Question Would there be 'takers' for a $1000-1500 ish ball? -Madness explained inside!

[Smellybum]

Hello !

Smelly Random thought de jour.....


I was on holiday recently, I went to a well known UK guitar store that builds guitars for the stars, now unfrotunately they had no balls (Just sold that last luke earlier that week ) but they had another brand which offers several different neck profiles and have recently introduced 2 models in the above price range, and whilst I can't really compare anything EBMM to anyone else this company probably for me comes the closest.

(I'm not defecting before anyone passes comment!)

So I tried one, very nice just not for me -but the price point was the primary attraction, thought nothing else of it and then came back -checked out eBay this week and used SUB1's seem to be on the increase in value (Some cats looking for £20 less than the original RRP!)

My question is: - That other company has a couple of models around the above mentioned price point; I just wondered as a straw poll -how many of us would by another ball around the above price point (No frills type model) instead of a used one or even a Sterling

Don't get excited I wasn't put in charge of marketting or customer testing or anything I'm just curious to see who'd nibble, and in for a penny in for a pound -what would you want to see (bearing in mind price - so no premium top - no birdseye) - etc.

Any artists impressions welcome ? - a non-finished sile with no pickguard? - an AL with a SUB1 neck?


Might be nothing; maybe I'm nuts, maybe I just need it confirmed ;-)

The smelly o' questioning one.

 

[Colin]

I'm not really getting what you're saying here? Are you suggesting MM makes a sub style guitar again?

 

[fbecir]

Hello Smelly

If I understand well your post (not sure ... I'm French thus I have always trouble to deal with barbaric languages like Anglo-Saxon), you ask if EBMM should develop a guitar in the price range between the regular models and the Sterling range.
Some brands like PRS did exactly that : the Mira is between the PRS SE and the normal (expansive !) PRS guitars.
But I am not sure it's a good idea (but of course marketing is not my job thus it's just my opinion) for several reasons :

1. the price difference here in Europe is too narrow between Sterling and the first EBMM.
2. you can find find nice second hand EBMM in this price range.
3. Most of us have several Balls. Will I buy a new one just because it's cheaper ? No, because in fact just one EBMM is enough (my Morse can cover every style ... my Axis and my SUB are just there because I am weak ). If I buy a new EBMM, it will be a "special" one. For instance a roasted neck or a limited edition or ... well one of the surprise that the good folk of EBMM prepare for us !

But of course, if there is a new "cheap" model, I can be weak again ... (and I will be able to find all the counter arguments to the 3 arguments I listed )

 

[andynpeters]

Personally I'd like to see the Axis Sport or the SUB available again, or the Silhouette Special at the price that Fender manage to sell Strats for in Europe.

However, I'm not running a guitar company & no doubt there are plenty of good reasons why this is not happening. Mr Ball has mentioned (many times) that wild enthusiasm for something on this forum does not reflect market demand.

 

[andynpeters]

Plus $1500 translates to 963 pounds....... so....plus import duty, VAT, transport & distribution costs......would it be much cheaper than the existing range?

 

[straycat113]

Fess up Smelly, you bought it and will be stoned once it is confirmed.lol

Seriously I am trying to comprehend what you are saying as the way you worded it I am still not positive to what you mean. If you found a budget guitar you like than just buy it, as for the Sub holding a good resale value I would say on a whole it is hard to find an EB model that does not. If you like the way the guitar sounds and plays that is all that matters, as that is what it is all about. But I do not think you will find a used one on ebay selling close to what someone payed in 6 months.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I'm not really getting what you're saying here? Are you suggesting MM makes a sub style guitar again?

+1 I'm a bit lost smelly. I don't understand what you want

you can get second hand balls for less than that so what's the point?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

.....

... I'm French thus I have always trouble to deal with barbaric languages like Anglo-Saxon

...

