The "I promise to behave in order to get more sneak peeks again" thread

[Coffeemug]

Dear forum family,

as most of you (especially "older" forum members) might have noticed, there has been a decline in the willingness to share sneak peeks and more inside information with regards to new products being in development and coming up towards being unleashed to the public. To a large degree, this has been due to the actions and reactions of us forum members in and surrounding threads that were meant to give us the privilege of getting first glimpses of the aforementioned products - and in the past, those threads have been a much loved part of this forum, something that used to be a huge part of the attraction and was (mostly) fun for all parties involved.

So, I thought I'd try to set this thread up as kind of an agreement by which every forum member voting in the poll declares to "behave" in case such sneak peek threads shall pop up again in order to show our common willingness to not step up over the lines, not post too negative comments based on looks alone and generally be appreciative of being able to get more information as time progresses.

There seems to be lots of stuff in the making for 2016 and I for one would love to see which way EBMM are heading in the future.

If you're with me, please use the poll to sign up with your user name. Maybe we can show a sign of good will that might not go unnoticed...

Have a great day,
Patrick

 

[Magic Jason]

I'm with you!

 

[Mariner-aaron]

I'm down for this!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Big Poppa]

You are correct. No good deed went unpunished. It is really hard because I only wanted to be here if I could be open and honest. That included sneak peeks...and being direct back at someone who was less than polite...there was just heartburn.

You will still be first to see things just later in the process. It's really not a punishment its the same reason why bands dont play rough mixes. The opinions start to cloud the design process.

Take John Mayer for example. He contacted us. He flew from LA in a private jet to get started. He wondered why I didn't take pictures. i wasn't planning on sharing this. I went to the studio in LA several times We made a ton of prototypes and in the end it didn't work out. In all the threads I had to stay quiet. He may be back and we are on great terms.

The Majesty is one I knew I couldn't share. It was so different that I knew you guys and gals would rip it to shreds. And guess what? When we finally showed it is was basically hated. It is now our number one guitar release ever.

We just finished a guitar that will be featured along with the artist in a 25 million dollar ad campaign. I love the artist...I know that you guys wont. The artist is St Vincent. The very best design collaboration I have had in my career. The guitar is very very different

I can tell you that I worked with James Valentine of Maroon 5 last week. Where it goes who knows? I think somewhere. I am spending the day next week with Joe Walsh...who knows?

 

[QuietSpike]

St Vincent is ultra-creative. Can't wait to see what you all came up with.

Joe Walsh? Epic....

 

[kestrou]

Sterling,

Thanks for the post, and your continued participation here.

You're lived your life knowing you can't please all the people all the time - and that's a big key to your success.

I recall many people liking the Majesty at first glance - and while I don't have St. Vincent in heavy rotation appreciate and respect her as an artist and can't wait to see what unfolds. There's a sample of one!

So, looking forward to whatever you can share in the future!

Finally, sorry you didn't make it to Vai Academy a few weeks ago - there were several EBMMs in the crowd, JPs in 6 and 7 string and of course me there with a Morse which many others were checking out and liking. Since next year's event will be very close to SLO hoping to see you there!

Kevin

 

[Big Poppa]

Yep I never get sick and got sick. I owe Steve.

 

[bhull]

The Majesty is one I knew I couldn't share. It was so different that I knew you guys and gals would rip it to shreds. And guess what? When we finally showed it is was basically hated. It is now our number one guitar release ever.

Considering your company history includes an EVH release, that's an amazing accomplishment. Good to hear, and congratz on it being such a success.

I've had mine over a year now and still love picking it up every day.

 

[Samoht]

Thanks, BP! I'll gladly take, "You will still be first to see things..". Maybe time has separated the wheat from chaff and whatever you do share will be appreciated as is.

 

[dibart77]

Hey Sterling -- The stuff you mentioned above is very exciting. Not a huge fan of St Vincent but if it helps EBMM to thrive and be successful then I am all for it. A Joe Walsh model would be absolutely legendary. There are a lot of JP/shredder guys here (me too) but I defy any one of them to question Joe Walsh's chops for even a second! My grandma can hum half of Joe Walsh's solos!

The key, I think, about new prototypes/shapes/styles is that folks need to be self-aware and need to know that for most of us, we are change averse. Our first reaction is to reject change. The question is, how do we articulate that? Many folks here say things like, "I hate this!" "I would never buy this." "Music man really blew it now!" How about -- just a thought -- if I keep my trap shut and let it sink in and savor it and see where I net out after I've digested it? If you judge a cigar on the first 5 puffs you're missing the point. If you judge wine on the first taste you're missing the point.

