Uggh, Fender re-designed their site last weekend, and IMHO it’s a major step backwards––while their old look was classy, clean, and full of vintage vibe, the current re-design looks like it’s pretty much aimed at the teenage ADD crowd.
Note to Fender: websites that blast loud music at you without giving you time to turn down the volume are obnoxious at best… at worst I never visit again.
Moving on, Budda’s Superdrive 45 is getting rave reviews across the board, and appears to be a fine match for those who prefer their guitar tone loud, punchy, and with lots-o-high-gain muscle.
Guitar player loved it––“Great sounding distortion. Excellent clean headroom. Aggressive, cutting, and loud.” Musician’s Hotline did too (this one’s a pdf file.)
Oh yeah, and Reverend’s seriously stylin’ semi-hollowbody Manta Ray HB-FM just got Guitar One’s Mark Of Excellence Award––“Like the creature that it’s named for, this Manta Ray is positively lethal, with looks that stun and chest-thumping tone that will bring you to your knees.” Check it out.
 Budda SuperDrive V-Series 40W Tube Guitar Amp Head Black |
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June 14th, 2007 at 11:58 am
The Fender website is trying to go for that “Web 2.0″ look … but it’s all flash and no substance (very similiar to Apple’s new design, although it Apple has a lot more rapidly changing content). True Web 2.0 sites have a higher level of interactivity (ala Digg.com or Google’s Reader…a bit of cool AJAX) and actually provider more value to the reader.
What would make it cool is a serial number lookup to get manuals/specs and other interesting information about a specific guitar…..Also a way to compare previous years models….heck even 360 degree zoomable pictures would make the site more “Web 2.0″…. right now it’s a glorified catalog. Line6 actually has a better site in many respects, simply because they have web integrated software. I once sent an email to support at Fender from the website, and never got a response.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Yikes… that’s one of my big pet peeves these days — any company that has a presence on the internet but is still not responding to e-mails is losing serious mindshare.
This is one of those situations where the small mom ‘n’ pop shops do phenomenally better than the big boys. I think the internet really is turning into a great equalizer — it’s good for us, and bad for any entity that isn’t willing to truly interact with its potential buyers.
Hehe… if they think adding a forum to their site makes it Web 2.0 then I think they’ve already missed the boat :)
June 14th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Hey, did you pick up your new Tele yet?
June 15th, 2007 at 3:56 am
Yuk.
The home page doesn’t even appear to be that of a guitar manufacturer. More like a record label. I’m trying to be open minded, understanding that companies always have to be mindful of target demographics…and we are talking about rock & roll here…but the site definitely does not convey the message that you’re visiting a company dedicated to building quality musical instruments. I have to give it a thumbs down.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I’m confused guys, has anyone checked out the Ibanez or Gibson sites lately? I’m not seeing much difference? You click on products, you get all the products listed, you click on stratocasters and you get the sub menu with all the strats, and Rick Web 2.0 isn’t about javascript and QTVR it’s about creating a community and having people feel like they are contributing.
I agree it’s not what it should be, especially for a company the size of Fender and features like serial lookups would be nice. It’s more Coca-Cola than Fender but compare it to what I have to put up with in Australia, http://www.fender.com.au!
June 15th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Yikes! I see what you mean, Jon ;)
I wish I had a screen shot of what the US version looked like before they changed it — I think then you’d understand the frustration.
The website used to be incredibly easy on the eyes, with a much classier design, and it loaded much faster.
Gibson’s website leaves a lot to be desired as well, but I’ve never had them blast loud music at me without warning… I just think that’s really bad form.
Of course, the Ibanez site has always been ugly and fairly difficult to navigate. I wouldn’t give any of theses sites an A+, but the old Fender site at least got a B+ in my book, and I’m sorry to see it go.
June 15th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Jon…. I think what defines a “Web 2.0″ site is still unclear…. I agree that it has driven community building and new levels of interactivity… but from a design perspective, there is a “Web 2.0 look” that a lot of companies (like Apple, Adobe, Microsoft) are moving towards. Some analyst firms define Web 2.0 as giving a thin client web browser, fat client capabilities….What companies choose to do with it is another story.
Cary…. I got my guitar…Check out the forums: http://www.tubefreaks.net/vintage-guitars/78-my-new-tele.html#post384
June 16th, 2007 at 4:29 am
Take a few minutes to visit http://www.prsguitars.com
Enjoy the silence. And the beautiful guitar featured on the home page. That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
June 18th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Ugh! I hate PRSs.