That old chestnut...

[Dodgeball]

Hello everybody (hang on...I sound like Zippy from rainbow)

Ok so I think the subject of sparkle finishes has been thoroughly explained and tho it's not to everyones liking that EBMM don't do them anymore...that's just way things are.




BUT....

After seeing the recent picks of Tim's STUNNING EVH in the pics' thread and also reading the comments about Timrams88's recent ebay purchase I have to ask the question...WHY NO MORE PURPLE?

I don't understand it, I'm very prepared like others are to go and trawl thru ads and ebay etc for a fine purple-hued six string built buy the best manufacturer that I have ever encountered but why not have it as a standard colour option? Was there something wrong with paint used? Did it clog up the guns?

I'm having trouble picking a colour for my next EBMM which will likely be a hardtailed ASS. I'm leaning towards desert gold with matching headstock but am still not quite convinced - if trans purple or purple perl was an option however I would likely order one tomorrow.

There doesn't seem to be any purple finishes options available either transparent or opaque across the whole EBMM product line at the moment (unless I'm being incomprehensibly thick...again) and it puzzles me.

I just wanna know what the deal is? Anybody????

 

[PurpleSport]

'Fraid I can't give ya an official answer on that one, Dodgeball, but I believe it's probably simple economics. If they can't sell enough of something, EBMM - or any other fiscally-conscious company, for that matter - will drop it and move on. Jonguitarz has said here a few times that black is still their biggest selling color (or lack thereof), and I believe I've seen some anecdotal stories here or somewhere else that it might have been one of their least popular colors - true or no, Jon?

This is purely speculation on my part, but as with clothing, not everyone looks good in/with purple; not to toot my own horn here, but I'm one of the folks who can comfortably pull it off and not look like a goofus. It's one of those colors that rings a few people's bells, but not the majority of others. Think about it - how many folks do you regularly see with purple clothes, cars, or other brands of guitars for that matter? It was a complete fluke that my first EBMM came in a color that I liked and wanted in a guitar for a while, and had thought was one of the cooler ones on an Axis.

Glad to see you're also a fan - purple is a special color for a special kind of person. Remember, it was once considered the color of royalty <LOL>....

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I know that most purple guitars have some serious color fade issues, not sure if that would be the reason or not?

 

[ernie1966]

Trans purple, trans pink and trans black all had fading issues.

 

[Dodgeball]

Thanks for the input guys.

I appreciate that the more sober colours would always remain the most popular for guitarists but I can't really fathom how something like purple would be LESS popular than the more obscure options like rolls burgandy, graphite pearl, lava pearl or envy green. I mean, is it really necessary to have 3 shades of gold on offer...egyptian smoke, medallion gold and desert gold? If these are more popular than the purple instruments then fair enough...I just find it hard to believe.

I'd better make the point now that there is nothing wrong with those colours and I'm not trying to offend anyone who plays them (desert gold is lush) it's all personal taste after all; but I don't read about members of the forum getting all worked up over a rolls burgandy silo or an egyptian smoke axis (anyone ever even seen these?).

On another note I also read about the fading issues with the purple but also read that it had been resolved...unless the resolution was to discontinue it as an option of course. Anyone know any more?

Besides, if trans purple, pink etc had fading issues what about the opaque purple perl? Did that have fading issues also?

I'm not ranting, just interested in peoples opinions as the issue of colours seems to constantly come up.

All the best guys

 

[Warg Master]

Purple RULES! I love purple... EB come up with a new purple that wont fade!

 

[dwf1004]

...or won't be TOO dark?

 

[Warg Master]

that too....

 

[nobozos]

I made this inquiry when I got my Trans Purple Axis Quilt-top a couple years ago. It was a 2000, and I was told that it was the last year they were produced. It was really dark when I bought it, but I expected that it would fade like the older ones, and that is exactly what I wanted. I like the look of the faded purple, unlike some people. I found out at that time that the reason that mine was so dark is that EBMM changed the type of paint used in an attempt to solve the fading situation. In the process of doing so, they ended up with an extremely dark purple that was difficult to see the figuring of the maple through, so they scrapped the color. I was told at the time that purple would be re-introduced when the bugs were worked out of it.

