A couple photos from the archives in SLO

[Colin]

I love the fact that Dudley and BP have never had an argument. I'm very grateful I had the chance to talk to Dudley one on one and ask all my questions.

 

[Big Poppa]

I'm continually interested about the relationship between your dad and Leo. I mean, they were contemporaries, mostly. Leo was certainly already established, but Ernie became a sixties icon and made his name and his fortune with something Leo thought was not worth investigating. I mean, at least at the time, Leo kind of gaffed off the entire concept of custom (smaller) string gauges. Did he ever say to you, "Your dad was right"?

It really does fascinate me - as I'm sure it does many others. And - we've talked about this - as bass players, we have to worship at the Leo Altar. Okay, I do. But you knew Leo personally, which gives you some insight into the question - is Dudley Gimpel the modern-day Leo Fender? I think I know what Dudley would say, but what do YOU think, Biff? Isn't Dudley what Leo would have been if Leo had been a player rather than a tinkerer?

Another thing is - and I know the answer to this but you really should explain it for the guys - how much influence did your dad have once you bought Music Man?

I ask because I believed, way back in the dark ages, that your dad rescued Music Man. I'm sure a lot of the forumites think that, too. What happened when Music Man came up for sale? What did you say to your pops and what did he say to you?

Hoo, I have a lot of questions. And not just because I have a big fat file full of your answers, but because I think it's one of the most fascinating periods, ever, for bassists.

the still poking you, sure,

Jackie

Leo never did say anything like that. Leo and my Dad had mutual respect but no great personal relationship. It was Tommy Walker. Tommy was the man. Tommy gave the support. Tommy put his neck on the line when my Dad struggled financially Tommy buffered things between Leo and a lot of people. Tommy liked me because I was pretty confident and firm but rational with Leo.

WHy hang the title on Dudley? It is presumtious, and a burden. (probably true though)
Why not say we both took it to where we believed the next steps should be. Sometimes we didnt know where we were going and ended up someplace pretty nice, too. I dont inject myself into this question or success formula for ego purposes....but the things that we did WE did.

I really could never imagine having a better relationship and better results then I have been lucky enough to have with Dudley. I think he is a wonderful man and a true genius. Who knows maybe I was dead wood?

That gets to my Dad. Tough thing to be honest about. Later it caused severe family issues with my siblings. I took over the entire business when I was 23. Fourteen employees then. Three foriegn markets. My dad was one of the smartest and most creative guys on the planet for a period of time but really didnt sustain it. His training that I got by absorption and osmosis couldnt be had at Harvard. This is a deep and long subject. I in no way want to demean or diminish the tremendous gifts and opportunities I had. I also dont want people to think that I developed a c ure for the common cold. I took an paradigm shifting marketing and distribution concept and further developed it. Perspective baby.

Pretend this was something like Oroville Redenbacker Popcorn. Orville was the innovator and the genius behind the original deal but his son Steve grew it and maybe maximized it. While the son was doing it he understood the importance of branding and figured that the best thing to do was make sure that Oroville was larger than life at the expense of his ego and image to promote the winning formula. Read the companies history. I am just dusted over. Thats how I want it.

I have had to deal with people thinkng that I am just lucky body fluid all my life. It goes with the territory. I still get it. Doesnt bother me. Actually I like it when people dont take me seriously in business. I've been really successful when someone makes that assumption.

SO now to the question of my father and Music Man. He wasnt involved but had to agree to me writing the check and he never threatened to pull the plug for the many years that it lost money and slinky's underwrote it.

I could never have done anything with guitars without his life lessions growing up in his retail stores.....the importance of customer service, proper setup, necks that you could adjust....the whole bannana. He was hands off completely though in the design and development of Music Man.

Ill tell you the conversation he had with me when he gave me the reigns. He was divorced from my Mom. He was surfing, learning to fly, chasing chicks and hanging in a loft n Newport. Back then lunch breaks would be either fly to Catalina island for a buffalo burger or go body surfing.

