How's your local EBMM dealer?

[fsmith]

Baltimore...

I live just outside of Baltimore and the local store that I like to frequent is in Catonsville which has a sign going in that calls itself "Music City USA". There is one stoplight on the main drag and there are 5 music stores in a 1/4 mile stretch.

I bought my Petrucci and the Morse Y2D from Bill's Music. They keep very little EBMM in stock, they've had 2 Axis (Trans Teal and Trans Red) for over 2 years now and have a used Axis Sport (MM90's) in Platinum, there are also a few Sub's that come in occasionally. They have every make model and color of F3nd@r on the wall, with G!bsn running a close second. They also have a Modern Eagle in stock that I think they'll have for a long time...

I ordered from them because I liked the thought of helping out the local economy, they've been around forever. The sales guy I always deal with is very cool and has been out to SLO for the factory tour etc. in the past and told me I would really enjoy myself there. (that's the understatement of the year...) It's a cool place, I just wish they'd stock more EBMM stuff.

We have two GC's, one about 10 minutes away and the other about 40 where I found the EVH that my wife surprised me with. They both carry a fair amount of EBMM guitars, but usually they've been worked over pretty good.

One thing that I hate is that none of the local stores carry RPS strings... I have to order those online.

As much as I would like to keep supporting the local guys, my next purchase(s) will go to Pete. I'd rather deal with someone who is as excited as I am about the guitars I prefer to play.

 

[JDouglee]

The GC in Fountain Valley was ok, occasional "used car dealer" vibe but not that
bad. What tweezed me was the fact they tried to sell the cases seperately.

I did a couple special orders thru Jim's Music (small dealer), and they were great.

 

[leecs]

My EBMM Dealer does not carry even 1 EBMM guitar or bass. I was really skeptical bout ordering my JP. But 1 day, When i go shoppin, i saw a 2nd hand PRB JP in a guitar shop. I immeadiatley tried it. The neck feels good & i like it, so i ordered it. Mayb EB would sponser my dealer a guitar 4 display & let the customers' try out b4 ordering. (Just my suggestion)

 

[edensdad]

My local isn't really local anymore. I lived in Seminole, FL and did business with Express Music. I moved 60 miles northeast into the sticks to get out of the city. They always have a really good selection of EBMM gutars and basses - at least a half dozen of each. One time I went in there he had 4 Petrucci's. He's unusual in my area, also carrying Tom Anderson, PRS and Mesa Boogie, a high end guitar/amp dealer - most of our local music stores target the $200 guitar market pretty heavily. He even has a Benedetto. I will go back there when I need a new guitar or amp.

My local Tampa GC reminds me of a car dealership - you walk in and there's someone coming at you before you clear the door threshold. These guys are hungry. It's hard to get a clear feel for an instrument when the guy is checking back with you every two minutes - "Are you going to get it today?"

I called about a Taylor 12-String and talked to one guy for 30 seconds about inventory. Then I went in and he acted like he owned me - every time I'd ask a question of another employee standing nearby - he'd physically intimidate them away from me. Not a fun shopping experience. Besides - the only EBMM they had were two basses - not guitars. They tried to tell me OLP was the same thing I did try the OLP doubleneck Axis - but it needed a serious setup and wasn't comfortable to play. They had like 30 Les Pauls, though - I guess that's where their target market is.

>^..^<

 

[Hookpunch]

Wow- that really sucks

I'm not so crazy about my local dealers either- I can heartily recommend Pete DuBaldo though.

The Morse neck, btw, is killer. I think it's the perfect neck. If you find a recent Steve Morse model anywhere nearby, odds are it'll have the same - or similar - neck profile.

Beej -I have had good experiences at the Twelth Fret. Have you ever been there? As for who else you are talking about -I'll assume the start with S and L, I am not too keen on them either.

 

[beej]

Beej -I have had good experiences at the Twelth Fret. Have you ever been there? As for who else you are talking about -I'll assume the start with S and L, I am not too keen on them either.

Yup- S&L indeed

Actually I am a very big fan of the 12th Fret- they've had a special place in my heart ever since I took the "build your own guitar" course when I was in high school (best thing guitar-wise I ever did BTW). Still get the odd bit of work done there and really like the guys that run it.