Just a bit of information. My old trans-purple Axis is sitting at Flores Music in Peoria right now. I think they are asking about a grand for it, but I'm sure they will entertain reasonable offers if anyone is seriously interested.

 

[PurpleSport]

PurpleSport scours up another one !!!

Hey Dodgeball -

Lookit what I found...furthermore, the dealer is literally TWO BLOCKS FROM MY APARTMENT:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3755092237&rd=1

It's not an ASS (sorry, had to throw that in there)...but you could always drop in a push/pull or two and get some more tonal options. I'd check the guitar out for ya, but I won't be around the store anytime that it's open between now and the end of the auction in about a day and a half (I go to work too early and come home too late...sorry.... ).

I usually think this dealer's stuff is on average a bit overpriced, but if I were you, I'd be thinkin' about puttin' that stong British Pound to work and get pounding on that Buy It Now, right now (it does appear from the fine print that they do ship overseas)!

Good luck!

 

[Dodgeball]

Purplesport, u r an absolute gent - I wasn't expecting you (or anyone else on the forum) to try and track one down for me.

Hmmm it sure is pretty too, and only about £550 ex shipping.

Trouble is my desire for an ASS is not for the tonal options given by the 5-way but for the fact that it has no floyd. I love the floyd on my current Axis but sometimes i miss the simplicity of a hardtail, especially when it comes to altered tunings. So...sadly I think I must let this one go.

But it's interesting to hear about the problems with the purple colour, I knew I had read that the fading had been resolved but i didn't know it was at the expense of a darker hue, thanks for the info.

It does seem that perhaps my best bet for another EBMM will be to use the strong £ to get a bargain, maybe when I'm in the states next year I can pick something up and UPS it home and save about £500.

I hope EBMM reintroduce purple as a colour option again soon, even if its just an opaque colour like purple perl.

Cheers fellas

 

[PurpleSport]

No prob, Dodgeball - gotta spread the good karma around, ya know... ...I simply came across it whilst doing a completely random sweep for EBMM stuff on eBay (I really need to quit doing this, or my credit card balance will never get paid off! <LOL>). I'd noted that they had another amber Axis on there just a day or two ago, but didn't see this one until last nite.

For those considering buying from these guys: like I mentioned earlier, their tag prices usually leave a lot to be desired, especially considering they're a mom and pop 2 blocks down the street from a Sam Ash chain store. For instance, they actually had the stones to put a used import Steinberger Spirit - which you can get online brand new for $200 - out on the floor for $450!! It was then that I decided that I couldn't take these folks seriously and haven't really been back in there as a serious shopper since. Every time I see something like that in this day and age, I hafta shake my head....I always try my best to support the smaller guys when I can, but the chutzpah behind that move was a bit beyond the pale, even by NYC standards....

That said, I've never really picked these guys brains to see if they'd come down on a price. Your mileage may vary - if you get lucky, let us know - just doing my part to put the word out for the rest of you savvy shoppers!

 

[Lew]

Purplesport, u r an absolute gent - I wasn't expecting you (or anyone else on the forum) to try and track one down for me.

Hmmm it sure is pretty too, and only about £550 ex shipping.


It does seem that perhaps my best bet for another EBMM will be to use the strong £ to get a bargain, maybe when I'm in the states next year I can pick something up and UPS it home and save about £500.


Cheers fellas

Dodge ball you can get a great deal with shipping.the sting is in tax and duty.I cant remember exactly but all in,including shipping and tax and duty i think i got a near brand new ASS for £750 which was only used for a couple of months.

