Musicians Friend

[Quarter]

Actually, they would probably do well to stock up on the normal best-sellers.

Think about it: when you order online, you want that instant gratification where you know the product is on its way right after you enter your payment info.

As I recall, some of the normal EBMM offerings still entail a waiting period from MF. Check the "availability" link when looking at a Morse Y2D on their site... some are 90+ days out. That completely nullifys the whole 'instant gratification' of the online purchase. Unless the price is ridiculously less than your local dealer, what's the advantage?

Very good point!

 

[Danserrano]

i think it's a great idea. I mean let's be honest who doesn't get a musicians friend catalog lol, and how much cooler would it look with pics of jps, lukes and als smootherd all over it =D. Not just that but personally i have a tough time finding certain products from ebmm, the small accessory types. I would have np ordering strings, strap locks, wonder wipes, etc from musicians friend. The only reason why i wouldnt order a guitar is cuz i tend to be loyal to the dealers i've dealt with but that has nothing to do with musicians friends reputation which like BP said has been phenomonal. I've ordered all types of gear in the past from them and it's been a joy. So my vote is go for it Bp.

 

[lenny]

Hello Kids

Greetngs from Medford, Oregon home of Musicians Friend.

Dargie and Brian and I are meeting with the powers that be and going over this years plans and promotions.

What would you , oh valued, forumites like to see MF do with Music Man? ( cheap shots here, knuckleheads)

WE are talking about them ordering some more loaded or exotic peices and keeping them in inventory to help people that dont want the wait.

WE talked about reissuing pinkburst Albert's. Would any of you domestic customers be interested?

Oh mighty Overseer of MM thank you for the gift of hope

 

[TylerDowBryant]

I have bought many guitars from MF...All of them have been delivered fine...I haven't had any problems...I also think that the pinkburst AL is a great idea...Back to Class...

 

[wolfbone07]

I'd be all over a pink-burst AL (even better if the trem was an option).

I'm all for a "showroom" for the good stuff with multiple pictures of the high end guitar in question. There are lots of sites that do this, we've all seen it. I think that the investment in time to post detailed pictures of the good stuff is what the freaks (like us who only want the good stuff) HAVE TO see before laying down the money.

How many guitars have our forum dealer friends sold because you can SEE exactly what you are getting? This is especially interesting when it comes to bursts, figured tops, and all other transparent finishes.

I'd be all over it.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Let's see,

1. Ordering an EBMM hassle free online for the best price available? Check.

2. Getting some rare exotic wood EBMMs (with ability to see the actual piece you would be buying - a must in my book!)? Check.

3. Pinkburst AL with MM90s, trem, piezo and matching? Check.

Sounds good to me, I'm in!

 

[kbaim]

Maybe have them stock a few lukes and alberts with piezo?
I hardly ever (only once) see these in any store.

Also, ask them to put pics of the guitars in their flyers.

Maybe also open a call center in malaysia.

 

[Roxy]

I've purchased many guitars, amps, effects, and accessories from Musician's Friend. I had a Jem arrive once damaged and their customer service provided an easy exchange. A quick stop by the local UPS and a new guitar arrived about 10 business days later. I purchased my SM-Y2D Purple Sunset /Floyd from MF and was totally satisfied with the product and service.

Many times I'll go to Guitar Center and try out gear to see if I like it. If the product has been on the floor awhile, banged up, or missing the included accessories I'll just go home and order the item online.

I like the Musician's Friend financing program and have saved $100's on sales tax over the years. Guitar Center will match MF in price, but their financing programs change consistantly. I only wish MF carried Mesa Boogie, because I have to go to GC for my amps and have to deal with the above stated issues (and pay sales tax).

In short, MF is the way to go if you KNOW what you are looking for.

 

[Astrofreq]

Here's my 2 cents. I've ordered countless number of items and never had a problem with musician's friend. They'll match ANY price and if I don't like it, no problem, just send it back. The handle a ton of merchandise, so stuff will be broken occasionally. They could pack guitars better I'm sure, but that's up to them.

My only beef with ordering a high dollar guitar off MF would be the fact that what you see on the site is a stock picture and never the one you are getting ( I guess that happens with any special order). If I'm paying $1500 or more for a guitar, I really want to see exactly the one I'm getting. I don't know if their policy would apply to special order guitars. Probably not.

