EBMM Bass Custom Shop?

[Deacon John]

Will EBMM do special orders? For example, I'd like a SR 4 but with the old style nut, maybe smaller frets. Is this possible?

Thanks,

D J

 

[kevin]

HI Deacon...welcome to the EB/MM Forum!!!

We don't do any custom work above and beyond what is actually an available option. Which narrows it down to about 100,000 possible combinations of instruments.

Hope you hang out and have some fun, we have a great group of folks around here!

 

[bassmonkeee]

"Custom Shops are for when your regular production instruments suck."

Or, something.

 

[58super]

"Custom Shops are for when your regular production instruments suck."

Or, something.

A very wise man said that a while ago.

 

[Sonnyonbass]

And my SR5 really does play and (very important) sound better than a LOT of those so called custom instruments. Maybe I'm biased.

You can always buy a stock instrument and let some1 else put in different frets or something.
But why would you?

 

[KennethB]

"Custom Shops are for when your regular production instruments suck."

Or, something.

This is not really true. Most of the time unsaid companies' custom shops' production suck in equal amounts as unsaid companies' regular production.

 

[58super]

This is not really true. Most of the time unsaid companies' custom shops' production suck in equal amounts as unsaid companies' regular production.

I recently played an example of such a company's product in this case a $2200 custom shop guitar that had the strings binding in the nut just as bad as one of their $350 guitars. Both wouldn't stay in tune without some file work.

 

[oli@bass]

Will EBMM do special orders? For example, I'd like a SR 4 but with the old style nut, maybe smaller frets. Is this possible?

Thanks,

D J

Try the Music Man Basses For Sale thread to get a mint older model. And eBay. You could also post in Wanted To Buy.

That being said, I also miss a bit the customizing part of the EBMM production... but I understand the cost vs value vs quality impact a real custom shop would have.

 

[RobertB]

"Custom Shops are for when your regular production instruments suck."

Or, something.

Not to start a religious war, but I disagree. Custom shops can also be for when some of your customers/enthusiasts specifically value having something that thousands of others don't have, in addition to everything they love about the regular production instruments. And I wouldn't bash anyone for that - it's just another subjective thing. And EB obviously recognizes and caters to that to an extent, with the various limited editions, etc..., which I view as sort of a "compromise" between that desire some customers have for uniqueness & the economic factors in favor of "mass production".

~Rob

 

[Brim]

EBMM doesn't need a custom shop when they're banking buko bucks on these annual limited editions as well as their overall variety of options. It would just slow down production and raise the price of the standard production basses. Just my opinion...BP should chime in.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Yeah, and then they could make some 5-strings with 19mm spacing at the bridge!

 

[bovinehost]

Not to start a religious war, but I disagree.

It's hard to start a religious war when the only combatants would be us.

You may disagree, but the quote about custom shops being for when your regular production sucks? That was a BP quote.

You could even get it on a coffee cup!

Ernie Ball Custom Shop Mug > bovinehost2 | CafePress

Custom shops can also be for when some of your customers/enthusiasts specifically value having something that thousands of others don't have, in addition to everything they love about the regular production instruments.

The BFR instruments should fill that niche nicely without going the "custom shop" route. It may not be exactly what you're thinking about, but once you look at one, it might be exactly what you want.

You have to look at it from the factory standpoint, too, to understand why not. I mean, I'm with you, don't get me wrong - I'd love to be able to call up SLO and say, "I want a purple sparkle Bongo with exhaust pipes".

You bet! But from what I understand, they can't produce regular stock and BFRs fast enough to fill the demand. Something is going very, very right.

I've learned to never say never (see: Bongo 6), but I don't expect to see additional space rented, positions staffed, exhaust pipes purchased in the near future. The instrument factory is the size it needs to be and a true custom shop would almost certainly have to be a separate entity. Maybe BP will weigh in and tell you I'm full of doo-doo, but I think I'm pretty close to right, anyway.

Jack

 

[bovinehost]

Yeah, and then they could make some 5-strings with 19mm spacing at the bridge!

Shut up!

 

[RobertB]

Right on, Jack. Points well taken. And I actually meant to convey the opinion that the BFR's & other limited edition runs are a GOOD compromise/solution/response to the demand that exists for more unique instruments.

By "religious war", I just meant that I'm aware & respectful of the strong opinions we EBMM lovers have, and that it's not my intention to join this fine forum and then start stepping on toes.

So the quote is from BP, huh? That's damn good marketing, then!

