Bbe Sound Inc

Computer Sound Chips Licensed: BBE Sound Inc. said Monday that it has signed an agreement to supply Alpine Electronics Inc. with its patented high-definition computer sound chips for Alpine's car stereo systems. In addition, said John C. McLaren Sr., BBE's chairman, the licensing agreement calls for the BBE trademark to be listed on the products that Alpine sells.

Computer Sound Chips Licensed: BBE Sound Inc. said Monday that it has signed an agreement to supply Alpine Electronics Inc. with its patented high-definition computer sound chips for Alpine's car stereo systems. In addition, said John C. McLaren Sr., BBE's chairman, the licensing agreement calls for the BBE trademark to be listed on the products that Alpine sells.

Ideas for new businesses don't grow on trees. More often, they are planted in people's minds through their experiences and interests over a lifetime. John C. McLaren Sr. had this in mind when he began searching for a way to start his own business in 1985. He'd spent his entire career in the musical instrument business and wanted it to remain an important part of his life.

Ideas for new businesses don't grow on trees. More often, they are planted in people's minds through their experiences and interests over a lifetime. John C. McLaren Sr. had this in mind when he began searching for a way to start his own business in 1985. He'd spent his entire career in the musical instrument business and wanted it to remain an important part of his life.

A Huntington Beach audio technology company has acquired two guitar companies formed by the late music giant Leo Fender for just under $2 million. BBE Sound Inc. last week took over Fullerton-based G&L Manufacturing and G&L Sales, collectively known as G&L Guitars. Fender came out of retirement in 1980 to start the companies, which he used to improve on designs he first developed as the president of world-famous Fender Musical Instruments Corp., which began in his Fullerton garage in 1950.

Les Barcus, inventor and co-founder of Barcus-Berry Inc., major manufacturer of musical instruments and sound equipment, has died at age 89. Barcus, who devised ways to amplify violins and pianos, died March 4 in his sleep at his home in Huntington Harbor. With his partner, violinist John Berry, Barcus created matchbook-size electrical pickups or sensors that helped amplify the sounds of stringed instruments (guitars, harps), percussion (cymbals, drums) and wind instruments (flutes).

Alexx Wood has been appointed director of marketing communications for Simple Technology Inc., a Santa Ana computer products company. She formerly held the position of public relations manager. Her experience includes two years as a public relations specialist for Silicon Graphics and a stint as senior publications manager at Price Waterhouse. In addition, Mark Smith has been named director of engineering. He was previously engineering product manager for the company.

More than two years after the death of Leo Fender, his glasses are still where he left them on his desk at G&L Guitars. So are his coffee cup and his last few notes; and the calendar hasn't been changed from March, 1991. A little strange? Maybe. But Fender, after all, is nothing less than an icon. A Japanese film crew was through the workshop not long ago to shoot a documentary. A British crew has been there since to film another.

Decades after the novelty of three-dimensional visual effects helped draw audiences to some 1950s Hollywood horror films, a flock of U.S. electronics companies are betting that so-called 3-D sound effects can boost the fortunes of the $6.5-billion record industry. More than half a dozen firms--most based in California--are offering a new generation of sound processors that trick the ear into perceiving that sound is coming from different parts of the room and not just from the stereo speakers.

A Huntington Beach audio technology company has acquired two guitar companies formed by the late music giant Leo Fender for just under $2 million. BBE Sound Inc. last week took over Fullerton-based G&L Manufacturing and G&L Sales, collectively known as G&L Guitars. Fender came out of retirement in 1980 to start the companies, which he used to improve on designs he first developed as the president of world-famous Fender Musical Instruments Corp., which began in his Fullerton garage in 1950.