Paging EBMM staff. -2008 Get togethers.

[Smellybum]

I'm posting this in all seriousness, PLEASE don't delete this.

I've never been to America, I have family there, and some very old friends have moved there, but I've just never had the time/cash/organisation.

So, having seen a real life guitar trade show on expo 92 TV itro program 15 years ago I've been set on when and if I ever get to the US - I'd love to have gone to one of them....

Then I joined this board, and man o man do I wanna go to one of the knucklehead events! they all seem amazing, and those of you lucky enough to have gone previously I'm incredibly jeleaous, I'd swap my DD luke to have had your experience!


So with 100% honesty and hope is there any way of knowing what months the 2008 events will happen, Feel free to laugh at me (although there's a queue) I would really like to go to one of these events, but with a young family and a low paid job I need to plan well in advance, can't leave my wife and children alone- it hurts too much, but could force a family holiday in whatever location EBMM tell us!

I appreciate my personal circumstances are sod all in the grand scheme of things, and I know that there are 1000's worse off than me, and I know that EBMM, Big Poppa, and the amazing team have far more amazing things to do - but one of the main reasons I'm still here is you give a toss about the little guy! - Hoping you can help me out.

Smelly.

 

[Big Poppa]

Smelly,
Your situation is not trivial to any of us at EBMM. WE understand that many of the people who come to our events make great sacrifices. That is another reason that I assist with the hotel and all of us work so hard at making sure that people dont leave dissapointed.

That being said...THese things are reallty a TON of work and a lot of money. My budget was $80,000.00 and we blew past $90,000.00. KEep in mind that time usally is spent designing and making andpromoting products and the money can be used to fund R &D.

I cannot guarantee that we will have a bash on the scale of this last one each and every year. Two years ago we had a pretty big one in SLO and last year there was one in Dallas at a hotel. THat one was about $55,000.00. IF you figure that Forumites account for about 300-400 units sold directly the math doesnt work too good.

THese parties must be very similar to what women feel right after child birth...."that's it.....Honey go get the vasectomey...I'm not going through that again" Six months later they are staring at babie in restaurants dreamin of the next one.....


Moral to the story give me 6 months. Ill have a pretty good ideal then if and when

 

[beej]

Sterling, you are too generous. I think next year we should get together and throw you a party.

 

[Eggman]

Beej - great idea.

Maybe if 180 of us throw in $500 each.............

 

[Oldtoe]

Bill is the finance guy, after all.

 

[RitchieDarling]

Beej - great idea.

Maybe if 180 of us throw in $500 each.............

I'm in!

R

 

[AnthonyD]

Whatever it takes!

$501.00 each...

In all seriousness, BP & company have proven to be more and more generous with each event. But beyond the $$$, there is lots and lots of time and attention and (I'm sure) aggravation that goes along with these events. And it has got to be draining - especially when you consider this is all produced while folks are still doing their day jobs!

So I for one will wait patiently for that "itch" to come... Be it in 6 months or two years...

BP - you lay out the game plan when you're ready - I am happy to be on the Team and fully expect to be playing!

 

[Multiversal]

How about a New England Bash?

 

[gregmarradotcom]

BP... We were estimating what this event might have set ya back but 90k OMG!!! Dude you are the coolest. WHAT other company would do this?! I would actually pay to attend this event again.

 

[Big Poppa]

nobody has to pay....just let me catch my breath!

 

[MrMusashi]

i have NEVER EVER witnessed anything like it, but i do hope i will again!!!

big props to mr Sterling Ball for daring to do things differently! hehe.. nobody wants a 90k "investment" that you cannot guarantee will pay off

if there will be a next time (fingers crossed), ill be there.. you betcha!

MrM

 

[EBMM7181]

Well, whenever the next one is, wherever the next one is, my wife and I are there!

I've still not forgiven myself for not going to the Desert.

I look forward to meeting all of you.

 

[TNT]

Thank you BP again for these momentous occasions!!!

It's just not possible for you to be this way as a CEO of a company. And, because of this, and the fact I can never thank you enough for all the enjoyment YOU"VE made possible for me, I put it upon myself to that extra step and time when I go to music stores, gigs, jams, etc. . to talk/promote to others about EBMM guitars, basses, strings, etc. . . This is something I MUST do, otherwise I can't sleep at night!! LOL

When I am able to buy EBMM products I do it at a sacrifice many times (Bass-sic has enough shoes anyway), as I would imagine many of us do. I guess it's my very small, unseen way of saying "Thank You" BP!!

 

[dmullen]

Hell I'm just gonna move over there.