That said, when I wanted to order a Y2D they wanted to wait until everything had been finalized and they'd gotten marketing materials on the guitar. I totally understand this, but being a complete nerd I was VERY keen to get in line as early as possible. So when they wouldn't take my order I went to Pete DuBaldo

 

[dmkozak]

Direct ship from EBMM?

i wish Pete's store wasnt accross the whole dman country

The big question is if EBMM will drop ship to a dealer's customer? Granted, you lose the dealer checking the guitar out and possibly doing a setup for you. But, your guitar doesn't have to travel back and forth across the country. Otherwise, the western people are left without a "local" forum dealer.

 

[mbgreene]

My local shop is independent and family owned. They are good people to talk to and deal with, and let me go about my business when checking things out. I will say, however, that I probably know more about the EBMM product line, at least on the instrument end, than they do. But this could also be the case with most forum members here. We tend to be up on the latest, greatest, up-to-the-minute information based on the fact that we are tracking it in on a daily basis. They are trying to run a business with multiple lines of multiple instruments and need to have working knowledge on everything from tin whistles, 1/2 size violins, sheet music, electronic systems etc. I almost expect to know a bit more since I (as well as some of you - come on admit it) are simply currently obsessed (addicted if you will) to the minutia of one guitar company. I don't fault them for not knowing what I just learned by reading something Big Poppa posted 45 minutes before I walked into their store. I also don't mind telling them so they have more info to promote EBMM guitars.

With respect to inventory they typically have some s.u.b.s and one to two of each bass nameplate in store. They had a JP go in and out quickly recently and have another one and Y2D on order. Other than that there is no other current inventory. Apparently I got lucky in playing the AL they had in stock last year because there were no others in stock in the NY metro area. That AL was in their shop for probably at least 2 years before it was sold, I believe to someone that travaled a bit to get it.

In past conversations with them they seem to make there money on low to mid end products with heavier marketing that go out the door. They carry neither Fen%er or Gibby but mostly stuff like Dean and Schecter. The only other high end guitar they carry is usually one of the handmade Dean hardtails. I'm guessing its just too much for a small shop to carry higher end inventory that doesn't move quickly, especially when dealing with internet competition.

I'm not sure if this is a local independent shop issue. As I have posted before, the GC in Manhattan, which I stop in at lunch sometimes, other than Subs and basses has no natural neck guitars in stock, and this store is several thousand square feet on 2 levels. I've only spoken to floor guys but they don't know if any other stock is coming in. On 48th street, the former mecca of music stores, there is nothing in Sam Ash/Manny's which has taken over almost the whole block and are no longer EBMM dealers. Rudy's is a dealer but stocks only the EBMM basses. I don't know of any of the other boutique shops in NYC which are EBMM dealers.

It can be frustrating to not be able to sample a Morse, Silo, LUKE, ASS etc. when you just want to see if the sound and feel are right. I am willing to order an EBMM instrument (and I will) without playing that particular item but I would be remiss in ordering something an example of which I had never picked up. I was extremely lucky to be able to sample a bit of everything at the open house . But it can also be a bit selfish to ask a local independent store to carry high end inventory that might not move as quickly just so I can play it in their shop.

 

[Beth]

That said, when I wanted to order a Y2D they wanted to wait until everything had been finalized and they'd gotten marketing materials on the guitar. I totally understand this, but being a complete nerd I was VERY keen to get in line as early as possible. So when they wouldn't take my order I went to Pete DuBaldo

Beej, do you want me to fly to Toronto and kick your butt?

 

[beej]

Beej, do you want me to fly to Toronto and kick your butt?

Promise?

 

[mbgreene]

Beej, do you want me to fly to Toronto and kick your butt?

Why do I think he somehow knew exactly what he was looking for when he posted

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

It can be frustrating to not be able to sample a Morse, Silo, LUKE, ASS etc. when you just want to see if the sound and feel are right. I am willing to order an EBMM instrument (and I will) without playing that particular item but I would be remiss in ordering something an example of which I had never picked up. I was extremely lucky to be able to sample a bit of everything at the open house . But it can also be a bit selfish to ask a local independent store to carry high end inventory that might not move as quickly just so I can play it in their shop.

