in store musicman instruments suggestion

[steevo]

Here in the uk the only MM instruments in stores are second hand ones. Sometimes in the store i go to ( proffesional music technology (pmt) in birmingham) have none at all. Compare this to the enormous amount of stocked items from fender, gibson etc. and i cant understand why there arent any new MM guitars and basses in stores that really show off the ability by the company to build quality instruments. Surely it would be worth the outlay in order to promote the company. Also, i cant remember ever seen any flyers or leaflets from MM, got to be worth a try surely

 

[Orangejulius3]

Did you try talking to the store manager?
If they hear it often, they will start providing.
I know Guitar Center in the US provide a couple of the EBMM, but most carry the SBMM SUB lines.

 

[tbonesullivan]

I think there was a big almost clearance of some EBMM guitars from GC, as well as LOT's of PRS guitars. They had just been sitting there, as in their market most of the people are buying lower to mid range guitars, and not expensive ones. And if they do buy expensive ones, they tend to go for G or F brand guitars unfortunately. GC has streamlined a lot, and also I know that Gibson has a lot of requirements regarding how much Gibson stuff must be displayed at all times. Fender may have similar requirements. It is possible that the store you went to is also bound by that type of agreement.

Smaller stores need to stock what sells. If items are just sitting there, they are losing money. A lot of the stores out there that sell a lot of EBMM are somewhat specialty stores, or smaller stores that will custom order them for you.

 

[steevo]

Pmt is a massive store, they stock what must be around 200 fenders alone plus probably around 1000 other guitars, 500 acoustic guitars, keyboards, amps, drums, percussion etc. I just thought there would be a more active push by EBMM in the big uk stores.
Looking at the fender range in store, the colour selection is quite bland and having looked at a midi ready mexican strat, priced around £900, the quality was absolute rubbish. I personally think that MM could take a bigger share of the sales here in the uk if they were more prominent in store. This is coming from a big fender fan and guitar player of 20 years so i have seen my fair share of guitar stores

 

[sanderhermans]

Same here in belgium not manny stores provide musicmans.... it sucks. They all have 100 fenders and somethimes like 1 sr4. Thats it. Musicman is propably the most under rated brand here in europe imo. Way better value for money than fender or gibson, i dont understand why the offer and demand isnt bigger. Mayebe smaller profit margin for the dealers?

 

[steevo]

I understand the made to order way of working. Im just suggesting more instruments in store as demos and maybe some literature/catalogs to let people see what is offered and how much more choice there is in the MM range

 

[sanderhermans]

I understand the made to order way of working. Im just suggesting more instruments in store as demos and maybe some literature/catalogs to let people see what is offered and how much more choice there is in the MM range

+1 on this.
Dealer do have requirements to have a number of instruments ect. Thats why they have to choose. And not selling fender or gibson is just not a real option because the demand is the highest on these brands. So brands like musicman are often left out. Also music man sets these rules for their dealers. For instance my dealer will not sell the new ams because he has to sell and display all of em or none at all. No space for all in his shop and not enough people asking so he chose not to sell em at all.... wich is a pitty.

 

[steevo]

Im surprised with the popularity of ernie ball strings that there is no reference on the packets of strings (none that ive seen anyway) to their instrument line. It confuses me a little when some fender instruments are shoddy heaps of junk and are been sold for stupid money and yet EBMM guitars and basses are barely visible in store

 

[five7]

You have stumbled on to something for sure. You should open a store that sells only musicman.

 

[steevo]

You have stumbled on to something for sure. You should open a store that sells only musicman.

There would only be me allowed in, wouldnt last long lol

 

[metalarch]

Same thing in Mexico city...only one dealer, they charge you what ever they want, they do not let you play the instruments in store (only if you buy it) and that is dumb! and they have very little stock...it's always better for us (in Mexico) to travel to the US to buy our instruments...I always travel to Orland, Basscentral!

 

[steevo]

Nearly all stores stock ernie ball strings, ive yet to go in one that doesnt, so surely it would make sense to make some reference to their instruments. Ive noticed a big decline in manufacturers catalogs too, i used to love going into a store and picking up the latest fender or ibanez book, then go home and look at it for hours. I think there is a trick or two being missed somewhere, not trying to criticise, just an observation.

