Musicians Friend

[Big Poppa]

Hello Kids

Greetngs from Medford, Oregon home of Musicians Friend.

Dargie and Brian and I are meeting with the powers that be and going over this years plans and promotions.

What would you , oh valued, forumites like to see MF do with Music Man? ( cheap shots here, knuckleheads)

WE are talking about them ordering some more loaded or exotic peices and keeping them in inventory to help people that dont want the wait.

WE talked about reissuing pinkburst Albert's. Would any of you domestic customers be interested?

 

[SteveB]

I have always been slightly afraid to order a guitar from MF. I've bought plenty of other gear from them, though. I just worry that something as delicate as a guitar might not arrive unscathed, and then there would be the hassle of shipping it back, etc. I just imagine giant warehouses with rough handling etc.

Maybe they could enlighten us as to how the 'better' guitars are stored and shipped? This would go a long way for folks like me (and I know several other people who have the same concerns about ordering guitars from an online 'superstore' like MF). I think all the 'blem' gear they have just reinforces this image.

Anyway, to address your questions:

I think it's a no-brainer that the BFR guitars will be hot items. (JP's, Luke's, and the AL's). If they had a way to sell them piece-by-piece.. in other words, you could order the exact one that you want.. perhaps by serial number. They could have an online 'showroom' with nice close-up pics of each individual BFR piece. It might complicate their ordering process because they would need REALLY good inventory control to avoid double-selling the same instrument. Or, they would have to allow a 'request' for that piece and then confirm the order after checking that it hasn't already been sold.

It might be wise to stock up on Blue Dawn versions of the various EBMM offerings too because that color is such a fan favorite.

I'm not personally interested in a Pinkburst AL. But the AL is a great guitar and it seems to be gaining the respect and interest it deserves. Are you talking about a 'normal' AL in Pinkburst or a BFR AL in Pinkburst?

I think the Koa top Axis would be a good candidate, too.

If you want to get REALLY exotic, make a few doublenecks for them.

 

[francric]

ahhhhhh, "valued knuckleheads", thanks for the term of endearment Poppa, sniff.............

Yes, more guitars in stock, variety, straps, wah, strap locks.............for those impatient knuckleheads.

 

[francric]

Steve, the one thing I will say is you can't beat the 45 day return.............try a guitar, not for you, return it. Many don't have stores close that carry EBMM to try things out but it will cost you the ship back, only fair.

 

[silverburst]

Hi Poppa

I love the Pinkburst AL, and would order one from MF if I was in the market. When I was looking for a Bongo 4H, they did not carry them, so I went elsewhere. Maybe that would be a nice item to carry.

As far as the BFRs go, I could see them fitting in with the Private Reserve collection at MF (privatereserveguitars.com). You can call them and get an in-hand description of the guitar, and give specific shipping instructions, so there are no questions about what you are getting.

SteveB -- I have bought alot of guitars from MF in the past, and they have a 45 day no questions asked return policy. As far as packing, it has been spotty. I have received 3 guitars with broken headstocks: 2 Les Pauls and 1 ES-335. Of course, these are prone to headstock breakage...

My 2 cents worth...

Rex

 

[brentrocks]

Steve, the one thing I will say is you can't beat the 45 day return.............try a guitar, not for you, return it. Many don't have stores close that carry EBMM to try things out but it will cost you the ship back, only fair.

the return policy is nice if you have a problem...i would be worried about the negative vibe that goes along w/ MF. it seems like every time i hear someone talking about buying a guitar from MF, it always has some kind of bad mojo behind it...talk of cheapness, lack of quality...i would hate to see the EBMM name associated w/ that.

that is just how i see it...i would rather buy my balls from a shop or a reputable seller, not a warehouse.

the pinkburst al i think is a great idea!!!

 

[beej]

Would any of you domestic customers be interested?

I'd wager there will be some great interest.

I've already got one (and I'm not in the US), but I can't imagine a problem moving them. Any time one appears used it gets snatched up pretty quickly!

 

[Quarter]

WE are talking about them ordering some more loaded or exotic peices and keeping them in inventory to help people that dont want the wait.

WE talked about reissuing pinkburst Albert's. Would any of you domestic customers be interested?

Both great ideas!

 

[lock-ny]

MF destroy their guitars, you would have alot of people sending their guitars back to you for small repairs possibly, but hey your in business of selling guitars and if it helps you sell more guitars then go for it -

 

[SteveB]

Steve, the one thing I will say is you can't beat the 45 day return.............try a guitar, not for you, return it. Many don't have stores close that carry EBMM to try things out but it will cost you the ship back, only fair.

SteveB -- I have bought alot of guitars from MF in the past, and they have a 45 day no questions asked return policy. As far as packing, it has been spotty. I have received 3 guitars with broken headstocks: 2 Les Pauls and 1 ES-335. Of course, these are prone to headstock breakage...

