Praise for new Member Daddy Flip

[Big Poppa]

THis is great conversation and thought....thats all it is...

News flash...high end guitar sales are in the porta potty...look for a few big names to tumble...its war oput there....we are working our asses off...so the realty is here. Are we going to survive? Absolutely...the gift of SLinkies and the fact that this is as much of a passion as a business....

Im not saying music is in dire shape Im saying its taken a different place in our culture...expecially in the USA...Europe and Asia get tours and bands that we will never get to see....It is wallpaper here more than it used to be. Its like anything there are people just as into it like duarte but for everyone of them there are 50 that really dont care.

Just look at retail in the cd business.....the end caps at Target and Walmart dominate the sales and that is about 25 discs.......our choices are compressed (both sonically with mp'3's and at retail with the reduced selection)

having said that American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are two of the biggest shows......

[Musicman Nut]

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

THis is great conversation and thought....thats all it is...

News flash...high end guitar sales are in the porta potty...look for a few big names to tumble...its war oput there....we are working our asses off...so the realty is here. Are we going to survive? Absolutely...the gift of SLinkies and the fact that this is as much of a passion as a business....

Im not saying music is in dire shape Im saying its taken a different place in our culture...expecially in the USA...Europe and Asia get tours and bands that we will never get to see....It is wallpaper here more than it used to be. Its like anything there are people just as into it like duarte but for everyone of them there are 50 that really dont care.

Just look at retail in the cd business.....the end caps at Target and Walmart dominate the sales and that is about 25 discs.......our choices are compressed (both sonically with mp'3's and at retail with the reduced selection)

having said that American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are two of the biggest shows......

I think as a whole it's all changing, 3 years ago I sold a Sunburst 58 P Bass for $12,500 they are every where now all day for 9K.
High End Basses are not for everyone and Certainly not for me and I do own a few.
Ernie Ball Makes what I like, it's all about the sound/Tone and EB makes what my ears love to hear. The quality of what they do is as good as any High End Bass out there.

People seem to devide High End a lot of times over Bolt on Necks and Necks Thru and yes even though they do sound remarkably different.

To me Ernie Ball does it perfectly so I know it's a struggle but keep up all the great work and l'll always buy as many as I can to do my part.
The thing is, I play all these, it just takes a while to get around the crew.
Thanks DJ

[TheStiffness]

All good investments yield good returns.

I think my generation really lives by "a bird in the hand beats two in the bush". There is a HUGE difference between good and great... And, unfortunately, I think many have been coached to settle for what they can get their hands on right away. Even if something better is attainable by waiting and working for it, it's easier to settle -- but convenience can be deceptive and dangerous.

Cost and worth are two different animals -- We all know that sometimes, we just don't get what we pay for.

So, the question is: Are Music Man instruments WORTH it? You bet your sweet patootie they are.

[oddjob]

I have days that make me laugh and cry. Today (the day before Thanksgiving break) the kids were off the hook. Kids on the way into and out of school had the iPods blasting, none could keep their thumbs off the skip button (and you can hear all of the rapid changes). Then I notice one of my kids sitting in the corner of my room (waiting for her Mom to pick her up) just sitting and listening intently. I asked what she was into... "Mr. P, I found the greatest thing ever... The Beatles!" Sure enough she had downloaded half The Beatles' catalog after playing Beatles RockBand (or whatever it is). Anyway, it has actually inspired her enough that she wants lessons for X-Mas (not to learn Beatles songs, but to actually learn the mechanics and theory and play).

This 13 year old girl is the face of the new music. She is the exception to the attention deficit rule and if her music is half as good as her writing I am sure we will be listening to her for years to come.

I have learned to accept the current generation for what it is... not better or worse just younger and different. But everynow and then a kid pops up, like this, that expresses a type of wisdom-beyond years that blows my mind.

Now to just try and convince her all the Beatles played MusicMan gear

[DaddyFlip]

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

having said that American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are two of the biggest shows......

