Why Isn't a Custom Order Really a "Custom" Order?

[4play]

Hi!

I just tried to order my dream bass through GC and got shot down on two custom requests* with "...that option is not available on that model." Of COURSE its not...that's why I'm placing a "custom" order. In other words, I'm willing to wait 20 weeks AND pay a premium for something that's "custom."

Anyhoo, here's my Dream Specs:

Stingray 4HS w/ SLO neck profile
*Ebony board
White w/ matching headstock
*Black Stealth hardware (bridge, electronics cover, & tuners)
Black pickguard

The whole experience reminded me of the Jack Nicholson/wheat toast/chicken salad diner scene in 'Five Easy Pieces:' "...Ok, in that case, I'll take a SR 4HS Stealth with an SLO neck and ebony board...but hold the black satin finish and paint it white then send me the bill." Except I didn't tell GC to hold the black paint between their knees.

What's the deal with this?

 

[bassmonkeee]

Because

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7knIi3LGf4M]YouTube - Rolling Stones-You Can't Always Get What You Want[/ame]

 

[mmbassplayer]

Black hardware is not a normal option for EBMM basses. I few people on the forum have ordered matching basses in Stealth and another color and swapped out the hardware. Others have sent off a Stealth body for refin leaving the neck black. Either way these are your two options. EBMM does not have a custom shop unless you are a sponsored artist. JOSH

 

[mynan]

Welcome to the forum. I think the bottom line is that if everyone was able to order to any specs, you wouldn't be the only one. Sure they could probably make your bass without skipping a beat, but multiply that by 100s or maybe 1000s and it would slow production considerably. By sticking to a certain set of variables/options, it keeps the factory running smoothly and average wait-times to around 4 months instead of much longer wait-times.

 

[4play]

Oh, believe me, there are work-arounds, so I can indeed *get what I want*...I just didn't particularly feel like purchasing two basses just for hardware then going through the hassle of unloading one.

 

[cyoungnashville]

i think this is going well.

 

[4play]

Others have sent off a Stealth body for refin leaving the neck black.

This is a great idea! That black neck on the white body would be sexy as hell! Thanks!

 

[Mabongohogany]

Hello San Luis Obispo!

Since the MusicMan Custom Shop is up and running; I'm placing my order for:

Swamp-Ash Bongo fretted 4, Translucent Mary-Kaye Blonde finish, Black Hardware, Hard-rock Maple neck; flamed please, with a graph-tech compensated nut. BE Maple 'board, no dots, please.
I'll get back at ya ASAP about the "ghost" hexaphonic set-up; haven't decided yet, but might as well throw in the GameChanger while you're working on it.

OK-Joke, not being facetious (sp).

They don't do that;(Custom orders/Options) & I could live very well with a "stock" bass my own self,
(Stingray Classic...)

 

[Big Poppa]

Welcome

In the 27 or 28 years that I have been in charge we now offer 128,000 combinations most at no additional cost. You have to draw the line somewhere and unfortunately you cannot please everyone exactly. If everything was possible I would have gone broke a long time ago. Try the search function for lively discussion of why we dont have a custom shop...Its a topic that comes up about once a week and sometimes is like the fourth of july on acid.

 

[4play]

Welcome

Thanks!

the fourth of july on acid.

Sounds fun!

 

[Mabongohogany]

Welcome

In the 27 or 28 years that I have been in charge we now offer 128,000 combinations most at no additional cost. You have to draw the line somewhere and unfortunately you cannot please everyone exactly. If everything was possible I would have gone broke a long time ago. Try the search function for lively discussion of why we dont have a custom shop...Its a topic that comes up about once a week and sometimes is like the fourth of july on acid.

I did the 4th on acid once....never mind!
What he says!... B-b-b-b-ut does that mean my Bongo isn't done yet?

Once I worked for the EBMM of fishing rods (SABRE), for any of you fresh-water fishing wimps that can't catch tuna or yellowtail on 12-lb test!!

I had the great idea of offering "built to order" sets of rods (you need at least 3 to fish the SoCal coast)
Demand for them was off-the-hook, but the Production Manager gently explained to me, the greedy ambitious Sales Guy, that it wasn't feasible to work in custom-spec orders with standing production, and that's why there existed custom (rod) builders.

(**&%...Now I want to go fishing...Albacore!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Yeah, but then the fifth of July sucks.

A stealth SLO with a refinned body sounds like the easiest way to accomplish what you want. I've talked to Pat Wilkins and his refin rates are very reasonable for opaque colors, and you can see an example of his refin work in the purple 25th Anniversary thread.

 

[Mabongohogany]

Yeah, but then the fifth of July sucks.

A stealth SLO with a refinned body sounds like the easiest way to accomplish what you want. I've talked to Pat Wilkins and his refin rates are very reasonable for opaque colors, and you can see an example of his refin work in the purple 25th Anniversary thread.

+1 on Wilkins, he's the state of the art, doing work for
xxxdowsky and xxxland and xxxothers.

He re-did a '69 xxxP-bass for me; wonderful!

And actually, it became more like the 63rd of July, If I remember...

 

[4play]

Well, its a no-brainer as I'm very experienced with refinishing. I don't know why it didn't occur to me in the first place. I think I was a little wary about refinishing the neck (no experience there) but it all clicked into place when mmbassplayer mentioned leaving the neck black. [drool]

Best part is, I (hopefully) have a line on a SR4 H Stealth with an SLO. Problem solved.

 

[Mabongohogany]

See?

This Forum RULES!!

 

[Big Poppa]

OK the fourth of july on acid was a little demonstrative humor...I have no idea what that would be like it was just a little expression that flowed out.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I can assure you the metaphor was apt.


Oh, and I also want to thank the OP for a Five Easy Pieces reference. One of my favorite movies ever. I might have to drag out my laserdisc copy and give it a spin. Yes, I said laserdisc.

 

[Mabongohogany]

OK the fourth of july on acid was a little demonstrative humor...I have no idea what that would be like it was just a little expression that flowed out.

All in good spirit!

While I've got you on the line tho,
Can I change my CS Bongo order finish from May-Kaye to:



Thanks

 

[bassmonkeee]

All in good spirit!

While I've got you on the line tho,
Can I change my CS Bongo order finish from May-Kaye to:

Thanks

Dude....it's moving.

 

[Mabongohogany]

I know; Kewl, huh?

You should see it under a BLACKLIGHT!!