Spudmurphy
Well-known member
It's a shame this thread didn't take off like I envisaged - was expecting some narrative on the various models of EB guitars - but hey, can't win 'em all.
- Thread starter Spudmurphy
- Start date
beej
Moderator
No, but kudos to you for giving a go Spud! Some real team spirit there.
LawDaddy
Well-known member
I think the thread has been interesting. I just don't have much to add. I do own several EBMM guitars and basses, but none are rare/historic etc.
But keep 'em coming!
But keep 'em coming!
dusty fretz
Member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2006
- Messages
- 15
"For the record. I approved the making of the guitar for Dusty as a favor for Alan Rogan a dear friend of the company who has always taken very good care of us. Also The Factory made the guitar. After being written out of the history of Music Man by Dusty I wasnt excited to make anything special. When you bust your ass and hard earned dollars and then the self proclaimed expert writes you out.....you may understand how I feel and will continue to feel.
BTW thanks for the thank you note.........(Maybe the mail is slow)"
Sterling, I'm sorry to hear you still feel sore about "being written out of the history of Music Man". I thought this had been covered and explained in our previous postings, but obviously not to YOUR satisfaction. I therefore must reiterate for the record that I did not do so and any such omission definitely wasn't deliberate. As I've stated before, when the book in question was being researched, no printed information was available that mentioned your personal involvement in the design of the Silhouette and indeed none has come to light since, although I've searched again following your previous complaints, but as yet unsuccessfully. I would therefore appreciate sight of this confirmatory documentation to accordingly complete and correct my archive on the company, so that I can gladly set the record straight in the future.
I could feel equally upset about your comment that I'm a "self proclaimed expert", as I've certainly NEVER made such boasts about anything, let alone Music Man, and would like to know how you arrive at this unfounded assertion. I'm simply a writer trying to do a job to the best of my ability and definitely have no delusions of grandeur concerning my expertise - I'm only too well aware I've a lot to learn, as do we all of course.
It's a pity these grievances on both sides have to be aired in a public forum, rather than PM form, but naturally I respect your strict instruction prohibiting the latter, so I have to respond here, because I feel equally strongly on the subject.
Although we seem destined to disagree, I can only apologise once again for any hurt unknowingly inflicted on you via literary endeavours, either mine or otherwise. I would also like to repeat my regard for all you've done to further my passion for the Silhouette. I have indeed already expressed appropriate appreciation concerning my latest custom example, but obviously this wasn't passed on to you, so naturally I'm saying sincere thanks again here for approving the manufacture of such an amazing one-off. I've always championed the Ernie Ball cause and will continue to do so, regardless of our personal friction, because I really rate your company and its products as among the best in the business.
BTW thanks for the thank you note.........(Maybe the mail is slow)"
Sterling, I'm sorry to hear you still feel sore about "being written out of the history of Music Man". I thought this had been covered and explained in our previous postings, but obviously not to YOUR satisfaction. I therefore must reiterate for the record that I did not do so and any such omission definitely wasn't deliberate. As I've stated before, when the book in question was being researched, no printed information was available that mentioned your personal involvement in the design of the Silhouette and indeed none has come to light since, although I've searched again following your previous complaints, but as yet unsuccessfully. I would therefore appreciate sight of this confirmatory documentation to accordingly complete and correct my archive on the company, so that I can gladly set the record straight in the future.
I could feel equally upset about your comment that I'm a "self proclaimed expert", as I've certainly NEVER made such boasts about anything, let alone Music Man, and would like to know how you arrive at this unfounded assertion. I'm simply a writer trying to do a job to the best of my ability and definitely have no delusions of grandeur concerning my expertise - I'm only too well aware I've a lot to learn, as do we all of course.
It's a pity these grievances on both sides have to be aired in a public forum, rather than PM form, but naturally I respect your strict instruction prohibiting the latter, so I have to respond here, because I feel equally strongly on the subject.
Although we seem destined to disagree, I can only apologise once again for any hurt unknowingly inflicted on you via literary endeavours, either mine or otherwise. I would also like to repeat my regard for all you've done to further my passion for the Silhouette. I have indeed already expressed appropriate appreciation concerning my latest custom example, but obviously this wasn't passed on to you, so naturally I'm saying sincere thanks again here for approving the manufacture of such an amazing one-off. I've always championed the Ernie Ball cause and will continue to do so, regardless of our personal friction, because I really rate your company and its products as among the best in the business.
Stratty316
Well-known member
BP- If I write a really nice blog can I get a custom guitar? 
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Are you really asking me to document that I was involved?
I never heard boo....Im appreciative that you have finally thanked me...
back to the thread.
I never heard boo....Im appreciative that you have finally thanked me...
back to the thread.
buckethead777
Well-known member
Exactly. But in case you didn't know, don't PM BP. He'll be mad
straycat113
Well-known member
Spud I think it is an awesome thread, and the longer it is up the more different things will appear.
