My Story in a chestnut shell......

[AnthonyD]

As with many success stories, there is always a rich history of how it came to be. With some, there is a family lineage that consistently ties the origins to the present.

With many success stories family lineage and product origins remain simply as a foot note to the present shell of an organization it once was.

What I find special with EBMM is that this history is active and in the making every day - there remains the passion and the drive to do what's necessary to make better tools for musicians - not more tools, not cheaper tools, not "cool" tools - better tools, always pushing the envelope to improve and do things for the right reasons.

Along the way, BP provides the opportunity to understand the history - both the past history and the history in the making. The bumps and bruises and the success stories. It creates a welcomed, intimate relationship with the instrument. A G!bson or F@nder player just can't understand.

Like many of us, I have met BP, spoken with him, asked questions and provided opinions. As a result I, like many of you, have had the opportunity to be part of this history. For that I feel priviledged - not crazy - priviledged.

Thanks BP and all involved with EBMM!

 

[Caca de Kick]

Very great read BP. I don't know what else to add that hasn't already been said about the Ball family appreciation. You'll always have a customer in me.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Biff did you know that my new eBay store manager Linda Schaffer just so happens to own the domain Welcome to www.luckysperm.com and that it's available for sale?

HA! How funny would a redirect from luckysperm be to www.ernieball.com ?

 

[adouglas]

Biff did you know that my new eBay store manager Linda Schaffer just so happens to own the domain www.luckysperm.com and that it's available for sale?

DUDE!!!!! It's good to see you checking in!!!

How are you doing?

I sincerely hope the holidays see you and yours healthy, happy and prosperous.

You are in my thoughts quite a bit.

Best....

former Carvin-playing asshat adouglas

 

[4metta]

Fantastic. And the reason I love the company. Nothing better than family owned and loved.

 

[lumberjack]

Well, BP. The past few days on the forums have been very interesting to say the least. We get a couple of lurkers who log on to do nothing but stir the S#@T pot. Yet, wouldn’t have the balls to say those things to your face. I guess they feel protected by posting on the internet. I wanted to respond but didn't feel like giving those idiots the time of day. And there were enough of us who already said what I wanted to say. KOOGIE your responses were classic.

I just wanted to say this. I got my first ball back in March and I haven't looked back. Your products have the best feel and playability of any guitar that I've tried. And the quality and finish is outstanding.

When I save up my hard earned money for a guitar those are the most important things I'm looking for. But for me there is a BONUS when I buy products from your company. I’ve taken part in these forums since March. And by doing so, I get a bit of an inside look on how the company is run. You care about your employees, and your customers. And I'm very confident that Scott and Brian will proudly carry on the EBMM tradition when you finally decide that it's time to hang up the guitar strap(I'm sure that's a long ways off, yet. ). People just have to read the Dallas thread to see how generous you are. There aren’t too many company owners that would foot the bill for drinks, dinner and entertainment, so us forum members could have a get together. And most of us know about you charity work as well.

Before I bought my first ball, I asked the dealers how EBMM was, as a company, to deal with. And you got nothing but praise. They told me customer service was top notch. And they said if issues did arise they were always taken care of. It just made me feel confident knowing that if anything happened, all would be right. There are some companies out there that make me wonder if they even have customer service departments.

I check out the forums almost every day. And it's a great place to hang out. Could I be doing better things with my time......Yes. But, we've got a nice little community here. Communicating with people over the internet is a little tough. It's hard to judge people’s character. But on the EBMM forums, I get a pretty good idea of the character of the members by our responses to one another and the way we treat each other. Although, I've only met a few of you in person, I'd say we've got a very good bunch of people here. I hope to meet a bunch more. Whether, it's at another forum weekend, an open house, or even a NAMM show. I'm sure there will be a few of us who will meet up when Foggy finally gets his first ball. Still can't believe that's happening.

And, BP, I'm sure when I finally get a chance to meet you it will be an absolute pleasure.

I know you didn't start this thread to try and get sympathy. We very well know that you are quite capable of defending yourself. Just wanted to let you know that this knucklehead appreciates what you do and enjoys using the products that you make.

Some lurkers might think this thread is an internal A## kissing session. But it’s definitely not. When someone gets on the boards to do nothing but stir the pot, you are going to get people like Jack(Bovinehost) and Koogie and others defending Poppa. Most of us have dealt with customer service at one time or another. We know how issues are dealt with. Sure, sometimes things slip through the cracks. In my experience the issues have always been taken care of. So when someone gets on and starts flaming the company and the forums, members are going to speak up. There are quite a few who have met and know Big Poppa and his family and know their true character. So, when people get on and try to flame him and his family, they are going to get defended.

