Quote:
Originally Posted by Acousticado
From about ‘07 to ‘10 (Peavey took over in ‘10), CA was all the rage on the forums and the Cargo was an immediate hit. I took a leap of faith in March ‘08 and was super impressed with my Cargo RT, still am. I’ve owned Emeralds, CAs and a Blackbird, and the only one that has stayed with me through the years is my gateway drug...the Cargo. It’s not going anywhere.
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Two of my Cargos are original CA Guitars from back when they sold new for the high $700s. I think that was around 07 - 08. I was more than satisfied with 2 Cargos, but when discussion began in the MacNichol forum and here that CA Guitars was going out of business, my wife insisted that I buy one more.
I decided that if I could get one exactly like my other two, and at the same price, I would get the third. The Podium had one and I was able to get it at the original price despite the fact that CA Guitars had raised their prices not too long before. I don't remember the date for that purchase, but it was before we knew that Peavey was going to get involved.
All three of my Cargos are RT (road tough) Wine color. I have played a Peavey Cargo a time or two. I can't really explain it, but there is just something for me about those original CA Guitars Cargos and I am glad that is what I have.
While CA Guitars was in full swing, I also ordered through The Podium, spare parts for my Cargos - extra tuning machines, bridge pegs, saddles and nuts. I still have all that too. I just knew somehow that the Cargo was too good and unique to last.
I do recall there were some QC issues along the way with CA Guitars, but The Podium (Marty Reynolds) went over each one that came in and I recall him saying that had to send several of them back due to quality issues. So I never experienced whatever those problems were.
The rumors were that the Cargo was a "loss leader" for CA Guitars, that they lost money on each one sold and the intention of the little Cargo was more of a gateway to their larger instruments than to be anyone's final purchase. They sold for less than the larger guitars, but due to the hands-on intense aspect of working with carbon fiber, cost as much to build. They apparently didn't expect the Cargo to be so popular they couldn't keep up with production.
I still don't know how true this story was, but it was a sad thing when CA Guitars closed their doors. They were innovative. I became interested in McPherson's carbon fiber offerings when I read that Ellis Seal was involved in developing the product after the Michael Kelly version. I tried one or two of those early Michael Kelly models and didn't like them at all, but the newer generation with Ellis Seal were (are) excellent.
That was a fun time when carbon fiber was a new thing in the guitar world and MacNichol forums were ticking along.
When I got my McPherson Sable and Touring, I seriously considered selling my Cargos. My wife prevailed on me to keep them, and I am glad she did. She has always been the voice of reason in my guitar activities.
Tony