How's your local EBMM dealer?

[candid_x]

Just had a hairball picture of a network of EBMM shops, like a Starbucks for guitar players. Low overhead, and carrying exclusively EB products. Ok, I said it was hairball.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

In case Reno, NV is of interest, I moved from there 4 years ago. Joe and Eric of Modern Guitars dipped their toes into the MM pool for a short while, along with G&L products. Joe was more interested in getting himself the most playable solid body for his gigs, and Eric switched to an EB bass. The rare other Silo Special they had in their store seemed rather a token effort to "give them a try". Unless there's a strange stroke of luck, that approach simply won't work with mid/high price range guitars, which fly beneath the radar of the main stream awareness. I think Joe and especially Eric are great guys, but their struggle to stay afloat led to them to commit to the lowest common denominator: cheap student guitars. Hard to fault these guys, though another approach may have served them better. The Reno store wound up closing. I think the Carson City store is still going.

Bizarre Guitar was the big gun in Reno, but my son has informed me that GC has opened a store. He went to their grand opening, said it was insane and noisy, which is what a grand opening should be. He didn't see any MM guitars there, but he said there were a few basses. The name Bizarre is fitting for Bizarre Guitar. Most of the help seemed like burned out guitar player wannabes, shabby appearance and not very helpful except to take your money. On occasion, if lucky that week, I'd get a salesman who actually knew what they were talking about, but it was rare indeed. Last time I was there with my kid, we asked if they carried MM guitars. They pushed Peavey down our throats, saying they're the same thing. Right. I hadn't even owned my first MM back then, but I knew better, just from the one Silo Sp. I'd played at Modern Guitar. They carry a big stock of Fenders, including high-end relics and Custom Shops, and a fair inventory of LPs, plus some PRS, if memory serves. I see a huge opportunity in Reno for MM in GC, if they make a long run commitment to carry MM.

Here in Kingman, AZ, there's a mom and pop shop, catering to the Squire parent/student crowd. Other than that, there's a shifty character who opens and closes his store based on his current dope stash. Thrilling.

I don't know what's up in Vegas, which is under a 2 hour drive from here. Maybe Pug can enlighten me. Maybe there's a GC there? I realize Kingman is too small a market to lose any sleep over, but it sure would be nice to be able to try out an AL, Luke or Morse.

I was in GC this time last year in Vegas, and they had a nice little selection of EBMM guitars. They had a Rosewood Axis and I was so tempted!

 

[5Stringer]

Here in Kingman, AZ, there's a mom and pop shop, catering to the Squire parent/student crowd. Other than that, there's a shifty character who opens and closes his store based on his current dope stash. Thrilling.

I don't know what's up in Vegas, which is under a 2 hour drive from here. Maybe Pug can enlighten me. Maybe there's a GC there? I realize Kingman is too small a market to lose any sleep over, but it sure would be nice to be able to try out an AL, Luke or Morse.

candid, if you are ever in the Prescott area, which I know is quite a ways from Kingman, there is a mom & pop store there literally called "Pops Music Shop" that does carry some of those guitars you mentioned. The owner, Bob, is a pretty stand-up guy, in my opinion, and he draws folks from all around the state - sort of an EBMM oasis, if you will. The other direction has a store in Palm Desert, Ca, that carries a pretty good selection of our guitars, and most of the guys there seem to know their stuff.

Dan

 

[rs43506]

Guys

'Keep this tread going. I really want your input. Be fair and open and include GC if they are your local. I want a crosssection of knowlegable players thouts and feelings regarding USA retail

Unfortunately your product is essentially non-existent in my area. The listed dealers carry only the bass guitars, with an occassional Luke or JP, and have zero knowledge of any music man product that is not a bass. My zip is 43506.

I really wish there was a way to get online and simply order what I want without having to deal with a dealer. I realize that your business is built around a manufacturer/dealership model, but, as I've said in another post, I have spent years trying to find an axis that I would want to purchase. The dealership business model makes sense from a marketing standpoint to get the word out about a product and allow a local place of contact for service and repair. It gives the purchaser that warm fuzzy "that's MY dealer" type attitude. In my neck of the woods, however, it totally fails in the case of music man guitars because (A) the product are never in stock and (B) the dealers are absolutely cluless about the product. I have no problem with a dealer making a decent profit off of a guitar if they are going to be a local and knowledgable source for repair and help in the future. But if the dealer knows nothing about the product prior to the purchase when he is trying to get your money, how helpful is he going to be after the purchase when he already has your money.

