What defunct guitar brand, would you like to see make a return

guitars4you · June 2023

I miss Hamer - The original USA Hamer Guitar company - So would like to see a return, run by Joel Dantzig - I don't mean the Hamer brand, as of today, in name only, from the far east - I'm talking about the original boutique/custom guitar company from the USA

Many old brand names are brought back to life, mainly via a far eastern production facility - But I'm talking about either a) brands that are still defunct or b) the original company

So who/what would you like to see arise again in its original form

richardhomer · June 2023

Gibson in its original form, Boogie as a small boutique amp builder and MXR spring to mind.

LionAquaLooper · June 2023

Parker

Fez · June 2023

I am with you on Hamer but I can't think of any other brand I would bring back. Certainly not Watkins (WEM).

guitars4you · June 2023

richardhomer said:

Gibson in its original form, Boogie as a small boutique amp builder and MXR spring to mind.

Do you mean the CMI 'golden era' days run by Ted McCarty - So pre Norlin - Or pre Henry

ICBM · June 2023

Most of the Matsumoku factory lines - Westone, Westbury, the proper Arias (not what the brand is stuck on now), Maya etc.

richardhomer · June 2023

guitars4you said:
Do you mean the CMI 'golden era' days run by Ted McCarty - So pre Norlin - Or pre Henry

Yes, the ‘Golden Era’.

OilCityPickups · June 2023

ICBM said:

Most of the Matsumoku factory lines - Westone, Westbury, the proper Arias (not what the brand is stuck on now), Maya etc.

absolutely this

Kalimna · June 2023

Palm Bay - used to own a couple, would love to see them return.

carlos · June 2023

Steinberger, not the crap they have been making for the past 20 years, before the synapses even.

mooncat · June 2023

B C Rich back like it was in the 70s and early 80s

TDubs · June 2023

Ian Elson Guitars

ScreamingDave · June 2023

Interesting question. I think the sad truth is that companies die because they’re either hopelessly mismanaged or because people generally don’t like their products, so I guess if they did come back they’d probably just die again. I feel very nostalgic about some brands, like Hondo II and Marlin, because they were the guitars I had in my youth, but not nostalgic enough to actually buy one if they were re-released

Tannin · June 2023

1: Tacoma
2: Tokai
3: Epiphone
4: Gretsch
5: D'Angelico
6: D'Aquisto
7: Breedlove
8: Bourgois
9: Larrivee
10: Hagstrom
11: Danelectro
12: LAG
13: Eko
14: Tacoma again
15: Tokai again

RichAC · June 2023

Washburn. I know they sort-of still exist, but I’d like to see them restored to a much bigger deal.

guitars4you · June 2023

ScreamingDave said:

Interesting question. I think the sad truth is that companies die because they’re either hopelessly mismanaged or because people generally don’t like their products, so I guess if they did come back they’d probably just die again. I feel very nostalgic about some brands, like Hondo II and Marlin, because they were the guitars I had in my youth, but not nostalgic enough to actually buy one if they were re-released

There is a strong element of truth in that - But the Hamer demise was different - Although it was owned by Kaman, who owned Ovation - It was acceptable for it to retain its 'boutique' profile etc - But then Fender purchased a host of companies, inc Kaman, in order to be floated on the stock market - That project failed - Fender then just dumped such brands - Closed down various factories that included the Ovation facility, where Hamer operated from - So they were effectively closed down within a corporate greed program and as such an innocent party - But equally as a small company it would never have made much, if any money - Far smaller than the likes of Collings or Anderson

Stevepage · June 2023

Washburn. BC Rich but with decent guitars, Heartfield, Vigier guitars (they're closing down end of this year)

Jetfire · June 2023

Stevepage said:

Washburn. BC Rich but with decent guitars, Heartfield, Vigier guitars (they're closing down end of this year)

WHAT?

AK99 · June 2023

ICBM said:

Most of the Matsumoku factory lines - Westone, Westbury, the proper Arias (not what the brand is stuck on now), Maya etc.

Yes this absolutely.

Especially Westbury for the construction and quality - and the later Performer (?) model, with all of the clever pickup switching.

guitars4you · June 2023

Tannin said:

1: Tacoma
2: Tokai
3: Epiphone
4: Gretsch
5: D'Angelico
6: D'Aquisto
7: Breedlove
8: Bourgois
9: Larrivee
10: Hagstrom
11: Danelectro
12: LAG
13: Eko
14: Tacoma again
15: Tokai again

Gretsch is an interesting one - The Gretsch family still legally own the name and everything that goes with it - But when they purchased it back they had no factory, staff, production facility etc - Just a nice piece of history to own as such - So option one was to start again and create a new facility, with appropriate funding and find the appropriate expertise to build, promote, run such a venture - They then came to an agreement with Fender, who effectively manufacture, distribute, promote etc and pay a licence/fee to the Gretsch family for every guitar built and $ made

Stevepage · June 2023

Jetfire said:

Stevepage said:

Washburn. BC Rich but with decent guitars, Heartfield, Vigier guitars (they're closing down end of this year)

WHAT?

Yep Pratice is retiring. Last orders for new guitars was last year, so they're fulfilling orders now and will close later this year. Which means used prices will go through the roof and there goes my dream of owning one

Howdy, Stranger!

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What defunct guitar brand, would you like to see make a return

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