I hear you on that. It is VERY expensive to have EB instruments on the wall. Figger $1,000 minimum each for the dealer to have it hanging up gathering dust. I can understand why some EB dealers don't have that many instruments in stock. If you can sell 500 packs of strings a week, and only 1 EB instrument every so often, where do you think the wise business decision of "what to buy" comes into play?

The big question is if EBMM will drop ship to a dealer's customer? Granted, you lose the dealer checking the guitar out and possibly doing a setup for you. But, your guitar doesn't have to travel back and forth across the country. Otherwise, the western people are left without a "local" forum dealer.

Just thought I would toss these guys out there, both are forum members and very pleasant guys! I've talked to Doug several times and had the opportunity to meet and chat with Jack at the Open House.

bassplayr -
Doug
Daddy O's Music Shack
1405 Stevenson Drive #7
Springfield, IL 62703
217-529-4840

bovinehost -
Jack
Vintage Bass Trading Company
Arizona


Sidenote: I asked Scott Ball aka Dargin a while back before I started posting here if it were ok. He said that dealers are encouraged to post, just keep pricing off the boards. I was happy to see that Doug posted on here, so I wasn't the only dealer. Now Jack is a dealer too, for Steve Barr I don't post here to snag customers from other stores; I come visit because it's fun, and I hope I can be a valuable resource/point of view for people from time to time (when I'm not having too much fun).

Why do I think he [beej] somehow knew exactly what he was looking for when he posted

I bet he did, who wouldn't ?

 

[Adwex]

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

I went into GC (Commack, Long Island, NY) wanting to try a Morse. The kid said they don't have one in store, and that it would be a special order, paid in full, in advance.

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

Apologies up front - this ended up long.

Before GC opening up a store here a couple of weeks ago, there were no EBMM dealers in the Pensacola, FL area. According to the EBMM Dealer locater on the MM Site, the nearest dealers are 42 miles, 53 miles and 56 miles away.

Two of the dealers are in the same area so I went to check out how they were set with EBMM’s. One independent had a very respectable selection of basses but only one guitar. In talking with the manager, he said that the basses sold far better than the guitars because they had stronger name recognition and exposure as a quality instrument.

The other in that area was GC. They had a couple of lonely basses hidden amongst the multitude of F*nder, G*bson and PRS’s strewn about the place. I asked one of the remarkably intelligent “sales” kids if they had any EBMM guitars hidden in the back. The answer, “They don’t make guitars, just basses.” Pick up jaw. Be nice. Don’t say anything. Walk out.

When I heard that a GC was opening up locally, I thought EBMM might get a little better representation but a trip there resulted in seeing 3 or 4 OLP’s and 3 basses. Surprisingly enough though, they had a Bongo as one of the 3. Progress….

I was brought into the EBMM family because of the EVH model. The first time I saw it I thought it was a great looking guitar with an innovative shape. However the only reason that I was exposed to the EVH sig was because it had been on the cover of every guitar magazine on the planet throughout the mid 90’s. Prior to my EVH purchase, a J**kson Soloist was my main guitar. Again, exposure of the soloist was significant throughout the 80’s hair and shred era.

Exposure to all of EBMM’s offerings is the key but the majority of the brick and mortar dealers just don’t place much emphasis on stocking guitars that appear to be “boutique” instruments compared to F/G/P and others. The kids don’t see any EBMM exposure with the players that they consider influential to them so they buy another brand when they are learning how to play. If, on some off chance their particular dealer stocks EBMM, the chances of them picking one up to give a try are slim. If these kids go on to become working musicians, chances are they are going to be loyal to the brand(s) that they started with unless there is an intervention.

I got the chance of a lifetime and used the opportunity the open house display gave me to try out every guitar model that they had placed out there for us. I originally was GASSING over the Y2D before I got there but because I was able to finally play a JP, it went to the head of the GAS line and was just ordered through Pete DuBaldo (Thanks Pete!). The Y2D moved to second and because I got to pickup and play both the Luke and Silo, they jumped in the GAS line also.

Nearly anyone that gets a chance to even play an EBMM will be sold on them almost instantly. There are some guys that will sit in and play my guitars on a song or two with my band on occasion and every one of them tells me that my EVH or my Axis Sport feels great, plays effortlessly and sounds wonderful. Or I get some comments from of the more educated musicians is the audience such as “Wow….you play a Music Man. Can I try it out?” Invariably the question of where I got it comes out and I have to answer Virginia Beach or Ebay.

