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58super

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Mississauga, Ontario
Look at some of the custom shop stuff from the other cos. They limit colour and configuration tightly for both production and custom shop items. You have your choice of black, white or sunburst.
 

RobertB

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Denver area.
Thanks guys for your perspectives. Believe me, as I wrote that post, I felt pretty darn sure it was ground that had been covered here before. But I suppose I still wanted to "get it off my chest", so I could stop boring you all by talking about my fantasies of a 20th Ann. SR4. =)
 

58super

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Thanks guys for your perspectives. Believe me, as I wrote that post, I felt pretty darn sure it was ground that had been covered here before. But I suppose I still wanted to "get it off my chest", so I could stop boring you all by talking about my fantasies of a 20th Ann. SR4. =)

20th Anniversary SR4s show up on ebay from time to time for less than $3K.
 

bovinehost

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I have to tell you, BP, after I read that, I gave a little golf clap.

For you, that was like War and Peace!

(And you should see his emails.)
 

KennethB

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Stavanger, Norway
Look at some of the custom shop stuff from the other cos. They limit colour and configuration tightly for both production and custom shop items. You have your choice of black, white or sunburst.

Exactly. So how much of a "custom shop" is it really? "We do relicing here!"

Terms like "custom" and "regular prodution" is pretty much meaningless the way they are used a lot of the time.
Either a bass is good or it's not.
Personally I don't miss a EBMM "custom shop", the choices that are already there is good enough for me. But if it were to happen I would definitively welcome it. Nothing bad about more choices for everyone.

Hey, when I think about it, I think my 20th SR5 has the words "custom made" on the neck plate. Wow, that is like so cool!;)
 
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Smallmouth_Bass

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Montreal, Canada
Okay, so I don't know exactly what goes into the production of an instrument, but wouldn't the option of offering a different pickguard be relatively easy? The templates are done (I hope!) and it would just be a matter of changing the material, no? And if they are made to order, you wouldn't have to have them in inventory, maybe with the exception of the pickguard blanks.

I take it the above example is just to show the significant possibilities of a minor option. I can't imagine trying to manage options such as neck widths, pickup configurations and custom paint jobs!

Personally, I think that having the BFRs, Anniversary models and Limited Editions are a good balance between production models and unique "customs" without going overboard.
 

58super

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Messages
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Okay, so I don't know exactly what goes into the production of an instrument, but wouldn't the option of offering a different pickguard be relatively easy? The templates are done (I hope!) and it would just be a matter of changing the material, no? And if they are made to order, you wouldn't have to have them in inventory, maybe with the exception of the pickguard blanks.

I take it the above example is just to show the significant possibilities of a minor option. I can't imagine trying to manage options such as neck widths, pickup configurations and custom paint jobs!

Personally, I think that having the BFRs, Anniversary models and Limited Editions are a good balance between production models and unique "customs" without going overboard.

My method for custom pickguard choices is to order a non upcharge black or white guard and order one of my choice from Chandler.
 

RobertB

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Denver area.
rl thats all I et? I got carpel tunnel writing that thread!~

Holy crap, BP, I assumed that was cut & paste! =)
No seriously, I appreciate your taking the time to point (and type!) that out, and I do understand your viewpoint. Like I said, I'm not complaining ... just whining a little bit.

BTW, I was also a little abbreviated this morning, 'cause I needed to get the kid off to school. But of COURSE I had to check the forum first, ya know. =)

~Robert
 

RobertB

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Denver area.
20th Anniversary SR4s show up on ebay from time to time for less than $3K.

I know & believe me, I keep my eye on 'em. But the figuring varies significantly among those, and I've never seen one pop up on ebay that's got the figuring I'm looking for & that I know exists. I've seen photos of some AMAZING ones, and that's what I'm holding out for. But not surprisingly, those emerge much less often (like I said - haven't seen one yet).

And when I said $3000, I meant a new/custom order, specifically.

Thx,
Robert
 

bassmonkeee

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Apr 25, 2004
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Decatur, GA
So, is it wrong of me to point out to BP that they don't currently offer fretless Stingrays with two mag pickups and piezos? :D




*runs away*
 

AtomicPunk

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Oct 23, 2007
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250
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Detroit Suburbs, MI
After dealing with Rickenbacker, which is basically "our way or the highway"...the EBMM line FEELS like a custom shop to me, with all those options. Be thankful for what you've got, EBMM Lovers!!
 

drTStingray

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Location
Kent, United Kingdom
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
Goodness that's the longest post I've ever seen - did you really type that, BP!!

Point well made though - the range of colours and options available on MM basses is second to none - and you get a top quality bass with great sound for a reasonable price (and if a Stingray) a classic instrument made to modern quality standards - so what more can you ask - WELL........I wish I could have had a birds eye maple neck on my blue dawn LE2007 SR4HH - that would have been the icing on a superb cake.

Before I knew better i once tried to get a Fender dealer to order me a lake placid blue P bass - and was politely told to **** ***. So why do they list the colour in the catalogue then???!!

I think you more or less got it right BP - you're way ahead of the competition, for sure.
 
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