When was the last time talk bass members

[JAUQO III-X]

When was the last time talk bass members as a whole had any serious influence over a company and the companies marketing department?

[Tony G]

has that ever happened at all?

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by xgabriele

has that ever happened at all?

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

So am I to understand that this hasn't happened? The only thing I can even come close to thinking of is maybe Skjold basses with talkbass members wanting a more traditional body style so he came up with his jazz bass styled Lions Pride.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

When was the last time talk bass members as a whole had any serious influence over a company and the companies marketing department?

Well, according to Chris Stambaugh, the majority of his business comes from Talkbass. And this website is a large part of his marketing department . . .

If you are asking whether the "Bass Whammy online petition" will sway Digitech in the slightest, you already know the answer. They've obviously decided that the numbers don't work even though they are fully aware that Justin Chancellor, Doug Wimbish, Jeff Ament and others are bringing the pedal back in vogue.

I think the best that bass players could hope for is that Digitech makes the next generation Whammy pedal with some sort of a guitar/bass switch for retaining low end better.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

If you are asking whether the "Bass Whammy online petition" will sway Digitech in the slightest, you already know the answer.

With all due respect, no that's not why I asked and yes I do know the answer in regards to the Digitech Bass Whammy petition.

[Jared Lash]

Well, the answer is that it depends on how small the company is. Lakland issued a "Dudepit Limited Edition Joe Osborn" didn't they? A bit apples and oranges considering that "Dude" is a distributor, but the fact that a fairly well known company took suggestions from an internet message board shows that it is possible.

How many pieces of kit have benefited from the "consensus endorsement" here at TB? I think Schroeder might be willing to listen to suggestions. I've seen small pedal manufacturers that have taken suggestions from TB members in the effects forum.

It's just economics. A large company is not going to ship enough units to change anything for the members of an online community. But if a smaller company thinks those extra units will improve its bottom line, then yes I think the influence of a large number of TB members could be felt. Is Fender going to change their product line based on the wants and needs of TBers? Nope, not a chance. Would Sadowsky? I don't know, but it's a lot more plausible. Would OLC circuits? Yeah, I think so. Check the Flipster thread. Would DR Strings? Maybe. It certainly seems like their rep is looking for TBer input in that thread.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Well, the answer is that it depends on how small the company is. Lakland issued a "Dudepit Limited Edition Joe Osborn" didn't they? A bit apples and oranges considering that "Dude" is a distributor, but the fact that a fairly well known company took suggestions from an internet message board shows that it is possible.

How many pieces of kit have benefited from the "consensus endorsement" here at TB? I think Schroeder might be willing to listen to suggestions. I've seen small pedal manufacturers that have taken suggestions from TB members in the effects forum.

It's just economics. A large company is not going to ship enough units to change anything for the members of an online community. But if a smaller company thinks those extra units will improve its bottom line, then yes I think the influence of a large number of TB members could be felt. Is Fender going to change their product line based on the wants and needs of TBers? Nope, not a chance. Would Sadowsky? I don't know, but it's a lot more plausible. Would OLC circuits? Yeah, I think so. Check the Flipster thread. Would DR Strings? Maybe. It certainly seems like their rep is looking for TBer input in that thread.

I totaly agree.

[KJung]

Recently, Dave used quite a bit of TBers input into the new TF750a spec... pretty cool!

Also, I believe TBers had quite an impact in calling Accugroove on that bogus 'switch' thing,. which resulted in the company removing that 'feature' from their marketing and cabs.

It also seems that Jorg Schroeder took quite a bit of the TB feedback to heart on lightening up the L cabs, getting rid of the 'non wood' components in the cabs, and revising the crossover and tweeter circuit.

Edit: Genz Benz also seemed to take TBer comments and suggestions to heart in designing their upcoming 'Ultra Light line'.

Finally, Aguilar sought input from TBers on additional products to add to their DB line.

[dave64o]

I'm not sure Dr. Bass is large enough to even have a marketing department, but they seem to have responded to input from TB members. Maybe not as a whole, but based on what I've read here it seems that at least some individuals have influenced new models.

[markjazzbassist]

ALL THE TIME in the FX forum. A lot of the smaller boutique manufacturers (1 to 2 man companies) post a lot and get feedback from us and have changed settings, frequencies, etc. because a number of us suggested it. Heck one guy sends his pedals to TB members to try out, review and critique and post sound samples.

[Thunder Pulse]

Influencing a small, 1-2 man operation (which by every right is a company) is one thing, but influencing a large company? I can't imagine it has or ever will happen.

I have no idea what this forum's actual demographics are, but from my daily perusing of the forums it seems like the majority of participants here are kids living at home with no income and no motivation to get one. I've lost count of the number of sob stories I've read about not having any money to buy some $100 piece of gear. Mow lawns, shovel snow, deliver papers.... I did it all when I was a kid living at home and never asked my parents for a cent.

I can't imagine any big company taking this place seriously.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by Thunder Pulse

I can't imagine any big company taking this place seriously.

TB also has a significant demographic of gearheads who buy a heck of a lot of gear.

[Jerry Ziarko]

Absolutely without a doubt, the reintroduction the Incase line of Slim and Dub bags. TB alone didn't bring on this change, but the vast number of inquiries by TB members certainly helped. I spoke with someone in customer relations just before the first shipment of the new line. She said she knew from different sources that TB posters are where many of the calls came from. They were aware of the discussions on TB about it.

[dancehallclasher]

We clamored for a 4-string Roscoe Beck and got it...

[Ryan L.]

Originally Posted by Thunder Pulse

Influencing a small, 1-2 man operation (which by every right is a company) is one thing, but influencing a large company? I can't imagine it has or ever will happen.

I have no idea what this forum's actual demographics are, but from my daily perusing of the forums it seems like the majority of participants here are kids living at home with no income and no motivation to get one. I've lost count of the number of sob stories I've read about not having any money to buy some $100 piece of gear. Mow lawns, shovel snow, deliver papers.... I did it all when I was a kid living at home and never asked my parents for a cent.

I can't imagine any big company taking this place seriously.

I think you'd actually be surprised at the amount of members here who aren't "kids living at home with no income and no motivation to get one". Yes, we do have our share of them here, but, there's a hell of a lot more than just them here.

[Thunder Pulse]

I wouldn't be surprised. Paul is obviously an adult, and I iamgine most of the moderators are as well, but the overall 'feel' of this place is much younger.

[Yvon]

we are about 80 000 members here. I think we could, as a whole, have an influence on a big company.

[Thunder Pulse]

We aren't 'a whole' like a team though, all for one and one for all. It's 70,000+ members broken into several different factions.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Thunder Pulse

We aren't 'a whole' like a team though, all for one and one for all. It's 70,000+ members broken into several different factions.

More like gangs