LE MM's, what's with them

[Drmckool]

i'm not talking prices here i'm just saying what justifies the big price hike on the LE basses (except the 20th anniversary 5er) is it just looks or is more work into them. i'm just wondering

 

[Big Poppa]

what big price hike?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm not BP, although I like to wear loud shirts and play 4 bangers, but here's my take ....

Recent LE and anniversary basses have had special features such as different body timber, gold hardware, fingerboard inlays, non-standard finish colors, special cases, yada yada yada, all of which add cost because (a) those components are purchased in smaller quantities than normal production models (b) regular established production schedules need to be interrupted for the non standard models (c) the LEs take longer to build because they are not standard models. All of these things add material and labour cost in any manufacturing environment, whether it be guitars, cars, or foodstuffs.

 

[Drmckool]

I'm not BP, although I like to wear loud shirts and play 4 bangers, but here's my take ....

Recent LE and anniversary basses have had special features such as different body timber, gold hardware, fingerboard inlays, non-standard finish colors, special cases, yada yada yada, all of which add cost because (a) those components are purchased in smaller quantities than normal production models (b) regular established production schedules need to be interrupted for the non standard models (c) the LEs take longer to build because they are not standard models. All of these things add material and labour cost in any manufacturing environment, whether it be guitars, cars, or foodstuffs.

makes sense to me, thanks for the hypothesis. and to answer BP i have noticed that the LE Basses are a bit more expenisve compared to the regulars and i was wondering the justification

 

[mynan]

LE stands for Limited Edition...does that help with the justification?

 

[scottbass71]

I also remember BP saying with the Blue dawn LE that the spray booth and the spraying lines had to be fully cleaned to make sure any bits of sparkle are gone so it doesn't interfere with any other paint - That would cost some scratch as well.

Also what mark said

 

[bovinehost]

At Summer NAMM last year, BP and I were talking about the Dargies, about as limited as limited gets. He said, "What do you think the upcharge should be?"

Why he asks me, who knows.

But anyway, I was thinking about the (then) recent LEs, so I said, "Well, I think $250 retail upcharge would be about right."

He said, "Nah, let's make it $150 to make it as affordable as we can." There was also some discussion about a 'special' case, but that would have driven the cost and then the end-user price up, so it was nixed.

So every DD, at least for just the finish option, was a hundred bucks less than it might have been.

Every time you think about the upcharge for a limited edition instrument, remember that story and keep in mind who's on your side.

Jackie

 

[Drmckool]

so i guess unlike many big companies Ernie Ball treats you right. you know your words may have just made me allot more loyal to this company. man i'm now so happy i'm getting a MM this friday (20th anniversary 5)

Edit: even more happy, i'm already extatic

 

[Big Poppa]

the upcharge is really quite small...also keep in mind that we dont get all of the upcharge....

 

[phatduckk]

theyre special

 

[RitchieDarling]

Upcharge?!?!

There was an upcharge?

WHO KNEW??

Pop's has me on the "EASY PAYMENT PLAN".........

The tell me how much it is, and I pay them..... EASY!

I never even ask the price!

Ritchie

 

[bovinehost]

so i guess unlike many big companies Ernie Ball treats you right. you know your words may have just made me allot more loyal to this company. man i'm now so happy i'm getting a MM this friday (20th anniversary 5)

Edit: even more happy, i'm already extatic

Unlike many big companies - exactly right.

And if what I told you made a difference, hey! Good for all of us! It was just the truth.

To me, it isn't so bad to be called a "fanboy" when it's REAL - and it is, believe me.

Congrats again on the 20th SR5. I love mine.

Jack

 

[bassmancb]

I love all the little extras that they add to the LE's and don't mind at all paying a bit more.

 

[SLUGGO]

I recall BP saying that the birdseye maple necks for the 30th SR's costs $90 a piece just for the wood. That was at wholesale to the manufacture. So one can speculate what the rest of the materials would run, then the eventual retail price adjustments. By the way...I think I paid about one hundred more for my DD than I would have a non-LE model. That cost was easily justified....I mean who else has martini glass inlays?

 

[asianjeff]

You can trust BP when he said not all the markups goes to the company, considering the special cases, different design for the inlays, setups for the different color paint required for the LEs, and the fact materials have to be ordered in smaller quantities... the markups are really justified. To compare, other companies mark their LEs up... somewhat more than $150...

 

[jaylegroove]

At Summer NAMM last year, BP and I were talking about the Dargies, about as limited as limited gets. He said, "What do you think the upcharge should be?"

Why he asks me, who knows.

But anyway, I was thinking about the (then) recent LEs, so I said, "Well, I think $250 retail upcharge would be about right."

He said, "Nah, let's make it $150 to make it as affordable as we can." There was also some discussion about a 'special' case, but that would have driven the cost and then the end-user price up, so it was nixed.

So every DD, at least for just the finish option, was a hundred bucks less than it might have been.

Every time you think about the upcharge for a limited edition instrument, remember that story and keep in mind who's on your side.

Jackie

That's definitely a nice, nice story. Sounds so good when you know how much the manufacturer of your bass cares for you.

 

[JimB52]

The upcharge on new LE models is
(1.) Small, for the additional features.
(2.) more than covered in resale value increase, from what I've seen on ebay and used dealers' prices.

Jim B

 

[Caca de Kick]

Right, LE's hold more of their value in the long run.

I like buying em because chances are, other bands around me that we play with don't have the same bass as me.

 

[thunder]

i'm not talking prices here i'm just saying what justifies the big price hike on the LE basses (except the 20th anniversary 5er) is it just looks or is more work into them. i'm just wondering

other bass companies charge a lot more. i wanted a warrwick that looked cool. but, the bass was double the other basses that they make. i wasn't going to pay $2,200.00 for a bass that is not as good as a music man. (yes, i drank the kool aide.) (but i like it.)

 

[Aussie Mark]

i wanted a warrwick that looked cool

And I wanted Audrey Hepburn as my girlfriend.

Neither are possible.