Metropoulus Might Not Recover from COVID

[danielraible]

That's a pretty crappy thing to say about George.

Well of course you'd say that - you've been in business cahoots with him for years.

How much does he charge you to advertise on his forum, anyways... or do you get a free ride?

I know the drill... and I know some of the players behind the facade.

The one thing I could never figure out (and probably never will) is when will these small guitar gear businesses with their online forums learn?

Hell, they even spill out over here on this forum and try to group-shill their crap.

Learn what? Please educate me.

To my knowledge, there is no better resource on the Internet for learning about the construction, repair and modification of Marshall amplifies than George's forum. I very much doubt he got rich from running his parts store, or his amp business. I, on the other hand got very wealthy in that I now know what a 10,000 series is, what makes a Super Bass different than a Super Lead, and now have schematics, layouts and BOM's for every Marshall design variant I'd ever want to build. All because someone like George was generous enough to share and provide a useful community resource for people to help each other troubleshoot and fine-tune.

Can't imagine I'm the only one who benefited. I was never in a financial position to own a Metropoulos Amp, but the knowledge collected and shared from his forum got me pretty far down the road. Hope Valvestorm survives. Hope everyone survives. We the guitar community as a whole are smaller when a builder like George closes shop. Are you going to pick up the slack?

Celebrating the demise of someone's livelihood may be chic, but like them or hate them is still dishonorable.

 

[Rick Lee]

Why would anyone wish George ill? He's one of the good guys. Has he ever done anyone wrong?

Still, I'm surprised he's been hit so hard by this. He can still build amps while MI in is lockdown, can't he? Unless a lot of his business was from people personally going to try out amps and/or pick them up from his shop, he can probably still ship, no? I guess I don't understand how strict the lockdown in MI has been vs. other states. It's almost half-hearted in AZ. And I've sold two amps in the last week that I had had listed for sale for almost a year and thought they'd never sell. Ditto for other stuff I'm selling. People around here are still buying.

 

[skoora]

I know George’s builds are very high quality but they’re so damn expensive. Plus I couldn’t imagine where I ever would have been able to demo one to get pushed over the edge. I never would do a buy and try (with return policy) on something like that, unless it was used off GC. So if they become collectible it won’t matter. Could never find one anyway and couldn’t afford one at regular pricing. I wish him the best of luck, he’s a good dude. Because of his kits and forum I built my first amp, a 69 circuit 1959 and it ripped. I can imagine quite a few Metro buyers would have strongly considered Scumbacks to go with those amps.

 

[journeyman73]

What’s the issue that some seem to have with george??

 

[PlayAndersons]

I ordered a Headmaster from him and I am glad to be able help support him and his family.

 

[skullfxr]

It’s never good when you have to throw in the towel for something you’ve put your name and life into. You’re part of the problem.

This. Never played one of his amps or seen one in the flesh. But throwing in the towel on a lifelong dream is something that is hard to see. A passion is a passion. And to see that come to the end is sad.

Best luck to him, his family and his guys.

 

[lll]

but it appears you have some axe to grind with George, for whatever your reasons are.

That is correct. And there are many others.

He's always been a straight shooter with me...but maybe it's because I'm doing business collaboration with him.

Fixed.

Speaking of his forum, did you ever wonder why that place has been a graveyard for the last 4-5 years? Think about it.

(in fact, you might want to consider advertising on a different forum; one that has actual traffic)

I was there in the beginning... jumped ship from Plexi Palace (another forum gone to shit).

 

[Scumback Speakers]

but it appears you have some axe to grind with George, for whatever your reasons are.

That is correct. And there are many others.

He's always been a straight shooter with me...but maybe it's because I'm doing business collaboration with him.

Fixed.

Speaking of his forum, did you ever wonder why that place has been a graveyard for the last 4-5 years? Think about it.

(in fact, you might want to consider advertising on a different forum; one that has actual traffic)

I was there in the beginning... jumped ship from Plexi Palace (another forum gone to shit).

Got it. Look, your beef with George is yours, and I'd imagine it's got some sort of backstory, real or imagined.

As for business collaboration with George? Right...let me know when that happens, because it hasn't been happening for quite some time.

