For Pop and Fans.

[musicmankixazz]

Hey all,

So I walked into my local guitar shop and looked around, see three supersport's and that's it. I played on them and liked them of course, but I asked the owner why he didn't have any other models in stock. He said, "Musicman guitars are nice guitars but they just don't sell very well and we don't want to invest a lot of money in them vs. a Fender Strat or Gibson Les Paul because those are sure sellers".

I was disappointed to hear that obviously and the owner was getting a lot of business that day regardless of the brands he had in there. (talking high end stuff mostly). but it was just a shame because he put down the value of the musicman product because its not a "sure seller" in his opinion.

Too bad these people are all getting ripped off, but I guess it's hard to beat the Fender and Gibson names in the market?

 

[leftyguitarblue]

The other day Bp said this;

"where there is limited supply there will be limited exposure....and enlightenment."

That sums it up perfectly. F&G are huge, everyone, even my mom, knows what a Les Paul is. EBMM offers an alternative. A far superior one at that. We know how great they are and I tell as many people as I can. While I would love to see EBMM be as big as those other companies, it's nice being a part of this smaller, smarter, better equipped family.

 

[koogie2k]

I was disappointed to hear that obviously and the owner was getting a lot of business that day regardless of the brands he had in there. (talking high end stuff mostly). but it was just a shame because he put down the value of the musicman product because its not a "sure seller" in his opinion.

I wouldn't call that putting down the value of the Musicman product. Honestly, he is right. I would expect Gibby and Fender to sell more product than Musicman. They have been around forever and have been seen by more people than all other makes combined. He is only talking from a selling point of view. I have seen several EB's in local stores and most of the kids go to the Fender or Gibby to play. Mainly, the lower end models as that is what they can afford.

Moms and Dads (unless the kid is really convincing and good) will only drop a few hundred on a guitar/bass as they don't see the difference in quality, tone, CS, and all that good stuff. They don't hear or feel the difference. The only feel the difference in their wallet.

I think with the Sterling line more EBMM's will get noticed as the Sterling line will be in a better price point to compete with the entry to mid-level Gibbys and Fenders. The (I am sure, but, going un-played opinion here) Sterling line will be of a better build quality and tonally better. Provided said new person gets into playing and wants to upgrade...possibilities are there they will upgrade to the Musicman line.

 

[azazael]

Well my local big store doesn't seem to get anymore in at all.
They had a few that seemed to sit on wall for ages but just now there is only a 2nd hand Supersport there and its vastly overpriced so I don't see it going anywhere.
I remember I was in shop and a guy was enquiring about the MM guitars and the assistant said something like "oh they are good but not as well made as these *moves customer to the gibson/PRS area of store* ... I had to contain my rage. I was gonna confront him!! lol

And the shop wonders why they don't sell??

 

[bkrumme]

The big stores aren't going to carry too many instruments that won't sell quickly. It just isn't profitable for them. They will carry what sells and a small amount of what doesn't. There is a greater argument for this case in the small stores. Without sales, the small stores don't even survive.

The bottom line is this: The stores pay to keep an inventory. If they have too many of one thing, they have to sell it cheaper to get it out the door. This is good for the consumer but bad for the store. Fender and Gibson/Epiphone are all you see right now because the price is right and they can afford to mass produce cheap Korean guitars by the thousands. All the while, the quality has been sacrificed.

We're lucky that Big Poppa and the rest of the Music Man family are sticking to quality with each and every instrument that leaves the SLO factory. It shows a commitment to the artists and the craft.

I have high hopes for the Sterling line of instruments. I hope they can fill the void where we desperately need an inexpensive yet still high-quality instrument.

 

[Slingy]

I've seen stores that don't have anything good at all, from any brand.