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  • #46
    I could care less about the Fender "high rollers" clubs. You know why? Because a) the expenses for a few small "high bucks" showrooms throughout the world probably doesn't cost a whole heck of a lot at all and b) you can bet your dollars-for-donuts that FMIC is tracking these establishments' revenues and expenses. i.e., In and of themselves, are they paying for themselves? If there's no profit, then they won't be successful and will be shut down.

    In sum, they're probably an "experiment". If they bring more high bucks artist and/or "Franky" and "Blacky"-league type customers in to lay down big coin, then great. And, if they don't, you should expect FMIC to shut them down in a year or two becaause they're unsuccessful.

    It's positively goofy to assume that the price increases on USA and custom shop instruments are paying for these high roller outfits. If anything, it's neutral or just the opposite. i.e., The mucho dineros that the high rollers are paying are padding FMIC's bottom line and, in turn, are subsidizing "regular" production costs.

    At then end of the day, this stuff is just a lightning rod for "hate the rich" attitudes. Which is silly. Let the wealthy spend their money on whatever they want. They earned it, and have the right to do so. And I hold FMIC (...or any other company for that matter) no ill will for trying to cater to different market niches - both high rollers and us "regular" folks - and make some more money there. That's what successful companies are supposed to do.

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    • #47
      this is funny-i figured since most everyone bitches about playing scratched up and out of tune guitars at guitar center, the idea of a private-appointment based shop to check out guitars would be welcome with open arms!

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      • #48
        Originally posted by Boxcar Willie 84 View Post
        this is funny-i figured since most everyone bitches about playing scratched up and out of tune guitars at guitar center, the idea of a private-appointment based shop to check out guitars would be welcome with open arms!
        Great idea I like it alot, but see the problem is I cant get in because my name is not Jeff Beck.

        Please you guys E-mail Bionic since it appears he is trying to open up a dialogue with us, I will be sending he an E-mail since it appears he is with Jackson this is a good thing.

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        • #49
          I already did!!
          Hope he can help.
          Mr. Patience.... ask for a free consultation.

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          • #50
            Originally posted by AK47 View Post
            Great idea I like it alot, but see the problem is I cant get in because my name is not Jeff Beck.
            Who cares? Jeff Beck can do a lot of things you/we can't. Get his @ss kissed going to a Ferrari or Mercedes dealership. Get into exclusive restaurants for dinner without a reservation. Get into the "VIP-only" rooms of pricey, high-faluten' clubs. Maybe even hook up with young supermodel-wanna-bes. Not to mention kick all of our asses shredding on the guitar. But should we hate all of those other things because we can't do them, either? ...That's a heck of lot of wasted energy on what amounts to jealousy.

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            • #51
              +1 to pretty much everything Pat said above.

              Here's an article on the Dusseldorf Custom Shop Showroom:

              Discover the sound of Fender, the spirit of rock-n-roll since 1946. Shop Fender guitars, basses, amplifiers, audio equipment, accessories, apparel and more.


              Looks like the main intent is to show guitars to their dealers, and artists & customers (not just Jeff Beck) can see guitars by appointment. I'm not a huge fan of Fender or of this concept necessarily, but this type of thing is becoming more & more common in lots of businesses. For example, there are appointment-only clothing & jewelry stores in big cities. Most big nightclubs in the larger cities now have a VIP section. Some people want the VIP treatment, and are willing to pay through the nose for it. Most of the time, these aren't actual famous or super-wealthy people, but upper middle class folks looking to feel special. Personally, I think it's kinda pathetic & a symptom of the widening gap between the haves & have-nots, but if Fender wants to try the concept & see if flies, they have the right to. My guess is that the showrooms will more than pay for themselves.

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              • #52
                Originally posted by shreddermon View Post
                Who cares? Jeff Beck can do a lot of things you/we can't. Get his @ss kissed going to a Ferrari or Mercedes dealership. Get into exclusive restaurants for dinner without a reservation. Get into the "VIP-only" rooms of pricey, high-faluten' clubs. Maybe even hook up with young supermodel-wanna-bes. Not to mention kick all of our asses shredding on the guitar. But should we hate all of those other things because we can't do them, either? ...That's a heck of lot of wasted energy on what amounts to jealousy.

                Maybe my statement came off wrong nothing against JB he is the man. I feel that with my lowly past one a year purchases from the Jackson CS would not allow or qualify me into the showroom by the way the article was phrased. That is my problem

                I know one day if I sell a million records maybe I can get into all the cool places my beef is not with that at all.

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                • #53
                  I bet you could get an appointment, especially if you bought more than one from the same dealer. The dealers are probably the ones who set you up. Just a guess on my part.

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                  • #54
                    Originally posted by dg View Post
                    I bet you could get an appointment, especially if you bought more than one from the same dealer. The dealers are probably the ones who set you up. Just a guess on my part.
                    I believe this to be true. "More than one" and an established relationship with a reputable (top notch) CS dealer will probably get you in.
                    However..... no ham-and-eggers allowed.
                    Mr. Patience.... ask for a free consultation.

