LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

This is the place where the Lunch Reports will be posted.
zapcosongs
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LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by zapcosongs »

Again, I wish to thank everybody for their participation yesterday. You all sure posted some emotionally powerful tunes! Being an amateur songwriter (and not being a musician), I find this stuff fascinating - though I understand that some of you probably may not feel the same way. If you hang in with me, I promise you that there will be no more potentially depressing material for the rest of the week. Hurray!

Without further ado, let’s do lunch. Let’s fire up the grill today and throw on a few skewers of marinated shrimp, scallops and veggies. When they are done to perfection, let’s lay them on a bed of basmati rice, with some garden-fresh vine-ripe tomato slices on the side. Iced tea. Maybe some banana pudding a bit later when I get hungry again.

Okay, a couple of weeks ago, our good friend Will asked us to post music-themed photos of ourselves from days long ago. I didn’t participate, only because the couple of pictures I had from back in the day were not in digital format, and I don’t own a scanner.

Long story short, I had my neighbor scan these images for me, and here we go:

This one is from my high school yearbook and shows me in our Jazz Band (think Sammy Nestico, Count Basie, Hey Jude, Theme from Rocky). I’m the guy with the refinished ’66 Fender Jaguar. I think I’m seventeen years old here. This is the only photo I have of this guitar, which was subsequently stolen when the band room was broken into during Spring Break of that year. Some of you may remember me lamenting this theft a couple of times over the years. But I digress….

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This next one is of me and my brother doing a Coffeehouse performance at the college we both attended. At 21, I thought it was cool to have a beard, apparently. Our original songs were all we played, and they were actually quite well received.

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Here is another opportunity to post your old band pictures, etc. I think this is fun. Thanks Will!

I’d like to touch a bit on marketing today, more specifically, as it relates to BBE/G&L. Because I don’t get any guitar or similar magazines, I’m feeling a bit disadvantaged, but am I correct in my suspicion that BBE might not be doing all it can to make folks aware that G&L guitars are in a sense BBE products as well?

BBE (like G&L) has such a fine reputation, but I don’t get the feeling that a lot of folks know that the companies are related entities. I’ve felt for some time that fact this relationship might better leveraged, perhaps influencing guitar purchasers to give G&L instruments a go before pulling the trigger on a F*nder or other big-name bass or guitar.

Toward this end, I have in my head a rough outline of what I think might be a cool idea for a print ad – which I will share with you later today.

In the meantime, I’d like to hear from you about your sense of whether potential gear buyers are generally aware of the BBE/G&L connection, and whether you think that putting more emphasis on this relationship might be a good thing for G&L and BBE.

I am also hereby soliciting marketing ideas that you may have for G&L and/or BBE products. I understand that Darth pays handsomely for worthy ideas posted here. Ha!

So let’s see some more old photos and hear about some marketing ideas for G&L/BBE. Also, if you've heard a good joke lately, we'd probably appreciate hearing it after the way this week has been going ;+)

Thanks again for hanging in with me. - ed
sirmyghin
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by sirmyghin »

I was not aware of the BBe - G&L connection until I had already made up my mind on a G&L guitar. The connection for me was Leo, being a bassist (aka not quite as traditional :lol: ) I thought well, Leo gave us all this progression, and loved to move forward so G&L must be his best work. I was not wrong, fortunately. It beat the hell out of the comparable fenders I have set hands on so I was happy. However no company can offer you everything (or me everything) that I require so I am a man without brand loyalty. I don't go for the lowest bidder, but the one with the product I want.

I have no old photos of bands I was in, sorry Ed. Never been much of a picture type guy.
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Ledergeist
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by Ledergeist »

I'm on the right, with an Epiphone Wilshire going thru a Marshall JMP.
From around 1988, and yes, my ears are still ringing from this gig.... ;)

Stay Tuned....

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Too Much of a Good Thing is Never Enough
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Ken Baker
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by Ken Baker »

zapcosongs wrote:Without further ado, let’s do lunch. Let’s fire up the grill today and throw on a few skewers of marinated shrimp, scallops and veggies. When they are done to perfection, let’s lay them on a bed of basmati rice, with some garden-fresh vine-ripe tomato slices on the side. Iced tea. Maybe some banana pudding a bit later when I get hungry again.
Sounds good. I had a bowl of soup and some tortilla strips.
Okay, a couple of weeks ago, our good friend Will asked us to post music-themed photos of ourselves from days long ago.
1971, in the choir room at Bolsa Grande HS in Garden Grove, CA. I don't look like that now. I have no idea who the cuties are on the risers behind me, but there must be a guitar player or singer up there because bass players didn't feel the love back then either! :mrgreen:

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BBE (like G&L) has such a fine reputation, but I don’t get the feeling that a lot of folks know that the companies are related entities. I’ve felt for some time that fact this relationship might better leveraged, perhaps influencing guitar purchasers to give G&L instruments a go before pulling the trigger on a F*nder or other big-name bass or guitar.
I think that those who look for USA-made instruments will learn that G&L and BBE are one. It can be tough to find them in stores, which means that the dedicated shopper will have to dig in a little more, learning as they go. The Tributes are another matter, because the main audience there is the younger crowd. They're looking for a good instrument that is relatively inexpensive. If they migrate here or over at BassesByLeo and read around some, they'll learn about the connection.

