No love for sparkle finishes?

[ROON]

So I was just looking at some pictures of a burnt apple SR4 over on TalkBass, which lead me to think, EBMM have had some pretty sweet sparkle finishes over the years. So I headed on over to the EBMM website (love the new look btw), and much to my surprise there is not one sparkle colour in production anymore! I mean theres egyptian smoke and carbon blue pearl which are kinda metallic in a way, but by no means sparkle.

Everyone seems to love the blue dawn LE models, and I remember before they came out if you spotted a blue dawn EBMM on eBay you could be sure it wouldn't last long! So whats the deal? Why do the sparkle finishes end up getting discontinued? Will there ever be more?

By the way I'm not complaining or anything, I just find it interesting how there are no sparkle finishes in production but people seem to like them. I think EBMM offer some of the best options on their basses, right up there with G&L. But EBMM basses are sexier than G&L's.

 

[strummer]

My guess: Just as with green basses no one buys them when they are available, and then when they are discontinued we bitch about it here

 

[bovinehost]

There is lots of love for sparkles here on the forum.

Unfortunately, they weren't quite so popular with the general bass-buying public when they were in production....and so they went the way of the dinosaurs.

Only dinosaurs don't show up on eBay from time to time.

 

[ROON]

My guess: Just as with green basses no one buys them when they are available, and then when they are discontinued we bitch about it here

I was thinking this too. The only way to make them popular is discontinue them and make them rare, or plaster "LIMITED EDITION" all over it huh?

There is lots of love for sparkles here on the forum.

Unfortunately, they weren't quite so popular with the general bass-buying public when they were in production....and so they went the way of the dinosaurs.

Only dinosaurs don't show up on eBay from time to time.

That's a real shame, because I think EB do the best sparkle around. G&L sparkles look too chunky and messy, Warmoth sparkles are too fine and look like television static. EB do a really nice, smooth, striking yet understated sparkle, just how I like it!

 

[Smakbass]

Im still kicking myself for not buying a white sparkle sterling I saw years back...

 

[koogie2k]

Besides them not selling too well there was another problem. Evidently the sparkle would clog the spray guns and even cleaned, the would get on the finishes that were not sparkles. Thus, having to re-do the paint.

I love the sparkles too, but, keep in mind we are the rabid fans. If they don't sell...they don't sell.

Pops has a business to run and it was a business decision. I can live with that.
Really cool they brought out the blue dawn for the LE run.

 

[Tone Chaser]

Oh how I would love a StingRay in Black Sparkle. I've been searching for so long. But it's true; when the colour was in production I more or less overlooked it.

For now I'll just stand tall (in my tan platforms) under my mirrored ball, playing "Dance, Dance Dance" on my decidedly non-sparkly 'Ray and dream of the day when a Black Sparkle finished MM is all mine. Wait a second, I forgot that I also own an '07 LE Blue Dawn. Awesome!

 

[bradfordws]

Next best thing is to take your bass apart and send the body to Marty Bell Finishing:
Home
He did a re-fin on my SUB 5 and it came out real nice - see my photo album. His lead time is only 1 week or 2 weeks tops. The only trouble is, if you want a matching headstock, I don't know if you can get a decal from EB/MM for the re-do.

 

[mbgreene]

Im still kicking myself for not buying a white sparkle sterling I saw years back...

By coincidence I saw a White Sparkle Sterling at a guitar shop today Rosewood board and it looked like the frets had wear, didn't have a price tag but hey this could be karma.

30th St. guitars in NYC - their website is 30thstreetguitars.com

They also had an original run Blue Dawn Sterling as well some other used SR's and SR 5's

 

[Duarte]

I love me some Sparkles. I think I got lucky with the redrise, and I agree - EBMM sparkles are (were) the best!

 

[Baird]

There is lots of love for sparkles here on the forum.

Well put. One of your best lines ever IMO. We sure are a manly group of bassists over here!

Anyways... I friggin' love EBMM sparkly basses. I have a 2007 Blue Dawn LE, but my favorites are silver and gold sparkle. They look great in a "I must play Kung Foo Fighting" kinda way.

 

[Smakbass]

Im still kicking myself for not buying a white sparkle sterling I saw years back...

I guess I will just have to make due with the white sterling HS I am picking up tonight from act 1......

 

[GWDavis28]

Sparkles are the best IMPO. I think since EBMM doesn't make then anymore they are that much more special when you locate one and snag it.

Glenn |B)

 

[Aussie Mark]

No

 

[ROON]

Next best thing is to take your bass apart and send the body to Marty Bell Finishing:
Home
He did a re-fin on my SUB 5 and it came out real nice - see my photo album. His lead time is only 1 week or 2 weeks tops. The only trouble is, if you want a matching headstock, I don't know if you can get a decal from EB/MM for the re-do.

This has to be one of the coolest finishes ever!!!

 

[mathewsanchez]

LE's have to keep the sparkle alive. Don't think we'll get new sparkles any other way. Blue Dawn and Sequoia Gold are some of the best sparkles so I support EBMM's choices 100%.

I do hope for Autumn Redrise as LE '09. Mmmmm... Redrise.



EDIT: and Burnt Apple for LE '10.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Jack... (and other knuckle heads)... how is "Sequoia Gold" actually pronouned?

 

[mathewsanchez]

Jack... (and other knuckle heads)... how is "Sequoia Gold" actually pronouned?

sequoia - definition of sequoia by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

Hope this helps. Just click on one of the little speaker symbols next to the word.

 

[Duarte]

I just showed my Sparkley bass to a seasoned guitar player friend...he said it was the best colour he had ever seen. Loved it, and when I told him it was discontinued he almost cried!

 

[ROON]

I just showed my Sparkley bass to a seasoned guitar player friend...he said it was the best colour he had ever seen. Loved it, and when I told him it was discontinued he almost cried!

With good reason, my heart sank when I saw no sparkle finishes on the new website.