Moog?

[Random Guitarist]

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/inmusi ... eGx9ao4ENQ

If this is true, it's another end of an era thing.

[Drew Stephenson]

It is a shame for the employees and the town, but I find the suggestion that production in Asia automatically means lower quality to be a bit dated at best.

[Wonks]

Maybe we’ll see some Moog-branded cheap Behringer clones. A Moog model-D with five oscillators maybe?

[Random Guitarist]

Yes very true, the products will continue, the brand will continue, and they will be well made. But the romantic aspect of Moog as an American enterprise is probably over.

[Wonks]

Probably be marketed as "Designed in the US, built in China".

[Sam Spoons]

Except the advertising will only say "Designed in The USA"

[Hugh Robjohns]

Moog is like a cat with nine lives. It's already used several of them...

[muzines]

This is basically what everyone knew was going to happen as soon as the InMusic brand bought them. Sadly.

[Eddy Deegan]

Moog will always represent nostalgia for the amazing work Bob did back in the day. They have also sought to respect that history but sadly times change so much that by now it's just another brand, albeit with pedigree, and they too have been consumed by the relentless march of commercial progress.

It's sad, but it is what it is.

[N i g e l]

"Many assumed that inMusic would delocalize the brand to Asia in order to produce more cheaply"

Well yes, thats what everybody else did 20 years ago, to manufacture with 80% savings.

Full marks to Moog for trying to keep it local but to me in the UK, the tag line - made in the USA just meant "unnecessarily expensive".
Its a shame for the employees because there cant be much call for those kind of manufacturing skills in the west.

[sonics]

This is basically what everyone knew was going to happen as soon as the InMusic brand bought them. Sadly.

Agreed. I actually thought this had already happened, but I must have read the news a few months ago and run my prediction in my head! It's a shame, though.

[Arpangel]

I knew this would happen when I first heard about it, that toe-rag who owns it, all he wants is to do is expand his empire and destroy companies in the process.

[IAA]

Moog will always represent nostalgia for the amazing work Bob did back in the day. They have also sought to respect that history but sadly times change so much that by now it's just another brand, albeit with pedigree, and they too have been consumed by the relentless march of commercial progress.

This perfectly describes the situation. I’m sad,the nostalgia Eddy describes I truly feel. My two synths in my slimmed down studio are both Moog. Let’s hope innovation continues. (Ends on a positive note)

[Arpangel]

I think Moog have been on "dodgy wicket" for quite some time, a lot of the later products haven’t lived up to reputation, quality, or innovation.
But they still make some great instruments, my personal opinion, is that they should have re-grouped into a smaller company, making bespoke systems, and quality instruments, for a certain market, regardless of price.
Cut the dead wood and don’t rely on the mass market.

[The Elf]

Sad, but inevitable. I genuinely wonder how many people were prepared to pay the price of the final MiniMoog iteration.

[N i g e l]

400 words are avaliable on the moogmusic website...

https://www.moogmusic.com/news/moog-and ... ion-begins

[1] they are very excited
[2] & "... proud to keep engineering, designing, and building instruments in our hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, USA."

[Wonks]

400 words are avaliable on the moogmusic website...

https://www.moogmusic.com/news/moog-and ... ion-begins

[1] they are very excited
[2] & "... proud to keep engineering, designing, and building instruments in our hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, USA."

But that statement’s from right back in March(?) when the acquisition happened.

Nothing about recent developments (if rumours are true).

[Arpangel]

The number of companies producing high end high priced bespoke equipment are many, and like expensive cars, boats, apartments, they are sold before they are built, and order books are full for the next X amount of years.
There are more than enough billionaire, oligarchs, pop stars, film stars to keep orders coming in from rich collectors, musicians.
I believe Moog could pander to this type of market, and still remain independent.

[Drew Stephenson]

Other than 'could have' in the last sentence Arpy I agree with you. I'd have thought that if there's ever been a brand with a reputation to trade on, and a market with a small number of well-heeled individuals willing to pay top dollar for 'the real thing' then this would be it.
Perhaps an 'Austrian Audio' type phoenix will rise from the ashes of Asheville?

[Matt Houghton]

Perhaps an 'Austrian Audio' type phoenix will rise from the ashes of Asheville?

[Drew quickly checks domain availability and registers ashevilleaudio.com]

[Sam Spoons]

And "moo9music.com"

[resistorman]

Hey, you furriners stop domain snatchin' my town

[Drew Stephenson]

If only I was half that smart!

[Arpangel]

In a way, Moog need to adopt the Buchla business model, laid back, with just a couple of high priced items released every now and then, very exclusive, and keep em guessing, with a big emphasis on legacy products.

[jaminem]

I don't think any less of SSL....their products are now manufactured in china (mostly) in fact I own more as they are more accessible now...

...and whether we like it or not businesses are there to make money and always have to have growth.

Regardless of what any of us think about it that it's the world we live in. you can't blame that 'toe rag' (???!!!??) for following that model. Better than making products than only a select few can really afford and then going out of business permanently....