My reason for going EBMM

[Schweineleber]

Last week I took a look at some Gibsons.
I was interested in an R7 Goldtop.

I can tell you.....DAMN those were dogs!!

The inlays looked like they would fall out any time! Not even filled with some kind of filler/cement, but space between fretboard and inlay!!

Finish was al covered with spots in the laquer straight out of the factory.

The standard models were looking like someone puked all over it in production and then finished. And in very bad shape too!!

I don't know what those guys are doing over there nowadays, but I guess they are not interested in selling or PRODUCING quality guitars!

It could be the Store I went, was totally crap. But they had something like 50 Paula's and none of them was anywhere near to being in reasonable shape!!!!

But knowing the sales-person over there didn't even deny it

Thats my reason for going with EBMM.

I couldn't make a decision yet, but I gues I'm going for the JP.
A totally different guitar I know, but maybe more what I'm looking for than a childhood dream covered with a Goldtop.

I guess a lot of you play EBMM for the same reason....

 

[SteveB]

Schweineleber, (is that German for pig's liver?)

You really can't go wrong with an EBMM guitar. You will be impressed with the quality of the craftsmanship and attention to detail, no matter which model you choose.

 

[Schweineleber]

Good to hear Steve!

Did you ever notice the same thing with the paula's?

...about the name; yep it is, it doesn't have a deeper meaning (I'm actually Dutch )

 

[SteveB]

Schweineleber,

I think that all of the big names in the guitar world have suffered from the quantity versus quality syndrome. I'm glad that EBMM has not fallen prey to this ideology.

I realize that there is a huge market for entry-level instruments. I was a young player once, and played cheapo instruments with the goal of one day owning one of those better guitars. You could tell the better ones by name alone in those days. The 'quality' guitar makers didn't make any cheap guitars.

Now, a young player can get a brand name right away, but there's no quality associated with those brands. I think they've actually created a lot of 'brand confusion' so that even veteran players have a hard time keeping up with all the models on the market. (How many different Strat models are there between the Squire and Fender brands?)

Wisely, EBMM has differentiated their SUB line from their higher-end instruments in a way that you can easily tell which is which. I personally think the OLP licensing deal sorta confuses the EBMM brand for the novice, but I understand from a business standpoint why it was the lesser of many evils.

I think OLP should be required to come up with substantially different names for those guitars that they license from EBMM. If the OLP guitars had unique names, perhaps there would be less confusion on eBay auctions where folks are (whether knowingly or not) trying to sell OLP instruments as Music Man instruments. That way someone could read the headstock and see that the instrument was really a RazBlaster3000 instead of a Silhouette.

So, getting back to the question, I think that all the major manufacturers have cheapened their brand by blurring the line between their high-end stuff and their entry-level stuff. Gibson is no exception, but I guess if you're in this business you have to play the game.

I'm glad we've got Dudley and Big Poppa at EBMM. They're non-conformists, just consider Big Poppa's bottle-opening sandals at NAMM for proof.

 

[rrhea]

Schweineleber, (is that German for pig's liver?)

Yep. And, according to Ron Burgundy, "San Diego" is German for "whale's vagina".


Also, from now on I will always refer to LPs and Les Paulas. Even though it's obviously an innocent mistake on Pig Liver's part, it's still funny as hell! Love it!


RR

 

[mico]

I bought my Axis SS as a sort of a LP replacement. It's lighter in weight, plays better and with the 5-way switch you have more possibilities sound wise. Besides, you can get it with a tremolo

 

[fogman]

When I got back into the whole guitar scene, I naturally gravitated towards the F'ers and G'sons. Boy what a disappointment!!!!

There were some older F'ers that almost fit the bill, but from one to the next!?!? No consistency what so ever. They've made their mark in the music world but have sadly been riding their success story to their eventual demise.

With a EBMM, you don't even have to know how to play guitar and you would feel the difference by simply picking one up!

Here is the Holy Grail of guitars!
and there are no Knights that say "Nee!"

