Production schedule (? for EBMM staff)

[oddjob]

I know we have touched on this slightly before... what is the hold up in the Bongo production (please read that as me being truely curious, NOT as me being angry)? Is it materials, orders, too many road trips to Tijuana? I am not questioning why my bass is running late - I know that you can't rush greatness and the Bongo will be great! - I am just curious as to what goes into production scheduling, how many basses and guitars go out each day, the order load you guys get, etc.

Thanks for whatever insight you can give - just passing the time waiting for my Bongo

 

[spectorbassguy]

I know we have touched on this slightly before... what is the hold up in the Bongo production (please read that as me being truely curious, NOT as me being angry)? Is it materials, orders, too many road trips to Tijuana? I am not questioning why my bass is running late - I know that you can't rush greatness and the Bongo will be great! - I am just curious as to what goes into production scheduling, how many basses and guitars go out each day, the order load you guys get, etc.

Thanks for whatever insight you can give - just passing the time waiting for my Bongo

Depends on who's ahead in the foosball tournament!

 

[johans]

I know we have touched on this slightly before... what is the hold up in the Bongo production (please read that as me being truely curious, NOT as me being angry)? Is it materials, orders, too many road trips to Tijuana? I am not questioning why my bass is running late - I know that you can't rush greatness and the Bongo will be great! - I am just curious as to what goes into production scheduling, how many basses and guitars go out each day, the order load you guys get, etc.

Thanks for whatever insight you can give - just passing the time waiting for my Bongo

scott told me it's in the mills department
i dunno

i ordered mine from chucklevins at 4/21
promised to be out of slo 6/18

the real fact is, my ray just got shipped out from slo last friday on its way to washington dc ... and then another trip to san francisco ...

probably getting it end of july
just too long a wait i think...

shouldnt they give us some freebies?
strings .. cases ... straps ... pickguards ... ?

 

[technik]

the freebies should be Eden or lifetime warranty for ur SR5

 

[jongitarz]

Who promised it to be out of SLO on 6/18?? We didn't. There is at least a 3 month wait, and as I have said before, we would NEVER give an exact date that an instrument will be finished...I am sorry it takes a while to get your instruments, but we do not start building them until we get the order. There are people that ordered before you. They will get their basses before you. We don't have stacks of bodies or necks just waiting to be put together.

I just re read this, and it sounds like I'm pissed...I'm not. I just wanted to explain why you have to wait, and let you all know that when a dealer tells you your guitar will be here on XX/XX/04 they are talking out of their a#*es

Jon

 

[johans]

Who promised it to be out of SLO on 6/18?? We didn't. There is at least a 3 month wait, and as I have said before, we would NEVER give an exact date that an instrument will be finished...I am sorry it takes a while to get your instruments, but we do not start building them until we get the order. There are people that ordered before you. They will get their basses before you. We don't have stacks of bodies or necks just waiting to be put together.

I just re read this, and it sounds like I'm pissed...I'm not. I just wanted to explain why you have to wait, and let you all know that when a dealer tells you your guitar will be here on XX/XX/04 they are talking out of their a#*es

Jon

hi jon ...

check this out
that's what i was told by scott
i know that average is a 3 months wait
i am just holding by his email reply anyway ...


From : Scott Ball <[email protected]>
Sent : Tuesday, May 18, 2004 9:08 AM
To : [email protected]
Subject : Stingray 5

| | | Inbox


Johan,
The scheduled delivery date for your bass is 6-18-04.
--
Scott Ball
Customer Service
www.ernieball.com
866-82-EBALL


NOTICE: This e-mail is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).
Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution of this e-mail
or its contents is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended
recipient, please contact the sender by reply mail and destroy the original and all
copies of the original message.

 

[technik]

Btw, I ordered my bass a week before johans and Ive received the bass 3 weeks ago I guess

 

[technik]

In fact, Scott also told me everything about the delivery date and stuff, and in my case its on time only 2 weeks delayed and thats it.

 

[bassmonkeee]

This is why I shouldn't drink caffeine before bed...

EDIT: Damn, a lot of posts happened while I was slaving away at this thing. Okay, so I'm wrong but I'm leaving it. frizzle, frazzle, frammin.....stomp stomp stomp


The fact of the matter is that Jon has stated in other threads that they don't give out dates that the basses are slated to be done.

I think what's happening is this:

Date: March 16th.
[walks into music store]

Joe Bongo: I say to you--I'd like to order a Bongo, please.

S. Alesclerk: Why, certainly, good sir, we would be more than happy to assist you in your acquisition in one of the finest basses available today. Let me call the fine folks at Ernie Ball and tell them what you want.

Joe Bongo: Get me onna 'em 5 string Bongers--

angrily
S. Alesclerk: Don't call them 'Bongers.'

Joe Bongo: Um...Get me one-a dem lovely Bongos. 5 strings, and all the trimmings!

S. Alesclerk: Oh, most definitely!

[S. Alesclerk call Ernie Ball in sunny Cal-i-for-ni-a]

ring
Ernie Ball Sales Rep: Ernie Ball Customer Service. We string 'em, you sling 'em, or my name ain't Ernie Ball!

S. Alesclerk: What? Look--I want to get this guy a Bongo.

Ernie Ball Sales Rep: Did you tell him not to call them Bongers?

S. Alesclerk: Yup.

Ernie Ball Sales Rep: Okay, then! What's he want?

S. Alesclerk:
He wants one-a dem lovely Bongos. 5 strings, and all the trimmings!

Ernie Ball Sales Rep: Rightio! Current build time is around 10-14 weeks. But, don't quote me on that.

