Know Your Gear Podcast Summary
Episode: Dealers BLOWING Out High End Guitars What Does This Mean
Host: Phillip McKnight
Release Date: December 21, 2024

Introduction

Phillip McKnight kicks off the episode by expressing gratitude to Patreon members for supporting the Know Your Gear Podcast. He sets the stage for a discussion filled with guitar-related insights, addressing various listener questions and diving deep into current industry issues.

Mesa Boogie Mark 2C+ Reissue Issues

Price Concerns

At the outset, Phil addresses an email from Simon regarding the problematic launch of the Mesa Boogie Mark 2C+ reissue.

[02:15] Phil McKnight: "A lot of people were really not happy with the $3,600 price tag on it."

He notes that the high price point has been a significant point of contention among consumers.

Demo Tone Problems

Phil discusses the unfavorable reception of demo videos showcasing the Mark 2C+, highlighting issues with the amp's sound quality in these demonstrations.

[05:40] Phil McKnight: "The pushback was, why did it sound so bad? Why did they use dad rock tones?"

Listeners criticized the demo's tones, labeling them as "dad rock," which Phil disputes based on his own interpretation of the tones as reminiscent of classic Metallica-era sounds.

Customer Feedback and "Dad Rock" Comments

Phil delves into the backlash over the "dad rock" characterization, clarifying his stance on what constitutes dad rock tones.

[10:05] Phil McKnight: "Dad rock tones are Metallica tones. By the way, Metallica is the age of most people's dads."

He argues that the term "dad rock" might be overly broad, encompassing a range of styles from Chuck Berry to Metallica, and expresses confusion over the negative connotations associated with it.

Company's Response and Potential Fixes

Addressing the fallout, Phil criticizes Sweetwater and Gibson/Mesa Boogie for pulling down the contentious demo video instead of addressing the issues transparently.

[15:30] Phil McKnight: "I think it's a bad mistake to yank the video down. They should fly out the three reviewers and let them create a proper demonstration."

He emphasizes the need for companies to allow content creators adequate time to explore and accurately represent their gear, rather than relying on rushed demos that can mislead consumers.

Personal Experiences and Insights

Phil's Mesa Boogie Mark 525

Phil shares his long-term experience with the Mesa Boogie Mark 525 mini head, purchased in 2014. He praises its versatility, particularly the Mark 2C+ mode, which he favors for vintage Metallica-style tones.

[09:20] Phil McKnight: "The Mark II C plus tone is definitely my favorite for going for the vintage tone. Love that amp for that."

Ol Englund's Influence

Phil credits Ol Englund for helping him unlock the full potential of his Mark series amplifiers, moving past initial frustrations with sound quality.

[18:50] Phil McKnight: "Ol Englund literally not only saved me from losing a fortune, but also let me understand the Mark series."

He underscores the value of knowledgeable content creators in demystifying complex gear settings.

Critique of Reactionary YouTube Content

Phil criticizes the prevalent trend of reactionary content on YouTube, where creators have limited time with gear, leading to superficial reviews.

[24:10] Phil McKnight: "I hate YouTube content that's reactionary. Companies should let content creators spend time with their gear to provide genuine insights."

Guitar Market Dynamics

Direct to Consumer vs Dealers

Phil contrasts direct-to-consumer sales with traditional dealer models, highlighting how direct sales offer immediate market feedback, whereas dealers operate with delayed responses due to inventory management.

[35:25] Phil McKnight: "Manufacturers dealing with dealers have slower reactions to market changes, often leading to overstock and subsequent discounting."

Discounting and Inventory Issues

He explains that dealers, facing unsold inventory, resort to significant discounts (20-30%) to move products, which Phil contends affects manufacturers' profit margins adversely.

[38:45] Phil McKnight: "Dealers are offering 20-30% off because they need to move inventory, not because they want to."

Price Trends and Manufacturer Margins

Phil shares insights from conversations with manufacturers, indicating that despite current discounts, prices are expected to rise in 2025 to counteract inflation and rising costs.

[42:10] Phil McKnight: "Manufacturers plan to raise prices in 2025 by about 5-6% to manage increased costs, not because they want to."

Listener Questions and Answers

Guitar Fretboard Rounding with Binding

Amanda inquires about rounding fretboards with binding.

[55:00] Amanda: "Can you round over fretboard if it has binding?"

Phil affirms and provides a brief overview of the technique, advising practice on scrap materials to avoid mistakes.

[55:20] Phil McKnight: "You can round over fretboards with binding using a razor blade. Practice on something else first to avoid errors."

Trade-in Negotiation Tactics

Alex asks about negotiating trade-ins at guitar stores.

[58:30] Alex: "Is it deceiving to negotiate the price down before disclosing you want to trade?"

Phil advises against revealing trade intentions upfront to maximize negotiation leverage.

[58:45] Phil McKnight: "Don't disclose you're trading until after you've negotiated the price. It gives you a better deal."

Amplifiers Discussed

Rudy inquires about the Synergy 50amp.

[1:05:10] Rudy: "Would you recommend the Synergy 50amp? Pros and cons?"

Phil recommends the Synergy amp for its practicality and sound quality, noting its suitability for his YouTube content.

[1:05:30] Phil McKnight: "The Synergy amp is what I'll be using for all my YouTube videos due to its ease and great sound."

Stand-up Comedy Preferences

The conversation briefly touches on Phil's Mount Rushmore of stand-up comedians, highlighting personal influences like George Carlin and Richard Pryor.

[1:10:00] Phil McKnight: "George Carlin and Richard Pryor are foundational to my sense of humor and have deeply influenced my life."

Gear Exchange and Selling Gear

Tony asks about Sweetwater's Gear Exchange.

[1:15:40] Tony: "What do you think of Sweetwater's Gear Exchange?"

Phil provides a balanced review, praising the no-fee aspect but critiquing the platform's limited customer base compared to Reverb.

[1:16:00] Phil McKnight: "Sweetwater's Gear Exchange is a good idea with no fees, but it lacks the extensive inventory and customer base of Reverb."

Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

Phil wraps up by addressing super chats and engaging with his community, reiterating his commitment to providing valuable, honest content. He also touches upon his strategy for leveraging short-form content to expand his audience, balancing it with long-form, in-depth discussions for his dedicated listeners.

[1:30:25] Phil McKnight: "Short-form content helps reach new audiences, while our long-form discussions continue to serve our dedicated community."

He thanks his listeners once more and signs off with his trademark phrase:

Know Your Gear Podcast is brought to you by Patreon Members. Thank you for making this possible.

Notable Quotes

• [05:40] Phil McKnight: "Why did they use dad rock tones? Why didn't they dial in good tones?"

• [10:05] Phil McKnight: "Dad rock tones are Metallica tones."

• [18:50] Phil McKnight: "Ol Englund literally not only saved me from losing a fortune but also let me understand the Mark series."

• [35:25] Phil McKnight: "Manufacturers dealing with dealers have slower reactions to market changes."

• [42:10] Phil McKnight: "Manufacturers plan to raise prices in 2025 by about 5-6% to manage increased costs."

• [58:45] Phil McKnight: "Don't disclose you're trading until after you've negotiated the price."

Conclusion

In this episode, Phillip McKnight offers a candid exploration of the challenges surrounding the Mesa Boogie Mark 2C+ reissue, shares personal anecdotes to illustrate broader industry issues, and provides practical advice to his listeners. His engagement with audience questions further enriches the conversation, making it a valuable resource for guitar enthusiasts navigating the complexities of gear management and market dynamics.