The bottom line is that the brick and mortar dealers place merch on their wall that will turn over. EBMM is under exposed not because of their marketing or ad campaigns, which are some of the greatest and most innovative in the industry and represents who BP and the EBMM family are, but because of “commercial” exposure. Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton played Strats and influenced the next generation(s) to play Strat’s. Jimmy Page plays a Les Paul. Angus Young plays an SG. Kirk Hammet plays an ESP. People are buying what they see their “heros” playing and are being loyal to those brands and the dealers are stocking what sells. When the EVH EBMM came out, nearly every EBMM dealer that I went into in that era had them hanging on their walls. MASSIVE exposure. I’ll wager that it created a huge spike in sales for EBMM.

(Hypothetically brainstorming) I don’t know how many Ernie Ball mobile stages there are but if there was a mobile Ernie Ball Music Man show with the NAMM set up that traveled to different under represented markets to give us backwoods folks a chance to see and touch and play all of the EBMM offerings it might go a long way to advance exposure. Guitar Center is probably the only dealer out there that has the chutzpah to be able to co-sponsor a campaign like this and I would assume that their mailing lists are extensive in every market so an EBMM event can be advertised to the bulk of the musicians in the area.

“A mini Ernie Ball Music Man Open House / NAMM extravaganza coming soon to an area near you!” “Play with your Balls once and you’ll play with your Balls the rest of your life!”

It would allow a lot of people the opportunity to make direct comparisons between EBMM instruments and what they consider their favorites in one place. Chances are, there will be multitudes of converts. But because we live in a fast food world and most people demand instant gratification, a semi-trailer full of the most popular selling models, colors and options should be on hand so the newly enlighten converts can be McSatisfied.

Again, apologies for all of the keyboard vomit. BP and family make outstanding products that deserve success.

 

[Pundix]

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

There seems to be a lot variance in dealers. The first EBMM dealer I ever had dealings wtih was the Guitar Gallery in Tuscaloosa, AL. I lived there at the time and they were great. They always carried several guitars and several models. In fact they had the first of the EBMM guitars I ever saw and then bought. I'm not sure if they are still a dealer though, I haven't been there in a while.

Here in good ole Cleveland, Ohio I think we only have GC that is a dealer now. While being a decent store (I use that term very loosely) they are a very disappointing EMBB shop. They do carry a Sterling and a Bongo or two, but the availability of EBMM guitars is very hit or miss. They may have an Axis and perhaps a JP, but never anything else and never a decent selection of what they do have.

My EBMM shopping these days is pretty much limited to eBay as a result of dealership and general music store quality going downhill over the years. Not that I'm blaming them I think those guys are hurting too. Seems the whole retail model for items like this is shifting.

JMHO...

 

[tvanveen]

In the DC area you have to go to Chuck's -

http://www.washingtonmusic.com/

I've bought 3 AL's from them. Nice guys, good prices, knowledgable, career music sales people.

They've usually got a load of basses, and at least 4 or 5 6-strings on the wall, probably more in the back.

Crazy inventory of amps.

I did go into my local GC yesterday for some cables and was surprised to see they had a rosewood Axis. In fact, I might have said "holy sh*t" out loud.

tv

 

[dmkozak]

Pictures?

Beej, do you want me to fly to Toronto and kick your butt?

Beth, would it be your responsibility, or Beej's, to post the pictures should this occur?

 

[edensdad]

In the DC area you have to go to Chuck's -

http://www.washingtonmusic.com/

I've bought 3 AL's from them. Nice guys, good prices, knowledgable, career music sales people.

Ditto. Even though I live in FL, I've done business with them - nice guys, great inventory.

>^..^<

 

[blackspy]

Curious as to what dealer the other Canadians would recommend, here in Canada? As I understand it, US dealers aren't able to sell outside the US.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

In the DC area you have to go to Chuck's -

http://www.washingtonmusic.com/

I've bought 3 AL's from them. Nice guys, good prices, knowledgable, career music sales people.
....

tv

That's where my JP originally came from