Yes, and the portion of society that watches these shows (I'm an Idol watcher) is more interested in who's going home, and why, than who's going to win. The success of EVERY reality show is based on the negative drama and/or the failure of its participants. Winning doesn't sell; it's an anti-climax to the engineered anticipation of seeing who will get "voted off" this week. This is especially evident in the "survivor"-type shows, which could celebrate the human spirit with healthy competition; rather the viewer is subjected to constant backstabbing, gossip, treachery and deceit- and most of the other worst of human qualities. It's yet another agent of degredation of our society at large.

Also notice that the majority of American Idol is snippets of auditions and abbreviated versions of songs. Today's society can't and won't stay still long enough to see a complete performance. Granted, that's not Idol's reason for existence.

oddjob - You have a diamond in the rough on which you can be a positive and lifelong influence. Remember "Mr. Holland's Opus"? You can make a difference!

[Big Poppa]

Well sorry to name drop....but at BPL someone was taking apic of one of the classic series...I said "what for?" and the said "Randy Jackson"...I said, "dont send him a pic have him call my cell and have him call me" THe guy looked at me like I was crazy. 5 minutes later its Randy. I gave him his first endorsement in 1974 when he was with Billy Cobham. I havent talked to him in a few years but he said come on down to his office and studio and catch up...I brought dargie with me...AAKA Scotty Ball.

We stayed for about 3 hours...The first thing I told him was that I have never watched American Idol or used an ATM...That got the ball rolling. Randy has built a little mini empire understanding pop culture and tastes...very fun to hang with ..I Give him a lot of S$it and he gives it back...like old friends.

I get stuck having to watch Dancing with the Stars...I usually amm just looking for the shots of the SR% but I think that there are a lot of people who enjoy watching the development of the stars and seeing how well they end up.

[tkarter]

BP Meo is totally hooked on dancing with the stars. Me not so much

I am getting a fresh new gig I am not sure i can measure up to. She is rooting for me and knows it is what I have tried hard for but doubts.


We both love you and your company.

We both are grand parents and prolly not main stream but still rockin. Well not totally rockin as it is a country gig that may be my big break.

There is no knowing what to do at certain times.
Be careful. Be you. go with it.

tk

[Big Poppa]

Is it a playing gig or an it gig? The only hints I can give you on a playing gig are woodshed as much as possible...show up lightly early always and breath...seriously Ferraro taught me that....stay calm and breath when you get light you loose the feel....

If its it....I can only tell you my advice does not involve microsoft

But Grandpa...think about it...in just a few generations ago we hit our ages and we were expected to be done. Tapioca, triple aloha...BS Guess what Im still going to keep exploring and playing and cooking and diging deeper into what interests me and keep testing myself....

THink about it this way...you could play it safe not test yourself...or you could extend yourself and fail...you could also suceed and either way whats the worst that can happen

To name drop again in the same thread as most of you know that Scotty Hamilton the skater is a very close friend...actually when he was undergoing his chemo I adopted him...he answers to son (in jest) Our family has been through his cancer his brain tumor his retirement his marriage (we sort of played matchmaker) and the birth of his two sons....he was 51 and feeling terrible...even stooped to doing the Apprentice...
He wanted to skate again. He was a four time world champion and olympic gold medalist and skating defined him on many levels skating saved him

Most of his friends said not to do it. He couldnt skate at the level as the youngsters. I said BS I still go to see Willie Nelson and he cant hit all the notes but its Willie...plus if you want to do something .....do it....We Just got back from Cleveland a week ago where he made his return....HE SOLD OUT THE CAVALIERS ARENA! and raised over $1,000,000.00 for cancer research. Scott Hamilton has raised over twenty million dollars for cancer research....

THe moral is that there are many things we cannot do as well as when we are young but if we let the knowledge and wisdom and experience do its thing...there are compoensating facdtors that make up for a lot.

Relax TK and go for it.

[LowMoJo]

Originally Posted by TheStiffness

it's easier to settle -- but convenience can be deceptive and dangerous.

that's it right there. everything is distilled down to convenience and ease. online music stores are more convenient than brick and mortar... facebook and twitter are easier than real relationships. tv and movies have painted the perfect, albeit false, picture of life that we all envy. Technology (and bad financing) has lulled us into thinking we've attained it without working for it. Idol and Dance just add to the illusion of something for nothing.

but look at the people enjoying the most success in the world and you'll see someone rejecting convenience and ease. those people are hustling and trying to make something happen. most all have encountered huge impediments (just saw an interview with 50 Cent last night). life comes with a lot of hardship. if it didn't, we'd never learn to rely on or trust each other or strive for anything more. I personally feel it all boils down to strong/real relationships. real innovation, art, growth happens for the benefit of others. that's what i see as the common denominator in this unique company.