 

[Schweineleber]

I also like the personal touch in correspondance and customer service!
This way it feels like people do care for their end-users.

By the way....is Big Poppa the big chief @ EB?? (I'm new around here)

Seems like a healthy company the way you deal with it

 

[jimmyp]

I agree 100% with the sentiment of this thread - I grew up wanting strats and Les Pauls, but the inconsistency is amazing - 2 strats side by side, same year, same price, one will play OK and one will probably be a dog - you really have to look hard to find a good one - same with LPs. When they are good, they are really good, when they're bad, they are appalling. I read an interview with PRS recently and he said one of the top brass from pre-CBS Fender told him that in the old days, they wouldn't let a guitar out of the factory that they wouldn't play themselves. I'm glad EBMM stick to that philosophy whilst most other manufacturers go for the quick buck. There are some great quality guitars out there, and the entry level gear now is amazing compared to when I started. I'm glad there are still some companies, EBMM included, that take real pride in their top level instruments,
dave

 

[Raz]

I didn't neccesarily choose EBMM cause other brands weren't up to par, I picked an EBMM cause it was the best guitar fo the shizzle. I think that in itself is a testament to their build quality. Not being a prick but it sounds like for some people EBMM's are a result of either second or third choicesdue to bad experiences. Now there's nothing wrong with that, it's cool, but, and with the introduction of the SUB1, I think it would be nice if people actually sought out an EBMM as their first and only choice of guitar, based on the instrument itself. Perhaps with the Y2D and the JP prototype, the already stellar product line will appeal to more people. Again I'm not knocking the current situation, I just think the company deserves more then being chosen cause other companies don't fulfill their expectations...I hope I haven't insulted anyone

 

[Banger]

Well, talking about quality... this is actually a set neck of a Les Paul... OMFG.

 

[Schweineleber]

I know what you mean, but it's actually positive if people choose EB above Gibson and Fender.

You actually did the same thing, pick up a EB because it's the best!!

HOLY SH*T and that's the part you can't see

 

[kneeoh]

I also like the personal touch in correspondance and customer service!
This way it feels like people do care for their end-users.

By the way....is Big Poppa the big chief @ EB?? (I'm new around here)

Seems like a healthy company the way you deal with it

Yup Big Poppa is Sterling Ball.

I first tried a JP back in 2002 at a GC... I was looking for my first high end guitar and tried the typical strats, pauls, and prs guitars. When I picked up the JP, it was all over! Not wanting to pay the price they were asking, I actually rolled the dice and ordered one on-line (I know - risky give the differences from instrument to instrument). Everything was perfect with the guitar the moment it arrived. Still is today. Who needs anything else? Not me!

 

[Banger]

HOLY SH*T and that's the part you can't see

If you scroll up to the top of to the thread i linked to, you can see the broken inside of an epiphone neck - the dark parts are the tree's bark!

 

[Schweineleber]

Hey Banger,

The shop I visited was the Music Store in Koln, you ever been there?

It was the worst service I ever experienced!!!

Their LP specialist, Lutz, wasn't interested in selling me a guitar of Euro 2750,-
He just sat there drinking a cup of coffee and looked very uninterested at me

I posted a thread on Guitarworld, take a look at it.....

http://www.guitarworld.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5580

I also informed the manager of this store about the misbehaviour of his staff and the shape these axes.

 

[nobozos]

He must have assumed you were an American.

Anyway, I've played Fender, Gibson, and PRS, and my experience has led me back to EBMM every time. PRS being the top of the heap of all the others, but as with all the other manufacturers, their build quality has suffered in the last few years also.

I will say this, there are good guitars out there from the other manufacturers, you just have to find them. I play EBMM because it offers me the best of all worlds. It has the comfort, playability, build quality and tone that I like. I play an Axis, and in the world of guitars, nothing else sounds like it (except, of course, the EVH sig.)

