used them;  this amp does have one tube but it's on a separate channel so I guess if the tube dies, you're still in business on the other channel. Usually, any amp with any tube in it is incredibly heavy but this one is only 22 lbs.  Part of the weight saving, probably is the relatively smaller speaker.

It's on the short, short list!
Guild Manhattan X-175 (1976)
Ibanez GB10 George Benson 1980
2012 Taylor 812ce Cedar

roadbiker

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2012, 01:27:06 PM »
If you can't or don't want to wait, and the Mini is not what you're looking for, maybe you should consider the VOX AGA70 as an alternative.

Jim

Thanks Jim.....I was completely unaware of the Vox product. I looked at the online review from Premier Guitar mag, and I'm seriously impressed.  I don't like tubes and have never used them;  this amp does have one tube but it's on a separate channel so I guess if the tube dies, you're still in business on the other channel. Usually, any amp with any tube in it is incredibly heavy but this one is only 22 lbs.  Part of the weight saving, probably is the relatively smaller speaker.

It's on the short, short list!

I'm still considering it as a second amp. Historically, most players prefer tube amps because the deilver a smoother, analog sound compared to solid state circuitry. I think that the tube channel of the VOX is a great selling feature and one of the reasons why I am still considering it (and because I can use American Express points to get it for free).

Jim
1980 Guild D50 (Westerly), Antique Sunburst
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500R Acoustic/Electric
2010 Taylor GS Mini
2011 Taylor 814CE Acoustic/Electric
2015 Taylor 356ce
1975 Carlo Robelli SG Custom (Sam Ash model)
Fishman Loudbox Mini
VOX AGA70

www.jmaurophoto.com

Scriptor

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Re: Fishman Backordered
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2012, 02:20:11 PM »
Go Navy ... I just sent you a PM ... thanks.

- Scriptor
-- Scriptor

Featured demo: http://www.ricklangdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/58-Weeping-in-Ramah-mix-2.mp3

For more very simple demos of original music recorded with Taylor guitars: http://www.ricklangdon.com