The industry is so history and old school centered that it might be more important to emphasize the ties to Fender, Fullerton, Walker, and Hyatt. Maybe some artwork/trim around the ad depicting cloth-insulated wire and Sprague Orange Drop caps would be helpful. :roll:

Ken...
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darwinohm
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by darwinohm »

Ed, I spent some time trying to get our picture from 1963 but it is on an old computer and I have to figure out how transfer it. My Windows 98 doesn't have good USB connectivity. I will get it someday probably from CD if I can get the writer to work.

Great pictures from your younger days. Now you have convinced me that you are no longer a kid!

I am not sure how to promote the BBE/ G&L connection. What I do know is that G&L has to get a better dealer network, preferably dealers who also have Fenders. The convenience to be able to compare side by side would be a great advantage for G&L. the big F isn't going to allow that to happen. Having the product in stock is critical to selling guitars. Many people do not want to wait for a guitar. I wish that G&L could pick up a couple of big box stores that would stock the American product along with tributes. Great week Ed!-- Darwin
y2kc
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by y2kc »

Ed,

The girl in the back row is looking at the drummer who is starring at the cuties on the piano. I hope that was all worked out by prom time.

What happened to the bearded guys neck? It seems to be missing.


How to promote G&L guitars?

A couple of years ago I traded e-mails with Dave McLaren about putting a G&L guitar into the hands of my friend Harry Reinhard. This guy is as good as they come and we have some really good players here in the big city. Mr. Reinhart plays for a few acts including my brothers band, "Skip Towne and the Grayhounds'. Dave told me he was unheard of and that they had other ways to promote their gutars.

Harry spent the spring and early summer traveling to California with his daughter Haley to compete on "American Idol". Harry was the guy playing a Les Paul during Haley's led zep tribute.
Mr. Reinhart digs G&L's and plays 6 days a week. He draws a very guitar savvy crowd who would notice if he wasn't playing his strat or gibson. That would sell guitars.

Mr. McLaren, if you are reading this, you missed a good opportunity to put a guitar in Harry's hands.

Leo and George went to the bars and music venues and physically handed great players guitars to play and critique. This is advertising at it's best and smartest.

Putting guitars into the hand of working musicians is the way to go. I still say send Harry a guitar and let the product sell itself. I am all ears.

y2kc
zapcosongs
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by zapcosongs »

kc - Man, you have me willing to ship Harry one of MY G&L guitars. Your idea (though not original, ha!) is a great one. Should be a no-brainer. Maybe Dave will reconsider....

Folks, thanks for the great responses and pictures. I'm enjoying this immensely!

Ok, here's a VERY rough outline for a print ad that I envision:

The page is kind of bifurcated top/bottom. On the top is the BBE Logo, with attractive images of the BBE Sonic Maximizer line (both rack and pedal. The caption on this (top) part of the pages says something like: "You know us for our Sonic Maximizers"

On the bottom half of the page is a stunning, colorful array of G&L Guitars with the caption: "Now meet our OTHER Sonic Maximizers."
The G&L logo would be featured on the bottom half of the page. Again, this is the rough idea. What do you think? - ed
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Philby
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by Philby »

Why do girls always look so cute in the past?

Unfortunately I'm at work swotting for a job interview so I don't have access to any old photos at the moment. I'm sure the girls in my old photos look just as cute as everyone else's though. :lol:

I'm completely oblivious to all sorts of advertising. The exception is seeing a good player play a good instrument. That inevitably gets me interested.

You look like Cat Stevens with that beard Ed!
zapcosongs
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by zapcosongs »

Hey Philby, don't you mean Yusuf Islam?

