The Press and St Vincent

[Big Poppa]

We are trending at number one FB news for nearly 18 hours because of the St Vincent guitar. She and I did an article about the guitar for Fast Company/Co Exist and it went vent viral and got edited and new articles were created from it by several internet sites

Annie Clark said that she designed a guitar for her form and sonic style and has been quick to point out that it is gender neutral. Annie Clark/St Vincent is the first woman to design a guitar for a major guitar company. We didn't see gender, we saw artistry and a creative force. I am proud to be the owner of and a part of the design support team that allowed a very talented artist to design and create a groundbreaking instrument that just so happens to be a female. Kinda of sad that gender and guitar design are news in 2016.

Here is the video of the process and mindset

this was created internally by Dustin Hinz and our creative team.

We have no control over what the press decides is a hook or story. Understand that much of guitar design especially the JP stuff is always based on the evolution of the players physical form. It's called specific ergonomics. Instead of being outraged that the player designed a guitar for their size and weight and the press deduced that it was because she was a woman...be happy that in 2016 artists regardless of gender can offer new choices for the musician. Oh yeah, and like it or not there is another option available for the guitar playing public

Let me explain that this thread will be heavily moderated. I will not allow it to go into politics or angry gender talk. I closed one thread already.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Love the St. Vincent! I was unaware that guitars had gender. I'll have to take a closer look in the under carriage the next time I change pickups.

 

[fbecir]

Every time I play my Morse, I wear a blond wig, a sleeveless shirt (with aeronautical references).
Every time I play my AL, I speak English with an Herefordshire's accent.
If one day I buy a JP, I will first do at least 4 hours of body building every day (fortunately I have already a big beard).
And of course, if I buy a Saint-Vincent I will strongly consider a sex change ...

In fact, I really don't care if Annie Clark is a woman, a man, or a east-German swimmer of the 80's ... the design is really original and looks good.
The fact that it p*ss off traditionalist is an extra bonus : if you want to follow the rules, play classical music, not Rock music !

 

[Johnny Alien]

I love this guitar a lot.

 

[ty2k]

I really, really like these video's that EBMM produce. You can relate to all these great EBMM musicians talk about guitar. Annie's passion & enthusiasm for this project is evident. It's a total plus to get some sneak peeks at the behind the scenes action at the factory!

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I honestly just see a cool and different looking guitar.

 

[JohnWGW]

I have been a long time lurker... And a huge fan of EBMM. Billy has always helped me get anything I needed for any of my instruments... From a quick fix, to diagrams. He always lets me e-mail him and its a personal contact I get to have with EBMM. Something i can not find with other manufacturers. I currently Own 11 EBMM Guitars/Basses, and i promise you that number is still increasing.

I will be doing my supporting with my wallet and will be buy a St. Vincent, as soon as I get my valentine. I just wanted to say thank you for building quality guitars, that I can buy with 100% confidence without ever even touching. Cant wait to get my hands on this beauty. As a business owner, I 100% understand how when, unwarranted, negative comments arise they can hurt.

Remember the silent majority loves all of your work here!

 

[MusicMan_Luke]

Why do they search a problem where it shouldn't be in? I mean, ok, if Annie Clark design a guitar for her, what's the matter? It's her model, isn't it? I truly love the model, since the first day, every details are good thinking (the knobs for instance), and I really hope buying it one day, does it make me a future transsexual?
I work in a very dense men activity, mechanical industry, as a technical drawer, and women are each time underrated. I can't understand that.
My wife is architect, and it's a true pain in the butt when she meet a new enterprise, she must always prove her value, and more, because she is a woman in a very dense men activity...

Sometimes I don't remember we are in 21st century.

 

[nina]

Tell you the truth i really feel this has to do more with the fact all of a sudden everybody is talking about guitars becaise of you and Annie. And that hurts many peopld in this industry. Because they didnt think it first. Because this move was amazing and so radical. Because of the exposure your company got. Because Annie is so talented and admired. Just ger RS cover was revealed yesterday and big music blogs and fans say she is better than the original. All that is causing friction and hate yes. You dont know how maby kids teenage girls and boys are talking about this guitar, did you see Willow S instagramming it? Instead of drugs, reality tv, gossip, drunken messes, young people are talking about guitars man. And that doesnt fit some people. As for Annie. Seriously you cant find anyone with more of a rock life than her. Touring with her uncle and aunt as a kid all over the US on small venues and bars. Then with the polyphonic spree as young woman all over the world. On her own. Seriously do i need to say it? I say thank you that with such a bold move you made us women feel included in this world. Annies guitar is amazing with a radival design. I read reviews from guitar players and they loved it. The hate is pure jealousy because you moved tge game so ahead that they cant reach you guys. Keep it up. Thats what rock is all about. I do feel sorry about Annie though. She is being attacked for no reason when at the same time she has done so much good for guitar players.