Do it you won't regret it but INSURE IT iregardless of cost!Despite Freds exemplary packing i minor mark was still found.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I live in the UK and have bought from ebay from the USA. I bought my Sparkly ASS in this manner and I paid £530 plus £130 or so to have it sent UPS on a 4 or or so day service. This guitar was in A1 as new condition even though it was technically used. I was very lucky with the customs and VAT. I bought it from the seller and they sent it to my good friend Hannah in Virginia. She then sent it to me and was, how should I put this 'creative' with the UPS paperwork. Some how her pen ran out of ink and said put a value of $1 rather that $1000.

Luckily when it arrived I had nothing extra to pay.

 

[GWDavis28]

Well Tim for that little discetion it'll cost you one sparkley blue Axis. I'll expect delivery within the next couple weeks.

Hahahahahahahaha

I am still kicking myself for you beating me out on the buy it now on that!! Such is life.

Where are the pictures of that anyway.

Later, Glenn |B)

 

[Dodgeball]

Good advice fellas, as u probably noticed in my last post - the penny was dropping as I was typing.

I should be over in NYC around May next year so I'll see what I can pick up, maybe find myself a nice purple ASS (sorry..couldn't resist).

Laters guys, thanks again.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I was in NY in August, and there was a store opposite Mannies that had some really nice guitars. I can't remeber the name, Rudy's maybe?! Anyhow they had a Hard Tail Axis in Yellow quilt and I was very tempted indeed. As new condition and $1000. I had to be dragged out of there I can tell you! I tried an ASS in Mannies, a red one (thats been on ebay a few times) and the neck was horrible. Felt like it was it was furry, and the set-up was awful. neck was like a bannana!

 

[Dodgeball]

ASS like a banana...Cheers Tim, I'll have to make sure I remember that.

All the best

 

[PurpleSport]

I was in NY in August, and there was a store opposite Mannies that had some really nice guitars. I can't remeber the name, Rudy's maybe?!

Directly across the street, or across the street and down the block to the left a few buildings? The former is Sam Ash's Manhattan guitar shop. BTW, Sam Ash bought out Manny's several years ago, and I believe a bunch of the pix of vintage stuff they have on eBay these days is actually from the vintage store in that Sam Ash.

Rudy's is the one farther down. They have a few flights of stairs, is more dimly lit, have fewer customers, nicer stuff, and correspondingly much higher prices (don't get me started on what they charge for their Pensa Standard, formerly the Pensa-Suhr guitar that John Suhr designed and built most of back in the day, but has no hand in making anymore)...

Anyhow they had a Hard Tail Axis in Yellow quilt and I was very tempted indeed. As new condition and $1000. I had to be dragged out of there I can tell you!

If it was at Sam Ash, was it back in the vintage room? I think I played that one....VERY nice neck and setup job on it, indeed.

I tried an ASS in Mannies, a red one (thats been on ebay a few times) and the neck was horrible. Felt like it was it was furry, and the set-up was awful. neck was like a bannana!

For the institution that Manny's is, they do have some issues with how they keep their instruments. I bought an Ibanez from them back when they were all the rage in the late 80s, and what arrived was in dreadful shape for being "brand new" - it was definitely a dinged-up floor demo model, and they didn't even send it in the case I ordered with it! This was after they made me wait a month for my out-of-state check to clear, which they didn't tell me about when I ordered it over the phone. I returned it and had to wait again for then to get a new one...

Needless to say, I sent a NASTY letter to the store manager ("do I have to be Jimi Hendrix or Joe Satriani to get good service from you guys?"), who did apologize and rectify the situation. However, I'm sad to report the store still leaves something to be desired in the in-store customer service and guitar setup departments. Everytime I'm there, the sales staff is practically non-existant or non-helpful, and I see newer model guitars on the wall in a condition similar to the one they sent me.

That said, I saw an AMAZING Blue Dawn AL in there a few years back; had I known then what I know now, I'da scooped that thing up in an instant...price, service, and setup be damned!

 

[GWDavis28]

Purp, that must have looked awesome!!! You remember if it was hardtail or trem, just curious.

Glenn |B)