[oddjob]

Originally Posted by DaddyFlip

oddjob - You have a diamond in the rough on which you can be a positive and lifelong influence. Remember "Mr. Holland's Opus"? You can make a difference!

Wish I was a music teacher ... just language arts. I just enjoy watching them grow up. When the light bulb goes on it is an amazing sight. Musically, I normally have a student or two that truly delve into the classics of rock, country or jazz each year (even had one interested in swing and big band one year). They like bouncing ideas off of me and I enjoy pointing them in new directions. I am just impressed that they have the focus and patience to dig on theirown - not that kids don't have the ability but most, that I see, don't have the selfcontrol to do so.

[the unrepentant]

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

THis is great conversation and thought....thats all it is...

News flash...high end guitar sales are in the porta potty...look for a few big names to tumble...its war oput there....we are working our asses off...so the realty is here. Are we going to survive? Absolutely...the gift of SLinkies and the fact that this is as much of a passion as a business....

Im not saying music is in dire shape Im saying its taken a different place in our culture...expecially in the USA...Europe and Asia get tours and bands that we will never get to see....It is wallpaper here more than it used to be. Its like anything there are people just as into it like duarte but for everyone of them there are 50 that really dont care.

Just look at retail in the cd business.....the end caps at Target and Walmart dominate the sales and that is about 25 discs.......our choices are compressed (both sonically with mp'3's and at retail with the reduced selection)

having said that American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are two of the biggest shows......

I agree with you to a point, american idol and similar shows are killing the music business, however, look at rock and metal acts, they're still thriving. There are festivals every year, ozzfest, wacken, hellfest, download, warped etc etc and there is always new material being released and lots of artists on tour. I know the big music venue in nottingham "rock city" still has big bands on near every night. Some music is going to the dogs, and it is a lot harder to get a gig these days, but live music will never die, and neither will metal. I'm sure you know that only too well, look at dream theater, another new album and another long ass tour!

[tkarter]

Playing and get paid gig BP.
You can bet I am going to go for it.

The bongo 6 goes along too. I really love that bass.
Keep building the bongos so everyone can have one once they figure out what a good bass sounds like.

tk

[g_manp52]

The economy…it sucks, there is little to no disposable income today, millions out of work or under employed and millions more not sure if they will have a job next week.

If you are in this forum or just reading it, it is because music has touched us in some way. The kids we see today are listening just maybe not when we are looking. GarageBand has taken over for the garage band some of us knew as kids. You Tube is the new local bar (without the paycheck). And the perception of cool changes as we get older.

Hang in there BP, I have to pay for the last 2 Balls I just got, but I can go out and buy some Ernie Ball strings and guitar care products while I save up for a Trans White Classic, a Big Al, and one of Big Papa’s latest bass tortures! OOOOH Pretty thought bubble...Hey BP, if the last set of Music Man string mutes sold for close to $100 on eBroke what do you think EB could get for a pack of replacement mutes? (Put me down for 2 packs right now). End pretty thought bubble.

For this holiday season, lets all go out and at least buy a pack of Ernie Ball Strings, heck by one for a friend (great stocking stuffer) and if you can afford a guitar or bass, go for it. As you are handing over your cash or swiping you card think in your head, “Merry Christmas Big Papa and all the great folks at EB and MM!” (I’m writing this part in jest but what if we all did it?)

Disclaimer: I an in no way solicited, endorsed or approved by Ernie Ball, Music Man, Big Papa or any subsidiary there of. Anything written, implied or expressed is my opinion solely and I can therefore not be held totally responsible for my ramblings.

[MrMusashi]

this thread is ted.com material!

MrM

[Big Poppa]

Hey no need to buy extra ...but I like the thought! I plan on service and innovating through this mess or die trying