anyone know wut happened with catalinbread?

[repoman]

I read everyone working there quit or stopped or got fired or something? whut?

[calfzilla]

Owner was killed by a tree, company reverted to his mother's possession. There were 2 other key members of the business that either quit or were pushed out due to the new ownership, no one has really said what really happened (probably can't due to an NDA).

That's the tl;dr from what I've gathered.

[Confuzzled]

Owner was killed by a tree, company reverted to his mother's possession. There were 2 other key members of the business that either quit or were pushed out due to the new ownership, no one has really said what really happened (probably can't due to an NDA).

That's the tl;dr from what I've gathered.

That' sad. I thought he had a wife that took over his share of the company. Didn't he have a partner as well? Either was a shame.

[jrfox92]

What calf said.

It's sad, Howard's gone (who was basically #2 at the company, from what I've gathered) and quality/ingenuity is supposedly taking a nosedive.
I half expect to see the company either get sold or just fold in the next few years.

[calfzilla]

and erksin from TGP is also gone, who I believe was #3 at the company. Yes, there's a #3, and if you have to ask you haven't had one.

[dubkitty]

Howard's gone? well, that sucks.

[MechaGodzilla]

What calf said.

It's sad, Howard's gone (who was basically #2 at the company, from what I've gathered) and quality/ingenuity is supposedly taking a nosedive.
I half expect to see the company either get sold or just fold in the next few years.

Unless they weren't making much money before things got disrupted, there's no reason they should start cheaping out on the build quality. I also don't see why they couldn't carry on making the same old designs for the foreseeable future since they're really popular. Everyone's nuts for the Belle Epoch and the DX versions, I think they could ride the wave of that innovation for a while. I mean, when was the last time fulltone or zvex brought out a new design?

[jrfox92]

I mean, when was the last time fulltone or zvex brought out a new design?

This year.

[MechaGodzilla]

Touché

[coupleonapkins]

Everyone's nuts for the Belle Epoch and the DX versions, I think they could ride the wave of that innovation for a while.

To summarize this 170+ page TGP thread, the Belle Epoch DX's withering quality control in recent/post takeover runs seems to be the beginning of the end, as with erasing Howard (along with any warranty information) from the website, & the NDA's for the rest of the old staffers who've replaced by an entirely new team. If you ever had an inkling for any of CB's offerings, you might want to pounce the used listings before the flippers & boosters take over .

I can't imagine another company buying CB out at this point, but stranger things have probably happened (see also: this ILF thread that probably needs to be stickied).

[adamajah]

This has been bumming me out ever since I started hearing about the downfall. CB was a really unique company with a cool vibe.

I thought Howard and erksin were one and the same. The guy who did all the demo vids right?

I better get that Naga soon.

[repoman]

Dang that sucks.
They made the first boutique pedal I ever bought...they seemed like one of the most successful pedal companies of that ilk, would be a shame to see it go kaput.

[calfzilla]

Howard Gee is KittyCaster on IG. Erksin is a different dude.

And Napkins is right; get that shit quick. Talismans are already tough to find and prices are going up up up.

[MechaGodzilla]

I really feel like this whole thing is just hype invented by people who want their used Cbread pedals to hold their value.

[Jwar]

As far as I know, Catalinbread is still thriving but obviously under newer ownership. Shit like that happens sometimes. I mean, the dude passed away tragically. Someone had to take the reins. I mean, they are still active on social media, just came out with the Echo Pre.

Is it the same as before? Probably not. There pedals weren't that cool before however. I can honestly say, I've never wanted a Catalinbread pedal. IMO, they are a more classic brand akin to MXR or other boring brands. I dunno? I'm super fucking jaded on effects anymore. I don't get impressed easily.

Sad the guy is gone obviously, but I don't see them going away. At least I'm not seeing any indications of it other than forum chatter.