His forum went down with a server issue 5-6 years ago for several months due to software screw ups. They had to transfer it all to a new BBS app, a lot got lost. That's why people stopped going there, because it was basically dead for 6-9 months, IIRC. I know I got a credit on my advertising for it, but I still paid him.

Frankly, if you have a problem with George, fine, it's your problem. Go deal with it.

I notice all the links to the forum in your sig are dead (404 error site not found), so you'll excuse me if I have to question just how good you are at running a forum, as it seems you're forte is running your mouth.

You'll excuse me if I fix your post "I jumped ship from Plexi Palace to other forums because my posts are shit."

That's probably what it should read. Now, do me a favor, untwist your panties/thong/whatever...put on your big boy pants, man up and shut up.

Jeezus, keyboard warriors...spare me the intrigue, ok?

 

[glpg80]

Just mute the hormone raging dumbass in your account settings. He’s not the first to cross this forum with disrespect and immaturity. Will save yourself a few grey hairs.

As for the forum, it’s been down again for a few days lately. I reported it to George and he said he’s working on it and to hang tight, but it might be another problem again.

 

[GregM]

And I've sold two amps in the last week that I had had listed for sale for almost a year and thought they'd never sell. Ditto for other stuff I'm selling. People around here are still buying.

I had a drum set up on eBay for about 6 months and shipping was stupid high because of the weight - like $225. I had an acoustic on Reverb for a year and a half just sitting there. I sold both of them back to back this month. Glad I'm not the only one seeing unsellable stuff move!

 

[Scumback Speakers]

Just mute the hormone raging dumbass in your account settings. He’s not the first to cross this forum with disrespect and immaturity. Will save yourself a few grey hairs.

As for the forum, it’s been down again for a few days lately. I reported it to George and he said he’s working on it and to hang tight, but it might be another problem again.

Yeah, I forgot I had that ability to put people on ignore here. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[BlackRose]

Damn, guess I need to order a DVL-1 soon

 

[phil b]

While I would never wish ill will on someones business, especially someone I dont know personally.. But I had a pretty bad time dealing with George and never posted about it cause I figured so many people would jump on my shit. Believe me, I was just as surprised as anyone because all I ever heard was great things!

I bought a Metro 12K series built by George from someone over at TGP. The deal was that the new owner had the option of having George do any work/mods(additional cost of course!) to the amp since it was already there at Georges shop. I was pretty stoked about it as I wanted George to do a EVH spec to it. I bought the amp om Georges word he would mod it. I should also say that I was really SERIOUS about a DVL-1 and was going to put in an order once I got this amp back. Emails went unanswered..then the excuses... then silence again until I get an email saying I cant do anything to this amp, no time..etc and where do I send it? This was a few days over a MONTH after I had paid for it!
Needless to say I was pissed, but more bummed cause again, I had only heard great things and he seemed like a really good guy by all accounts.
I would have handed over my $3500 for a new amp with him and probably would have bought more. Not anymore, and that kinda sucks. Things worked out better for me at the end of all this (MM) but it still stinks to see he might not stay afloat during all of this.
I do wish him well as he is a very talented guy.

 

[journeyman73]

While I would never wish ill will on someones business, especially someone I dont know personally.. But I had a pretty bad time dealing with George and never posted about it cause I figured so many people would jump on my shit. Believe me, I was just as surprised as anyone because all I ever heard was great things!

I bought a Metro 12K series built by George from someone over at TGP. The deal was that the new owner had the option of having George do any work/mods(additional cost of course!) to the amp since it was already there at Georges shop. I was pretty stoked about it as I wanted George to do a EVH spec to it. I bought the amp om Georges word he would mod it. I should also say that I was really SERIOUS about a DVL-1 and was going to put in an order once I got this amp back. Emails went unanswered..then the excuses... then silence again until I get an email saying I cant do anything to this amp, no time..etc and where do I send it? This was a few days over a MONTH after I had paid for it!
Needless to say I was pissed, but more bummed cause again, I had only heard great things and he seemed like a really good guy by all accounts.
I would have handed over my $3500 for a new amp with him and probably would have bought more. Not anymore, and that kinda sucks. Things worked out better for me at the end of all this (MM) but it still stinks to see he might not stay afloat during all of this.
I do wish him well as he is a very talented guy.

