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FourT6and2
Well-known member
Since you're an "engineer" who's probably on the spectrum, I'll put it into terms you can understand:
The IEEPA reciprocal tariff for electronic parts from china is 10%. That's not a straw man, that's a verifiable fact. Metro uses SoZo capacitors, which is an American company that used to make their products in the USA, but moved production oversees. Most likely China or Taiwan. You're accusing me of doing exactly what you are doing—40% tariffs from Brazil? Nobody but you is buying capacitors from Brazil. And not every conversation is about you.
A typical Marshall clone that Metro sells contains maybe 13 signal caps. The average retail price for 500v SoZo caps is $4.30 here in the USA, POST TARIFF. That's a RETAIL price of $55.90 per amp. If they're made in China, that's an increase of $5 over what they used to be. Bulk wholesale is even less.
Five dollars.
I'll say it again. Five dollars.
Metro isn't using some bespoke component from Brazil. And if they're going broke because of a $5 increase per amp on caps, that they should be passing along to the consumer... And of course all the other parts probably have small increases as well. Can probably assume a ~10% increase in costs across the board. If you want to get specific, you can look up IEEPA Tariffs on all the countries you think they're getting parts from. The E.U. is 15% cap.
Resistors? Genereic 1/2W carbon film resistors are PENNIES.
The most expensive thing in an amp is iron.
But Brazil? Come on dude. This isn't about you.
The REAL reason Metro isn't getting orders is because nobody needs another $4,000 Marshall kit/clone. And the target market for these kinds of amps is getting smaller and smaller as people enter hospice. Metro's product line is too specialized to survive long term. Look at all the other companies that offer Marshall clones/kits. They've all branched out to offer other products and services: cabs, parts, other amps, services, etc. Metro offered like 3 Marshall kits and two (?) of their own semi-unique designs? They were in trouble long before "tariff" ever entered the popular lexicon.
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glpg80
Well-known member
It’s not what they are now that matters, it’s what got him in the hole to meet his demands for product at a loss that did him in. Earlier in the year we saw steep hikes reaching 84% and even 125% on Chinese goods before the November agreements.
It’s not an American company if they don’t produce the goods in America. They’re imported and subject to tariffs. Made in America, Assembled in America, and Designed in America all mean different things. See my first comment.
I’m not the one claiming tariffs have been a flat 10% for all imported components of all companies for the last year, you are so you can stop with that non sense Mike. I don’t control the tariffs and I don’t control where companies choose to make their products. I buy what is necessary to sound good which is highly subjective.
George doesn’t build metro clones. His amps have a lot more going on than that. Having owned a metroplex myself I know first hand.
I never said he did. He purchased SoZo caps that were subject to tariffs much higher than the current 10% and likely had supply and demand problems as well.
You also asked me what I bought that was from Brazil. I need capacitors that fit certain criteria. Suppliers add percentages onto purchase costs on a per component basis. Anyone can back track the percentage with the country of origin on their own to find where they’re manufactured. It’s not rocket science.
I don’t place generic carbon film resistors in my circuit designs, but if that’s what you like to do, then by all means have at it.
glpg80
Well-known member
For every finger that you point at someone else, there’s always three fingers pointing back. I’ll let this quote stand on its own.
Merry Christmas
FourT6and2
Well-known member
Tariffs fluctuated here and there over the course of a few months. I doubt the domestic supply of resistors and caps went to zero before Metro could stock up. As they said... they only took in 5-10 orders TOTAL in that time. Not enough to cause their margins to disappear.
They are an American company whose products are manufactured oversees. And yes, their products are subject to tariffs because of this. What are you arguing? We are saying the same thing here.
Cool! Neither am I. Seems like you might want to work on developing some social IQ and learn context clues. You know... stop being so literal and start reading between the lines.
Again.... this isn't about you. I'm pointing out that Metro isn't closing down solely because of IEEPA tariffs. In fact, George said as much. They've been in trouble long before any of this.
Again, not about you. Their core business is and has been Marshall clones. 10000 series, 12000 series, Master Volume models, and kits. The Metroplex is a relatively recent addition and it clearly wasn't enough to keep them afloat. They also ghost-built amps for other companies.
Again, not about you.
Again, not about you.
And for the record, because YOU brought it up. I use PRP resistors which is an American company whose products are manufactured in the USA.
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FourT6and2
Well-known member
For every finger that you point at someone else, there’s always three fingers pointing back. I’ll let this quote stand on its own.
Merry Christmas
Look at the pattern here. You think everything is about you. I'm talking about Metro and part costs. And somehow, you've made it about you and your FX loop design? Weird. You gonna throw shade my way with "girl math" comments, I'm gonna throw it right back at you.
