New appreciation for Biff & Company!!

[Steve Dude Barr]

I just spent two weeks getting jerked around by another major bass manufacturer that I had entered into an agreement with the company principal to represent his product line at NAMM. There was a handshake deal made at the show then I got tossed to a mult-level "outside" distribution network that really has no clue what they're doing and has myopic business vision. Many emails and voicemails not returned and generally very poor communications and then a slap in the face over their antiquated business model/methods.

Bottom line is that they rejected my dealership because VBTC is not a "brick and mortar" operation . You show me one B&M that has 2 million plus customers walk through their door monthy and I'll eat em.

Their loss, not mine but it does make me feel great about dealing with Sterling and the entire EBMM family where I get treated with respect and appreciation for how I conduct business. I can pick up my phone and get Biff on his cell 24/7 (not that I would mind you but I "could" if I had to.)

It's nice to know that there's a company out there where a handshake means something!

So, with that said, all the money I had set aside to order basses from this other company just got flipped over to my EBMM budget!!

They don't want my money? Fine...I'll send it to Biff instead!!

 

[Randracula]

I'm sure Ernie Ball will have no problem picking up the business they(unamed losers) lost with you

 

[sandman@midlife]

I'll take a EBMM any day over those other guys bass. I've got one of the other guys basses, its okay, but it stays in its case since the Stingray came to my house.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

ps: They just jerked off the wrong person with the biggest mouth in the bass biz too.

They really have no clue how bad they screwed the pootch but they will soon enough.

 

[Colin]

There was a handshake deal made at the show

It's nice to know that there's a company out there where a handshake means something!

Hey Steve, go to a joke shop and get one of those buzzers you put on the inside of your palm. Wear it the next time you see that guy. Maybe he'll understand that a handshake is not a joke. Now a handshandy is another topic alltogether....

Colin

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Dude, more power to you!

 

[scottbass71]

Well said dude
Now give us a clue who they are?

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

If you sift through my NAMM 2006 pics below you will see a photo of the worthless handshake on page 3.

 

[TSanders]

Eh, youll do fine without em Steve.

 

[Figjam]

Theyre not good enough for you

 

[Mobay45]

They probably found out about the bass licking.

 

[Colin]

They probably found out about the bass licking.

 

[Big Poppa]

Dude

Thanks...You happened to meet some long term customers of the ebmm family...one thirty four years and one twenty years...The subject of trust came up, remember?

Guys it was G & L. I know those guys. Dude, Go easy on them. Dave Mc Laren one year was totally buttfaced at the namm show and is famous for banging on the door of the English guys you met at three am and hosing them down with the hotels fire extinguisher. I think that he may not drink anymore at the show. I know that the English dont send him a birthday card

His Dad is a class act. First class. He was president of Fender when CBS owned them and was a real big wig with Yamaha. His one son runs the factory and Dave runs sales. I would ask as a personal favor that you give them a mulligan. Dave screwed the pooch on this one but he is really a pretty good guy. Sometimes you have to realize that some people may not be as current on the evolving business models in retail today.

Dude I also think that you and Jack are doing a fabulous job with us but there is so much more potential. I think that we coexist and compliment Lakland as we are in different price point but with G & L I dont think that it is as good of a it.

 

[Colin]

How could you not trust this guy?

 

[TSanders]

Is that Newt Gingrich? (I bet I spelled that wrong)

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I would ask as a personal favor that you give them a mulligan.

Mulligan granted per your personal request BP but I will be getting rid of my G&L Forum on The Pit none the less. To do otherwise would be a slap in the face to the other manufacturers I represent. They need to understand that there's no free lunch in life and to not bite the hand that feeds them and I've been feeding them for free for almost 5 years and I get the brush off after the deal was sealed in person.

That just doesn't sit well with me.

 

[scottbass71]

Thanks Steve and BP
A thing happened to me regarding the same company a week before the greatest show on earth (EB open day) last year and even though BP and myself were chock full of fizz I told him the story and he said a few encouraging words to me.

Anyhow I was thinking of completing the Leo family tree

F$%der
Musicman
G % L

Guess which one I still don't own?

I bought my first Sterling ever as a momento of the open day and to the people at EB for such a great time.

 

[bovinehost]

I have some thoughts on the G&L Forum at the Pit, Steve, but I'll email them to you because you're going to tell me I'm full of moose cakes and I'd rather hear that privately.

Sometimes you have to realize that some people may not be as current on the evolving business models in retail today.

Very true - in many cases. Not that I'm a genius about business, mind you, but if the sun shines brightly enough, I can see it. It's shining quite nicely right now. I also know if someone's peeing in my pocket and trying to tell me it's raining.

I also think that you and Jack are doing a fabulous job with us but there is so much more potential. I think that we coexist and compliment Lakland as we are in different price point but with G & L I dont think that it is as good of a fit.

Well, thank you. Two things about that: first, it's easy to sell the best bass value on earth. Second, if I haven't mentioned it lately, thank you for being the most stand-up guy I've ever met, and I've known a few. (Well, okay, four.) Some of the smallest-potato dealers in the entire network get a lot of attention (I'm guessing DuBaldo, Barr and Williams aren't paying for that yacht). It makes us smarter and more capable and our success, such as it is, is directly related to our relationship with you, Dargin, Jon, Derek, the Dans, Beth, Aziah and the other good people at EBMM.

So I'm not a fan of G&L basses and couldn't really explain it except that they just aren't sexy. They should be, really, but I have seldom seen one that made me take notice. The few that I noticed, well, the momentary fascination with the sparkly bits passed quickly enough.

When people talk about the Serious Contenders in the bass world, it always comes down to the Precision, the Jazz and the Stingray. A case could be made for Rickenbacker, but I don't really think it's part of the Triumvirate of rock and roll bass history.

I've often wondered about why G&L has never really been a contender.

Ah well, perhaps I'm figuring some of it out now.

Jack

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

but if the sun shines brightly enough, I can see it.

Bingo!!! Hello??? My G&L forum on the Pit gets more hits than either my Lakland or Ernie Ball forums!!

That's what i'm talking about!!

It's silver platter time...ding, ding and ching, ching...win/win/win all the way around for all involved.

It's just very frustrating for me that after all these years that the internet is looked down upon in the retail community when it is clearly the way of the future.

That's what BP, myself and his UK, French and German distributors were discussing over beers (coke for me) Sunday afternoon at NAMM. It was a great roundtable with polar opposite retail models being discussed.

Oh well...I try...

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I've often wondered about why G&L has never really been a contender.

I've had limited experience with them myself but I'll tell you what...this L-1K I got from Harry and later sold to Scotty was one of the finest basses I've ever played.