Yeah, that sucks...i thank you for at least sharing an empirical data point as opposed to just hurling vague, mysterious, and ambiguous BS allegations like the other guy chiming in from the gallery.

I kind of get the sense sometimes that George doesn’t manage things well all the time - i absolutely dont put him to the level of Cameron or Joe Morgan (or others like Alan Phillips that have reportedly just flat out taken money and never delivered anything) - but things dont always seem to go smoothly.

 

[311boogieman]

Good luck to George and everyone else suffering from this covid crap right now.

The haters will always hate and they just can't help themselves when they see an opportunity to shit on something. Poor upbringing.

I do wish him well as he is a very talented guy.

Not talking about you or situations like yours, I'm talking about haters and trolls in general.

 

[lll]

but it appears you have some axe to grind with George, for whatever your reasons are.

That is correct. And there are many others.

He's always been a straight shooter with me...but maybe it's because I'm doing business collaboration with him.

Fixed.

Speaking of his forum, did you ever wonder why that place has been a graveyard for the last 4-5 years? Think about it.

(in fact, you might want to consider advertising on a different forum; one that has actual traffic)

I was there in the beginning... jumped ship from Plexi Palace (another forum gone to shit).

Got it. Look, your beef with George is yours, and I'd imagine it's got some sort of backstory, real or imagined.

As for business collaboration with George? Right...let me know when that happens, because it hasn't been happening for quite some time.

His forum went down with a server issue 5-6 years ago for several months due to software screw ups. They had to transfer it all to a new BBS app, a lot got lost. That's why people stopped going there, because it was basically dead for 6-9 months, IIRC. I know I got a credit on my advertising for it, but I still paid him.

Frankly, if you have a problem with George, fine, it's your problem. Go deal with it.

I notice all the links to the forum in your sig are dead (404 error site not found), so you'll excuse me if I have to question just how good you are at running a forum, as it seems you're forte is running your mouth.

You'll excuse me if I fix your post "I jumped ship from Plexi Palace to other forums because my posts are shit."

That's probably what it should read. Now, do me a favor, untwist your panties/thong/whatever...put on your big boy pants, man up and shut up.

Jeezus, keyboard warriors...spare me the intrigue, ok?

"Man up and shut up?"

"Panties in a twist?"

Project much?

You're the one who is butthurt because someone doesn't have the same scintillating opinion about Geo that you do.

Well, as the adult in this conversation, I'll remind you of something:

That's just too fucking bad for you. Deal with it, jackass.

 

[lll]

As for the forum, it’s been down again for a few days lately. I reported it to George and he said he’s working on it and to hang tight, but it might be another problem again.

Why bother? No one goes there anymore.

 

[aside]

In Metro Amps' case:

Good.

For most other small businesses:

Bad.

He's a passionate amp builder how knows his shit, shares knowledge and provides great products. Will really suck if he, or any other of the many small amp companies don't make it through all this.

 

[Luca79]

I have my business too, and i don't get any help from my govern, but i don't see a reason to have problems about.
Yes, ill probably earn less this year, and i pay like 18k of leasing rates at year. But i usually save and have my ass covered.

I think COVID will be a problem for companies with many employees, but not small business.

 

[Rdodson]

I hope the best for George. I met him at a show a long time ago when I think he was first starting out. He had a 12000 there. It was the best sounding thing ever. It basically was just like my old '68. Not kinda, I mean (other than no asbestos retainers on the power tubes) it was EXACTLY like my '68 SL. I played it for probably 30 minutes, a little crowd gathered, we exchanged cards. He was so nice & forthcoming. The Metro forum was the place for Marshall info, especially old plexis.

Now, normally guys who are super-focused and amazing at one thing aren't the best at other stuff. What would Reinhold be without Charley and Jorg (and others in the past)? One of the reasons BAD is such a success is all those guys can contract the other crap out.

I'm a statistical volatility arbitrage fund manager. I am very good at it, one of a few in the world with a Morningstar 5 star rating. But you know what? I am honestly less than stellar at some of the other stuff with regards to running a business. So I contract that out - and I choose to make less because of it. I just can't wear all the other hats. I'm sure many on this list who have "big spikes" in one area can attest to that phenomenon. Maybe that's George.

I hope he's okay, because I think his products are cool, he's been a good guy to me, and I get the struggle.