I am kind of picky buyer, but I have the funds to buy what I want when I want it. I don't want a shopworn instrument and I want a dealer that has some basic knowledge of what he is selling. It absolutely frustrates me to be looking at instrumetns in the $1000-$2000 price range and to know more about the product than the kid behind the counter. I'm not looking for a walking dictionary, but it would be nice if the dealer had product brochures/ordering materials newer than 2005.

As an alternative, if you had a website where I could get online and order an axis in the color I want, I would immediately purchase it. The wait time is not an issue. In the past, I spent alot of time searchng to even find an axis to try out, let alone find a dealer that had the knowledge to order one. Each and every time I became so darn frustrated that I ended up purchasing the following guitars in this order: Peavey Wolfgang Standard, Gibson Less Paul Standard, and a Fender Amercican Deluxe Strat with HB and Lockig Trem. Why did I purchase these instead of the Axis? Because I could order them online without the hassle of shop worn instruments and dealing with a clueless dealer. Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely prefer to purchase from a dealer, but the ones in my area stink.




Hope this helps! (sorry if it sounds like complaining)

 

[Astrofreq]

RS, I totally hear you. I finally played a Silo this week after looking forever to find one to play. I really wanted to play a SILO special, but I'll take what I can get.

The only dealer in NYC to my knowledge is GC. The people I've talked to don't know anything about the guitars (basses, I couldn't tell you), but guitars...nothing. I went in this week to see what they had in stock and it took me 10 minutes to FIND the music man guitar. They were practically hidden high up on this column that you walk right by as you come inside to look around. I'd say 95% of the people would never see them walking around the entire store.

I could go on for hours on how the EB website should be updated . . . like, YESTERDAY, but I won't because I know plans are the table for that. A product is only as good as it's marketing. It doesn't matter how good it is, if people don't know about it. (I don't know if that's true, but it sounds smart, so I'm sticking to it!)

 

[roburado]

As an alternative, if you had a website where I could get online and order an axis in the color I want, I would immediately purchase it. The wait time is not an issue. In the past, I spent alot of time searchng to even find an axis to try out, let alone find a dealer that had the knowledge to order one. Each and every time I became so darn frustrated that I ended up purchasing the following guitars in this order: Peavey Wolfgang Standard, Gibson Less Paul Standard, and a Fender Amercican Deluxe Strat with HB and Lockig Trem. Why did I purchase these instead of the Axis? Because I could order them online without the hassle of shop worn instruments and dealing with a clueless dealer. Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely prefer to purchase from a dealer, but the ones in my area stink.

I think a lot of people here share your frustration. So, as an alternative to not being able to get these instruments, many of us give dealers on the forum a call or an e-mail. Get in contact with Pete DuBaldo on this forum, and you can get one of the most knowledgeable dealers out there. He's regularly on this forum, which is the most up-to-date source of information on EBMM guitars.

Here is their contact information. http://dubaldomusic.com/contacts.php

You can also PM Pete here through the forum. I'm hesitant to give out his e-mail only because it's his to give out, but I'm sure he'd be happy to help you out. He's a great guy to deal with.

 

[jeffrey]

Good lord, I keep forgetting I started the monster that is this thread.

 

[somesmerized]

JR at B Street Music, in San Mateo is the man. Very nice guy, has a good selection of EBMM basses and guitars. He lets me play for hours there and is always very helpful and knowledgeable. He's also one hell of a good bass player.

 

[5Stringer]

The only dealer in NYC to my knowledge is GC.

Don't forget the boys at Royal Music .. they have a great selection and they are (IMHO) top-notch guys.



Dan

 

[5Stringer]

JR at B Street Music, in San Mateo is the man. Very nice guy, has a good selection of EBMM basses and guitars. He lets me play for hours there and is always very helpful and knowledgeable. He's also one hell of a good bass player.

Yes, it's nice to finally have some cool independent stores in the Bay area that stock our instruments and have some decent stock! nowif we could one or two in the East Bay ...

B STREET MUSIC
245 S RAILROAD AVENUE
SAN MATEO , CA 94401-000

ROCKER GUITARS
1350 HOWARD STREET
SAN FRANCISCO , CA 94103-0000

ZONE MUSIC
7884 OLD REDWOOD HWY
COTATI , CA 94931
707-664-1213

Dan

 

[Tokamana]

My local dealer (guitar factory penrith) are awesome, but they have only ever had 3 MM guitars there at once

they sold the luke, now all they have is a Petrucci mystic dream no matching head stock and a beautiful silo special.... every time i visit the store im either playing the petrucci or the silo, couldnt be bothered with the other brand names.

