Know Your Gear Podcast - Episode 413 Summary

Title: The Largest Guitar Retailer Buys A Amp Company / The Used Market Summed up right now
Host: Phil McKnight
Release Date: May 17, 2025
Description: In this episode, Phil McKnight delves into significant industry developments, including the acquisition of Hughes and Kettner by Thomann, and provides an insightful analysis of the current used gear market. Additionally, Phil shares personal anecdotes, discusses new releases from Gibson Epiphone, and answers listener questions about various guitar-related topics.

1. Introduction and Announcements

Phil opens the episode by welcoming listeners and expressing gratitude towards moderators, patrons, and channel members for their support. He hints at discussing recent increases in patronage later in the show.

**2. Buying Guitars Amid Shop Closures and Price Increases

Question from Edgar:
"With shops closing and potential price increases, is this a good time to buy guitars?"

Phil's Response:
Phil maintains a consistent stance from previous episodes:

"Your money will dry up way before deals ever do." [MM:SS]
He advises patience, emphasizing that deals are always available if one is willing to wait and not succumb to sellers' fear-based tactics.
"If there's something you want right now and you want to get it... buy what you want when you want, but don't let anybody push you into it." [MM:SS]

**3. Thomann's Acquisition of Hughes and Kettner

Phil addresses the rumor-mill surrounding Thomann's purchase of Hughes and Kettner Amps, confirming the acquisition and discussing its implications.

"Hughes and Kettner Amps has been purchased by Thomann." [MM:SS]

He elaborates on the trend of large retailers acquiring amp brands, drawing parallels with Mesa Boogie being bought by Gibson and Marshall's acquisition by a Chinese investment firm. Phil emphasizes that this move is unsurprising, given industry patterns.

Key Insights:

• Manufacturing Shifts: Phil recounts his 2019 visit to Hughes and Kettner's German facility, noting the transition from in-house manufacturing to outsourcing production to China.
• Brand Value: He discusses how brands like Hughes and Kettner become mere names when their manufacturing is outsourced, allowing retailers like Thomann to potentially optimize costs and enhance product availability.

"If Hews and Kettner is a brand that is just having their amps made overseas in China... Thomann can make that brand better." [MM:SS]

Phil speculates on Thomann's intentions, suggesting they might produce more affordable versions of Hughes and Kettner amps, similar to how Behringer's acquisition of TC Electronics influenced product lines.

**4. Current Used Gear Market Overview

Phil provides a candid assessment of the used guitar and amp market, highlighting the disconnect between sellers' and buyers' pricing expectations.

"Sellers are stuck on 2023 pricing and buyers are stuck on 2015 pricing." [MM:SS]

Personal Anecdotes:

• Reverb Experiences: Phil shares his experience listing guitars and pedals on Reverb, noting how quickly items sell—sometimes within an hour—often at prices significantly lower than expected.
• Price Discrepancies: He contrasts his buying experience pre-COVID with the current market, where used items are valued differently, leading to rapid sales but lower returns.

"Everyone's throwing out desperate offers... but you can't sell stuff at what you could two years ago." [MM:SS]

Phil concludes that the used market is in flux, with sellers needing to adjust expectations and buyers capitalizing on lower prices.

**5. Gibson Epiphone's New Premium Releases

Phil discusses the latest releases from Gibson Epiphone, specifically the higher-end models inspired by Gibson Custom Shops.

"Epiphone has released new instruments that are more higher end, more premium than before." [MM:SS]

Controversy Highlighted:

• Headstock Design: The new Epiphone models feature headstocks closely resembling Gibson's iconic designs, which has sparked backlash among enthusiasts who view this as infringing on Gibson's trademarks.

"Somebody's like, did you hear how horrible this is? I'm like, wait, what is going on here?" [MM:SS]

Phil's Take: He finds the controversy ironic, as the design changes were what many consumers had been requesting. Phil remains optimistic about the potential improvements these models might bring to the Epiphone lineup.

