So Lets Say, Hypothetically,

[dlloyd]

The argument that EB doesn't want people producing instruments and passing them off as MM is ridiculous. If I wanted to pass an instrument off as MM and make money the last thing I'd do is buy one of the most expensive parts from the company I'm trying to copy. I'd simply make my own neck and paint EBMM on the headstock...

Used Stingray necks appear on ebay fairly frequently. I've seen a few that the seller has replied to questions in the listing. The most common is "will it fit an OLP"

I've also seen a number of listings where the seller has (knowingly or otherwise) tried to sell forgeries. The most recent that comes to mind is a "Vintage" copy with a replacement decal.

You and I are probably able to spot most forgeries. Many aren't as well informed.

 

[bovinehost]

I'm still upset with how people who want to customize their instruments get treated here.

I don't see anyone mistreating the man. I see people offering up opinions and trying to help.

As I've often said, it's my bass and I'll do what I want with it. The flip side of that is if I screw it up, if I modify it from its original form, I shouldn't expect the company (any company, not just EBMM) to come running to my rescue.

Will they sell him a neck to replace a heavily modified non-original neck?

I don't know. Maybe we will find out.

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

It's not my intention to be rude - honestly it's not.

Is EB such a backwards company that they could be thrown off by having to produce replacement parts for their products???? What happens if I drop my Bongo and I need a new neck, do I then have to buy a whole new bass? not friggen likely. As much as I LOVE the thing, if EB wouldn't sell me a replacement neck they'd have seen the last of my money.

I bet someone just said "but he didn't break it.. he modded it.." There is no difference.. Do you think EB has some claim on my Bongo now that I own it?

The argument that EB doesn't want people producing instruments and passing them off as MM is ridiculous. If I wanted to pass an instrument off as MM and make money the last thing I'd do is buy one of the most expensive parts from the company I'm trying to copy. I'd simply make my own neck and paint EBMM on the headstock...

Why doesn't someone from EB just post here to clear this silly issue up? Or how about the original poster call EB and ask, then post the response?

You guys should read the fan forums for video games. Sometimes the posters here sound exactly like video game "fanbois".

I'm sorry if I offended anyone by posting this. I'm still upset with how people who want to customize their instruments get treated here.

KEVL? Please give me examples of people mistreating customers who want to mod their instruments. I teased and even gave a forum award to psychicpet. I really can't for the life of me understand how strongly you are coming on and how you can set policy for my company. Calm down and act civil and respectful and maybe you will get an answer.

 

[KEVL]

I don't see anyone mistreating the man. I see people offering up opinions and trying to help.

As I've often said, it's my bass and I'll do what I want with it. The flip side of that is if I screw it up, if I modify it from its original form, I shouldn't expect the company (any company, not just EBMM) to come running to my rescue.

Will they sell him a neck to replace a heavily modified non-original neck?

I don't know. Maybe we will find out.

Jack

I was actually refering to other threads where the person wanting to do something other than change his pickguard was berated by several posters.... that's neither here nor there. My own issue that I see the same treatment implied in this thread.

I don't think the poster is looking for the company to come to his rescue, but simply to "allow" him to purchase a replacement part. That's how I look at it anyway. Why does it matter if it's heavily modified or not?

Someone else wrote of a policy requiring the old part to be returned inorder to purchase a replacement part. I can't get to the main EB site because it's done in Flash which is disabled here on my work computer. If you could link me to this policy I'd like to read it. Possibly I could understand this "position" if I read what the company actually says about it.

To bring the conversation down a few levels. If I bore out the cylinders of my Mazda 2.0 engine and screw it up, Mazda will be more than happy to sell me a new engine - and they won't want the orginal one back.. I'm sure there are differences to the argument (possibly revealed in the company's policy statment) but I really don't look at a bass guitar as much different than a car - as far as a product goes.

I surely don't ever feel "cool" when people see me with my Protege hehe

To the other poster.. most people probably couldn't tell if the whole bass was a fake so putting a legit neck on a fake body probably wouldn't make it sell any better than simply painting EBMM on the headstock.

Cruisn' the forum instead of working rocks!
Kev

 

[KEVL]

Please give me examples of people mistreating customers who want to mod their instruments.

I really can't for the life of me understand how strongly you are coming on and how you can set policy for my company. Calm down and act civil and respectful and maybe you will get an answer.

I was very calm in my posts.

How am I "setting policy for [your] company"?

I am being civil. If were inclined to be uncivil I surely could be. Especially when I go out of my way to explain myself as clearly as I can and instead of a reply I get "calm down and be respectful and MAYBE you'll get an answer"

This is an attitude of many companies with an "online presence". The customers are seen as owing something to the company and that they need to be respectful of forum members who are not interested in helping them.

Now I'm feeling inclined to be rude so I'll stop. I love my bass, and enjoy the forums here. If you read this and feel that I have been rude, please just take a moment and don't react just yet. It is not my intention to attack you personally, but to address your post as clearly as I can. This I did so you could understand my postion, not because I dislike you in any way.

This person has a valid question which STILL has not been answered. If it's your company then please just answer his question.

Kev

 

[bovinehost]

Policy Explained in the FAQ Above

 

[strummer]

Ok, as the thread starter haven't yet gotten an answer, I propose we have a guessing game.
My guess: EBMM will sell a neck to a retailer if they get the question, at least if said question includes an explanation along the lines of "customer fubbed a customizing".
I do not think EBMM will sell anytning to anyone except a retailer, and why should they?