 

[Big Poppa]

Listen if the motivation for a custom shop was to truly serve the customer then fine...you decide. There are some examples of the custom shop only reason for existance is to supply a playable instrument...its all ver the road..there are two Japanese companies that have a large presence that has the artists guitar s made in a litle shop in hollywood......

 

[Psychicpet]

and not to mention another company that I've heard has 1 guy do the artist builds... I think they're near some big river in the US... a coupla Ss a 'coupla Ps in it....

 

[RobertB]

Just another point to add here. Of course it goes without saying (funny how that phrase always precedes "it" being said anyway), that the desire for custom stuff is motivated by the exact same love & appreciation of these instruments as we all have. It's not at all a criticism of the existing business model, atleast from my perspective. But another part of my perspective is that you've got a guy sitting here who's willing to pay upwards of $3000 for a custom-ordered SR4 with the 20th Ann. specs, for example, you know? So there's just a little bit of frustration that goes along with that - again, not criticism or negativity, but the kind of frustration that's associated with wanting something that's not available - just wishing the option was there, yet understanding why it's not, from the business perspective. So that's where I'm coming from on the topic.

 

[oli@bass]

I think I'm in a similar position like ribates99 is. It's less that I want exhaust pipes, but to be able to have options available that EBMM already has in their arsenal... select body wood regardless of colour, alternative woods (e.g. mahogany), custom colours, factory build with graphite neck, string-through-body bridge (killer would be to have a dual loading bridge, so you can string them how you like -- or depending on length of available strings).

I got some of what I'm looking for by hunting down a 2001 NAMM 'Ray (silver, graphite neck, string-thru), but frankly, the production quality is not exactly as good as the 2007 Dargie 'Ray I have... and my money went towards an already sold product instead of feeding the good guys at SLO today.

Maybe it would be pointless for me if EBMM had custom orders, because it wouldn't be availble from Switzerland anyway...or over the top expensive (but that's a whole other discussion which is not to be held here).

 

[bovinehost]

Of course it goes without saying that the desire for custom stuff is motivated by the exact same love & appreciation of these instruments as we all have. It's not at all a criticism of the existing business model

I understand that 100 percent. The desire for an instrument built to individual specifications, or, in my case, ugly sparkly paint and exhaust pipes, is completely understandable. There's no reason at all for anyone to be flamed or dismissed or for a 'religious war' to start.

Those of us who've been around for a while have either had this discussion with BP and the SLO crew or have watched it be discussed more than a few times. (Thus the EBMM Custom Shop Coffee Cup.)

Nothing wrong with expressing your wishes. Just keep in mind that it may have been discussed already and the 'regulars' may already know the background story.

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

Please understand that making guitars and basses in the USA to begin with is a difficult proposition. IF that becomes your foundation it may make it easier for you to understand our balance between our mission of providing musicians with their tools and basic survival.

IF the public understood that as it is we are a manufacturing marvel in that we can offer so many choices for a reasonable price relative to the other comestic manufacturers. WE star with a committed and talented workforce in planning, purchasing and manufacture. Next is a careful investkment in technology. Third we dont carry inventory. Esentially every instrument is made to order.

As it has men mentioned we have over 100,000 combinatons of instruments and options. Your one change that you desire may some day see the light of day if it becomes signifgant to a larger part of the buying public.

If I offer a new pickguard to a sting ray....

It is:
A maple one
a rosewood one
a two band maple
a two band rosewood
a rosewood piezo one
a maple piezo one
a maple HS
A rosewood HS
A maple hh
a rosewood hh
a maple hs piezo
a rosewood hs piezo
a maple hh piezo
a rosewood hh piezo
A fretless two band
a fretless three band
a fretless piezo
a fretless hs
a fretless hh
a fretless hs piezo
a fretless hh piezo
A 2 band maple mattching headstock
a 2 band rosewood matching headstock
a 3 band maple matching headstock
a three band rosewood matching headstock
a maple matching headstock piezo
a rosewood matching headstock piezo
a hs matching headstock maple
a hs matching headstock rosewood
a hs matching headstock maple piezo
a hs matching headstock rosewood piezo
a hh matching headstock maple
a hh matching headstock rosewood
a hh piezo matching headstock maple
a hh piezo matching headstock rosewood
a fretless unlined matching headstock
a fretless lined matching headstock
a fretless lined matching headstock piezo
a fretless unlined matching headstock piezo

there are more and then multiply that times about 20 colors...Oh wait what about lefties