Musicians Friend

[lumberjack]

great for US people, hope it works out well.

I agree, Rob. Probably better for our American friends. It would be too much of a hassle trying to bring it into Canada. It would more than likely cost more with taxes and shipping than it would be to buy it here. And then the hassle of trying to return it to MF if anything was wrong with it. A run of special items is a cool idea though.

 

[TimSz]

Kind of what he said...

+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...

I pretty much agree with this, except it seems that Musicians Friend doesn't ship to Canada for a lot of their items... researching tells me that EBMM is one of those items. Is there something that could be done to open up the shipping market for [maybe not international] but North America?

This pains me greatly however, because ALs are not available lefty, and NOW pinkburst ALs will not be available lefty. I think nothing would accompany the DD Luke as good as a pinkburst AL; and if it were ever offered I know J-Nick and I would buy one! Damn. My day is ruined.

Aside from that, I think it's a great idea to get the EBMM name out there even more. I think the idea of a 45 day hassle free return policy is great too. I'm a big internet shopper i.e. Amazon.com, because the selection is great, and I don't have to wait in line or put up with ****ty customer service or salesmen breathing down my throat. I give two Canadian thumbs up to the idea of this.

 

[JMB27]

I agree, Rob. Probably better for our American friends. It would be too much of a hassle trying to bring it into Canada. It would more than likely cost more with taxes and shipping than it would be to buy it here. And then the hassle of trying to return it to MF if anything was wrong with it. A run of special items is a cool idea though.

like the idea of a run of special items ... but agree MF might not be exactly friendly for the Ca-knuckle-heads in the crowd. think Guitar Shop or Long & Mcquade would do anything to remedy that?
just thinkin' out loud

 

[lumberjack]

like the idea of a run of special items ... but agree MF might not be exactly friendly for the Ca-knuckle-heads in the crowd. think Guitar Shop or Long & Mcquade would do anything to remedy that?
just thinkin' out loud

Being available to CDN dealers would be very cool. The only thing I don't like about L&M is they will not budge on their prices(those who have dealt with them more can chime in if they've had better luck with them). That's why I like dealing with the stores I go to. They like to help out their customers.

 

[candid_x]

Maybe next time we will be talking about a UK based dealer/distributor.

Oh, sure! And forget about us US customers!

j/k!

 

[Dizzy]

Good thing we have our own Musician's Friend here in Australia !

His name is Colin !

Hey BP, next appointment is a trip downunder to discuss marketing strategies with Col !

 

[Shnook]

I would more likely buy an 'exotic' EBMM guitar if it was in stock and I could see it and NOT have to wait 4-6 months to play it. So yeah, if MF stocked these types of guitars, I would probably have a 'weak moment' and take the plunge. However...

I've never bought a guitar from MF, but I did buy an amp once that arrived in pieces. I also received a pedal from them that had obviously been returned and used. Based on that track record, I'd be skeptical about buying a guitar but at least MF does have a decent return policy.

 

[J_Alexander]

i would like to see them carry more colors of the axis and nicer tops., more details in the descriptions like matching headstock and such.

 

[Headstock]

I have mentioned more than a few times here that I would be all over a Pinkburst AL. Snap I am in.

If the only place I could get that was MF - I would have no problem buying it there. Have bought several pieces of gear from them w/o incident. Top notch service - speedy delivery.

I know my opinion is just one of many and that many may not care what follows but here goes... The only drawback that I have with MF in this regard is they they will not negotiate at all on price and I can usually beat them heartily in this department with another dealer. The guitars/amps I have bought from them have not been in stock at another dealer and I was jonesin bad for the item at the time.

 

[roburado]

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

Hi, BP. Thanks for asking. I don't have much to add. I think many good points were made including pics of the actual guitar you're getting. For the regular line, it might be okay to kind of do the pictures like they have been doing them. However, for the more exotic and limited stuff, I think it's a must to see pictures of the actual guitar.

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.

I think that would be great, BP.

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

If they were going to be around longer than just this year, I'd be up for one, I think. The only problem, BP, for me is an old one that you've been dealing with with all these sweet guitars and basses that you guys have been putting out. There is only so much money. Pinkburst AL? Well, if there weren't so many other things like a BFR JP, BFR AL, BFR Luke, Bongo, Silo Spec, etc., etc., etc., that are calling my name. Just look at the wishlist in my sig, and you'll see my problem.

 

[Big Poppa]

INternational guys we really need to keep this post to the point and that is dealing with Musicians Friend and how they can best serve the market. Hijackng it into poor europe again will run it into the ground.