Thanks for the post, BP.

Scott

 

[mrpackerguy]

Thanks, BP. That post sorta has shades of the Fetivus "airing of grievances." Anyway, I feel bad about your brothers and sister and wish it hadn't had to come to that. There's no arguing with your success and I wish you and your family continued more of it at this special and to many of us, solemn time of year.

 

[leftymike]

Thanks BP for the read. Happy Holidays everyone!

 

[RockinRayDuke]

I'd work for you in a heartbeat BP. Find an old bass player something to do! Give me a broom, they always said I'd clean up in this business.

 

[Rano Bass]

There is nothing i can add to this tread other than a big THANK YOU MR. STERLING, you've shared lots of amazing stories and anecdotes here, and i (we) are thankful for that.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey Ray...you're back! good to hear from you....

 

[Android]

Big Poppa,
I would like to tell you my story because obviously I have insulted you or hurt your feelings. I have been playing guitar for 32 years. When I first picked up an electric guitar, I knew that it was what I wanted to do for life! When I was in High School, I used to practice for 8 to 12 hours a day. I was in many bands in the 70s and 80s trying to get a record deal, but it didn't work out. In the 90s I decided to go on my own, and I bought a bunch of recording stuff, and recorded 4 songs that became published. I finally had an ASCAP affiliation and vindication. I didn't make a dime off of them. I am now 45 years old and I have not given up. It is odd that you said your father died 2 years ago, because my mom died of lung cancer on January 8th, 2004. I'm sorry to have mentioned something so delicate. When my mom told me she had lung cancer, the guitar was the only thing that kept me giong, and I fell in love with your LUKE guitars. They had everything I wanted in a guitar; EMGs, Locking tuners, Whammy, Piezo Bridge... So I bought something to make me happy, A Luke. I couldn't afford it so I made payments on it. The next year I liked it so much that I bought another one. Then the neck on the first one started to twist, and I was heartbroken. I contacted your customer service, I had to pay to ship my guitar back to the factory, and argue with Dan as to whether there was anything wrong with it. He said there was nothing wrong, and shipped it back. After that, your company mistakenly sent me a Bass guitar. I was a little taken aback, but still courteous about the whole thing, and gave it back to the FEDEX guy. After my nephew heard this story, he fealt the need to post it on your forum. Your sef proclaimed minnions jumped all over him ! when I read the thread I was furuous ! After that you proceeded to call me Uncle Buck, and they were calling my nephew a liar, and Flute Tommy. Obvoisly I was pissed! Very unprofessional! Bottom line, you can have your minnions jump all over me about this post too, but I was just a customer who loved your guitars!

 

[Psychicpet]

Hi Android, I'm no minion and am not about to pounce.

the story I just read was a radically different post from what your nephew told (as though it had happened to him)

a much different tone to this post as well.

again, my 2-bits, but I'd say it if you were standing next to me.

no hostility meant just my take.

 

[Big Poppa]

Android..Great response and thank you. Until you got to the minnions part. If you posted this thread originally you would have had support and respect. Your nephew didnt and you didnt either. An action got a reaction.

Now lets get to the bottom of this. You didnt ever give me a chance to fix your problem or decide how to break the stalemate between your wishes and my customer service's opinion. You sent a scathing letter ( along with a xerox of your ascap card, I remember) complaining about us not fixing a guitar out of warranty. No return address to boot. A lot like the post by your nephew and your original post.

Regarding the shipping that is the terms of our warranty and so it would naturally be the same with an out of warranty instrument. Either way just about all companies make you pay at least one way. As I said earlier you would be suprised how many warranty crisis' are just a tweak here or correcting some silly problem.

Please tell me what you like us to do and I will see if it is reasonable.

Lets see if we cant turn this around and add your nephew and yourself to our cast of diehards knuclkleheads....

happy holidays (even to your nephew!)

P.S. if someone told me this silver spoon gig entailed responding to this forum at 10pm on Christmas weekend I would have passed it to the net sibling.