When I first saw the Majesty, I wasn't sure how to react. But I didn't go bashing it on the forums. In this post, I said, "I'm very intrigued by the Majesty, love the design, but am not sure yet whether or not it's for me. Can't really know that until I play it." Having played it with Derek at the Philly Guitar Show (the one-off in Lambo orange / matte Tangerine Pearl, which I kick myself for not buying), the Majesty felt amazing, made sense to me, and I now have an Artisan Marrone on order.

We're in an instant gratification and instant "everyone cares about my opinion" society and many of us are OK with being insulting, being rude, and not caring about others' feelings. I guess it comes from watching Dance Moms and Real Housewives of Whatever. People are used to seeing people treat people like sh!t and being negative for the sake of being negative, and it becomes commonplace and acceptable. We forget that we can "take the high road" or just give a polite POV that "this may not be for me."

The good news is that there are many people on this forum who respect the hell out of what you (and Dudley, Brian, Scotty, Tomas, Derek, Drew, etc., etc.) do and know that you're working hard to continue to drive forward while also trying to navigate an insanely difficult marketplace and business climate. We all love EBMM because of what you have done for the past 30 years -- if you stick to that approach most of us will have your back. And for those that don't, perhaps they can try to keep their negativity to themselves and take the high road.

Just my 2c.

I am all for sneak peeks and previews (even if you just PM them to me!).

Regards,
Jeff

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[Big Poppa]

well said...the problem is that people on the keyboard instantly react and say things that I really dont believe they would say If I handed it to them in person...WE have no problem with "thats not my cup of tea" How many times have I had to explain that it doesnt matter what you think...we make credible signature models and this is what the artist wants. Other companies put the name on the headstock and then make the guitar what they think the public wants...maybe Im all wrong but I think it is a chance for the artist to add another choice to the guitar.
I will also tell you that the most insensitive to us are the most sensitive when you fire back.

 

[Magic Jason]

Other companies got it backwards BP!
You produce exactly what the artists want. You then made the same specs guitars available to us. That's as fair as it gets!!!

If a signature guitar is not our "cup of tea" we then have a simple choice: buy another model or get good enough so you'll be interested in producing our signature model.

By the way, most of my "guitar friends" don't like the shape of my Al's. I couldn't care less, these are the best guitars I've owned! By far!

And you really have turned me on with this Joe Walsh "thing".

 

[misterB]

+1. Very, very well put BP.

 

[xjbebop]

I discovered St. Vincent because she was playing an Albert Lee... instant respect. Did a bit of background research on her and discovered just how talented she is.
I absolutely LOVE the Albert Lee guitars, and I'm anxious to see what her personal design will be...

 

[dibart77]

Ah, right! In person, they'd be like, "Thank you BP, er... Sterling, uh... Mr. Ball, ummm... Your Honor! This guitar is humina-humina-humina..."

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[Monster212]

i must say i like St. Vincent, as she is very very good at guitar and has a cool style of playing, she also has knowledge and her coming to Ernieball / Sterling is awesome news as between her special style she plays and how awesome you are at making guitars this is something that is going to truly shine, as it always does with signature guitars or even just your regular guitars..

 

[dave1812]

I think with the Models and Colors being discontinued, a sneak peek on some of the new Finish Options would be cool.
Even though there might be some Dealers who have the "to be discontinued" Models in Stock right now, it might be helpful to know if would it would be worth it to get a JP Sapphire Black or White Pearl, or whatever, or if the new Colors will be amazing enough to compensate for that. And also if there's going to be a Follow up to the Stealth Models.

Is St Vincent famous in the US? Never heard of her, and 25 Millions is quite a Budget

 

[ksandvik]

St. Vincent, wow, good! Next generation guitar player and she's very creative.

 

[peterd79]

BP-

thank you so much for your continued drive to push guitar to the next level. by working with creative artists to continue to push the envelope and to continue to bring us the absolute best.

John Mayer is creative for many reasons and i know he loves EBMM and will be back
ST. Vincent... incredible move to partner with such a creative artist
Joe Walsh... LEGEND
Hunter Hayes... up and coming legend

you guys are making ALL the right moves... can't wait!

 

[mikeller]

All exciting news!!!