The Steel Guitar Forum

I guess I'm just surprised that Peavey allowed it to air at all. I can't believe they thought it would show the company in a positive light in any way, shape or form.

To me, Hartley's shots were extremely damaging, I have no respect for him at all. Not sure I have any for his second in command either, he came across to me as insincere.

A Public Relations disaster for sure. But as Roger pointed out earlier, this is easily a reflection of a lot of companies in the USA.

My 2 cents, YMMV.

I feel bad for the cabinet maker who turned down a living wage job for a box of day old donuts and greasy smile from the snake of a CEO.

Did any of those employees actually receive the bonuses they where offered ?

They made promises to a group, whether or not they stuck to them, but the one girl lost her job a month later. Look, all companies are not lucrative by all means, but to do something like this was a poor choice for Hartley. Remember in their prime they brought tons of amps to Scotty's, in he last few, 0 and none more. Hartley's' attitude was really questionable. Sorry, Peavey 0 employees 0, take your shit overseas.

I have a different take on this show and Peavey.

I worked for a "major company" for 31 years and got a pink slip along with 1200 other employees in 1996.
This also was to try and save the company.

I took the offered severance and my pension and left at the age of 54. I felt it was the best move I ever made.

If I had not left when I did I would have lost everything because the stock of the company went to 10 cents a share.

The company went out of business 5 years after I left.
The name of the company was taken over by an Asian company and are now selling TV's with the name.

A company's 1st priority is to it's stock holders and the only way to do it is to fix the bottom line.

I understand their move even though many employees were hurt. No one said life is easy.

I worked for a company who I knew the owner was gambling with co. money. Those things usually end up ugly. I left hoping to rehire someplace else and not be there holding the bag. Well 13 months later I get a position someplace else and yes the co. went closed, reopened to a new owner, then closed again. Even though I was off work, it was my decision o leave. The sad thing was the owner was the nicest guy you've ever known, but bad decisions made his choice for him. I saw him some time ago, in a casino of all places. He was apologetic to me, he didn't owe me anything. Sometimes we hope as the companies do, to stay here, but it doesn't work. Listen to what they say on the Sharks show, can't survive till you take it overseas.

Don Sulesky wrote:
A company's 1st priority is to it's stock holders and the only way to do it is to fix the bottom line.

I understand their move even though many employees were hurt. No one said life is easy.

The only thing is, Peavey is privately held. There are no stockholders.

Seems like I'm always a day late and a dollar short as I missed Undercover Boss - Peavey on Sunday night. However, I watched it via computer last evening. I was surprised to say the least, disheartened, angry. I have several vintage Peavey amps from the 70's & 80's but I'll never purchase another "new" Peavey product. I do feel very badly for those employees that lost their jobs and/or were "cut back". The show was definitely a major public relations disaster for Peavey. Presently, my concern is with their service and repair department as it's always been top-notch and reasonable in price and turnaround. I don't want to waste my time watching it again, but did I correctly understand that the step son said something to the effect that, nobody wanted to buy American or either it didn't matter anymore?

As you look at the history of Peavey Company, I wonder if they over-extended their product reach. Some manufacturers are better off staying with fewer good products, and not trying to fill the whole realm of what they do. For instance, would it have been different had they not built guitars, and stuck with amplification?

chris ivey wrote:good u.s. companies .

Theres your problem with Peavey. There are plenty of companies making US products and making it. Carvin for example and a huge booming boutique industry. Hartley wanted to sell Walmart priced gear with his big awful emblem on the front. He was super slow to release new products after they were announced, he didn't update or upgrade gear regularly and he constantly blamed others for his business problems. In business you either adapt or you die and it seems that slowly Peavey is dying.

Bob Hoffnar wrote:I feel bad for the cabinet maker who turned down a living wage job for a box of day old donuts and greasy smile from the snake of a CEO.

Did any of those employees actually receive the bonuses they where offered ?

At the end of the show, they said that Peavey was still working on their promises to the employees on the show. That was four months after the show was recorded!

A response from Peavey:

http://peavey.com/news/article.cfm/acti ... rticle.cfm

Peavey UK closed in November 2014, as far as I can see they have a handling company dealing with warranty claims, but it seems that if you have older gear for repair you take it to your local Peavey dealer who sends it to whatever local tech he uses.Not sure where the tech is supposed to get parts for repair.As far as buying a steel amp eg 112, it would seem none are available with EU specs! whether this will change I don't know.The 112 is shown in Catalog with a UK price! but the main steel/guitar shop over here has posted that they are now not available.Peavey posted that they "might open up a distribution depot in Asia " at some point . So looks as if all manufacturing would be done in China .

