EBMM has decided that it's not financially feasible to offer a custom shop. I don't see that as being elitist. Simply ramping up the custom line would cause an impact in the normal production line.
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EBMM: Why Isn't a Custom Order Really a "Custom" Order?
- Thread starter Bottoms_Up!
- Start date
EBMM has decided that it's not financially feasible to offer a custom shop. I don't see that as being elitist. Simply ramping up the custom line would cause an impact in the normal production line.
Would it? Clearly the type who want a custom aren't quite satisfied with what's readily available and haven't pulled the trigger.
As I said earlier, I picked this up: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=686148
Everything I need right there (ebony board, SLO neck, etc)...and more as that black neck is going to look insane on the newly re-finished white body.
Every company is different. I am not sure why we should be angry at EBMM, they are doing what they are doing because they feel it is the best move for their company.
If you feel that EBMM is not doing what is best for you, there are other people and companies who will. Anyone with money can get anything they want in the bass world, I would think.
You know, a bass guitar is not a very complicated item in the grand scheme of things.
John
If you feel that EBMM is not doing what is best for you, there are other people and companies who will. Anyone with money can get anything they want in the bass world, I would think.
You know, a bass guitar is not a very complicated item in the grand scheme of things.
John
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
So you want a typical Stealth SLO with a white body?
Certainly that can't have been a ridiculous request for EBMM if the only difference from a model they already offer is the paint color.
Certainly that can't have been a ridiculous request for EBMM if the only difference from a model they already offer is the paint color.
This isn't directed squarely at you, but look, there has to be limits somewhere. Every business has things they won't do, this is especially true with guitar builders. Try asking Chevy to make you a Malibu in yellow just because they make Corvettes in them as well. It won't happen. (Yes I know Chevy sucks and all, but its true for most manufacturers.)
There are luthiers out there who won't use certain combos of wood no matter how much the customer is willing to spend. Jimmy Copolla won't make a ash/maple bass with 60's pickup spacing, he doesn't think its in the spirit or right sound for his basses. Is this elitist? Maybe, but he's got a vibe he's trying to maintain, its all part of his vision and what he feels comfortable with. Other luthier's won't use combos because they believe they won't sound good together. They don't want their name on a bass when they feel their customer will be dissatisfied and end up selling it because it "sucks". It's all about the guitar maker/luthier's vision for their product.
True, and I try to keep this in mind when throwing chairs because EBMM won't give the piezo option on more of their offerings.
By the way, Sterling Ball himself gave me a quite satisfactory answer over there and it made perfect sense to me. I'm over it. Besides, my SR 4H Stealth SLO w/Ebony just arrived via FedEx! Gonna play around with her then strip her down and get her ready for the refinish. Should be a nice compliment to my Sterling 4HS Stealth when all's said and done.
I'm pretty sure the piezo is available on anything, no? I thought I saw it was an option @ BassCentral.True, and I try to keep this in mind when throwing chairs because EBMM won't give the piezo option on more of their offerings.
This is directed at....anyone who wants to take offense.
Most musicians are "why guys". I understand limits exist, but I don't like the idea that limits should exist because there's a preconceived notion that they should exist. I realize that finite limits will always come into play. I agree that some combinations and/or designs will either be heavy and/or sound like crap, but I do not agree with EBMM.
Given that Ball Family Reserve instruments exist and elite artists can get custom instruments, there are clearly guys on staff that CAN do this. Just charge some damn money. What's so hard about that?! I feel odd to say that a company is less flexible than Fender, but just charge an arm and a leg so people can get what they want if they really want it that bad.
Sometimes it costs less to lose a sale than to provide the customer with what they want.
spade2you said:
There's one thing no one thinks about....work space.
Fender owns alot more real estate than MM. I used to live on the coast near Musicman and can tell you they're using every inch of that production facility for their current offerings as it is. I'll even go as far to say Fenders custom shop facility is about the same size location, so MM isn't going to care for a custom shop that won't be profitably supporting any additional acreage.
But as far as artists go, while special colors or small details have been done, I have never seen any artist show off a 6 string StingRay. So no, they aren't getting "anything they want" either.
Didn't an EBMM forumite just recently special order a pink Classic SR4 with a custom breast cancer awareness ribbon applied under the clearcoat? I'm not questioning whether it was a worthy cause, because it certainly is, but this notion of not being able to special order a bass is BS. Putting stealth parts on a white bass couldn't have taken any more time. I think it ultimately depends on if you're "in the clique" or not.
That being said, I like the company. They have provided me excellent customer service, I visit the bass forum there and they make really cool basses. In the end, Mr. Ball can run his operation however he sees fit.
That being said, I like the company. They have provided me excellent customer service, I visit the bass forum there and they make really cool basses. In the end, Mr. Ball can run his operation however he sees fit.
IMO, it would be a whole lot cheaper and easier to buy an off the shelf Fender and have a 3rd party paint and powder coat parts than to order a custom shop instrument; so why not do the same with MM?
When you think about it, there are a lot more manufacturers that don't offer custom than do; it would seem like a money looser to entertain one-offs in this sluggish sales market for any builder that wasn't already set up to offer this. While I like the idea, I think it is unreasonable to infer that any manufacturer owes it to the public. The breast cancer bass was a really nice thing for the factory to do; the thread explains a lot of the hardship and sorrow the guy wnet through.
When you think about it, there are a lot more manufacturers that don't offer custom than do; it would seem like a money looser to entertain one-offs in this sluggish sales market for any builder that wasn't already set up to offer this. While I like the idea, I think it is unreasonable to infer that any manufacturer owes it to the public. The breast cancer bass was a really nice thing for the factory to do; the thread explains a lot of the hardship and sorrow the guy wnet through.
