Question EBMM Custom Guitars? (BP Don't Hate Me :)

[Slav123]

Since I'm a product manager by trade, I always think about how to re-use existing products and technology without additional costs to the co. and in the end give your clients more options for potential revenue growth. With that in mind, I thought that it would be really cool to pick the neck you want with the body and hardware + pickups you want as a custom order from the factory via an on-line EBMM order form. For example, I love the Luke body, electronics and hardware but, I can't get into the V neck (my first EBMM was a Luke 1 back in the late 90's that I ended up selling, I got back into EBMM when I fell in love with the Axis necks). So the custom order option should allow you to select a production Luke body, hardware and electronics (although the pickups can be active EMG or passive Dimarzio with silent circuitry) with an Axis or even an Al neck. The usual color/top and fretboard options can be selected too.

So basically, have a custom shop option via a retailer or on-line where you can select from a list of in-production necks, bodies, electronics and hardware. The headstock would have the usual EBMM logo with the word Custom on it (instead of Luke, Axis, or an Artist Signature). Since everything is still based on production models and parts there shouldn't be a need for additional routes or major wood working changes. What does everyone else think?

Slav

 

[Ernieballplayer]

Well i wish, and i would love to buy another EB model's, & i have tried the others but im so used to my morse's neck, but it would be nice to have a custom EB to your exact specs

 

[bovinehost]

You know, I was....oh, hey, look - it's the Goodyear Blimp.

 

[Slav123]

You know, I was....oh, hey, look - it's the Goodyear Blimp.

Was that a TX thing?

Slav

 

[Big Poppa]

Slav I know that you are relatively new but once a week a relatively new guy finds a new twist to make us something we cannot be. I stand corrected we could be but you and others here would be priced out of the market.....There are now over 130,000 build codes and it isnt enough...Every guitar is built to order...they essentially custom made.

I have to ignore most of these and really understand jacks blimp comment...Whats the point and would you really buy it or just put pressure on me to offer it?

Use the search function and look at what some peoples dream guitar is.....many are just so horrendous that I couldnt put my name on it.

Youactually know this because you say "bp dont hate me for this thread" I dont hate anyone but I cannot believe that smart people cannot see that what they are asking for would put me out of business.

 

[KoreyD]

D.I.Y. It would be pretty easy to Frankenstein what you describe. It wouldn't be cheap, but as BP says, it wouldn't be cheap if he did it either. Just sayin' if you Really want it that bad - it's doable.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

MM guitars sort of are already custom shop. You can already order exactly what you want (with some restrictions) I look at them as a huge bargain. Why? I am overly picky and HAVE to play a guitar before buying one. So I have the option to find what I want and if I want....maybe haggle (if asking what the cash price would be is haggling). We all have seen the other custom shop companies out there. Personally, I believe that they offer lower value and I have found several custom shop guitars used (barely used) for a good discount (25% of what the original cost was and even lower). The upside is that if you want a completely horrid guitar, go ahead and order it how you want it from a custom. You'll receive your $1000 guitar (for $5250) and have a one of a kind guitar that only you could love. Most of the companies who offer this service (not all) will have their standard guitars which come one way and one way only. There are a few who are essentially custom guitar companies who get slow and build on spec and then offer them as "stock" guitars. (you know who I mean).

I like things as they are now. Oh look.....the goodyear blimp. hahaha

jack

 

[bovinehost]

MM guitars sort of are already custom shop.

Okay, since this is maybe the 50th or 60th time we've done this recently, I suggest:

a. search forums for term "custom shop"
b. read this thread again
c. take four....oh, mmmm, something shiny.

 

[Slav123]

Slav I know that you are relatively new but once a week a relatively new guy finds a new twist to make us something we cannot be. I stand corrected we could be but you and others here would be priced out of the market.....There are now over 130,000 build codes and it isnt enough...Every guitar is built to order...they essentially custom made.

I have to ignore most of these and really understand jacks blimp comment...Whats the point and would you really buy it or just put pressure on me to offer it?

Use the search function and look at what some peoples dream guitar is.....many are just so horrendous that I couldnt put my name on it.

Youactually know this because you say "bp dont hate me for this thread" I dont hate anyone but I cannot believe that smart people cannot see that what they are asking for would put me out of business.

I really appreciate your thorough response and most of all your time BP. I currently own 4 EBMM guitars and although I'm new to this forum I have been playing and enjoying EBMM guitars since the 90's. I have read and participated in the " wish guitar " posts but they were just that, wish guitar posts. I guess that it comes down to one big question, can you match up any production neck to any production body as a custom request?