 

[Smellybum]

Smelly,
Your situation is not trivial to any of us at EBMM. WE understand that many of the people who come to our events make great sacrifices. That is another reason that I assist with the hotel and all of us work so hard at making sure that people dont leave dissapointed.

That being said...THese things are reallty a TON of work and a lot of money. My budget was $80,000.00 and we blew past $90,000.00. KEep in mind that time usally is spent designing and making andpromoting products and the money can be used to fund R &D.

I cannot guarantee that we will have a bash on the scale of this last one each and every year. Two years ago we had a pretty big one in SLO and last year there was one in Dallas at a hotel. THat one was about $55,000.00. IF you figure that Forumites account for about 300-400 units sold directly the math doesnt work too good.

THese parties must be very similar to what women feel right after child birth...."that's it.....Honey go get the vasectomey...I'm not going through that again" Six months later they are staring at babie in restaurants dreamin of the next one.....


Moral to the story give me 6 months. Ill have a pretty good ideal then if and when

Poppa,

Thank you! - wow $90k on a party and you were designated driver!!! I had no idea it'd cost that much, and I had no idea you'd been able to see my schedule!(I'm booked in for a vasectomey on the 23rd!!!)

I didn't want to turn this into a big thing, and I can see how many of the lucky knuckleheads appreciate what you've done for them, they really should name a street after you or something, (Sterling Ball Academy for shirt design?)

I've prepared my wife for our 2008 departure, although I suspect it'll be "complicated" - and 2 kids and a 18 hour flight is gonna hurt! And promise to spend all remaining cash on EBMM products, only 358 sleeps! (give or take)

I was mis-diagnosed with a brain tumor a few months back, It's no biggy, it was done and dusted in a couple of weeks and I can laugh about it now, but I'm all for live in the now, try new things and all that - I might even hit Koogie up for parachute lessons!

Thanks again, it's funny being 120 miles from any kind of civilzation you rely alot on the internet, and this is without a doubt an amazing company (not being a fanboy freak) just stating fact - it's a bit like if you were buying a car and looking down the options list.....

Speak to owner - Brand X no EBMM - Yup
Have Parties Brand X - Are you a share holder sir ? EBMM - Sure
Have fun Brand X - Would you like to buy? EBMM - Post !
Competitions Brand X you will be entred into..... EBMM - Forum specific stuff
Guitar Torture Brans X - Please read a press release EBMM - Pics all the time!

Anyway I've rambled on enough, I gotta go sell myself for 10c a go! - gotta make the flights somehow!!!! - it's the ones that ask for change that upset me!

 

[KennethB]

I've looked at all the picture-threads from the bash and I thought when I looked at the scale of it all and the details and attention that were put into it that it had to be quite expensive.
I have to agree with my fellow norwegian and say that I have never seen anything like it and I think it's so amazingly cool that BP and crew did this!
It says a lot about BP and EBMM, and it's not lost on me. I may even have to buy some EB-shirts now so I can promote EBMM even when I'm not playing!

 

[Big Poppa]

Guys Every company spends the dough as they see fit....

I just am tired of people being sensitive to being a fanboy...big deal. There are worse things to be fans of. Im a fan of my own company..I am a fan of the people that work for me Iam also a fan of my customers....whats the big deal?......The people hurling that weak asses insult are equally biased and excited over some other guitar comapny....THeir loss!

 

[glockaxis]

Very true. You and the company make kick-a** guitars and basses, strings, accesories and have the human element of loyalty, friendship, honor and respect that go along w/ it. I'm proud to be associated w/ that and have the same loyalty, friendship, honor and respect w/ your company and others in life. You're a great example to look up to and follow.-----Label that statement whatever you want, I'm just speaking the truth.

 

[bovinehost]

I just am tired of people being sensitive to being a fanboy...big deal. There are worse things to be fans of. I'm a fan of my own company..I am a fan of the people that work for me. I am also a fan of my customers....whats the big deal?

I am proud to sport the Fanboy Guitar Pics.

Next, I plan to print all of the above quote on a tour jacket!

You rock, boss.

Jackie

 

[Jimmyb]

The people hurling that weak asses insult are equally biased and excited over some other guitar comapny....THeir loss!

That is so true.

I occasionally pop over to the Harmony Central forum (although most of the time it scares me to do so). I'm a really big fan of Pete Cornish effects and the like, but when you see any thread there about him, it's almost as though there is genuine hostility.

These same people though are always posting about how great xyz pedals or amps are. It's just the same with guitars.

It just strikes me that some people think it's 'cool' to mock any sort of enthusiasm that people show towards a product or company. It's a bit like being back at school at times. I'm really glad that the folks here, on the whole, are capable of having a reasonable discussion.

Anyway, let's get a UK knuckleheads bash sorted!!