Guitar Journal: Marshall $1.1 billion Deal & more
Marshall has sold their majority share to China’s HSG for $1.1 billion and Nirvana surprised fans with a reunion performance
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This week, we look at the big industry news that Marshall has sold their majority share to China’s HSG for $1.1 billion. Then we check out the new Collings Guitars 71 M offset model, a boutique take on a classic guitar design. Finally, Nirvana reunited for FireAid and played classic tracks with the surviving band members.
Guitar Journal
Marshall $1.1 billion Deal
HongShan Capital Group (HSG), a Chinese private equity firm, has acquired a majority stake in the UK’s Marshall Group, the iconic audio equipment company. The deal, valued at $1.1 billion, is HSG’s most significant European investment. While subject to regulatory approval, the Marshall family will retain a significant stake exceeding 20%.
The acquisition sees major shareholders like Altor, Telia Company, Time for Growth, and Zenith VC exit.
HSG plans to collaborate with the Marshall family and management to bolster the brand and drive sustainable, profitable growth.
Terry Marshall
Marshall Group CEO Jeremy de Maillard emphasized the deal as a recognition of the team’s hard work and expressed confidence in achieving the company’s global potential with HSG and the Marshall family.
Board member and co-founder Terry Marshall highlighted the partnership’s role in building on the company’s history and amplifying the brand for future generations.
HSG Partner Steve Jia praised Marshall as a globally iconic brand deeply embedded in music culture, expressing confidence in strengthening its position with guitarists and music lovers. Taro Niggemann, Managing Director for Europe at HSG, outlined their mission to leverage expertise in digital channels and supply chain optimization to expand Marshall’s global customer base while preserving the brand’s defining spirit.
Zound Industries
In 2023, Zound Industries, the former licensee of the Marshall brand for headphones and speakers, acquired Marshall’s amp business, creating the current Marshall Group.
The company has experienced substantial profitable growth recently, with revenue more than doubling between 2020 and 2024, reaching approximately €400 million.
What will the future hold?
Well, it is far too early to say what will happen with Marshall as a brand, but I would guess there will be many more consumer-branded Marshall products in the pipeline.
Hopefully, we will also see more great guitarist products, like the new Marshall signature amp pedals launched at NAMM this year.
Collings 71 M
A new Collings Guitars model, the 71 M, has been announced. This new offset-style instrument builds upon the foundation of the existing 71 model while offering a distinct tonal character.
Mastery Bridge
The 71 M features a carefully chosen ash body and a slab-sawn hard maple neck. Departing from the T-style configuration of the original 71, this model incorporates Lollar JM-style pickups, specifically a P90 in the bridge position and a Blademaster in the neck.
A Mastery Offset bridge and vibrato further contribute to the design and give it even more of an offset style.
The guitar boasts a 25 1/2” scale length and is equipped with Kluson Supreme tuners. Davies Radio knobs, featuring a push-pull series/parallel option on the tone control, allow for versatile tonal shaping.
Finish options include Butterscotch Blonde, Fiesta Red, Jet Black, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, and Watson Green.
MSRP – TBC
Nirvana Reunion
Nirvana surprised fans with a reunion performance at FireAid on Thursday, January 30th, a charity concert benefiting Los Angeles wildfire relief.
The five-hour event, held across two venues, featured over 20 artists, but the highlight was the unexpected appearance of Nirvana’s surviving members.
FireAid
Dave Grohl (drums), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Pat Smear (guitar) reunited, joined by guest vocalists St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, and Joan Jett, who filled in for the late Kurt Cobain. The group performed iconic Nirvana tracks like “Breed,” “School,” and “Territorial Pissings.”
For the final song, “All Apologies,” Grohl’s 18-year-old daughter, Violet Grohl, took over lead vocals.
The Kia Forum lineup also boasted performances from P!nk, No Doubt, Alanis Morissette, Green Day, Joni Mitchell, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Meanwhile, at the Intuit Dome, attendees enjoyed sets from Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Olivia Rodrigo.
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One response to “Guitar Journal: Marshall $1.1 billion Deal & more”
Mah, the “Nirvana” performance was pretty poor…