Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

I guess that I just don't like the embossed logo on the covers. I'm betting that is exactly what others love about them.

+1. It's a tad excessive. The typical Duncan logo doesn't bother me, I actually like it, but these are a bit much.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

I understand and appreciate all the feedback and opinions regarding the Limited Edition Humbucker Sets that we are offering in conjunction with Musician's Friend.

This limited edition (300) series is 100% made in our Custom Shop by hand, by Seymour. We were approached by our contacts at Musician's Friend about commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the humbucker - which for those of you not there was the theme at our booth at the winter NAMM show in Anaheim.

In order to make this series, have them sport the embossed covers (again, 100% engraved by Seymour), AND still be affordable to the end users we needed a certain quantity to build all at once. Trust me when I say that buying these one-off from the Custom Shop would be significantly more expensive. Regardless of everyone's personal opinion of Musician's Friend, this is an economic reality. The spirit in which these came to be was certainly not one of disenfranchising dealers outside of Musician's Friend.
Frankly, if it wasn't for Musician's Friend, the series wouldn't exist at the current price point. I'm sure there are some people who would rather have that, but I hope there's many more that would rather seen them around.

You're right about the typo. These pickups are Alnico V, not Alnico II. When Seymour came up with the design, he wanted to base the models on the original Gibson prototypes - a set of which he owns. The set that he owns has Alnco V magnets. We also wanted a departure from our already offered Seth Lover series. Different is good.

Under the hood, the attention to detail with the wooden spacers, butyrate bobbins are all reminiscent of the Seth Lover series, but the Alnico V magnets give these limited edition sets a bit more bite.

For those of you who have had personal interactions with Seymour over the years, you may know that he is a major guitar historian and collector of so many interesting things.

He was personally excited to be able to commemorate this milestone, and again the fact remains that if it wasn't for Musician's Friend having the ability to acquire the quantity necessary to give birth to this series, then it wouldn't be here for us to enjoy. In the end, these are really a functional, fun dedication and commemoration.

It's unfortunate that not everyone can be happy with the way these needed to come into the world, but again I understand that we are all entitled to our opinion with regard to from whom we buy.

Billy Gill
Sales Manager, Seymour Duncan Pickups

Sorry Billy and Evan but this is summed up in 2 words. "Sell Out". You could have done a hundred different things to commemorate any damn thing you wanted to. This is nothing but damage control in its purest form.

Its no secret how MF/GC is regarded. You knew full well how this would play out. To come here and try to spin as anything else is disingenuous at best. You made your choice now take your lumps.

The Seth Lover model already stands as tribute Seth Lover and is far truer to the spirit of invention that spawned those first pickups than this money grab could ever hope to have been.

Respect has been lost. Big Time

 

[BigBazz]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

respect has been lost for making a custom shop, 50th anniversary pickup? was respect lost when fender made a 50th anniversary strat? i disagree.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

respect has been lost for making a custom shop, 50th anniversary pickup? was respect lost when fender made a 50th anniversary strat? i disagree.

They didn't need MF to move 300 pups. Thats a crock. As for Fender, they have been whoring themself out for years. They couldn't lose what they didn't have.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Word. I prefer to look at the big picture, which is to say that guys like Ted McCarty, Leo Fender, Seymour Duncan, Seth Lover, and Les Paul are innovators who deserve more respect than some slap in the face by a few people who don't particularly like a certain retailer.

If you don't want them, don't buy them. If you respect the heritage, and feel like purchasing a special commemorative pickup set that will become a great tonal keepsake, do what the other 299 people will do, and grab a great work of art!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

I'm excited. I can hardly wait till they get here in a few days. I'm gonna try them in my main player LP first, then over to my McCarty, where they'll probably stay. Gary, yours and mine will probably be in the first 10. My friends at Musicians Friend told me mine were the 3rd set ordered. LOL

 

[matt99camero]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

I'd like to get a set but not happining right now. At first the bussiness side of me came out and I thought I'd pick up a set and sit on them for a couple of years and sell them once the prices skyrocket on the used market, but then I thought about it and I think that would just be a wrong thing to do for this work of art.

I don't really have a problem with MF/GC and I think going with them was a good idea and here is the reason. With such a limited number of sets, if you let mom and pop shops in on the action how are you going to distribute only 300 sets across the country so that everyone has a chance at getting a set? Your not. Even if you limit it to one set per store chances are there will be more orders than product available and they would be cutting alot of people out of having a chance at getting them. I have two little mom and pop stores in my town and the closest GC is an hour and a half away. So if those shops decide not to order them then I don't have a shot at getting a set. With MF, like them or not they are one of the biggest retailers today and a very well know company, everyone in the country has an equal chance at getting a set selling them through Musicians Friend.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

I know! Some of these guitar keepsakes we're fortunate enough to aquire around the turn of the century are going to be jawdropping collectibles when we're older, in the same way the 50's Classics are. That Singlecut is like the modern day equivalent of the 59 Paul. When it's 2040, young guys will crap their pants when I pull out a couple 2000 McCarties, signed by legendary pickup maker, Seymour Duncan.....with his handwound Anniversary pickups in them. They'll probably even say "look, old wooden guitars!" hahahaha

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Whoa dude, that's pretty harsh...when you start your own company trying to produce PAFs to Seth Lover's original specs I'd say perhaps, a BIG perhaps that is, you would have the standing to come to SEYMOUR's website and come-off with the B$ attitude you're exuding...until then you're just another loser wanna-be on the net.

