Official Luthiers Forum!

Michael thanks so much for these posts. Helps me stay awake reading all they replies while waiting for American Idol to come on. Can't wait for the "Myth of Building Light" Sounds like a doozy. I was going to add two winkers and a clapper but do to your adversity I decided to pass. Couldn't help myself.Bobc38770.8417476852

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I built at least a hundred and some odd prototypes for McPherson while I
was working with Bryan. This was in the development phase, and they've
gone through a number of significant changes since I last made one. I
have my opinions, and if you ever run in to me out at the bar I'd be happy
to spout them off, but don't really feel like going through it all on a
forum. I will just say that McPherson is building some very nice guitars
today, and has a lot of money to market them.

And if marketing vs reality is the topic at hand, where's the new news?
How 'bout we talk Gibson, Fender, Olson, etc. Or how about Buzz Feiten? I
know there are some fans out there, but I see this one as the
quintessential smoke and mirrors marketing. Not to say there are no
benefits to his system, it's just that the marketing claims don't quite line
up with reality. They've gotten better over the years. It use to be praised
as a perfect solution, then as he seemed to come to a better
understanding of temperament and intonation it was hailed as a perfect
compromise. By now he may have backed off closer to reality and admit
that it's better, but still not perfect at all. And don't get me started about
his "playing in tune with a piano" claim. Good Lord don't get me
started.

It's all part of the busines. One part product, nine parts marketing.
Marketing IS what sells guitars. In my time at Elderly's I can't count how
many people would walk in to the high end room, and thier eyes scan
over dozens of incredible to unbelievable guitars from smaller shops or
custom builders. Thier eyes just keep scanning until they see a Martin, a
Gibson or a Taylor. Even if the price is the same, guess which they pick up
and buy.

Esteban is doing pretty well too.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

I agree with you Micheal, their add is a little overstated, but then on the other hand.... After looking at the pictures of the Mc F guitar I've got to say their bracing is like now other, very innovative to say the least. While they have been coming up with this the rest of the world has been tweeking a 125 year old CF Martin x brace pattern and calling their modifications new and innovative.

Since they appear to have the sound to back them up I think we are going to have to give their due. Good Job Mc Pherson!

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Marketing and hype are synonyms. You just use the first one when you buy what they're saying and the second one if you think it's over the top. Substantively, however, there's no difference.

One philosophy on sales says that the job of a salesperson is to make the customer leave very happy about the purchase they've made. There's something to be said for that, though unfortunately that strategy leaves a lot of room for out and out swindling. So the "Big Goose Spruce" might not be quite as exceptional as you've been led to believe. If you're happy with your Spruce Goose Goodall and it holds its value well, where's the loser in the picture? As our gov. Jesse Ventura liked to say about prostitution - "It's a victimless crime".


Another thought on marketing. I think marketing is no different than any other aspect of a luthier's job. If you like doing it, can do it well, can do it fast, and can do it cheaply...do it yourself! Seems like McPherson would fit that mold. But if it's not your cup of tea, find somebody to handle that duty for you...a PR person, advertising firm, dealer, whatever. No different than having somebody else cut your fingerboard slots or buying a pre-made rosette.

Andrew Wright
Managua, Nicaragua

OK, I'm convinced: I need a marketer, or a hype-r, here at my shop.
Pay will be determined by number of sales generated.

SK

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

The winkers and the clappers along with millions of lollers will be used on the day one buyer plays a guitar from my shop! For now, i'll give you this much :

When all is said and done, if you spend a ton of money on advertising, you're not going to claim that your guitars are middling or just o.k.... You're going to say they're the best and the most beautiful and that pretty girls are going to fall in love with you if you play one of them... It's only normal. It's hype/advertising...
McPherson obviously does things differently and he's got the coin to shout it from the roof tops... Good for him if it works. If not, there's always all those souls ready to dig deep into their pocketbooks...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

[QUOTE=highdrawlicks] I think that what I really didn't convey was that I tire of the implication of superiority of a certain instrument by many builder/marketers out there.[/QUOTE]

Michael...I understood immediately where you were coming from, and I share your pain; but, as others have mentioned, it's a tough world out there, and everybody's looking for an edge. As long as ads aren't lying, a little chest-thumping is probably O.K.



[QUOTE=highdrawlicks]Stay tuned for my next rant: The myth of building light.[/QUOTE]

It's no myth...all of the buildings I use have light.