He had a coupla guys in charge. Bill Heath and Reed Lockhart. Bill didnt like me or what I had in mind. He left. My Dad said "You are pretty smart. You think you have all the answers. I'll give you 12 months. If you grow the business you get another year. If you dont you are gone" My first year we grew by 75% and the second I doubled the 175% and there was never another conversation about my job security.

I look back on it and wonder why I didnt know enough to question that pressure. The reality is that I didnt feel any.

 

[Eggman]

BP - like many others here, I really enjoy reading the histories and stories you post. Thank you. As a business owner - I appreciate the insights on business values, priorities and the shifts in paradigms. I heard Clint Hurdle - the manager of the Rockies - speak the other day, and he said something with a similar tone to what you said above.

He said he knew the Rockies had talent - they all had faith that great things would happen - but they just didn't know when - they just went for it - played their best - and Clint said he just got out of the way. Results for the Rockies turned out well (though I wish the final outcome was different). Anyway - sounds a bit like your story. Great idea, strong belief in what you were doing, great team, and let it run!

Thanks again.

 

[KennethB]

It's always cool when Poppa tells stories. Thanks.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Thanks for this stuff BP, it's fascinating. You are too modest though, you were there man, and you are a part of history during an incredible time. Keep going sir; your life story has many more chapters.

 

[theoldmiami]

BP - Thank you for being so gracious and answering these questions with thoughtful responses (and quickly)!

 

[bovinehost]

I think he is a wonderful man and a true genius. Who knows, maybe I was dead wood?

Uh huh. Dead wood, indeed. I learned quickly enough how involved you are. Most of the forumites, if they're paying attention, realize you aren't just there for sex appeal. Or your culinary skills.

I just like to get you talking about Dudley. He is the ultimate low-key, behind-the-scenes guy. Must be that Minnesota thang he's got going.

And Dan Norton - I wish Dan Norton would give us a "Story of the Month" post. And maybe include pie recipes. (Not scuba adventures.)

I have had to deal with people thinkng that I am just lucky body fluid all my life. It goes with the territory. I still get it.

Exactly why I asked the question about your dad's involvement with Music Man.

People my age, especially guitar players, considered the name "Ernie Ball" an integral part of our lives. When I was a teenager, there was never any question about what strings went on your guitar. Our practice space was littered with EB string packaging, always.

I think, though, that what transpired with the instruments after 1984 is just as interesting, if not moreso, as what happened early on with the string business.

Jackie

 

[mynan]

Thanks BP for all the insight...much appreciated. Makes me love my bass (soon to be basses), not just because they play and sound great, but also because I can appreciate their heritage and the effort and the guts that went into making them what they are.

Also, thanks Jack for asking the questions for those of us like me who generally suck at it.

Also, I agree with the "enough about evh" comment. After seeing the "frankenstein guitar" promo on YouTube, I kinda just feel sorry for the guy.

 

[MrMusashi]

@frankenstein promo on utube... it sure makes me wonder.. if that was the "prepared" and controlled world of commercials.. how the fark is real life??

oh well.. "same same" as my youngest kid use to say when he doesnt care for the question asked

this is like being a kid again, being told exciting stories before goin to bed! i LOVE it!!

MrM

 

[kbaim]

More terrific stuff.

Also interesting to see how much scott ball looks like sterling did back in the eddie days.

 

[mcvinyl]

These are always my favourite threads, I love hearing of these things from the people who were there.

Thanks heaps B.P.

 

[NorM]

Backstabbing, Dirty Laundry, If it bleeds, it leads. All of these are really easy to get caught up in and personally I try to avoid these situations.

It's undeniable that artist product endorsement draws masses to brands. But it's the quality of the product that keeps them coming back. Ever find yourself saying I need another pair of Air Jordan's

But really the success stories are just like wow.
I liked the "Maybe I'm just dead wood" comment. The word figurehead comes to mind for some reason. Recognizing the importance of branding to carry on the logo and stuff is cool but I think Sterling is only adding to that with his character and actions. It is interesting to me to see how it is playing out.

For me, the clinics given by the artists are far and away the most influential and best advertising I have ever seen. I can easily trace my infatuation with Music Man Guitars to a Steve Morse clinic. Best guitar lesson ever. An hour of Steve's time sold 15 guitars.