Dusty I did not know their was a book on the history of EBMM, is it still in publication and what is the title.
Dusty I did not know their was a book on the history of EBMM, is it still in publication and what is the title.
dusty fretz
Member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2006
- Messages
- 15
Sterling,
I sincerely hope we're really okay now and it's a pity that my previous thanks for everything you've done on my behalf weren't conveyed to you at the time. In hindsight, perhaps I should've chosen to use this forum to express my appreciation, as it appears to be a more direct and certain method of contact!
I would naturally welcome any information you can provide concerning the actual evolution of my favourite EBMM six-string. Of course I don't doubt YOUR word, it's just that, as a writer, I must ensure my research is always based on substantiated fact, not merely on stated opinion or personal recollection only. These days the latter might be sufficient for the likes of 'accurate' entries in Wikipedia etc., but certainly not for real reference books! With this in mind, any light you can shed in the way of relevant press releases etc. from the period would be very much appreciated.
Buckethead777,
I appreciate the warning, but as I put in my reply, I was indeed well aware of BP's aversion to private messages and therefore respected his wishes accordingly. I knew PMs made him mad and, as he was obviously upset enough already, I certainly had no desire to make matters worse!
Straycat113,
Sorry to say that as yet there is no book covering the complete history of EBMM; the work in question is 'The Ultimate Guitar Book', published back in 1991. Our differences of opinion centre on a sentence included in the short caption concerning the company, shown above the photo of my blue 'Eagle' Silhouette. I note that the guitar launch date also requires amendment, being stated as 1987, whereas it's now well known that early prototypes debuted during 1985 and production commenced the following year. This necessary revision is the result of fresh facts emerging over the 20 years since the book appeared, proving the value of ongoing research and therefore my grateful acceptance of any useful information that may be provided by those most 'in the know'.
I sincerely hope we're really okay now and it's a pity that my previous thanks for everything you've done on my behalf weren't conveyed to you at the time. In hindsight, perhaps I should've chosen to use this forum to express my appreciation, as it appears to be a more direct and certain method of contact!
I would naturally welcome any information you can provide concerning the actual evolution of my favourite EBMM six-string. Of course I don't doubt YOUR word, it's just that, as a writer, I must ensure my research is always based on substantiated fact, not merely on stated opinion or personal recollection only. These days the latter might be sufficient for the likes of 'accurate' entries in Wikipedia etc., but certainly not for real reference books! With this in mind, any light you can shed in the way of relevant press releases etc. from the period would be very much appreciated.
Buckethead777,
I appreciate the warning, but as I put in my reply, I was indeed well aware of BP's aversion to private messages and therefore respected his wishes accordingly. I knew PMs made him mad and, as he was obviously upset enough already, I certainly had no desire to make matters worse!
Straycat113,
Sorry to say that as yet there is no book covering the complete history of EBMM; the work in question is 'The Ultimate Guitar Book', published back in 1991. Our differences of opinion centre on a sentence included in the short caption concerning the company, shown above the photo of my blue 'Eagle' Silhouette. I note that the guitar launch date also requires amendment, being stated as 1987, whereas it's now well known that early prototypes debuted during 1985 and production commenced the following year. This necessary revision is the result of fresh facts emerging over the 20 years since the book appeared, proving the value of ongoing research and therefore my grateful acceptance of any useful information that may be provided by those most 'in the know'.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Dusty Please stop now. You revised your book and still kept me out. Why dont you search the forum there are some good stories about the building Dudley and I sat in...The days weeks and months we worked on the silhouette..."as a writer you ensure you research....you didnt twice.
JMD
Well-known member
Gonna keep the ball rollin here with historical axe's.....would love to know more about what I can only assume is a SM prototype. ?What do the extra controls do? Looked for info in another thread...there isn't much. Scroll down to #10 scans from D.K.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/28459-very-cool-steve-morse-vid-kansas.html
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/28459-very-cool-steve-morse-vid-kansas.html
Guitarburetor
Well-known member
I just became aware of this thread and I'm excited to see some of the great pics of guitars that are showing up. I remember well forking the lacquer on that Silhouette with the splatter paint job, and if you've seen the painting of Jimi Hendrix that starts the Live At Monterey video, it felt like that! Makes me feel like I should go buy a new camera (the old one got lost) and take some pics of a couple of mine.
Regarding the development of the Silhouette guitar, I have many fond memories, and this model holds a special place in my heart, being the first new Ernie Ball Music Man instrument to be launched. So here is a bit of history and narrative about how it all came to be and is now:
Back in 1981, I was working at a very happening guitar shop in Minneapolis called Knut-Koupee'. I was building a lot of guitars, and the store sold a lot of Ernie Ball products. Sterling commissioned me to build two guitars to his specifications, one for himself and one for Ernie. I delivered them to him at the Chicago NAMM show, which is when we actually met and hit it off quite well.