 

[KungFu Grip]

Even though I reported my local dealers being less than stellar ( and with BP's explanation, I can understand now), I just wanted to note how incredibly awesome Chuck Levin's Music is. I purchased my ASS Rosewood from them, as well as my Zinky Blue Velvet amp, and both purchases were outstanding. I highly recommend them to anyone in the continental US.

 

[Astrofreq]

All of us have been converted to EBMM through our experiences.

I'd say a large percentage of the people here now (myself included) play, or were introduced, to EB guitars because of a certain former endorser that we all looked up to. Keep in mind, alot of us were still teenagers when the EVH guitar came out, so that had a profound influence. We didn't play EB guitars because of marketing or store placement. I promise you that GC salesmen were just as ignorant then as they are now.

I totally agree with Sigmonds long post. GC is going to prominently display what sells. It has nothing to do with quality or preference. Kids choosing Fender or Gibson has nothing to do with 'brainwashing'. The Strokes and Green Day play those brands, so they will too. PERIOD. Same reason why most everybody on these forums is in their 30s and 40s.

 

[Big Poppa]

Ok

FIrst off if you have found the forum you can find our guitars online. We were the first to allow internet selling. Believe it or not Taylor, Fender Gibson all at first prohibited internet selling. THere's many dealers that will treat you right in addition to Pete...Washington Music Cneter Drum City/GUitarland, Bass Central just to name a few.

Radrock I think it is interesting from your perspective that since Eddie wasyour exposure to ur guitars then it must be universal. You shold lo0ok through bigger eyes. I was there for both and John Petrucci has sold more guitars than the old EVH by a ton. Also the customer for the EVH couldnt afford our guitar. JP's fans can and do. I will not allow this to continue just giving you my perspective. EVH was very improtant to us but we were also way too small back then. STill are really


Also the comment "you are only as good as your marketing" is a very shallow and not thought out comment. How much can we market a product that is sold out for 6 months in advance? Are we not good at marketing guitars then how do we become good at marketing strings? I find no good reason to spend money that I can spend in the factory to overpromote an already maxed out factory.

PLease understand that it is not always the dealers fault that there arent many in a storet. SOme dealers just dont see the value in overinvesting time and ,money in a line with limited supply.

 

[Oldtoe]

Also the customer for the EVH couldnt afford our guitar. JP's fans can and do.

Note to self: Start listening to John Petrucci in order to increase income!

 

[Jimmyb]

My first exposure to EBMM was through my friend who played bass. We went to the shop to buy a stingray and we both had a go. I was amazed that a bass could play so well, after only trying low-end stuff before then. I thought if the basses were that good, then the guitars must have been fantastic.

Then the Axis Sport came out and I was really impressed by the look of it. The reviews in the magazines were great and as soon as I got the chance (and money) I ordered one from the same shop, without even playing one first.

I've never been so instantly impressed by a guitar (apart from the 20th) and have been a happy bunny ever since.

 

[Astrofreq]

I was there for both and John Petrucci has sold more guitars than the old EVH by a ton. Also the customer for the EVH couldnt afford our guitar. JP's fans can and do.

Believe me. that is awesome to hear! You're right BP. I need to broaden my viewpoint and should have thought out my comment more before posting. Sorry if I offended in any way. That is so true about the price point. I had to bus like 2,000 tables to buy my EVH. At least.

 

[roburado]

I was there for both and John Petrucci has sold more guitars than the old EVH by a ton. Also the customer for the EVH couldnt afford our guitar. JP's fans can and do.

That's kind of interesting, because I'm both kinds of customer. Around the time the EVH was out, I really wanted a light green, trans purple, or trans gold quilt EVH. To me, that was the pinnacle of cool guitars at the time. I just didn't have the money. I listened to a lot of EVH at that time. Eventually, I began listening to JP and DT. Nine years later, I was finally able to afford an EBMM. Of course, it had to be a JP.

 

[Big Poppa]

rad no problems here just open dialogue

 

[jeffrey]

Hey Sterling, I have two curious questions: how many JP's have been built/sold to date? And what percentage of all guitars sold since the JP was released are JP's?