Important to read Peavey's response. I think it was pretty restrained given the way they came off.

Was the alternative slowly and painfully going out of business?

From Peavey's letter:

Peavey continues to manufacture Composite Acoustics guitars, various speaker enclosures and custom products in Meridian. I would also add that our most advanced technology products (MediaMatrix) will remain in the United States.

I take it by that, no amplification products are made in the US???

That show runs on a formula, and anybody who allows themselves to be shown on it is taking a heck of a risk.

I saw the show and couldn't believe Peavey let this air. It really should them in a bad light. I have used Peavey gear from day one and still do. I've always liked Peavey. But, I have to say I wouldn't buy a new Peavey Amp made in China regardless of who is playing. Products made in Asia have there place. But I don't see me paying a permium price for a Peavey amp made in China. But this is the state of our economy these days.

They showed Peavey as they are.

An American manufacturer doing what they feel they have to do to stay Profitable in a global economy. Competing with products made with cheap Asian labor, in a price driven market.

its hard to imagine any U.S. manufacturer not facing the same problems. Why they would choose to share the ugly truth with the public is Poor PR, and the way they handled the changes made them appear heartless, with minimal concern for their employees, at best.

I'm guessing they aren't much better or worse than any other similar business . The days of working for an American Manufacturer for your entire working career , with benefits, ,regular cost of living raises, pensions, etc....lets just say it's unlikely. You're not getting that gold pocket watch.

So... Peavey that we knew and loved for the past fourty years isn't the same Peavey. It's no surprise. I still use my old Peavey amps. Great tools, and built to last. .

I finally got around to watching this evening. It was definitely a bit depressing.

I think the COO said it best at the beginning of the show: american consumers do not care where things are made, they just want a competitive price and that sets the market. I have always been amazed that Peavey can continue to offer their equipment at those very low price points. Why they choose to move everything overseas rather than raise the price and the quality is what boggles me. Fender did the same thing years ago and it damaged their brand.

Many of the big names of the '60s and '70s are still riding on their reputations from when they were US made and when the quality was higher. Sadly, those good old days are behind us. Now if you want something made like it was in the '60s you have to get it from a boutique builder. Many people do not want to make the leap from a $400 investment to a $2500 investment and I can understand why - but after watching this video one might get a better understanding on why the boutique market is booming right now.

Is it possible that my old $200 Session 400 Limited, when it dies, can't be repaired? I've been considering buying a Nashville 400 or an old LTD, if I could find one at a good price. But I'm gettin' cold feet wondering if these things are just gonna turn into boat anchors. My amp guy will only work on my Fender stuff, which hardly ever breaks down. The Twin sounds better than the Peavey anyway, so I guess I'll stick with the Fenders.......I did feel sorry for the workers losing their jobs....And the Particle Board Cabs are a Good Reason for Me to Stay Away From Peavey. I HATE THAT STUFF.

I wonder what Mike Brown has to say now ?

Bill L. Wilson wrote:Is it possible that my old $200 Session 400 Limited, when it dies, can't be repaired?

Bill, I would suggest searching for a schematic. Since the older Peavey amps use normal electronic arts, a tech should be able to fix it.

I suspect Mike Brown not saying anything is the best position right now.

I don't think we should be picking on Mike, as he is an employee, just like the ones on the program. His will be the company line, and he has little choice in the matter if he wants to keep his job.

So I think Mike should be left out of this and he shouldn't be peppered with any questions related to the show. He is not responsible for anything that happened and could just as easily be put out on the street as any of the other employees.

If you have product related issues or questions with Peavey products, Mike is your man. Otherwise, let's leave him be.

My 2 cents, YMMV.

Hartley, with a passion and a dream, built the company from nothing to one of the largest. Imagine the countless hours and years he spent building the Brand. Now he is passing the company to his Stepson. Most of the time when this happens, the new company fails. The new management rarely has the love or passion for the business, and it becomes a money only endeavor. In their defense, most of us would not pay twice as much for a NV-112 just because it was made in The USA. Try to buy an American made TV or Sneakers.

Doug, going to have to respectfully disagree with part of your post. To me, it was Hartley who came across as arrogant, uncaring, and detached, not Courtland. Yes, he may have spent a lot of time building the brand, but to me, based on what I saw, he's lost all connection to those roots. It seemed to be just a play toy to him.

Sorry, just the way I saw it, my opinion only.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV.