Change in Music Man

[Quickie]

"What got communicated was that Sterling Ball is arrogant..(probably..hahaha) and wont give the customers what they want. I tried to explain the logistics, business model, creative goals and it was ignored...so in end Ill make them if you guys order them."


This is part of a quote from Sterling Ball of Music Man. I have been a customer of his in the past. I may now become one again in the future. Many have "butted heads" with the EBMM forum and Mr. Ball. Apparently, there is no love loss here with some either. And I was one of them myself. Now I have stepped back and taken another look at an new situation. I say new, because I have seen Mr. Ball change in the last couple years. I have seen him post that sometimes things DO happen with quality issues (nuts).

How could you not have an occasional issue? People are human after all. But some time ago, Mr Ball would adamantly deny any issues with quality. To me, it's called growth. No other way to put it. From reading many posts I see a company that is really trying even harder to please. Pretty cool.

I posted another thread of how I feel about this 5 string spacing request. I have no horse in this race as I play a 4 string. However, I do have a horse in the race as far as watching and seeing change in a company that in the past has been pretty arrogant, in my opinion. I see someone who is listening and taking a chance (85K tool up cost) to provide another option to an already very popular bass. I also saw a post by Mr. Ball that said he will be blamed if it does not work out. Probably. You will never satisfy everyone and people love to point out failure.

I know. I was once one of those people. And now I am pointing out a change for the better in a company that in my opinion, has had more than its fair share of criticizers.

I am not a "fan boy" of Music Man. I have had very heated exchanges with them in the past. I am however someone who will admit being wrong.

I wish you luck Mr. Ball with this project. Maybe this will be a bridge to some. Couldn't hurt.

[Mark Latimour]

This doesn't really seem to be a thread about basses. I think you have posted it in the wrong section of TB.

[joeyl]

seeing his last few posts on the EB forum, I think he mellowed out some. Mark is right, wrong forum, that should probably be in misc or off topic

[Tmw2011]

I read through the thread over at the EBMM forums... I was amazed at the rabidity of the fanboys over there... And people think Fender fanboys are bad... Eeesh...

I didn't get the idea that Sterling was arrogant as much the idea that a lot of the fanboys are, including somethat post here, ready to trash this forum.

Yeah, this'll probably end up in Misc or OT.

[cybersnyder]

You can't grab bits and pieces of what Sterling says.

[madbassplaya]

I am a EBMM fan and I agree things got out of hand but they got out of hand on both sides of the fence. Just as their are die hard fanboys there are also people who dislike the company with the same degree of passion.

One thing you have to admit is that Big Poppa does love his company and even though he seems arrogant at times he does build a great product and their QC has never been a problem for me.

[T. Alan Smith]

Boy, a lot of wannabe mods around here. The them do their jobs folks and let's talk bass.

Anyway, I wholly agree with the OP. I'm somewhat of a fanboi as I see EBMM as the peak of the diminishing returns curve and quite satisfied with their designs for my tastes.

[MikeBass]

I LOVE EBMM.
I HATE the spacing on the SR5........

I will say, I'm yet to come across any QC issues on the few EBMM I've owned or ever played.

They IMO, set the bar VERY high that most cannot touch for QC of large scale production of their basses.

[MikeBass]

Wait.....I just saw the thread on the wider spacing on the SR5........is the "window" still open?
I couldn't tell if it was or not.
Wish it was more color options than just black, but hey, gotta start someplace!!

[bovinehost]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

Wait.....I just saw the thread on the wider spacing on the SR5........is the "window" still open?

Ordering window will be open next Tuesday (28th).

[msb]

Might be the best production basses built in America , willing to take chances and actually bring out new designs , responsive to the marketplace .

The fanbois are onto something ...

[bassgod76]

I have to say that all of the EBMM's I have ever handled are always consistent in feel and playability. Just my .02

[Munjibunga]

Eight one-hundredths of one percent of TB members must order a bass for this to fly.

[chunkstyle]

I think a certain amount of arrogance is a personality trait shared by all successful CEOs. The big difference here is that Sterling is one of the very few that is fairly accessible to the general public, and so every once in a while we see that aspect of him. It seems to me that he's actually having some fun.

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Eight one-hundredths of one percent of TB members must order a bass for this to fly.

Hell, Guitar Center alone could make this fly.

[MikeBass]

I have to check my budget here, but if things line up, I'm all in.
(just wish it wasn't black! LOL!)

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by bovinehost

Ordering window will be open next Tuesday (28th).

Opens on the 28th or open until the 28th???
Not being a smartass, just trying to figure this out budget wise.....
And it's two weeks right?

[chunkstyle]

ON the 28th. Open for 2 weeks starting then.

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by chunkstyle

ON the 28th. Open for 2 weeks starting then.

AHH!!!
Thanks.
Just wanted to be clear....gotta make this happen (well, me and 124 other people!)

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I have to check my budget here, but if things line up, I'm all in.
(just wish it wasn't black! LOL!)

Nothing wrong with a black and maple ray my friend!