I'm also not into a Pinkburst AL myself, but I'd be up for a pinkburst hardtail Axis in a NY minute.

 

[Jimothy JP7]

Aside from guitars, I think you should start some kind of promotion to get non EB players to start thinking about converting. Lots of people play EB strings that don't play MM, and now that you have a few more products out there besides strings and guitars, maybe you guys should work out some of those "Buy one of these, get this free" deals. Maybe any Petrucci sold in a certain amount of time gets a free Volume Pedal, or every Ernie Ball guitar sold in X amount of time gets a free set of wipes. Or even any guitar over a certain price gets you a free set of EB Strap locks. Anything like that could get a non-EB player to realize that there's more to the EB market than just strings and things, and thats all you need. As soon as the idea of buying a MM pops into one's head, it's over :]

 

[uvacom]

I think getting MF to stock a greater variety of finished and options would be a great start. If they could stock BFRs, that would be incredible. I can definitely say that if I were able to order (for example) a trans blue AL from MF I would have done so in a heartbeat instead of waiting 4 months and ordering from a local dealer who charged me sales tax.

As for a Pinkburst AL, I love the idea. Whether I would actually buy one is a different story however, and that's what counts in the end.

 

[SteveB]

What would you , oh valued, forumites like to see MF do with Music Man? ( cheap shots here, knuckleheads)

WE are talking about them ordering some more loaded or exotic peices and keeping them in inventory to help people that dont want the wait.

WE talked about reissuing pinkburst Albert's. Would any of you domestic customers be interested?

We seem to be getting off topic, and I'm probably to blame, so I'm reposting the actual questions that BP asked us to consider.

 

[candid_x]

What Rad said.

It would be great to see a picture of the exact guitar your buying. A lower price point can solve that problem for many, though. It would for me. How much lower? ooh, a hundred bucks could make a difference, $200 would clinch the deal. The same goes for the more standard "catalog" colors, which would likely be offered. But then BP did say more exotic offerings... hmm.. would be interesting.

My experiences with Musician's Friend have been completely positive.

 

[kevin]

I think it would be great if the Boys at MF could add some of the more exclusive instruments to the Private Reserve link on the website. Private Reserve Guitars

It would be great to get a some high def. BFR pic's out to them along with the Anniversary and L5 model pic's. I noticed they still have some 30th SR's maybe they can add those as well.

Hey guys.....let MF know its 80 degree' s in the Desert today!

 

[adouglas]

Some thoughts:

- Create a "MF Special Edition" with a unique finish, not available anywhere else. Same idea as the DD, LEs, etc. but with the production advantage of having a guaranteed bulk order. It need not have a limited ordering window...or at the very least the window could be longer. This might not go over well with other dealers, but they have the advantage of offering options that MF does not.

- Piezo option.

- More colors.

- Possibly a "special order" ability to roll your own just as you would with any other dealer.

- LE availability.

 

[Smellybum]

Excellent idea for the US patronage.....

Forgive my somewhat loaded question.....


Are you gonna be able to do anytihg for Europe/OZ/Far east ???

or do we have to wait and buy used ones?

 

[J-Nick]

+1 on offering lefty EBMMs. Each time I see a lefty EBMM in stock on one of the online dealers it seems to sell really fast. I've also noticed the same on Ebay. If the item has a BIN, the auction usually ends really quickly.

To me this seems like an indication that there is a real interest for EBMM in the southpaw community. EBMM is one of the rare manufacturer that offers high end, USA made lefty guitars without having to go the custom shop route. Having a dealer being able to stock those and therefore avoid the 5+ months of wait to the customer would give another edge to the company in that small market...

 

[kevin]

Excellent idea for the US patronage.....

Forgive my somewhat loaded question.....


Are you gonna be able to do anytihg for Europe/OZ/Far east ???

or do we have to wait and buy used ones?

Hi smelly......"Or do we have to wait and buy used ones?" Are you reffering to Adouglas' post?

-Cheers
[email protected]

 

[tommyindelaware]

perhaps make sure their photos reflect your magnificent finishes.....& carry all models.

 

[Astrofreq]

I think it would be great if the Boys at MF could add some of the more exclusive instruments to the Private Reserve link on the website. Private Reserve Guitars

'

I've never even seen that page before. I would hope that MF could offer better than 24% off list on the models BP is talking about. Time can only tell, but I would have to pass if that was the best they could do.