**6. Personal Anecdotes and Stories

a. The Odd Hughes and Kettner Guitar

Phil recounts a humorous and nerve-wracking experience involving a guitar tied to Nick Cantis, a former Black Label Society guitarist accused of misconduct.

"If you watch me open this guitar, I'm like, oh, my God, is this what is going on here?" [MM:SS]

Despite initial fears, the outcome was positive, resulting in Phil acquiring a unique, custom-made PRS guitar. He shares the technical details and personal significance of this one-of-a-kind instrument.

b. Regrets About Mod Tone Pedals

Phil opens up about his disappointment with carrying Mod Tone pedals, which were poorly received by customers for their sound quality.

"Everybody was saying they sounded bad and very few customers buying them." [MM:SS]

He reflects on the challenges of introducing new, unproven pedal brands and the importance of quality over mere branding.

**7. Guitar of the Week: Custom PRS Guitar

Phil showcases his custom-made 2001 Paul Reed Smith (PRS) Custom 24 Hardtail, a guitar uniquely crafted by his friend Nathan and other PRS employees. He details the modifications, including a unique "Desert Sandstorm" finish, maple veneer, bone nut, and custom pickups.

"This is one of a kind. It's the only one. In fact, I'm trying to think, is that the only thing I can say?" [MM:SS]

Phil demonstrates the guitar's sound using his Morgan PR PR 12 amp, highlighting its light weight and exceptional tonal quality.

**8. Listener Q&A: Various Gear Topics

Phil addresses multiple listener questions, offering his expertise and personal preferences.

a. Baritone Guitars:
Phil shares his limited experience with baritone guitars, suggesting alternative tuning methods for those new to the format.

b. Building Pedals (Nauticalon vs. Dumble):
He compares building pedal kits to assembling IKEA furniture, emphasizing that such projects don't significantly enhance technical skills.

"Building a Nauticalon or not a Dumble... is the equivalent of buying IKEA furniture and saying you're a furniture builder." [MM:SS]

c. Telecaster vs. Stratocaster:
Phil outlines the primary differences, focusing on comfort, presence of a tremolo arm, and tonal versatility.

"The Strat is literally just designed for comfort... The Telebridge pickup sounds better to me than the Strat bridge pickup." [MM:SS]

d. Amp Comparisons (Vox AC15 vs. Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb):
He expresses a personal preference for the Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb, citing its sound quality and versatility.

"It's literally just preference. I just prefer the Fender sound to the Vox sound." [MM:SS]

e. Custom Guitar Advice:
Phil advises having realistic expectations when ordering custom guitars, noting that even high-end customizations may not meet all personal desires.

"Be bold. Have fun. Realistic expectations. That's it." [MM:SS]

**9. Final Remarks and Patreon Promotion

Phil wraps up the episode by thanking listeners and promoting his Patreon memberships. He outlines the benefits, including ad-free podcasts, bonus content, live clinics, and exclusive repair videos.

"If you're a channel member or a Patreon member at $5, you get the ad-free podcast... Plus, twice a month, I hang out on a Zoom call." [MM:SS]

He expresses deep appreciation for the community's support, emphasizing how patronage helps sustain and enhance the content he provides.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. On Market Strategy:

   "Sellers are stuck on 2023 pricing and buyers are stuck on 2015 pricing." [MM:SS]

2. On Brand Acquisitions:

   "If Hews and Kettner is a brand that is just having their amps made overseas in China... Thomann can make that brand better." [MM:SS]

3. On Custom Guitars:

   "Be bold. Have fun. Realistic expectations. That's it." [MM:SS]

4. On Gibson Epiphone Designs:

   "Somebody's like, did you hear how horrible this is? I'm like, wait, what is going on here?" [MM:SS]

Conclusion

Episode 413 of Know Your Gear Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of current trends and challenges in the guitar industry. From major brand acquisitions to the fluctuating used gear market, Phil McKnight provides valuable insights grounded in personal experiences. His engaging storytelling, combined with expert advice during the Q&A segments, makes this episode a must-listen for guitar enthusiasts seeking to stay informed and entertained.

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