 

[QuietSpike]

Kinda of sad that gender and guitar design are news in 2016.

^^^^ This.

My point of the thread that was closed. Didn't think/mean for it to be 'too political'.

 

[DrKev]

Nina and JohnWGW, welcome to the forum!

 

[Big Poppa]

^^^^ This.

My point of the thread that was closed. Didn't think/mean for it to be 'too political'.

You called us vile and assumed that we were pandering. I explained it and you still werent happy and now a swear word censored.

For the record

Annie Clark never designed a guitar solely for women. Annie never said she did....here is a quote from todays guitar world cover "I wanted to make something that looked good and not just on a woman, but any person." - Annie Clark.

another quote from Guitar World:

" Well I’m certainly glad to be a beacon for women and for anybody who likes music and my music. I’m glad that another guitar exists that is sympathetic to the female form. I’m glad that that exists and I hope that people will enjoy…that men and women will enjoy the ergonomics. But smaller people and women especially."


Here is the entire article
St. Vincent Discusses Her New Signature Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar | GuitarWorld

Nerdist wrote their article picking from other internet articles neither Annie or I did an interview with them. In the countless interviews she went out of her way to play down the gender but the press wont have it. There are no quotes attributed to her regarding this being a womans guitar only.

We would never engage someone to just design a guitar for one gender, race, religion. we make tools for artists.

But really what does it say when our industry has never engaged a woman to design a guitar and when she does it is typecast as being designed for women. Like the woman architect...are the houses just for women?

This is going a little nuts. Any help would be appreciated including the benefit of the doubt

 

[Eilif]

Could it be that they are overplaying the "woman's guitar" angle just to make click-bait?

Of maybe they really are too dense not to make it sexist?

I don't know.
But I have to agree with what many have already said: I've never seen this guitar as being exclusively for women or having been designed by a woman.

What I do see is another EBMM signature guitar, designed with input from the *artist*, that again breaks the mold and dares to venture into originality. That she happens to be a woman is neither here nor there.

 

[QuietSpike]

You called us vile and assumed that we were pandering. I explained it and you still werent happy and now a swear word censored.

I think we have a misunderstanding. I expressed displeasure with the way some members of the press wrote the guitar was "designed to fit the female body", even though it has been described by yourself and Annie as 'gender neutral' ever since the first time you leaked information about it.

Second, I never used those words, and anything I said negative was not in your or EBMM's direction. I applaud the design and ingenuity... And I applaud that you make guitars that the artist wants. You have nothing but my support.

My displeasure was solely with non-EBMM media assuming that because a female designed it, it must only be for females.

Does that help clear things up?

 

[ksandvik]

As a former journalist (30+ years ago) I'm not surprised journalists have their own agenda, usually to write a catchy headline to get attention so their stories are read. So they take some liberties to twist the message or words of those interviewed to get the attention.

 

[kbaim]

Always thought the FLYING V had a female shape to it.
Just me?

Anything that has a chance to get kids (boys and girls) to stop looking at their phones for 2 seconds has my blessing.
Hope this is one of those things

 

[Spudmurphy]

I really really like the looks of this guitar. When somebody said that it was akin to two rectangles and drew it to illustrate the point - I said to myself "Wow, I get this!".

Unfortunately EB MM's ability to create guitars has totally sated my Guitar requirements, my twilight years and the fact that I am saving for a non guitar related acquisition - means that I won't be getting one - but I can't wait to see the threads that start popping up on this forum soon - I'd also love to see the likes of Steve Morse, Albert, Luke and JP just taking it through it;s paces to show the versatility of this guitar - (c'mon team MM !!!).

I love the fact that this has lit up the guitar world.

 

[Ricman]

We have no control over what the press decides is a hook or story.

No, but Annies introductory Instagram kinda did it for them.....

It is with pride that I present the St. Vincent Signature @ernieball MusicMan Guitar. I wanted to design a tool that would be ergonomic*, lightweight, and sleek. So excited to be working with Ernie Ball. *There is room for a breast^ ^Or two

I love the guitar and I think its really healthy that it gets people talking about intelligent design.

 

[spkirby]

In the UK press : St. Vincent designs female-friendly guitar with

 

[Big Poppa]

I think we have a misunderstanding. I expressed displeasure with the way some members of the press wrote the guitar was "designed to fit the female body", even though it has been described by yourself and Annie as 'gender neutral' ever since the first time you leaked information about it.

Second, I never used those words, and anything I said negative was not in your or EBMM's direction. I applaud the design and ingenuity... And I applaud that you make guitars that the artist wants. You have nothing but my support.

My displeasure was solely with non-EBMM media assuming that because a female designed it, it must only be for females.

Does that help clear things up?

beautifully thanks spike we got hit very hard it was the media story and not based on any facts or interviews...I guess any press is good press.