Just so everyone understands Musicians friend is trying to figure out what you want. I will not give Musicians Friend more stock to hurt the little guy. They are allocated just like GC. If anything we go th eother way. Pete has no allocation and gets more per store than any three GC's. It is jsut rebalancing their allocation.

 

[Roubster]

Just to add on to some of the opinions, I would definatly also like to see more variations and more exotic combinations. I'm sick of seeing some usual combinations, or at least that are kind of boring to me (IMPO respectfully). It would be nice seeing some more Carbon Blue Pearls w/ rosewood and different pickguard combos, and also definatly would like to see more piezo equipped models as well other than the JP. And yes, the really imporatant thing I think in order for people to buy more is to have GOOD pictures of these exotic combinations. Does not have to be like 6 pictures but maybe 2 different angles to show the ergonomics and colors of the guitars better.

A bit off topic: Would be REALLY cool to see Silos in the trans colors like the ALs with the pickguard. I even like figured tops WITH pickguards on them. Maybe an idea for some more "exotic" geetars . (I dont expect any sort of reply or comment to this (respectfully ))

 

[Elmer Imperial]

I haven't read through the entire thread yet, but I just had to jump in and say a big HELL YES to pinkburst AL's!

Now back to reading the thread...

 

[candid_x]

A bit off topic: Would be REALLY cool to see Silos in the trans colors like the ALs with the pickguard.

Trans colors (I think) are only available on ash bodies. Since Silos are alder, they'd lack the great grain of ALs. I'd love to see a Mary Kay type of finish, but it wouldn't look so hot on a Silo, imo.

 

[Roubster]

Yea, but my Vintage Sunburst is a Trans color ...Would be cool to have a Pacific Blue Burst next to it .

 

[NorM]

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.

Didn't this happen once before. Darrell said his SS said MF Red in the neck

Trans colors (I think) are only available on ash bodies. Since Silos are alder, they'd lack the great grain of ALs. I'd love to see a Mary Kay type of finish, but it wouldn't look so hot on a Silo, imo.

Natural Ash Silos would be cool!

 

[OrangeChannel]

What ever happened to Darrell?

 

[Astrofreq]

I sort of like the idea of a Pink AL, but since everybody else is doing it, now I don't want to.

 

[67tele]

I've purchased several Guitars from Musicians Friends and a bunch of other Gear Never had the 1st problem or Quality Issue. I would get a Pinkburst Al from them.

 

[MikeVt]

I've kinda lost sight of the original questions here, but I'll add my two cents....I'm hoping it will help.

When I bought my JP back in '05, I didn't really know anything about EBMM. I was taking a chance based on the configuration I wanted (coil splitting and piezo), and the fact that mister Petrucci felt they were good enough to play. I considered buying from MF, but didn't. Here's why:

1. In the MF catalogs, the EBMM guitars are always bundled with the nonames and low end brands, leading me to believe that MF doesn't think much of them. Gibson and Fender each get 3-4 pages. Ibanez gets 1-2 pages. EBMM gets one or two guitar pics at the end of the guitar section like an afterthought. The latest few catalogs I've received don't have any. To me, that says MF doesn't care about selling EBMM, so why should I buy from them?

2. Limited selection. Most of us diehards know the available options, and MF doesn't talk about or advertise them as options. It wasn't obvious that I could order something specific, so I called and asked. They didn't seem real knowledgeable and it took a while for them to get back to me.

3. Price. Once I got the quote for what I wanted, it was horribly out of line with other known EBMM dealers. They were several hundred higher than what I was quoted from where I DID buy my JP, and now I know that I still paid way more than I had to. It furthered my belief that they really didn't care about selling EBMM.

4. I've bought a lot of items from MF over the years. On occasion, I've gotten a customer return without being told I would - and I can't stand that, especially for expensive electronics. I certainly wouldn't want to risk that with a high end guitar. Those incidents have since caused me to consider MF as my second or third choice retailer because I trust that I'll get something new from someone else.

Ok...that's what's wrong. Here are my suggestions to MF.

1. ADVERTISE that you sell EBMM. Treat them like the real, quality brand that they are. Give them some catalog space and talk about available options and special ordering. CONVINCE us that you care. Help us make them a household name. I'm tired of answering to 'you bought a what?'

2. Pull the BFRs into your privatereserve collection. Let's let the world know that EB makes VERY high quality instruments.

3. Work on pricing and customer service - but that's not an EB specific statement.

Hope that helps...
Mike