 

[Golem]

Did you try talking to the store manager?
If they hear it often, they will start providing.
I know Guitar Center in the US provide a couple
of the EBMM, but most carry the SBMM SUB lines.

Yeah. Visiting a typical GC is like visiting Europe
but without having to deal with airport security.
IOW, none of the fun with none of the hassles :-(

 

[Spudmurphy]

To the OP
I think that only a small percentage of EB's production is actually allocated to the UK. Now that's just picking up on things I've seen heard on the forum over the years.

The shops that are authorised EB UK dealers do stock them new.

Give Strings n Things a call (Shoreham on Sea), and they may be able to advise you where some new "ones" are located?

New ones are defo out there!

 

[steevo]

To the OP
I think that only a small percentage of EB's production is actually allocated to the UK. Now that's just picking up on things I've seen heard on the forum over the years.

The shops that are authorised EB UK dealers do stock them new.

Give Strings n Things a call (Shoreham on Sea), and they may be able to advise you where some new "ones" are located?

New ones are defo out there!

Its by no means a criticism but you have pin pointed an area where maybe they could improve on, the amount of sales in the uk. With so little instore visibilty its never going to improve. PMT in the midlands is the biggest guitar store in the midlands but there are only a handful of basses to test out. I may be on the lookout for a silouhette soon but have never played one and never seen one in the flesh. A bit disapointing really.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Its by no means a criticism but you have pin pointed an area where maybe they could improve on, the amount of sales in the uk. With so little instore visibilty its never going to improve. PMT in the midlands is the biggest guitar store in the midlands but there are only a handful of basses to test out. I may be on the lookout for a silouhette soon but have never played one and never seen one in the flesh. A bit disapointing really.

Hi Stevo. I feel your grief! I had to travel quite a bit too to try out EB guitars. There is one of the best stockists around 2 hours from me Knighton Guitars - they have a great assortment. But the truth is that EB manufacure a fraction of the output of Fender and Gibson, and there's only so many to go around. Strings and Things ( I believe) will be Aat the Birmingham Guitar show so you can try them there. I just wish that I could walk into a music store here in the uk and find 5 of each and every model - can't see it happening.

 

[steevo]

Hi Stevo. I feel your grief! I had to travel quite a bit too to try out EB guitars. There is one of the best stockists around 2 hours from me Knighton Guitars - they have a great assortment. But the truth is that EB manufacure a fraction of the output of Fender and Gibson, and there's only so many to go around. Strings and Things ( I believe) will be Aat the Birmingham Guitar show so you can try them there. I just wish that I could walk into a music store here in the uk and find 5 of each and every model - can't see it happening.

I think just a handful of instruments in each store would let people see the craftsmanship that the likes of fender etc. are missing. My sub5 bass and sub1 guitars are better built than any fender ive played, i think it would open people eyes, those who are probably only used to average quality.

 

[sanderhermans]

I think just a handful of instruments in each store would let people see the craftsmanship that the likes of fender etc. are missing. My sub5 bass and sub1 guitars are better built than any fender ive played, i think it would open people eyes, those who are probably only used to average quality.

I agree.

 

[inate_hex]

Ive noticed a big decline in manufacturers catalogs too, i used to love going into a store and picking up the latest fender or ibanez book, then go home and look at it for hours. I think there is a trick or two being missed somewhere, not trying to criticise, just an observation.

That's because all the manufacturers have websites. No need to print catalogues when it is all available at your fingertips. There are plenty of stores that stock MM basses in the UK. Bass Direct, GAK, Anderton's, gear4music, guitar guitar, Dawson's, Rich Tone Music, to name but a few.

 

[steevo]

That's because all the manufacturers have websites. No need to print catalogues when it is all available at your fingertips. There are plenty of stores that stock MM basses in the UK. Bass Direct, GAK, Anderton's, gear4music, guitar guitar, Dawson's, Rich Tone Music, to name but a few.

Not around the midlands theres not