From a business perspective, how is Carvin able to offer an on-line create your own guitar request and purchase and at the same time keep their costs manageable so the consumer doesn't pay a bundle? I'm not trying to compare EBMM to Carvin since the build and quality (plus the look and usability) of EBMM guitars are the best but, I think that more folks would buy an EBMM guitar if they had a choice of at least their favorite EBMM production neck matched up to their favorite EBMM production body. I always hear about people selling their EBMM guitar or trading them for another EBMM guitar due to preferable neck or body reasons. Again, I'm a huge fan and you have one of the best customer service departments in the industry (which is unheard of these days), I'm just trying to see if there is a way for us the end users/consumers to enjoy and hold on to your guitars even more so and for you to keep on going (in these crazy financial times) by offering a choice of existing production body/neck options and keeping your cost low at the same time.

Thanks again,
Slav

 

[Mike Y]

I was at a seminar about a month ago where one statement that stuck with me is "You need a custom shop when your regular production sucks".........

 

[Slingy]

I agree that the artist models should only come the way the artist likes them, or else they wouldn't be artist models would they?

 

[bkrumme]

This argument will just keep going forever. I restrained myself from commenting, but I have to say something now.

I wouldn't imagine there are many people who would actually fork out the cash to have a Luke neck on a Silhouette or a JP neck on an AL. The price would be outrageous due to all sorts of factors you're not paying attention to.

You have to take into consideration the differences between the guitars other than just neck profiles and body shapes. The pieces aren't just interchangeable like you suggest. There's more that goes into building a guitar than just throwing a neck on a body with a trem and some strings with good pickups. There's this thing called scale length that we have to pay attention to. If you were to slap a Silo Spec neck on a JP, it would sound awful because you wouldn't be able to intone the guitar. Same thing with putting an AL neck on an Axis for instance. Each of the guitars are an engineered tool and when you start messing with them you start messing with the engineering behind them. My guess is you'd be disappointed even if you decided to make a "frankenstein" with your favorite parts.

Besides that, the AL, JP, SM, and Luke are all signature guitars. Put a different neck on them and they're not a signature guitar any more. That leaves the Axis/Axis SS/Silo/Silo Spec as customizable guitars...plus the bass line. At that point it's really not worth it. It would take a TON of money just to sell a FEW guitars...no thanks. From a business perspective...at least in the guitar industry...this makes absolutely NO sense.

 

[luv]

i like what they offer now.

 

[megaroel]

I was at a seminar about a month ago where one statement that stuck with me is "You need a custom shop when your regular production sucks".........

funny as hell

 

[brasco68]

Wow is this a tired subject. If I didn't like what BP and crew offered..I just wouldn't buy it. There are so many choices, if you don't lke one thing...I can't imagine you wouldn't be able to find something offered that suits your preference.

 

[Big Poppa]

FIrst off you compare us to carvin...They dont offer what we do They dont have to sell it to a distributor (international only) and then a dealer who each make a margin.... They sell direct to consumer...apples to oranges.

Your particular request is never going to happen unless an artist requests it as in my book the integrity of our signature guitars is top of the list of things that cannot change.

The problem with custom or modded stuff is that the brand gets tarnished when you go to sell it. Someone buys it on ebay and then realizes that it isnt anything like the Stilhouette that he thought he was getting. A camaro is a camaro....a S550 is an s550
there are reasonable options but none that change the basic model

 

[Slav123]

FIrst off you compare us to carvin...They dont offer what we do They dont have to sell it to a distributor (international only) and then a dealer who each make a margin.... They sell direct to consumer...apples to oranges.

Your particular request is never going to happen unless an artist requests it as in my book the integrity of our signature guitars is top of the list of things that cannot change.

The problem with custom or modded stuff is that the brand gets tarnished when you go to sell it. Someone buys it on ebay and then realizes that it isnt anything like the Stilhouette that he thought he was getting. A camaro is a camaro....a S550 is an s550
there are reasonable options but none that change the basic model

Understood, thanks BP!

All the best,
Slav

 

[sickindian]

I can imagine 1000 people asking for custom job = mess! as simple as that!

Its rather hate it or love it

 

[sixtyfour]

There's this thing called scale length that we have to pay attention to.

I thought all the EBMM guitars (except the bari) are 25 1/2"?

 

[Slav123]

I can imagine 1000 people asking for custom job = mess! as simple as that!

Its rather hate it or love it

Trust me, I love it! and that's why I have 4 Axis guitars (plus more come in the future). A few folks took my questions and thoughts a little too personally but hey that's what this forum is for - thoughts, suggestions, Q&A and some fun. I'll try to have a fun post next time, Hey look a blimp...

Slav