About the above statement, not 3 months ago, admins and moderators kindly asked members to refrain from jokes involving creed, nationality, religion, gender etc, and here we are again. Ahem

 

[fbecir]

About the above statement, not 3 months ago, admins and moderators kindly asked members to refrain from jokes involving creed, nationality, religion, gender etc, and here we are again. Ahem

Come on, don't be over zealous ... if French and English cannot joke about their "differences" ... (sorry Smelly I know you are a Scot). Since Napoleon we did not make war to each other so things are under control.
I just want to say that I am not sure to understand everything in Smelly's post so perhaps my answer miss the point. Sorry for that.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Come on, don't be over zealous ... if French and English cannot joke about their "differences" ... (sorry Smelly I know you are a Scot). Since Napoleon we did not make war to each other so things are under control.
I just want to say that I am not sure to understand everything in Smelly's post so perhaps my answer miss the point. Sorry for that.

Well no I am not being over zealous, as a matter of fact, I should be neutral to this convo, being italian myself, but whilst I would have had a valid reply to your statement in the same "joke fashion" I have had to bite my tongue (or fingers?) in respect of the rules which I mentioned.

Anyway let's move on and back on topic. Smelly, whatcha talkin' bout?

 

[M.A.K.S]

About the above statement, not 3 months ago, admins and moderators kindly asked members to refrain from jokes involving creed, nationality, religion, gender etc, and here we are again. Ahem

To be fair though, he was only making a light-hearted joke about the english language, wich IMO is not the same thing as making fun of ones nationality. I really don't see that as being over the line.

On topic:
If the OP was thinking about some kind of stripped down more affordable Ball, I'm just not sure if that's something I'd go for. I mean we already have the Sterling for that.
I did like the SUB though, so who knows

 

[DrGonzo5150]

About the above statement, not 3 months ago, admins and moderators kindly asked members to refrain from jokes involving creed, nationality, religion, gender etc, and here we are again. Ahem

They also say don't arm-chair mod

 

[Grand Wazoo]

They also say don't arm-chair mod

That's very true.... sh... you got me now! SORRY! (didn't mean to)

 

[Smellybum]

Sorry folks was early in the morning when I typed this.

My key points

Would there be any interest is a Ball priced at a similar price point to a guitar company as mentionabove - £800-1600 or so - 800 being a raw basic (andy I did in $'s to try to make it easier....)

If there was such interest what would you have on it - bear in mind the finanacial constraints -

Discuss.....

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Good point Smelly, well you see on the bass side something very similar is already happening, Strings and Things have bought a stockload of Stingray's single H 2 band eq which are being sold with a gig bag as opposed to a hard case and they are offered a quid short of a grand. If that is what you meant then I think you are onto a good plan, and one which seems to be feasible.

 

[threeminutesboy]

remember what K2000 said guys "Grand wazoo is scaring BP"

The SUB and Axis Sport were fantastic guitars (and I still believe Axis Sport will be highly collectible in 10 years from now) but if BP and team stopped them is because of low sale

From a company point of view it's always a MARGIN/VOLUME equation you have to solve. I guess EBMM is more favorable to slightly higher Margins, Quality, lower volumes.

The sterling brand is the answer : good affordable quality guitars.

 

[e.mate]

Smelly, are you on energy drinks, or something???

To be honest.....I did it. I did just that, I had my ASS and my Silo, and bought another guitar, different manufacturer, NOS from a local dealer. It was a well known brand of North American origin, and certainly a fine guitar.....yet, something was at it, that felt strange, or not like home for me.

Suddenly I got the chance to get a used SUB for exactly the same price, and bought it. So, I had direct comparison for quite some months....

The other one is sold now...no need to say more

 

[andynpeters]

It appears that almost all guitar companies make their "basic" models in the Far East....I assume UK & USA wages are the reason.
Personally I'm a fan of "basic" guitars.....I even liked the much maligned Benji. I'd be VERY interested in a Lefty Axis Sport ...or aless expensive Super Sport without the wavy tops......but I suspect there aren't enough of me to make it worthwhile.

 

[Slingy]

I think a barebones Silo hardtail in a plain color is within that price range.

 

[e.mate]

i think a barebones silo hardtail in a plain color is within that price range.

+1