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                    • #55
                      Originally posted by AK47 View Post
                      Maybe my statement came off wrong nothing against JB he is the man. I feel that with my lowly past one a year purchases from the Jackson CS would not allow or qualify me into the showroom by the way the article was phrased. That is my problem

                      I know one day if I sell a million records maybe I can get into all the cool places my beef is not with that at all.
                      I know that, bro. Like yourself, I was just using JB as an illustrative example. But whether we're talking about Jeff Beck, Slowhand or my 9 year old nephew, my point remains. Who cares that the wealthy can do things that we can't because of their money? And who cares that companies cater to such potentially vapid wants or needs of the rich?

                      They're each entitled to do so however the seem fit. And I don't begrudge either because of it, nor take offense. That's all.

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                      • #56
                        Originally posted by shreddermon View Post
                        I know that, bro. Like yourself, I was just using JB as an illustrative example. But whether we're talking about Jeff Beck, Slowhand or my 9 year old nephew, my point remains. Who cares that the wealthy can do things that we can't because of their money? And who cares that companies cater to such potentially vapid wants or needs of the rich?

                        They're each entitled to do so however the seem fit. And I don't begrudge either because of it, nor take offense. That's all.

                        It becomes my problem when they raise prices 100% on CS guitars to pay for these showrooms and prices me out of my next CS purchase so someone else can demo a guitar.

                        Pepsi challenge; can we see if we can get a board member an appoitment at a showroom without disclosing publicly who it is till after they come back or get denied? Just thinking out loud...

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                        • #57
                          Originally posted by AK47 View Post
                          It becomes my problem when they raise prices 100% on CS guitars to pay for these showrooms and prices me out of my next CS purchase so someone else can demo a guitar.
                          See, there's the silly part. You're assuming the custom shop price increases are "paying for" these rich, big-wig exclusive showrooms. Heck, you're assuming the showrooms themselves are costing a lot of money to start with. And why are you assuming that? Just because they're only for rich people.

                          Think of it this way... If there was an article on Fender's website announcing that they just gave their Mexican plant employees an across-the-board 25% pay increase to provide better pay equity with their US employees, would that offend you? Would you assume that you were paying for that through the custom shop price increases? And would you be offended by it, because you think the Mexican employees already make too much money now?

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                          • #58
                            Originally posted by shreddermon View Post
                            See, there's the silly part. You're assuming the custom shop price increases are "paying for" these rich, big-wig exclusive showrooms. Heck, you're assuming the showrooms themselves are costing a lot of money to start with. And why are you assuming that? Just because they're only for rich people.

                            Think of it this way... If there was an article on Fender's website announcing that they just gave their Mexican plant employees an across-the-board 25% pay increase to provide better pay equity with their US employees, would that offend you? Would you assume that you were paying for that through the custom shop price increases? And would you be offended by it, because you think the Mexican employees already make too much money now?
                            Well then I will continue to vote with my wallet, but the price increase is just that to make up for expenses gained. I feel its unfair to stick it to us JC guys stick it to the strat collectors that pay these silly upcharges, they will no matter what.

                            Look at how much it would cost to either rent or own 6 pieces of property across the world, have it stocked and mainted by a 24 hour staff thats on call. Property taxes, electricity etc. etc. etc.

                            BTW I am the type of customer that calls around and gets the best price he can as are most of us here on the board that support JC do anyone of us really need a demo before we order our JCs? Alot of the newer buyers may really like this idea though.

                            With Fender collectors there is big money in this, it is their demographic sixfigure+ type people but this is causing us JC guys to really get crapped on.

                            You guys really think the master builder upcharge is worth it and a good idea for JC? For Fender stratocasters it is a must the collectors who demanded and payed that their guitar be built by a certain Fender builder. For us it sucks and just makes impossible to get the custom we thought we could afford.

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                            • #59
                              You have every right to be upset with the price increases, the option "nickle and diming", the high "masterbuilt fee", etc. IMHO, it would be especially righteous to be upset that those things were happening at the same time that the J/C custom shop was having quality control problems and was providing crappy customer service experiences. And you have every right to "vote with your wallet" until things those improve.

                              But, IMHO, the whole linkage with the showroom thing is just kinda silly. Rich guys pay more for exclusive "rich guy" type experiences, like these showrooms. Not the other way around. I mean, it's not like we're subsidizing John Meyer, so he can smoke a Cuban and whelp congac while tooling around on an original 50s strat that FMIC has for sale in one of these places.

                              Anyway, good luck to the new crew in charge at J/C. I wish them well, and remain hopeful.

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                              • #60
                                Originally posted by shreddermon View Post
                                Right, because Gibson's guitar prices are sooooo much more reasonable than the FMIC brands.

                                Not to mention that Gibson's policies won't even let their freakin' dealers post pictures or prices of their in-stock guitars on the internet.
                                In Canada, Gibson lets shops do that, but Fender doesnt lol
                                Out Of Ideas

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