S. Alesclerk: No problem!

Ernie Ball Sales Rep: Bye! Go sell things!

S. Alesclerk: Bye! Go talk into a microphone headset!

[B. Alesclerk rejoins Joe Bongo]

S. Alesclerk: Get your finger outta there! I talked to Ernie Ball, and he said your Bongo would be done in 10 weeks.

[looks at calender]
Joe Bongo: Rock and Roll! Today's March 16th, so my Bongo will be here on May 27th!

S. Alesclerk: Exactly! Give me your credit card!

Joe Bongo: Take it--it's made of plastic!





Joe Bongo is, of course, devastated when he has to wait another month, or two for his new bass. Was the sales rep lying? Probably not--he was simply showing his faith in Retail Optimism.

--The End--


When you are making as many basses as EB makes in a month, it is probably easier to work in batches--5 string Stingrays, then 4 string Stingrays, then 5 string Bongos, then 4 string Bongos, etc.

I kow that I put too much stock in the "12 weeks" quote given by Adam at GC. I've seen 4-6 months turn into 18 months for some boutique basses. so even if you wait an extra month, or so for your bass.

The way I see it, you have two scenarios for a quicker turnaround==

1) Good: They aren't busy making basses, so they get to yours the day you order it. Bad: Unfortunately, the EB factory is not busy making basses, so it closes down.

2) Good: EB speeds up production by rewiring all the power outlets to 220V from 110V, and the machines go that much faster!.
Bad: Your new Stingray has the new "angled" pickup and the fancy 19th and a 1/2 fret--okay, at least that let's you play the fancy H chord....

Bottom line--they are building as fast as they can to meet demand, and still keep the quality that we have grown--NAY! Demanded! that it remain. It's not an exact science. Building special Bongos is an art.


Okay, now I'm tired.

 

[jongitarz]

Wow..That is interesting...But he did say "scheduled" delivery date...My point is there are things that can happen....sanding marks in the finish...it gets scrapped. Set up dept gets the neck for it...fret guys scratched the headstock...pickguards are back ordered...See what I am getting at? There are a lot of variables when building a guitar...And it is a Murphy's Law kind of thing with building instruments..especially when we are running behind

 

[jongitarz]

Thanks Bassmonkeee.....Thats what I was trying to say, but you said it WAY better than me

 

[johans]

Wow..That is interesting...But he did say "scheduled" delivery date...My point is there are things that can happen....sanding marks in the finish...it gets scrapped. Set up dept gets the neck for it...fret guys scratched the headstock...pickguards are back ordered...See what I am getting at? There are a lot of variables when building a guitar...And it is a Murphy's Law kind of thing with building instruments..especially when we are running behind

no biggies jon

 

[oddjob]

Its no biggie Jon (well it is, but it isn't). I understand things happen, and I was just curious as to how EBMM handles the whole order/assembly thing. I did not know that you guys didn't build ahead body-wise (unlike another namesless bass massproduction company in CA). It is more me just being the control freak that I am and wanting to know everything that is happening with my stuff. I am willing to wait to get what I want (or else I would have just bought one from Levins or BassCentral) I just like knowing where I'm at in the process and I know that when all is said and done I will have a quality instrument that meets or exceeds my standards.

 

[johans]

Its no biggie Jon (well it is, but it isn't). I understand things happen, and I was just curious as to how EBMM handles the whole order/assembly thing. I did not know that you guys didn't build ahead body-wise (unlike another namesless bass massproduction company in CA). It is more me just being the control freak that I am and wanting to know everything that is happening with my stuff. I am willing to wait to get what I want (or else I would have just bought one from Levins or BassCentral) I just like knowing where I'm at in the process and I know that when all is said and done I will have a quality instrument that meets or exceeds my standards.

i am with you
hahaha

 

[johans]

i am with you
hahaha

btw hey oddjob

what did you use to case your kermit?
skb case? or any custom case?

 

[johans]

Its no biggie Jon (well it is, but it isn't). I understand things happen, and I was just curious as to how EBMM handles the whole order/assembly thing. I did not know that you guys didn't build ahead body-wise (unlike another namesless bass massproduction company in CA). It is more me just being the control freak that I am and wanting to know everything that is happening with my stuff. I am willing to wait to get what I want (or else I would have just bought one from Levins or BassCentral) I just like knowing where I'm at in the process and I know that when all is said and done I will have a quality instrument that meets or exceeds my standards.

hey strange!

i thought 100 posts is what i takes to be a Senior Member?

why oddjob has 146 post and still a Junior Member?
is this due to the new forum upgrades?

 

[oddjob]

Kermit lives in an MM Stingray case (of the skb variety). I had to break down the foam at the tip of the upper horn... and now that I've had him in there a while the foam fits perfectly (and the extra space where a SR's lower horn is can be used to store extra silica packs too ). It is almost a perfect fit for it.

 

[oddjob]

hey strange!

i thought 100 posts is what i takes to be a Senior Member?

why oddjob has 146 post and still a Junior Member?
is this due to the new forum upgrades?

They moved the bar on me... a day after I made senior on the old forum. It is now 200 but I'm getting there.

 

[johans]

They moved the bar on me... a day after I made senior on the old forum. It is now 200 but I'm getting there.

i think ... 200 is for member right?

there's a Member after the Junior and before Senior

so i think 200 you'll be Member ... probably i dont know ... 300?400? to be senior

luckily im still on the grace period ;p

 

[oddjob]

i think ... 200 is for member right?

there's a Member after the Junior and before Senior

so i think 200 you'll be Member ... probably i dont know ... 300?400? to be senior

luckily im still on the grace period ;p

enough said