Ian Perge
Active member
As a potential Bongo 5 buyer, I must say that the new "Y-shape" tuners (that's how pretty much any Gotoh/Hipshot/etc newer-design shape is called) increase my desire for one a large amount... and that's simply going on visuals (as I stated, IMO such a forward-looking design calls for the same in *every* department) and not performance or weight - being a lightweight tuners is for me a bonus and a welcome one as a Disabled Player who also had major Back Surgery @ 21 and who must take weight into account when purchasing a bass.
As for "Standard vs Aftermarket" status, I'd be happy with either one. If I choose to purchase a new Bongo I (as well as my wallet) would be grateful for them to be standard tuners and not have to purchase replacements just to install first-thing after delivery along with my usual practice of StrapLoks & New Strings (although with the "Parted-Out Basses" increasing hand-over-fist on online auction sites, I'm sure I could make my money back in the sale of "Official Music Man Tuners!) However, if I'm able to fulfill my dream of one day finding a Dargie Delight II 5-string for sale the availability of them as Aftermarket Tuners would mean I could keep the bass "stock". And it's not like I haven't changed out parts in the past - at this point in my life/playing "career", I purchase for me[/b] and not as an investment likely to be sold in the future. I'd simply rather not drill new screw holes if possible. ;-)
While I understand EBMM's decision on some of the issues that have come up in this thread, I think an "Apples to Apples" approach is more worthy of discussion. AFAIK at a large majority of other bass builders at the pricepoint of SLO-built instruments, hardware color is typically the customer's choice & not really a big deal in the scheme of things. I think my past points regarding Black Hardware as an option are logical and well thought out (toss Gold in as well, having been used on the 2008 "Sequoia Gold" LE - I'm only talking about hardware that has been produced and used by Music Man for Limited Edition lines and not one-offs in the past) and would only increase sales for a limited outlay... even make a profit it it's an Upcharge for taking such build into an alternate production cycle. And I know by personal observation that my guitar friends on their boards would love the choice of Black Hardware vs Chrome, especially as it's already been used on both the Stealth & JPX models.
...but to go along with your analogy, I simply don't see this as a "one from column A, two from column B" call, nor a "Corvette steering wheel on a Chevy Pickup". It's far more akin to an car's Options Package that a) you *still* can't eliminate specific choices from that; it's either the whole package or none, and b) *is* an upcharge that the company makes a profit on. And ultimately, I'd rather have Sterling & The Company gain the cost of my purchasing/installing Alternate Hardware than an aftermarket company.
As for "Standard vs Aftermarket" status, I'd be happy with either one. If I choose to purchase a new Bongo I (as well as my wallet) would be grateful for them to be standard tuners and not have to purchase replacements just to install first-thing after delivery along with my usual practice of StrapLoks & New Strings (although with the "Parted-Out Basses" increasing hand-over-fist on online auction sites, I'm sure I could make my money back in the sale of "Official Music Man Tuners!) However, if I'm able to fulfill my dream of one day finding a Dargie Delight II 5-string for sale the availability of them as Aftermarket Tuners would mean I could keep the bass "stock". And it's not like I haven't changed out parts in the past - at this point in my life/playing "career", I purchase for me[/b] and not as an investment likely to be sold in the future. I'd simply rather not drill new screw holes if possible. ;-)
While I understand EBMM's decision on some of the issues that have come up in this thread, I think an "Apples to Apples" approach is more worthy of discussion. AFAIK at a large majority of other bass builders at the pricepoint of SLO-built instruments, hardware color is typically the customer's choice & not really a big deal in the scheme of things. I think my past points regarding Black Hardware as an option are logical and well thought out (toss Gold in as well, having been used on the 2008 "Sequoia Gold" LE - I'm only talking about hardware that has been produced and used by Music Man for Limited Edition lines and not one-offs in the past) and would only increase sales for a limited outlay... even make a profit it it's an Upcharge for taking such build into an alternate production cycle. And I know by personal observation that my guitar friends on their boards would love the choice of Black Hardware vs Chrome, especially as it's already been used on both the Stealth & JPX models.
...but to go along with your analogy, I simply don't see this as a "one from column A, two from column B" call, nor a "Corvette steering wheel on a Chevy Pickup". It's far more akin to an car's Options Package that a) you *still* can't eliminate specific choices from that; it's either the whole package or none, and b) *is* an upcharge that the company makes a profit on. And ultimately, I'd rather have Sterling & The Company gain the cost of my purchasing/installing Alternate Hardware than an aftermarket company.