 

[Big Poppa]

Kevl
Now is a good time to talk about this forum. As I have said before it is a blank canvas. A commercial blank canvas. Sometimes it gets wierd and sometimes some really great things happen.

I will accept that you were frustrated by the posts and replies. Most of your frustration was directed at us and we hadn't answered the question yet. The answer is if you modifty your neck we will exchange it at a cost. It will not be cheap however.

Your comment about this attitude being typical with companies with an "online presence" being owed something is not my interpretation. I sometimes feel that people feel a sense of entitlement with their keyboard. As always somewhere in between is where it should sit.

We get complaints online that we don't offer enough choices (70k+) that we need better representation, (if we quadrupled our production would it be as special and could we continue to deliver the same quality and consistancy?) We get complaints that we offer too many choices. We get complaints that we dont have a custom shop and at the same time compaints that it takes three months to get a special ordered instrument.

We mostly however enjoy a great opportunity to cut through the middlemen and communicate directly with people who seen to like what we do.

Thanks for playing the Bongo...Now get to work!

 

[smallequestrian]

To bring the conversation down a few levels. If I bore out the cylinders of my Mazda 2.0 engine and screw it up, Mazda will be more than happy to sell me a new engine - and they won't want the orginal one back.. I'm sure there are differences to the argument (possibly revealed in the company's policy statment) but I really don't look at a bass guitar as much different than a car - as far as a product goes.
Kev

There is a key difference (among many) between the auto industry and the music industry. In the auto inustry, not only is it within the company's best interest to maintain a flow of replacement parts, they basically have too. Car parts fail on a regular basis and are expected to fail. With instruments, they are not expected to fail, and if they do, these problems can be addressed by a good company.

If car companies don't design their business around being able to manufacture a certain number of replacement parts, their business will fail. Also car companies make money on replacement parts for cars out of warranty because of the sheer volume of parts that will fail. Lets say your Mazda failed due to natural causes. If Mazda couldn't provide you with a engine, how quick would you be to buy another Mazda.

 

[roballanson]

Kevl
Now is a good time to talk about this forum. As I have said before it is a blank canvas. A commercial blank canvas. Sometimes it gets wierd and sometimes some really great things happen.

I will accept that you were frustrated by the posts and replies. Most of your frustration was directed at us and we hadn't answered the question yet. The answer is if you modifty your neck we will exchange it at a cost. It will not be cheap however.

Your comment about this attitude being typical with companies with an "online presence" being owed something is not my interpretation. I sometimes feel that people feel a sense of entitlement with their keyboard. As always somewhere in between is where it should sit.

We get complaints online that we don't offer enough choices (70k+) that we need better representation, (if we quadrupled our production would it be as special and could we continue to deliver the same quality and consistancy?) We get complaints that we offer too many choices. We get complaints that we dont have a custom shop and at the same time compaints that it takes three months to get a special ordered instrument.

We mostly however enjoy a great opportunity to cut through the middlemen and communicate directly with people who seen to like what we do.

Thanks for playing the Bongo...Now get to work!

Hey BP good answer, remind me to start complaining about how long it takes to get a special instrument across the pond


Only kidding. The company is doing a great job, and the replacement policy works for me, personally I dont see an issue there at all.

 

[bovinehost]

The company is doing a great job, and the replacement policy works for me, personally I dont see an issue there at all.

Nor do I. If you have a defective item, my experience is that people will go out of their way to get you fixed up. I've been around here long enough to have seen this work time and time again.

The answer is if you modifty your neck we will exchange it at a cost.

The answer to the original question has been answered and we've swerved into left field. Let's get back to playing (and buying) those basses, boys.

Jack

 

[roballanson]

The answer to the original question has been answered and we've swerved into left field. Let's get back to playing (and buying) those basses, boys.

Jack

Well said that man with the rather nice green flamed bass


now about that shipping across the pond....no stop me

 

[KEVL]

Thanks for playing the Bongo...Now get to work!

Now that wasn't called for!

Actually I had to replace some parts on a transmitter but the boss ordered the wrong ones so I still have nothing to do. I almost feel guilty.... not.

Thanks for the link to the answer Jack.

In case anyone may have missed it

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5873

6. How do I get replacement parts for my Ernie Ball bass?

A: Through customer service at Ernie Ball, of course. Small items such as screws, nuts, knobs, etc are available for a small charge. Ernie Ball does not sell necks, bodies, pickups or other large items. If you have a damaged or otherwise unsatisfactory body/neck/pickup/etc, you can contact Customer Service and, with the return of the damaged item, you may be able to purchase an replacement.

I don't honestly understand why they need the orginal part back, but it's their policy and it's clearly posted. (in the forums! *blush) I figure the parts can be expensive if they have to be, but as long as they are available I'm happy.

Hopefully this will help the orginal poster - who seems to be MIA

Kev

 

[skabassist13]

Ok, so my question is answered by the man at the top of the ladder. I figured they would have, but I just wanted to check out of curiosity. Now as far as modifying the neck, I highly doubt that I will becuase if I mess it up Id be out a Stingray. The only reason I'm thinking about it for my Squiers is because I have two that are exactly alike. Thanks BP!