[OT]
I have never doubted that MF would accept a return of a damaged instrument. I have avoided buying guitars from them because I want to minimize the chance of ever receiving a damaged guitar, and then having to ship it back. It's the re-packing, making a trip to a shipping facility, etc. that I choose to live without. Silverburst's experience is exactly what keeps me from pulling the trigger.
[/OT]

Back on topic:

How would MF feel about stocking some lefty items? Seems there's an untapped market there (albeit small), and those poor southpaws seem to have a long wait time (justifiably so given the market size, but still..). I know that my bass player would have snapped up his Black lefty SR4 from MF if there had been one in stock. I know he checked their site before he ventured out to the local MM dealer. He tends to never go to the local music store unless someone else initiates the trip... he'd rather just order things online.

 

[GWDavis28]

BP, wow, how very flattering. Pinkburst AL, not for me, but I'm sure there are others that will be interested.

I've never bought a guitar from MF, but I have looked and considered it a few times. Maybe in the far future I personally would consider it.

The idea of the BFR's being available thru MF is an interesting business model and I have a feeling that it will work out quite well for Music Man.

I bought an amp from MF a few years ago and it was a very good experience, so I'd shop there again.

Thanx again and good luck. Glenn |B)

 

[Duolos]

Let's not forget that ANY dealer has to receive a "shipped" guitar to sell to the consumer. I would think it is great if MF could hve more high end pieces. I wouldn't buy from them becuase I get better deals elsewhere but if the price was right and it was in stock, I would buy from MF.

 

[francric]

I believe the return policy also goes if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase. Doesn't have to be damaged. But I don't know for sure.........

 

[germangallardo]

Id love a pinkburst, also the idea of getting some stock exotic guitars appeals me a lot. I guess I'd be happy if they had PLENTY of the EBMM accesories. I have several needs right now and it would be great to rely on MF to fill all my accesories.

If there was a way to exactly see the guitar you are ordering Id totally go for it. As it was mentioned the serial number would be nice, you could even double check with EB Customer service to know that the guitar is actually what you are ordering. Also, I havent bought from MF because of the above mentioned stories (guitars damaged) I'd rather find a dealer with my dream guitar and pay the shipping costs , or die in the process of waiting

Thanks for askin' our opinion oh valued BP

 

[Big Poppa]

Ok clarification

We have been selling Musicians Friend our guitars and basses incident free for over 15 years. The fact that some of you didnt know it is a real good start. Musicians Friend is in our domestic top five dealers and the most diehards didnt know it. Enlightening.

We have had ZERO problems with returns 0or shipping from them. They are actually one of the most trouble free dealers we have....(It doesnt hurt that they will be reading this at 8:30 in their conference room on the wide screen with the broken mouse)

I think that I was looking at stuff like SteveB and Silver said. Maybe the idea is to get them to focus on harder to get stuff for you super freaks.

Keep them coming and make the forum look good.....you old brown nosers.

 

[SteveB]

...i would be worried about the negative vibe that goes along w/ MF.

but hey your in business of selling guitars and if it helps you sell more guitars then go for it -

Guys, MF has carried EBMM guitars and basses for years now. That's not a new development. Also, they are owned by GC, who are responsible for moving 'a few' MM products every year.

Edit: I see that BP pre-empted me on this issue.

 

[Duolos]

True they have however they don't always have the high end stuff.

 

[germangallardo]

Ok clarification

We have been selling Musicians Friend our guitars and basses incident free for over 15 years. The fact that some of you didnt know it is a real good start. Musicians Friend is in our domestic top five dealers and the most diehards didnt know it. Enlightening.

We have had ZERO problems with returns 0or shipping from them. They are actually one of the most trouble free dealers we have....(It doesnt hurt that they will be reading this at 8:30 in their conference room on the wide screen with the broken mouse)

I think that I was looking at stuff like SteveB and Silver said. Maybe the idea is to get them to focus on harder to get stuff for you super freaks.

Keep them coming and make the forum look good.....you old brown nosers.

Very interesting, thanks for the clarification!

Offering more variety would TOTALLY appeal me, not even the high end models Im talking more finish variety

Example: I just checked the site and they offer the JP6 in Blue Pearl, Redburst and MD. Some other finishes would be nice too.

Obviously high end models would rock!

Just my humble opinion.

 

[Sweat]

Here would be my thought, sites like MF and others seem to have no problem highly promoting "the other brands" so giving MM guitars a little home page love would help. Also being competitive in pricing, no reason to buy from a website if I can get it local cheaper or from another dealer with better customer service.
As far as shipping and damage I think no worries since my last came from DuBaldo music to Dallas Texas and was perfect.

Beagle

 

[SteveB]

Actually, they would probably do well to stock up on the normal best-sellers.

Think about it: when you order online, you want that instant gratification where you know the product is on its way right after you enter your payment info.

As I recall, some of the normal EBMM offerings still entail a waiting period from MF. Check the "availability" link when looking at a Morse Y2D on their site... some are 90+ days out. That completely nullifys the whole 'instant gratification' of the online purchase. Unless the price is ridiculously less than your local dealer, what's the advantage?