My hat's off to Seymour for bringing quality PUPs to the guitar world at large and pushing companies like Gibson, Fender et al. to a higher level of quality.

I've been playing electric guitar since 1978 and I remember what things were like before Seymour Duncan hit the scene, perhaps you don't. :smack:

If he wants to release some 50th Aniversary PAFs through Musician's Friend, I say more power to him! It's obvious to even the newest noob that Seymour doesn't have to do it for the $$$...especially since he's winding them himself! :duh:

Personally, I think given Seymour's committment to the crowd on these forums, I think you should shut your yap :smoker:

'
Sometimes truth is harsh. I fail to see how calling a spade a spade is a BS attitude. If you want to be a sheep and follow the herd be my guest. I don't need to start a business or anything else to justify my view to you or anyone else. My business skills are proven every day. I am well aware of what the scene was like back in the day. My problem isn't with what happened in 78. Its in 05.

It IS obvious to everyone he doesn't have to do it for the money. But they crawled in bed with MF/GC anyway. Thats the whole point. :duh: :duh: :smack:

As for shutting my yap, perhaps you should shut yours. Are you really advocating we not speak our minds and let the company know what we think? Are you so blinded by hero worship that you cannot fathom someone not praising every last thing Duncan does? I seriously doubt thats what they want. I have no problem standing in the minority if need be to do it.

If they have a problem with my opinion they know where the PM button is and I will discuss it with them offline. Until then I will express my views like everyone else here. I fail to see how a disenting a opinion is a bad thing. If you want to hero worship Seymour Duncan the man by all means, I will join you. He does great things. Seymour Duncan the company made a mistake on this one in my opinion.

As for what you think, I won't be losing any sleep over it.

:sword:

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Guys.... it's OK to agree or disagree with SDs sales practices or the quality of our pickups or whatever, but please do with respect for each other.

Peace.

 

[Thames]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Seths with Alnico 5 ... hmm :scratchch

Im ordering some magnets right now!

 

[MattPete]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Based on the specs, they look like overwound Seths with A5 magnets.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Can someone even be a sellout when their business is selling a product?????????????

 

[Dave]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Free market system. Buyers will buy what they want and it's their responsibility to understand what they're buying. Just by reading the posts on this thread it is obvious that those getting them understand what they are. I personally, think the price point would be equally attainable if these were sold through "regular" dealers. But hey, they sound like a great product and because I'm not a $300/pup set purchaser, I won't exactly care what you guys do. I'm happy for all you folks getting them and I am happy with every Duncan I've ever owned-they've never turned out to be something they weren't supposed to be.

Now, if you'll just hand over that PRS... :saeek:

 

[MattPete]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

I think the specs look pretty sweet, but I'm not thrilled about the cover. What does a CS pickup go for? $150? Wonder if I could get the same wind and magnet, but with normal covers? Looking at the specs, I would imagine it would be somewhere between a 59 and a Blues, but with the vintage wire and such. mmmm...

 

[BigBazz]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

well i personally like seymour duncan pickups and i like the idea of the seymour made seths though i am really disapointed that there is no way i can have them shipped into the uk so i wont be having a set unfortunatly, TheArchitect if you really dont like them that much go and buy some dimarzios.

 

[Farkus]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

My only problem with the exclusive MF deal is that the regular guys like Lew and John, for example, are being left out. I see Architect's point and I don't think he BS'ing. The best thing that you can do is speak with your money-just don't buy them if you're a MF hater.

Mark

 

[Thames]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

My only problem with the exclusive MF deal is that the regular guys like Lew and John, for example, are being left out. I see Architect's point and I don't think he BS'ing. The best thing that you can do is speak with your money-just don't buy them if you're a MF hater.

Mark

That is my point too. :smoker:

Arent Lew and John on the top sellers list ? :smack:

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Thames and everyone else:

If you were, let's say a maker of Bicycles. There might be 25 dealers across the world. Let's say I'm one of them. Now take this a step further. Let's say, I decide I'd like you to make a custom Scott_F anniversary model of one of your bikes. Let's say I place an order for 300 of them. Did I screw over the other 24 guys that sell your bikes? Or did I just buy 300 of your bikes?

Do the other 24 dealers have a chance to come up with their special ideas? Yep.

The more I've thought about this, the more I don't have a huge problem with it. If Blackrose wants to step up and order 300 sets of a special Blackrose Limited Addition Alnico 2 Pro, would anyone even bat an eye? Would MF be upset?

DId anyone beatch about Ed Roman and his "Special Blackback" Duncan special winds? I do not see any difference between Ed's Blackbacks and MF's 50th Seths.

Now, if it was the other way around and Seymour came up with 300 sets of these and sold them to the highest bidder, that might give cause for some grumblings from the smaller guys that can't afford to get into the game. Or would it? Hmmm....



One thing is for sure... we're spending a lot of time talking about them... Evan & Billy have to love that!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

I just got off the phone with Musician's Friend, and found out that they didn't, in fact, get all 300 pickups. From what their customer service has told me, they got 150, with the other 150 going somewhere else.....likely Guitar Center? Possibly other retailers?

This is one circumstance where Ebay is NOT gonna be cheaper than a retailer, because as soon as they're all gone, the price is going up, I'm pretty sure....not down.