Fast forward to 1984. I had moved to California and found out that Ernie Ball bought the Music Man company and was looking for guitar making talent. Long story short, I soon went to work for Ernie Ball / Music Man. The first order of business was to set up production for the Sting Ray and Sabre basses, but pretty soon Sterling came to me a said "we need to design a guitar". Discussions proved to be both painless and exciting as our visions for what this new guitar should be meshed extremely well. The first four prototypes that had a variety of options were shown at the 1985 Summer NAMM in New Orleans. By Winter NAMM 1986 we had finalized the design and features of the "Ernie Ball Music Man" guitar, which didn't officially become the Silhouette until 1987.
Over the years the R&D team has evolved from Sterling and myself, with the help of some very talented EB craftsmen, to the amazing current group of Engineers and product development staff, including Scott and Brian Ball. With the new talent we have added the possibilities for designing and producing quality cutting edge guitars and accessories is greater than ever. The key to what we have accomplished is the fact that it has always been a team, and Sterling has always been the leader, design collaborator and last word on decisions about the products we produce. He is the absolute best when it comes to working with artists and bridging the gap between wild ideas and mainstream practicality. None of this could have happened without his vision and determination. There is a reason he's known as Big Poppa...
Sterling and you, the participants on this forum, have given me high kudos over the years and I appreciate that very much. Guitars have been an insatiable passion of mine since I was 14 years old, and this is a quality Sterling and I share. I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to use my creative powers in this supportive environment all these years, and the possibilities just keep growing here. We've got a pretty impressive group of young studs and old dogs here, and more ideas than we have time to make reality. But that's OK, and we're on a roll...
Regarding the development of the Silhouette guitar, I have many fond memories, and this model holds a special place in my heart, being the first new Ernie Ball Music Man instrument to be launched. So here is a bit of history and narrative about how it all came to be and is now:
Back in 1981, I was working at a very happening guitar shop in Minneapolis called Knut-Koupee'. I was building a lot of guitars, and the store sold a lot of Ernie Ball products. Sterling commissioned me to build two guitars to his specifications, one for himself and one for Ernie. I delivered them to him at the Chicago NAMM show, which is when we actually met and hit it off quite well.
Fast forward to 1984. I had moved to California and found out that Ernie Ball bought the Music Man company and was looking for guitar making talent. Long story short, I soon went to work for Ernie Ball / Music Man. The first order of business was to set up production for the Sting Ray and Sabre basses, but pretty soon Sterling came to me a said "we need to design a guitar". Discussions proved to be both painless and exciting as our visions for what this new guitar should be meshed extremely well. The first four prototypes that had a variety of options were shown at the 1985 Summer NAMM in New Orleans. By Winter NAMM 1986 we had finalized the design and features of the "Ernie Ball Music Man" guitar, which didn't officially become the Silhouette until 1987.
Over the years the R&D team has evolved from Sterling and myself, with the help of some very talented EB craftsmen, to the amazing current group of Engineers and product development staff, including Scott and Brian Ball. With the new talent we have added the possibilities for designing and producing quality cutting edge guitars and accessories is greater than ever. The key to what we have accomplished is the fact that it has always been a team, and Sterling has always been the leader, design collaborator and last word on decisions about the products we produce. He is the absolute best when it comes to working with artists and bridging the gap between wild ideas and mainstream practicality. None of this could have happened without his vision and determination. There is a reason he's known as Big Poppa...
Sterling and you, the participants on this forum, have given me high kudos over the years and I appreciate that very much. Guitars have been an insatiable passion of mine since I was 14 years old, and this is a quality Sterling and I share. I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to use my creative powers in this supportive environment all these years, and the possibilities just keep growing here. We've got a pretty impressive group of young studs and old dogs here, and more ideas than we have time to make reality. But that's OK, and we're on a roll...
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
Dudley - thank you, thank you. Absolute gem of a post, giving an insight that few books, articles could deliver.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Thank you Dudley for all the years and wonderful collaborations...It has been a blast. I feel very safe to say that none of what we created together would look,feel or play like they did and do if we did them on our own.
I also want everyone to know that I have never ever had a cross word or difficult conversation with Dudley Gimpel. I may be Big Poppa but we call Dudley Genius. Actually sometimes we call each other that but with a smirk.
I also want everyone to know that I have never ever had a cross word or difficult conversation with Dudley Gimpel. I may be Big Poppa but we call Dudley Genius. Actually sometimes we call each other that but with a smirk.
Guitarburetor
Well-known member
Thanks, Genius!
meenahga
Well-known member
Ot
A little off topic, but what type of trem system is on the seafoam green Silo with the SSS pickup config in post #17? Thanks.
A little off topic, but what type of trem system is on the seafoam green Silo with the SSS pickup config in post #17? Thanks.
buckethead777
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing that story with us Dudley. Your work is amazing
LawDaddy
Well-known member
Another reason I love this forum!
straycat113
Well-known member
Dudley this is the first time I have ever seen you post and would just like to say we all know what you bring to EBMM. Just like Fender had Fullerton and Gibson -McCarty EB has you!