Is there anything you could say about these?
How did these come about?
How do the artists feel about them? (Man it would be cool if Luke, Steve, LaRue, or JP chimed in here)
What do you think or are you indifferent?
What would have to happen to have more of these?
There is just alot that I don't know that I don't know here. But it was such a point in my life that I wish I could understand it better.

 

[Big Poppa]

Backstabbing, Dirty Laundry, If it bleeds, it leads. All of these are really easy to get caught up in and personally I try to avoid these situations.

It's undeniable that artist product endorsement draws masses to brands. But it's the quality of the product that keeps them coming back. Ever find yourself saying I need another pair of Air Jordan's

But really the success stories are just like wow.
I liked the "Maybe I'm just dead wood" comment. The word figurehead comes to mind for some reason. Recognizing the importance of branding to carry on the logo and stuff is cool but I think Sterling is only adding to that with his character and actions. It is interesting to me to see how it is playing out.

For me, the clinics given by the artists are far and away the most influential and best advertising I have ever seen. I can easily trace my infatuation with Music Man Guitars to a Steve Morse clinic. Best guitar lesson ever. An hour of Steve's time sold 15 guitars.

Is there anything you could say about these?
How did these come about?
How do the artists feel about them? (Man it would be cool if Luke, Steve, LaRue, or JP chimed in here)
What do you think or are you indifferent?
What would have to happen to have more of these?
There is just alot that I don't know that I don't know here. But it was such a point in my life that I wish I could understand it better.

I love GOOD clinics! I love Steve's and JP's especially. I Love it when the dealers really work it and make it happen much like Pete and Nick do. The worst is to put your artists in a bad situation with an indifferent or innattentive dealer.

The scheduling used to be easier. WIth these guys getting so much work and so few days off and growing families it just gets harder to pull them off.

 

[Beth]

Uh huh. Dead wood, indeed. I learned quickly enough how involved you are. Most of the forumites, if they're paying attention, realize you aren't just there for sex appeal. Or your culinary skills.

I just like to get you talking about Dudley. He is the ultimate low-key, behind-the-scenes guy. Must be that Minnesota thang he's got going.

And Dan Norton - I wish Dan Norton would give us a "Story of the Month" post. And maybe include pie recipes. (Not scuba adventures.)



Exactly why I asked the question about your dad's involvement with Music Man.

People my age, especially guitar players, considered the name "Ernie Ball" an integral part of our lives. When I was a teenager, there was never any question about what strings went on your guitar. Our practice space was littered with EB string packaging, always.

I think, though, that what transpired with the instruments after 1984 is just as interesting, if not moreso, as what happened early on with the string business.

Jackie

Our back bedroom when I was growing up was also littered with Slinky pink packages. My brother (God rest his soul) was an avid guitar player in the San Luis Obispo area back in the late 80's early 90's and only played EB's. It was kinda serendipitous that I would end up working at this company and proudly selling these awesome products worldwide.

I cannot explain all of the adventures of working for Sterling Ball in these past 8 years, but what I can say is that he is the best mentor I've ever had. I am grateful for the relatively short amount of time I spent in the company while Ernie was still alive (I'll never forget the first day he came in with a walker. He told me that he was going to "hot rod" it out and paint flames on it, lol!). What is even better, though is watching the company grow and mature and seeing Brian and Scotty grow and mature with it -- and knowing that they have also been mentored by the best in the biz too.

 

[Big Poppa]

very kind beth thanks!

 

[koogie2k]

I love these stories and being honored that Big Poppa likes to share these personal stories with us. Thanks.....

 

[Colin]

I love these stories and being honored that Big Poppa likes to share these personal stories with us. Thanks.....

Koogie your stories where great to hear too, makes me think things differently when I read the newspaper.

 

[fogman]

love your stories BP!

 

[Aussie Mark]

very kind beth thanks!

Is it annual salary review time?

 

[Spudmurphy]

BP - a great insight indeed - thanks.

I would love it if Dudley would chime in ? - maybe bounce a few memories about?