Actually, it's funny you mention the artist formerly known as Cat. He's one of the singer/songwriters (along with Jim Croce and James Taylor) that first got me interested in learning to play guitar. Also, his album Tea for the Tillerman is one of my all time favorites. (btw, would you be surprised if I told you that Sad Lisa was my very favorite cut? I remember that song being the first one that I actually played over and over in order to figure out the chords. I think I may have cried when I actually got it sorted out ;+). - ed
jonc
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by jonc »

i personally don't think it matters too much if consumers know about BBE or not. and as mentioned already in this thread G&L's biggest issue seems to be coverage and getting their guitars into more shops (and players hands) so that folks can try em out side by side with other brands. but as this new board has shown and the increasing # of times G&L's are being mentioned on various sites or sold used on places like TGP, they have entered the mainstream, and are seen as an alternative to, and many times better than, the competition. which was not the case just a handful of years ago. great pics ed. gotta love those collars and the Jag. though i would have sworn you were in this band. LOL. another day of some of the best LR in recent memory.

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Philby
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by Philby »

Hey Philby, don't you mean Yusuf Islam?
Nah, you look more like Cat pre-Yusuf. Unless you're currently sporting a big fuzzy beard and a funny Middle Eastern hat.....
Last edited by Philby on Thu Aug 04, 2011 6:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
zapcosongs
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by zapcosongs »

jonc, I just peed myself a little, man.

Those handsome gents very nearly make me want to take a walk on the wild side. NOT!

Just great. Thanks! - ed
zapcosongs
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by zapcosongs »

Philby. I will have you know that my hat is actually pizza dough. I'm multi-tasking. - ed
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stagecoach
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by stagecoach »

I also believe the best start for advertising would be to get them into more shops. I have not seen a G&L in a Western Australia shop for years, and then it was only 1 shop. All the other shops stock Fender /Gibson and when you ask about G&L they say they should be able to order 1 in. I am not one for ordering guitars blind as they all sound different. My first USA guitar I went to every music shop in town looking for what I wanted. The guitar I got was a limited addition and one of the other shop had the exact same guitar, but the feel and sound were no match.

Photos of past bands - I am on the far right in all my bands, except now we have a very short fiddle player so I am 2nd from the right in the last photo.

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This was my first real band (excluding my primary and high school tries) - more Dwight Yoakam, Garth Brooks

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It then transformed into this - we were doing more 80's rock by this stage (even tho I was wearing a cowboy hat, this particular time I was helping a country band earlier and I already had the hat hair

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And my current band. it is virtually a family band (My Dad is the singer and brother plays Pedal Steel). I use to also have a brother that played bass, but he got married and never seen him since. This is a very traditional country band, lots of Buck Owen, George Jones and Hank Williams
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CGT
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by CGT »

Darwin: To sell to big box stores, G&L would have to significantly ratchet production. My dealer told me that they make about 60 guitars a week. Is it true? That figure sounds too low to me. Is G&L in trouble? It doesn't seem to be. The boutique approach is working. Why try to fix it?

I for one would be happy if G&L never went mainstream because the drive to insane numbers and profitability leads to cut corners. And to be honest with you, getting a custom shop quality instrument at a G&L price is its unique sellling proposition, to use ad industry jargon. Yeah, I love my Legacy and if I get a good deal on an ASAT, I may spring for one, but at the end of the day, it's my number one guitar, I will play it until I die, so my potential as a future G&L customer (other than said ASAT) is next to nil. I may be the wrong guy to pontificate on this.
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blargfromouterspace
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by blargfromouterspace »

Very nice picture Ed. You're definitely the coolest guy in that band!

I don't own a scanner so can't post pictures of old bands - they aren't all that old anyway and I'm as fat as I am now in them. Somewhere there's a great picture of my first band that was hand drawn by a cartoonist who was in the audience. I wish I knew where that picture ended up.
-Jamie
zapcosongs
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by zapcosongs »

Blarg - There were actually two other cool kids in the band, both of whom played sax. The guy with the alto in the abbreviated middle row may just be the best buddy I have to this day. His son is a fantastic guitar player and builder in Austin, TX.

Look forward to seeing your hand-drawn image, as soon that it is rediscovered and restored to all its original glory. - ed
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Aussie
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Re: LR for Thursday, August 4, 2011 - To Market To Market....

Post by Aussie »

Hey Jamie, big +1 on yesterday's mention of swamp stompers the Zydecats ... and yes, I've spent many a Sunday at Clancy's where they are an institution. They are an excellent fun band - unfortunately that lone Youtube clip doesn't do them justice.

Marketing - While I like the nice segue link in your ad concept I'm not sure that the connection between bbe and G&L would be anything more than an interesting factoid for most people.

Old Band Photos - I'm at work at the moment and don't have access to much here. .... but I do have this little clipping. You might have read in my LR's a couple of weeks back that at one time we had a punk side project running that started as a recording duo with my bass player mate and grew into a four piece gigging band. Weeeellllllll ..... here's a little glimpse of me and the girl vocalist.
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While I now have a full head of hair, there is something of an irony in that the bass player has moved from hair just in the middle to hair just on the sides.

cheers, Robbie
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