Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

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Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

ArtieToo said:
The tragedy here, is going to be that this little snafu is going to be the fodder for the gossip and rumor mill for the next decade or two. These are probably going to be outstanding sounding pups, but anytime someone mentions in some forum somewhere, that they have those Seymour Duncan 50th Anniversary pickups that MF sold, someone else is going to "put them wise".

"Those are fake, and were wound by some girl at the factory."

Not realizing that "some girl" is MJ, who has, to a large part, shaped the sound of rock & roll for the last 20 years.

It'll be great gossip, but thats about it.


When Billy Gibbons needs new pickups, guess who he calls.... MJ. Case closed.
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

ArtieToo said:
The tragedy here, is going to be that this little snafu is going to be the fodder for the gossip and rumor mill for the next decade or two. These are probably going to be outstanding sounding pups, but anytime someone mentions in some forum somewhere, that they have those Seymour Duncan 50th Anniversary pickups that MF sold, someone else is going to "put them wise".

"Those are fake, and were wound by some girl at the factory."

Not realizing that "some girl" is MJ, who has, to a large part, shaped the sound of rock & roll for the last 20 years.

It'll be great gossip, but thats about it.

Whats really FUed about the whole thing is there never really have been any SD PUs that were collectible before and now I don't think there ever will be.

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! :smack:
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Scott_F said:
Just keep it respectful and criticize all you wish. ;)

I don't think anyone has been out of line so far, not even that other guy you slammed :blackeye:
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

ArtieToo said:
A2, Brute . . . :laugh2:
LMAO! Am I the only one who got that one? I would be pissed at Musician's Friend for that typo they made making people confused.

About the disses going out to MJ, that is totally unnecessary! MF (which has two meanings IMO) said that it was SIGNED by Seymour, they said nothing about him necessarily winding them! MJ is just as reputable! If you wanna be sexist about it, I suggest you look up who Fender's original pickup winder was!

All of that aside, it's just my opinion that I'd rather spend my money ordering "Non-Anniversary" pickups directly from Duncan or through a smaller business, such as Black Rose (you rock John!) so that a monopoly doesn't develop and I let those who deserve it the most get all the profit. God only knows how much I've spent at the two Guitar Centers in my area (same company), but they don't really need my money. I can't tell you how pissed off I was when I was given the wrong parts (didn't even get the snare! :smack: ) for the drum set I got for X-Mas because they didn't have the whole set at that store. Of course, they tried to shut me up by upgrading me to a set costing $200 more for free. :)

Needless to say, screw the deals for me, I want good service!
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Sales Manager said:
This limited edition (300) series is 100% made in our Custom Shop by hand, by Seymour.

I don't think anyone has a problem with MJ winding the pickups but I'd say this quote is slightly misleading IMO. I don't think this statement can be true if someone else winds the pickups.
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

TaZMaNiO said:
I don't think anyone has been out of line so far, not even that other guy you slammed :blackeye:

I do believe Mr. Ladd was out of line and was taking personal pot shots at me because he and I disagreed about an earlier issue. That issue was over in my book. If you would care to discuss it with me in detail, feel free to PM me.
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Hello again SD User Group members:

Thanks for the lively and thought provoking read.

We had a management meeting today to get some clarity on the concerns arising from our 50th Anniversary humbucker sets. When I last posted, Seymour and I were on the road and I posted what (I now know) was incorrect information. I referenced a document on my work PC that stated the pickups were made with Alnico V magnets. In fact, they are loaded with Alnico II. That is the definitive answer that supercedes all other information. This is certain. I apologize about providing incorrect information.

In order to best serve customers concerned about magnet type we have agreed to build the second 150 sets with Alnico V magnets. Musician's Friend will keep separate inventory of the two sets -- nos. 1 through 150 will have Alnico II, nos. 151 through 300 will have Alnico V; and a customer who has received a set of what they thought were Alnico V will be able to exchange for a set of Alnico V once the product arrives as a return. Musician's Friend will insure that people who unknowingly purchased the Alnico II version will be able to make the exchange to the Alnico V version. But that exchange has to happen within the next 30 days, as these are limited edition and they won't be around forever. Musician's Friend also has a money back guarantee in the event that this solution does not appease you.

If you feel like none of these solutions are sufficient, I would encourage you to call me directly, 805-964-9610 M-F 8-5 Pacific, at extension 1030, and we'll work something out to make sure you're happy.

I'd also like to clarify that indeed the bobbins were wound by MJ, not Seymour. The "100% made by Seymour" was, in fact, something that was corrected by Musician's Friend. What they say - in web and in print - is "each set is made and engraved by hand in Seymour's Custom Shop in Santa Barbara" which is entirely true. Seymour didn't do the winding, MJ did. But Seymour personally did all the engraving and worked side-by-side with MJ on the hookup and assembly. I'd like to add that knowing both Seymour and MJ as I do, I would say that MJ is more than qualified to wind bobbins. She's probably wound more pickups that were recorded on more gold and platinum records than anyone on Earth!

