Nikki, is it a question or not?!? HAHAHAHAHA
lol!
The whole thing is too funny. A Sweetwater salesman posts something intentionally inflammatory to garner sales, perhaps in hopes of having his name ride along with it (comission is the name of the game over there.. for some). He then goes on to chide posters in this forum, referring to us as "..pretentious owners" (sic). Perhaps I am pompous as well...
In a situation such as this, I would welcome something like the Kemper for several reasons, including, as an owner of a product that could be cited as being a "competitor's product," that it would thus provide a significant nudge to both devs to strive for yet greater goals. I have no idea about the Kemper team (other than the brilliant Access Virus work), but in Cliff's case, I do not see "competition" providing much in the way of inspiring that "corporate push." From my observations, it appears Cliff is like one of us geeks and simply and truly enjoys building stuff, be it hardware or software, or both. When people appreciate it, it is the genius of the geek, and the appreciation of their work that provides the drive. He betters himself; he grows. This is the geek way. (apologies if I am wrong, and/or if the label "geek" offends. IMO, geek is a label I wear with honor.. the bruises and scars now worn proudly in defiance of a label that was meant to diminish)
If Kemper puts out a product with as much love, and holds to their individual ethics (as Cliff has.. which I have incredible respect for), then I see it as a win-win for us. Early days Marshall vs Mesa? Strat vs Les Paul? MXR vs EHX? Axe vs Kemper? Strawberry vs Chocolate? Pfft. IMO, Fractal's pieces stand on their own. Can the Axe do everything? Of course not! And that is why, even as a proud & quite happy (and evidently pretentious
) Axe owner and gear whore, I would love to own every piece of gear I have mentioned in this post. Heck... give me a warehouse and staff to maintain it all! I would gladly share every piece of it with friends and fellow musicians.
I will not take part in some ridiculous idea of "war." But, I will use the gear involved to write songs about it.. if I can get some of it comp'd