Point of Signature strings?

[Jason Harris]

I've decided to remove the "Flea Boomers" from my website. I do not feel it is right for a company to advertise a product as something different than another product of the same exact specifications. I try to keep all products on my website true to what the description is. If M3045 is the same as M3045F I am not going to offer both in any way that can be seen as a way that my company or myself could be misleading customers into believing they are purchasing a different product.


The description of the products on GHS's website make them appear to be different... However they are saying they are not:

Standard GHS Boomer Description:
The GHS Bass Boomers® are the classic Power String and they have been for years. Today they are one of the most popular bass strings in the world and are used by bass greats including the legendary Flea. Like the guitar version, Bass Boomers® feature a nickel plated steel wrap that provides brilliance, volume, sustain and strength, unlike any other bass string.

Flea GHS Boomer Description:
Flea uses the tried and tru formula of the GHS Bass Boomers that the world has counted on for decades. GHS Bass Boomers are a Nickel Plated Steel wrap wire with a special combination of Stainless Steel and Nickel Plate on the low E string. The unique Boomer hex core gives this string added strength. The Red Hot Chili Peppers count on Flea to provide that hard driving bottom end and these strings are a crucial part of that signature sound.


It reads to me that the Flea Boomer description has a unique E-String. However this appears to not be the case.

I do hope my customers will understand why I have removed this set. I try to give the most transparent and accurate information when it comes to the products I represent.

Wow didn't expect this to happen from this thread

 

[S-Bigbottom]

GHS for the years I have been a dealer for them never had a price difference in the suggested retail or dealer price. The selling price is set by the dealer.

Those were at local shops, not yours. You are great at your honesty, pricing and customer service. Thank you for helping bring this non difference on these string to everyone's attention. Though I have not been a GHS customer for years, I will always be one of yours.
Hope your NBD finally came.

 

[michael_t]

Thank you for helping bring this non difference on these string to everyone's attention.

You're welcome. (Refer to post #3)

And thanks to @Jon Moody.

 

[Hand slap]

Does anyone use or find the use of signature strings?
Steve Harris and Flea's sig sets aren't that to uncommon from much cheaper alternatives.
Is this just for marketing or am I just missing something?

Does anyone use or find the use of signature strings?
Steve Harris and Flea's sig sets aren't that to uncommon from much cheaper alternatives.
Is this just for marketing or am I just missing something?

yea?

 

[scowboy]

To sell more strings.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Wow didn't expect this to happen from this thread

Given the misleading information, coupled with the attitude GHS rep is showing on this thread, I'm not even remotely surprised.

 

[wintremute]

no. no, you don't.

But I'm a huge Steve Harris/Iron Maiden fan.

 

[wintremute]

Given the misleading information, coupled with the attitude GHS rep is showing on this thread, I'm not even remotely surprised.

To me, Jon is doing just fine. He changed the website description (from what he inherited), and is going to bring this up at a meeting on Monday.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I found a bargain brand by this famous guy and they're great -- some guy named Ernie Ball...

 

[aldaa]

Given the misleading information, coupled with the attitude GHS rep is showing on this thread, I'm not even remotely surprised.

We must be reading different posts, because I don't see any attitude coming from the Jon. He showed up with facts, cleared up the confusion, explained why there was confusion, and said he would handle it. He handled it. The only things that could pass for "attitude" are, what I felt sounded snarky, posts such as "thank you for the wasted time explaining things to my customers" and dragging on about "well you could've contacted me and everyone else", making it out to be like Jon is the person to blame, or using him as a target, much like a patron at a restaurant would yell at the wait staff because of something the cook messed up.

Jon didn't write the original descriptions from what I gather here. How was he to know this was such a big deal? Did anyone bother to email GHS and ask if there was a difference? This most likely could have been remedied at an early date if questions were asked, and yes, I understand that as a dealer, you expect the company/sales rep/whatever to provide you with facts. Humans make errors though. I don't think this was intentional, and it certainly wasn't Jon's fault. He fixed the problem after it was brought to his attention. Maybe he thought everyone knew they were the same. I can't speak for him, though. The seemingly passive aggressive posts at him are a bit unnecessary, IMO.

Also... "misleading information". This makes it seem like it was intentionally done to screw people out of the same amount of money but they bought the Flea strings instead.


Btw, do not take this as me attacking anyone. I just don't see any attitude coming from Jon. This whole thing is a bit silly to me, personally. SLaPiNFuNK runs an amazing service and does great things for us; something that most people won't.

 

[Unemploid]

i'm currently using the billy sheehan signature rotosound strings, and i'm enjoying them a lot more than i thought i would. i just wanted a heavier e string, but the thinner d string is cool. maybe it's coincidence, but playing the intro to the trooper has never be easier to play.

 

[navijaz]

Given the misleading information, coupled with the attitude GHS rep is showing on this thread, I'm not even remotely surprised.

The GHS rep let everyone know that the description on the company website could be misleading (although it was accurate), he confirmed (when he didn't have to) that there was no difference between the two string sets. He then went on to change the information in question (which had been done by his predecessor) and will bring up the issue at the office on Monday.

What could be have done better in your opinion?

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Years ago I had a conversation about the strings and the rep I spoke with (I don't think Jon was with the company but I don't remember....) Said the difference was in the E String.

Regardless... It is finally actually being addressed... That is all that matters...

So for those who have posted reviews that they don't link boomers but like the flea signature set, lol!

 

[monsterthompson]

But I'm a huge Steve Harris/Iron Maiden fan.

Same here. My experience with the strings was underwhelming, at best. Like many other players have noted, I found the strings to have a ridiculously short life.

 

[Kmonk]

Signature strings are sold in order to get fans of the artist to feel like they are using the same string as their favorite player. Same for signature instruments. What they fail to consider is the level of experience that their favorite player has, their technique, modifications to instruments, type of amps and speakers, etc. People spend more money under the illusion that they will sound like their favorite bassist.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I would suggest you talk to your management about replacing the "Flea Signature" set with the "Balanced Tension" factory set, 45-60-80-105. I will leave it up to you to decided if you want to put my name on it or not.

You saw an opening and boldly went in. A golfclap to you, sir!

 

[guy n. cognito]

The GHS rep let everyone know that the description on the company website could be misleading (although it was accurate), he confirmed (when he didn't have to) that there was no difference between the two string sets. He then went on to change the information in question (which had been done by his predecessor) and will bring up the issue at the office on Monday.

What could be have done better in your opinion?

Isn't the whole point here that the website is inaccurate?

 

[guy n. cognito]

We must be reading different posts, because I don't see any attitude coming from the Jon.

Clearly, because it seems obvious to me.

 

[obimark]

Does anyone use or find the use of signature strings?
Steve Harris and Flea's sig sets aren't that to uncommon from much cheaper alternatives.
Is this just for marketing or am I just missing something?

The point is simply for them to make more money.

 

[navijaz]

Isn't the whole point here that the website is inaccurate?

Even in the old version, all the information was factually correct. People believed that the sets were different but it is not something that GHS explicitly claimed.