 

[Colin]

Big Poppa,
I would like to tell you my story because obviously I have insulted you or hurt your feelings. I have been playing guitar for 32 years. When I first picked up an electric guitar, I knew that it was what I wanted to do for life! When I was in High School, I used to practice for 8 to 12 hours a day. I was in many bands in the 70s and 80s trying to get a record deal, but it didn't work out. In the 90s I decided to go on my own, and I bought a bunch of recording stuff, and recorded 4 songs that became published. I finally had an ASCAP affiliation and vindication. I didn't make a dime off of them. I am now 45 years old and I have not given up. It is odd that you said your father died 2 years ago, because my mom died of lung cancer on January 8th, 2004. I'm sorry to have mentioned something so delicate. When my mom told me she had lung cancer, the guitar was the only thing that kept me giong, and I fell in love with your LUKE guitars. They had everything I wanted in a guitar; EMGs, Locking tuners, Whammy, Piezo Bridge... So I bought something to make me happy, A Luke. I couldn't afford it so I made payments on it. The next year I liked it so much that I bought another one. Then the neck on the first one started to twist, and I was heartbroken. I contacted your customer service, I had to pay to ship my guitar back to the factory, and argue with Dan as to whether there was anything wrong with it. He said there was nothing wrong, and shipped it back. After that, your company mistakenly sent me a Bass guitar. I was a little taken aback, but still courteous about the whole thing, and gave it back to the FEDEX guy. After my nephew heard this story, he fealt the need to post it on your forum. Your sef proclaimed minnions jumped all over him ! when I read the thread I was furuous ! After that you proceeded to call me Uncle Buck, and they were calling my nephew a liar, and Flute Tommy. Obvoisly I was pissed! Very unprofessional! Bottom line, you can have your minnions jump all over me about this post too, but I was just a customer who loved your guitars!

You will always attract more flies with honey than vinegar, hope it all works out. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to post a pic of Elle

 

[Android]

BP,
There is nothing you can do for me at this point. My Luke guitar is currently having a custom neck made for it. I originally called your customer service to ask if they could send me a new neck for it, or if I could buy a neck. Dan said the company policy was that I would have to send the whole guitar back to you for evaluation. I did that and then Dan said there was nothing wrong with it. This was after I had my luthier file some of the twist out of the frets so I could still play it. I was also told that I would be charged $400.00 if I wanted to buy a new neck for it. In my opinion, that is a very high price. When I got it back with the same defective neck still on it, I was so devastated that I couldn't bring myself to play it anymore. My nephew saw how depressed I was and felt the need to post the info on this whole mess. When I read the vicious responses that came back at him, I then became furious because it was hostility toward a member of my family. That was the reason for my anger. My nephew and I are not two trouble makers trying to mess with your forum. We are two lifetime guitar players that live every minute of our lives for the guitar. I'm not going to bother you or anyone else on this forum anymore, and I wish you all happy holidays.

Andrew

 

[Big Poppa]

andrew best of luck and if you can get a custom made neck for less than $400 let me know!
Lets take this away from your guitar specifically and let me tell you that it is very difficult on our end to handle stuff thats out of warranty and had other luthiers attempt to fix the problem. WE cannot guarantee what wood will do nor do we have a spycam in each case to see how it is stored ,etc. Wood rarely goes crazy unless there has been extreme climate or enviornmental shifts. Do you l.ive in the northeast by chance?

Your Nephew Im sure is a fine guy. He learned not to go into a strange bar and throw the first punch. Maybe there is a lesson there.

mxmas hand hh

 

[koogie2k]

Andrew....first...I am sorry to hear about your mom. I lost my best friend this year as well as several other friends of mine in that sand pit called Iraq. I know how it feels to lose someone close to you. So does Big Poppa.

I was the "mimion" that launched off. I don' just know Sterling from a keyboard...I know him personally. I have had some really cool convos with him, hung out with him, hung out with his kids...that kind of thing. He is a personal friend of mine...like family to me.

Your nephew wrote that first post (his first post) attacking my friend. I responded the same way...with an attack. Basically, his post was non-sense, I followed it with a bigger post of non-sense. Why did I call him a liar? Because I believe he did. Come to find out...his post was not about him...it was about you. Had he stated in his post it was YOUR axe...not his...I would not put that out there publicly. So in essense...he did lie about it. But, I am not going to beat a dead horse. Nor did I write that to incite anger...just showing you part of my side of it.

I think both sides of the house...you, your nephew and me went to extremes to get our points across......may not have been the best approach by us, but it is what it is and I am willing to let that go.

I will let it die and be done and over with. I will extend the olive branch and only say.....welcome. That will go for your nephew as well. Truth be told, I would rather be friends than foes. People here who know me personally will tell you....I am a loyal friend. So, that ball is in your court.

Personally, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Again, I am sorry about you losing your mom.

 

[jeffrey]

Great read, Sterling.

I always find your stories (and I don't mean story in a fictional sense! more historical) very interesting and compelling.

Knowing what you wanted to do for the majority of your life fits your personality 100%.

At least to me it does!

You and your familiy have a Merry and a Happy.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Merry Christmas BigBallz