Eclipse Sparkle

**Virtuoso** · 02-02-2021, 05:11 PM

This awesome color (looks a lot like Starry Night with black hardware) is a Sweetwater exclusive and I would love to get a Luke III HSS, but they only have the HH version on the website. I called them but they said they could only offer the HH configuration.

It doesn't seem like much of a stretch to just change the pickup configuration. Is there any manufacturing reason why they can't make an HSS one? Is there any point emailing EBMM direct to see if they can handle it?

**tbonesullivan** · 02-02-2021, 05:51 PM

They only have that configuration because that's what Sweetwater wanted. This has nothing to do with EBMM. Most likely the SSH isn't as big of a seller for SW, so they chose not to have any in their exclusive limited run.

**DrKev** · 02-03-2021, 01:03 AM

Yes, what tbone said. Music Man don't make a whole load of stuff that dealers subsequently order. They make to order, meaning that Sweetwater ordered HH guitars only and that's all that was manufactured in that color. You can ask Music Man to make HSS for you in that color, but you'll have to meet the minimum order size at least 50 of them. Or maybe it's 100, I don't remember.

**GWDavis28** · 02-03-2021, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by DrKev

Yes, what tbone said. Music Man don't make a whole load of stuff that dealers subsequently order. They make to order, meaning that Sweetwater ordered HH guitars only and that's all that was manufactured in that color. You can ask Music Man to make HSS for you in that color, but you'll have to meet the minimum order size at least 50 of them. Or maybe it's 100, I don't remember.

I would think you'd have to be a dealer as well right?

Glenn |B)

**TripHazard** · 02-03-2021, 05:29 AM

I think Pete only had to order 5 of each the models he had in Diablo Blue

**PeteDuBaldo** · 02-03-2021, 08:28 AM

When I did our first exclusive Diablo Blue run I ordered 26 pieces, essentially all the same color. I chose the JP15, JP6, L3 HH, Axis SuperSport Semi-Hollow Trem, StingRay Special basses, and the Armada. With the exception of the Armada the quantity was 5 pieces on each model. I ordered the L3 in the HH configuration because in my store those have sold better than the HSS configuration.

The piece count ordered for any exclusive run has to make sense to both the factory and to the dealer <<<--- this is the most important thing to remember.

I know that some dealers chose for their exclusive run different colors on each of several models that they ordered, while some focused on only a few models but ordered a larger quantity of them in the same color - this is evident on their websites.

While I was at the factory designing the run in early March 2019 with Brian, Scott, and the rest of the crew, the instruments weren't actually built until late Q4 2019. After the run was submitted and entered into the build system (which took some time for the new codes to be worked out) I would not have been able to add on orders for the HSS. With only X number of production slots available on a given day, adding an extra single piece (or even 5-6) after the run is completed would be a big disruption, especially in alternate configurations. The factory has to source more paint & materials specific to the package, clean the paint guns at least 2 extra times for the color change, load different build & buffing programs, etc.

With all that being said, I look forward to doing another exclusive run in the near future and adding a few new models along with some tweaks to make it a little different from the first Diablo Blue run. So as to not entirely hijack this thread, my email is below for those who may have any questions directly pertaining to that topic.

**GWDavis28** · 02-03-2021, 08:39 AM

Pete, you rock man!!! Great read.

Glenn |B)

**TripHazard** · 02-03-2021, 09:05 AM

Thanks Pete - thats a really interest insight into the process.
I for one am VERY much looking forward to seeing what you do next with them!!

**tbonesullivan** · 02-03-2021, 09:17 AM

Man, all of this has made me lust after the Silo in pacific blue sparkle at sweetwater.

**GWDavis28** · 02-03-2021, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by tbonesullivan

Man, all of this has made me lust after the Silo in pacific blue sparkle at sweetwater.

Little voice, "Get it you know you want too!!!", Hahahahahahahahaha.

Glenn |B)

**jlf599** · 02-03-2021, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by tbonesullivan

Man, all of this has made me lust after the Silo in pacific blue sparkle at sweetwater.

I was forced to get the Sabre in Pacific Blue Sparkle. Forced.

The Luke in that color may or may not be in my cart.

**GWDavis28** · 02-03-2021, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by jlf599

I was forced to get the Sabre in Pacific Blue Sparkle. Forced.

The Luke in that color may or may not be in my cart.

Hahahahahahaha, forced, good for you, if it's in your cart!!

Glenn |B)

**tbonesullivan** · 02-03-2021, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by GWDavis28

Little voice, "Get it you know you want too!!!", Hahahahahahahahaha.

Glenn |B)

I'm really considering it. Then I'll throw a Tone zone in the bridge and play 80s riffs all day. I have no idea what the Virtual PAFS are like though... hmmm.

Though.. there's always the stingray. CHOICES.

**Virtuoso** · 02-04-2021, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by PeteDuBaldo

After the run was submitted and entered into the build system (which took some time for the new codes to be worked out) I would not have been able to add on orders for the HSS.

Ah - thanks for the information! I was hoping Sweetwater would be able to make a quick call and change one of the HHs they have on order to an HSS, but it looks like that's impossible.

I might look into getting one of my Lukes refinished in something close to Eclipse Sparkle instead. I'm not sure a third party will get that close though - Music Man have the best sparkle finishes in the industry in my opinion!

**tbonesullivan** · 02-04-2021, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Virtuoso

I might look into getting one of my Lukes refinished in something close to Eclipse Sparkle instead. I'm not sure a third party will get that close though - Music Man have the best sparkle finishes in the industry in my opinion!

OOof. That is always a tough choice. They do have a Luke III in that color... probably easier than trying to get one refinished. That poly is not easy to get off the body.