Petitioning EBMM to release more PDNs for the Reflex HH5

[tunaman4u2]

I dont want this thread to turn into a mean spirited thing... this is simply a request... its a free country & they can do what they want. I'd like to present my case to the powers that be today on the phone & here. If they say no, I won't be starting a witch hunt for sure, thats their choice & I'll live with it

So that being said...

There was only ONE Reflex HH5 made in the PDN and I think thats a shame considering the vast amounts of other PDNs readily available in all other models... so heres my case... feel free to have a nice, pleasant conversation about it! I'll be glad to discuss!

1. The ad did the final product no justice, the final product looks MUCH better
2. To ask people to fork over 2k sight unseen is hard for some people to do
3. Most assumed upon release these would be available for purchase at the pdns so it was not clear a preorder was required, how could we know the reflex hh5 wouldn't be?
4. All other models/configs have multiple available now
5. To one off your best flagship model, the only one with a series parallel option is a shame
6. This edition means more on a reflex due to no pick guard to cover it up
7. The other models have many translucent models, multiple colors available now new and used while the reflex has just black white yellow and honey burst which are clearly not as pretty as the PDN
8. Personally it's impossible to buy a regular reflex after seeing this, for 2k I don't want to settle
9. Maybe we can round up a few more that would order with me now that we know they aren't available as the others are and seeing how they came out
10. I'll make something up, I just want 10 reasons!

 

[keko]

Why don't we (EBMM fanboys) better make another petition, ...EBMM to open a "Custom Shop" department, ...I mean in this world economy crisis only premium staff sales good, to be completely honest!!!

I'm dead serious!!!

Look arround You guys, ...what new You can see that people buy?

At this point of world economy crisis, ... I can see only premium new stuff to be sold!

So give people who still got the bloody money to order some specials, ...why not, ...give it a try?

 

[jlepre]

Not to be a kill joy, but you both have a better chance of seeing GOD.

 

[bovinehost]

"Custom Shops are for when your regular production instruments suck." - Sterling Ball, a few years ago

Having remembered this quote, I think it's fair to point out that we've seen a lot of limited production run instruments over the last few years. Not quite a custom shop, but stuff we old guys never expected to see or have the opportunity to purchase.

Of course, you guys can certainly have a thread where you petition for more stuff, don't get me wrong, I'm not about to suppress your desires....but keep in mind that the special runs have filled a certain niche.

In my opinion, anyway.

Jack

 

[KevinM]

There was only ONE Reflex HH5 made in the PDN and I think thats a shame considering the vast amounts of other PDNs readily available in all other models... so heres my case... feel free to have a nice, pleasant conversation about it! I'll be glad to discuss!

What about Laneline who had the foresight to order the PDN Reflex?
He is lucky enough to have ended up with a one-of-a-kind bass.
For all I know I may have the only Bongo5 HHp.

Consider our situation with having limited edition instruments.
If they start manufacturing them freely then we don't have what we originally ordered knowing that they were a one-time deal.

I don't intend to be harsh or anything but I think you're making it out as more than it really is.
The only difference with the PDN Reflex besides the finish is the roasted neck and pau ferro fretboard.

It's time to give it to the Lord, my friend.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Jack, boys- I appreciate the opportunity to have a friendly discussion

My simple assertion is almost all other models had multiple makes available, it was impossible for us to know that the PDNs would have such a large discrepancy between models to stock. Given that the number was 100 available it seemed likely that you would have an opportunity to purchase these from the dealers (which is the case with every other model & config). It wasn't marketed as a now or never. Again from MANY people I"ve talked to, a lot had no idea they would be this nice from that ad and if they had a shot to purchase the Reflex HH5 like the others, they certainly would. Its just disappointing to not have a shot at this model & if EBMM could produce a few to match the stock of the other models, sign a few of us up. If not, its their choice, fine. Just a last ditch effort to put this to bed alright?

As for Landline- I dont think he ordered his bass thinking it was going to be a one off but likely just like the other models, one of a dozen or so. The dude is a stand up guy & I have absolutely no doubt he wouldn't have a problem with a few more being made available but if thats a pre requisite for a build, be my guest & ask him.

 

[sballow]

I really enjoy the limiteds from this year's Honey roasted PDN to the Gilded Whites to the Black Sugar. A custom shop would be pretty expensive and out of the reach for all but a few of us and they may take away our PDNs which give us the chance to get a custom shop instrument for not much more than what a normal one costs.

 

[T28]

The PDN dealers are the ones who placed the orders (specific for pre-orders) plus extras of what they expected to sell.
Apparently none of the dealers felt the Reflex model in that pup design would be a good seller.

