Naming new instruments

[phatduckk]

So the other day i started wondering how the folks at EB come up with names for new instruments ...

Sig models are obvious, but how/who came up with the names for the SUB, Bongo, Axis, Silouette, Stingray (i guess it had a name before EB), Bongo, 2 pup models (why werent they named "deluxe" or "pimp version") etc ...

if anyone can tell a story id appreciate it ... would be a fun read

gracis,
Arin

 

[oddjob]

if anyone can tell a story id appreciate it ... would be a fun read

Amen!

 

[Aussie Mark]

My guess is that the most fertile time for developing instrument names is after Big Poppa opens the boardroom fridge for staff at 5.00pm on Fridays. That, and the vegetation that marketing people smoke.

 

[scottbass71]

I think S.U.B Stands for Sports Utility Bass I read it somewhere ( maybe here ) but the others I don't know.

 

[phatduckk]

I think S.U.B Stands for Sports Utility Bass I read it somewhere ( maybe here ) but the others I don't know.

na ... there's sub guitars too

 

[xcental34x]

It is Sports Utility Bass. The bass came first.

 

[phatduckk]

It is Sports Utility Bass. The bass came first.

really! woah ... i had no idea. sorry scottbass it looks like you wre totally right

 

[Big Poppa]

Boardroom? Marketing staff? vegemite?

The silhouette was named by Kevin Almeida who was an early employee and when he left us was plant manager and played a major role in the design of the current factory. We had a naming contest and he won it.

Dudley named the Axis. It was originally intended for the Albert Lee model. Since we had already had it trademarked we used is on what was the EHV with some changes.

The sterling I named as I didn't think anybody knew who I was in 93. It started with an s......

I named the sub. IT just seemed like a cool name. I joked that it was the sport utility bass. WE decided that it would be the name for the guitar rather than the sug. The sub series meaning any instrument with the matte finish and style of the bass

 

[Big Poppa]

Leo came up with the Sting Ray after the corvette. \\
The Bongo was the code name that the BMW guys called it and I decided to keep the name. I have had many eggs thrown on me for it but I like it.......

maybe someone from engineering could post the original bmw sketches? Dudley maybe

 

[paz117]

Wow thats awesome, did you work with Leo at all?

 

[Big Poppa]

yes I was one of the beta testers for the sting ray

 

[bassmonkeee]

Leo came up with the Sting Ray after the corvette. \\
The Bongo was the code name that the BMW guys called it and I decided to keep the name. I have had many eggs thrown on me for it but I like it.......

maybe someone from engineering could post the original bmw sketches? Dudley maybe

I've said it before--I'd love my Bongo even if it was named the Ernie Ball Musicman Flaming Pickle.


Feel free to use that, BTW.

Seriously, I'd rather have it named "Bongo" because it was the name that stuck rather than something that "tested well with the appropriate demographic." And, really--every person who I've seen mocking the name usually has something like an EX-103, or a TB406, or something silly. What's worse? Bongo, or something that sounds like a rejected name for a Star Wars robot?

 

[phatduckk]

i actually think all the names "work" ... none of them stick out like a soar thumb. "Bongo" sounds cool.

thanks for the info BP

 

[fogman]

I like the names.
Especially BONGO!

If I had to pick a name that I like the least, it would be Silhouette.
To me it's a shadow of a strat.
Although, that's the guitar I love the most!

 

[Samingo]

I like the names.
Especially BONGO!
QUOTE]


I agree, I think the name Bongo just captures the shape of the instrument. Something about it's big round shape just seems to fit the word. If that makes any sense.

 

[dlloyd]

Dudley named the Axis. It was originally intended for the Albert Lee model. Since we had already had it trademarked we used is on what was the EHV with some changes.

I remember a Guitarist (UK) magazine with AL on the cover around 1990/1991. He was holding an Albert Lee model with "Axis" written on the headstock. Any pictures of that guitar?

 

[scottbass71]

Thats cool duck you owe me a beer at the open day!!!!