I have finally bought my first SR5.
I said finally because I have an interesting story.
Part I:
A while ago I decided to buy a SR5 and went to the local dealer (the only Music Man dealer in my country). They didn't have one. I asked if I can order one, the answer was yes but I had to wait 3 to 6 months and they also asked a ridicolous price and I had to pay one third of the total amount as downpayment. I asked when they will be ordering new SRs to sell, the answer was within 3 to 6 months. Instead of a downpayment I decided to wait, left my telephone number, told them "I am a serious buyer and let me know before you order, so I may specify the options I want". Time passed and noone called. One day I visited their store and to my horror there was a fretless SR. I talked to the rep, reminding him that they were supposed to call me before they order. The guy remembered me, said they're sorry that they forgot and suggested me to buy the fretless one and have it fretted. I simply smiled without telling him that (1) I wanted a SR5 (2) Fretless SRs have pau ferro fingerboard, fretted ones are either rosewood or maple. I asked him if I can order one now, hoping that they will try to rectify their mistake, the answer again was "yes, but you'll have to make a downpayment and wait 3 to 6 months". I left the store.
Part II:
I decided to check online retailers in US. Most turned me down saying that EB has a strict policy against selling SRs overseas. At the end I practically begged one of them, and he agreed sending me my SR5 provided that I will not register to EB and not mention their name (that's a promise I made and I won't mention that dealer's name). My SR5 arrived in very good shape in only 3 days, and I paid less money than I would have paid locally.
Conclusion:
I understand and respect EB's policy. But it is clear that this policy is not working in my country. Trying to protect dealers is a must, but first you have to select your dealers very carefully. I also understand that my country is a very small market for EB, although I know a lot of bassists trying to get their hands on a SR but they can't.
Final thoughts:
My SR5 rocks and it's worth the hassle and every dollar I've spent.
Cheers
I said finally because I have an interesting story.
Part I:
A while ago I decided to buy a SR5 and went to the local dealer (the only Music Man dealer in my country). They didn't have one. I asked if I can order one, the answer was yes but I had to wait 3 to 6 months and they also asked a ridicolous price and I had to pay one third of the total amount as downpayment. I asked when they will be ordering new SRs to sell, the answer was within 3 to 6 months. Instead of a downpayment I decided to wait, left my telephone number, told them "I am a serious buyer and let me know before you order, so I may specify the options I want". Time passed and noone called. One day I visited their store and to my horror there was a fretless SR. I talked to the rep, reminding him that they were supposed to call me before they order. The guy remembered me, said they're sorry that they forgot and suggested me to buy the fretless one and have it fretted. I simply smiled without telling him that (1) I wanted a SR5 (2) Fretless SRs have pau ferro fingerboard, fretted ones are either rosewood or maple. I asked him if I can order one now, hoping that they will try to rectify their mistake, the answer again was "yes, but you'll have to make a downpayment and wait 3 to 6 months". I left the store.
Part II:
I decided to check online retailers in US. Most turned me down saying that EB has a strict policy against selling SRs overseas. At the end I practically begged one of them, and he agreed sending me my SR5 provided that I will not register to EB and not mention their name (that's a promise I made and I won't mention that dealer's name). My SR5 arrived in very good shape in only 3 days, and I paid less money than I would have paid locally.
Conclusion:
I understand and respect EB's policy. But it is clear that this policy is not working in my country. Trying to protect dealers is a must, but first you have to select your dealers very carefully. I also understand that my country is a very small market for EB, although I know a lot of bassists trying to get their hands on a SR but they can't.
Final thoughts:
My SR5 rocks and it's worth the hassle and every dollar I've spent.
Cheers