All EBMM did was fill the orders. It is not their fault that the PDN dealers did not order more of a specific model/config.

 

[tunaman4u2]

T28: Absolutely right, no one is saying this is EBMMs fault. Clearly the PDNs were "off" when assessing the demands\needs of the public & EBMM catered to the orders of the PDNs.

What I'm asking is for EBMM to correct the disproportionate quantity of models. The PDNs had no idea what the others were ordering, we had no idea that nobody would order a Reflex HH5 & EBMM just followed the orders

Is it a fault of anybody? Not at all ! But here we are with ZERO of one model available while there are a half dozen plus of the others. Can we fix this? Is it possible?

 

[TSanders]

You snooze you lose. Thats my thoughts. Not mean spirited, but take it how you will.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Tsanders- if it was marketed that way, fine, but it this was set up in a way that gave the appearance that you could buy these from PDNs later, it wasn't order now or else. All other models & pickup configs are on par with that thought.

Is it EBMMs fault? NO it just happened that way. So maybe they want to even out the distribution between models or not. Thats ALL I'm saying here

 

[bassmonkeee]

Yeesh. All basses are built to order. The dealers didn't order them. You apparently didn't ask any dealers if they were getting them. Why should EB/MM bend the rules for you? Why should anyone be obligated to order/build basses without customer commitments? Answer? They shouldn't.

Give it up. You screwed up and missed your chance.

 

[willsellout]

I know my bass preferences and I knew the specs that they listed for this run. I also knew the advertisement wouldn't be a representation of the final product. I put in my order. It was a risk, just like not putting in an order is a risk. You can't really blame anyone but yourself for not ordering . It sucks, but that's life.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I would have liked a Bongo 6SH. I couldn't swing it at the time. Do any exist in the wild? No? Okay, so they should build Reflex 5HHs AND Bongo 6SHs in round two.

How about fretlesses? Any of those? No? Better build some--lined and unlined, of course. One of each bass model just in case someone decides they want one after round 2 is complete.

Oh, wait--better build at least TWO of each. Wouldn't want someone coveting a one-off and petitioning for a third round. That'd just be silly. Ahem.

And, who's going to foot the bill to cover these instruments that don't have a customer commitment? The dealers? Musicman? They are limited editions for a reason.

 

[tunaman4u2]

will- actually at the time I wasn't playing 5ers too much so I can't beat myself up on that end. It just sucks to have to go to in another direction to get what I'm looking for when you know what you want is right here.

Spoke to AJ just to confirm it aint going to happen. Probably new colors coming in the new year. They will do another run next year of stuff who knows what it is for the PDNs.

Just for giggles: IF you had the chance to order a Reflex HH5 in the PDN would you do it now that you've seen it?

 

[jlepre]

Bassmonkeee - Give it a rest please? If you don't like the content of the thread move along to something that interests you. I agree it's a losing battle, but no need to be so condescending.

Tuna - If I had the money, and it WAS available, after seeing Rick's pics? I would DEFINITELY order 1.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Thanks Jlepre-

At this point I just want to get an idea of how many would have ordered this seeing what came out... I think the PDNs are under the assumption that the Reflex is not a desirable bass. I've emailed a lot of places & heres what one said that will remain nameless

"we Probably sell 50-100 of all other MusicMan Bass models combined for every 1 Reflex"

This is why the PDNs didn't order any of these! Now we know what happened... but why is this?

Is it that people are not fond of the electronics package? OR is it that the Reflex aesthetics dont appeal to you? If the PDNs know that people aren't down on the Reflex electronics and will come out to buy to Reflex HH5 with the next limited edition... they will order more.

I think the PDNs I talked to understood where I was coming from... my personal belief that they shouldn't write off the Reflex based on the past sales... if they get a fantastic version like this one... the demand WILL be there... so...

Me & Jlepre... anybody else would have ordered this after seeing it?

 

[jlepre]

Now let's get one thing straight, I don't have the money now nor did I have the money then to order this bass. I was saying IF I had the money, and this version was available I would buy one. I used to own the HSS 25th, and didn't care for the H pup placement, or the rosewood board.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Jlepre- I'm with you about the HSS

I guess people can call me shocked about the Reflex. I thought that the Reflex would be a dream bass for many. I love it, its freaking fantastic! Why are people not stepping up & grabbing it? This is why the PDNs wont order them! What gives?

 

[Movielife]

If EBMM offered a small 10 day window to order this run again, I'd order a Bongo HS in a 4 or 5. Like....now. Even if I have to pay them half direct! I'd do it NOW!