That being said, I also believe that if you want a guitar that sounds like a Strat, you have to buy a Fender, and if you want a guitar to sound like a Paula, you have to buy a Gibson. The quality of their instruments is just so hit and miss. There is no consistency of quality. If you find a good one, buy it, but you'll be on the hunt for a while.

I've been lucky to own good quality instruments from the other brands, and still decided on EBMM. I think it's the best manufacturer out there.

 

[koogie2k]

EBMM guitars/basses are top of the line that I personally feel rival other high end guitars that cost substantially more $$$.

Plus, their Customer Service is absolutely the best. There is no other company out there that can compete. EBMM set the bar in the industry and no one has followed or even come close to the personal attention EBMM gives each customer. EBMM treats the "everyday man" like a signed artist. That is not a statement, that is fact. I know personally as do others here.

I have defended EBMM both online and in person as others have because of the way we are treated. WE get to see new models in production being made for us. We get to chat with the owner, Big Poppa, Jon (repair God), Derek, Beth and others at the company. It is one big family here and I have yet to see other companies do that.

You made a wise decision on a guitar by EBMM, but a better one by being here.

Welcome to the addiction!

 

[Norrin Radd]

He must have assumed you were an American.

Anyway, I've played Fender, Gibson, and PRS, and my experience has led me back to EBMM every time. PRS being the top of the heap of all the others, but as with all the other manufacturers, their build quality has suffered in the last few years also.

I know this is the EBMM forum and all, and don't get me wrong, I love my EBMMs, my Axis is my main guitar (like 95% of my playing time), but I'm having a real issue with people taking shots at PRS. The criticisms of other brands, I believe, is much more well founded. I have not found PRS quality to be lacking or suffering AT ALL "in the last few years". Their instruments are as top notch and well manufactured as our own beloved EBMMs (and I don't own a PRS, so don't think that's where I'm coming from).

I have played many many PRS guitars over the last several years and find them to be amazing guitars. I would have one already if I couldn't buy two EBMMs for the price! My point is, I have seen nothing other than conjecture and speculation on internet forums that would lead me to believe that PRS quality is suffering. I believe a lot of animosity comes from a misplaced sense of loyalty to other brands. I would hate to think that EBMM users are falling prey to the same vices that have plagued Gibson and Fender loyalists for so many years.

 

[kbaim]

I tried out an Eric Clapton BLACKIE last week. Played it almost 1/2 hour. Stayed clean the entire time. My hand hurt after I was done, and the 3 bass strings sounded awful IMO.

Went in to try the eric johnson model but they didn't have one. So the guy put me in an amp room for privacy with Blackie.

Moral: It was nice meeting you....but this really isn't working for me.

 

[jimmyp]

I know this is the EBMM forum and all, and don't get me wrong, I love my EBMMs, my Axis is my main guitar (like 95% of my playing time), but I'm having a real issue with people taking shots at PRS. The criticisms of other brands, I believe, is much more well founded. I have not found PRS quality to be lacking or suffering AT ALL "in the last few years". Their instruments are as top notch and well manufactured as our own beloved EBMMs (and I don't own a PRS, so don't think that's where I'm coming from).

I have played many many PRS guitars over the last several years and find them to be amazing guitars. I would have one already if I couldn't buy two EBMMs for the price! My point is, I have seen nothing other than conjecture and speculation on internet forums that would lead me to believe that PRS quality is suffering. I believe a lot of animosity comes from a misplaced sense of loyalty to other brands. I would hate to think that EBMM users are falling prey to the same vices that have plagued Gibson and Fender loyalists for so many years.

I have moaned about PRS bashing on this forum in the past - I own 2 EBMMs and 2 PRSs - they are all great guitars. Build quality wise and playability, there is little between them - I like both brands a lot and would happily own a few more from each brand. I can honestly say I don't have a preference between them - at the minute, I'm playing my new PRS McCarty practically all the time, but miss my EVH which is in storage. Both great guitars, very different playing and sounding - as I said on another thread, if EBMM would only produce an Axis with an arched top and one piece rosewood neck...
dave