Scott_F, you're right. It is distressing. Also understood is the post that is asking for us to clarify. The truth is that I obviously felt foolish posting the wrong information as gospel the first time, and I wasn't going to post again until it was crystal clear from this side. Hence the delay - apologies again for that.

I would also like to add that in no way, shape, or form has Musician's Friend been at error in any of this. To the contrary, they've been nothing but professional, timely, and prompt. Brad, thanks for posting and welcome to the Users Group. The blame for this unfortunate situation rests on one round of poor internal communication here at the factory, exacerbated by a schedule that put me (primary overseer of this particular product) out of the office at launch time. Bummer for all of us. Artie is right about Murphy's Law.

The fact remains, these are great sounding, great looking pickups that we are proud of, and won't last long. If you choose to buy them, we'd love to hear what you think of the resulting tone.

I believe this adequately addresses all issues, but if I missed something feel free to post, or email directly at billy@seymourduncan.com

Thanks ever so much,

Billy Gill
Sales Manager
Seymour Duncan-Basslines Pickups
"For tone that sets you......apart"
5427 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2345
Ph: 805-964-9610
Fx: 805-964-9749
E: billy@seymourduncan.com
http://www.seymourduncan.com
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

After all this, I'm gonna be standing in the doorway at work tomorrow with my soldering iron in one hand, and my Les Paul in the other, with a pen in my mouth, ready to sign the damn UPS clipboard! :laugh2:

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzuuuuuuuuusssssssss!!!!! :laugh2: :laugh2: :32: :32: :dance: :dance: :smoker: :smoker: :yell: :smack: :13: :burnout:
 
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Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Looks like everything has been cleared up! I can't wait to see what you think of them GJ. Thanks for the explanation Mr. Gill.
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Sounds good...I bet an A5 bridge/A2 neck set would be killer. :32:

Gearjoneser, make sure to post a review once you get them installed.

Ryan
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Mine came today! I will start another thread so you don't have to read through 200 or so posts to read about the tone.
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

RE: "...This limited edition (300) series is 100% made in our Custom Shop by hand, by Seymour." - posted by Billy Gill.

As far as I'm concerned, this fiasco is over and done. It would have been an awesome different story if the above statement was true. To me, this was only about getting a set of "personal Seymour pups", and not a thing about tone or MJ or magnet type or whatever.

There is also NO question in my mind that either the A2 or A5 version will be superb little engines worthy of sitting in anyone's axe, and will be treasured for the little sonic jewels they are.

I refused UPS delivery of the pups yesterday. So all I've wasted is time ... time better spent, IMO.

However, it would have been nice to hear a few words of apology specifically concerning the above initial statement by Mr. Gill that Seymour did the winding - with all the other apologizing, somehow that one got missed in Mr. Gill's last post.
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Fret Tech said:
However, it would have been nice to hear a few words of apology specifically concerning the above initial statement by Mr. Gill that Seymour did the winding - with all the other apologizing, somehow that one got missed in Mr. Gill's last post.

Now you're being silly. He clearly apologized, twice, for the mistakes and misinformation that were given. What do you want? :rolleyes:
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

frettech, billy posted his number. call him.
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

We all make mistakes, but I totally stand by Billy....he is a good guy and would never try to screw people over. Those of you who meet him at Forum Day will see what I am talking about, he is a great sales manager. We all work really hard to make our customers happy, and Billy has always been one of the biggest advocates of "real" customer service, where you call up the factory and you can actually talk to a real person. I hope that you will all take this mix up with a grain of salt and realize that in the grand scheme of things, SD really does care about it's customers and wants to make them all happy....Forum Day for example...have you seen any other companies do that? Hope to see you all there :)
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

yeah, it's time to cut Billy a break ... he didnt lie with the intent of screwing people .. he mistakenly passed on incorrect information that he believed at the time to be true ... and as soon as he had it right, he corrected it an apologized ...

He is absolving MF on this one, so we have to give them a pass on this ... (i know plenty of guys have plenty of reasons to gripe about MF, but not here) ...

let's just let it go now ... these pups, irrespective of their pedigree, will stand on their own based on their tone ... best of luck to SD and MF with the product

cheers
t4d
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Forum Day is unequivocally one of the greatest acts of customer appreciation I have ever seen. I honestly couldn’t believe SD was actually going to pay for hotel rooms AND give members a free pickup. If my Infiniti breaks down on the road what are odds that Infiniti would pay for my hotel room while it is being repaired? I’d say about ZERO. Now, Seymour Duncan is a company that sells pickups that cost around $70. Is there any question this Forum Day is going to cost them a lot of money? This is pure customer appreciation. SD isn’t going to make all of their money back on that next Custom Custom. I only wish I could somehow attend!!! Hearing GJ talk about that extra hot C5 has me all worked up! That is exactly what I would like to make if I was there.....
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

RGN said:
Forum Day is unequivocally one of the greatest acts of customer appreciation I have ever seen. I honestly couldn’t believe SD was actually going to pay for hotel rooms AND give members a free pickup. If my Infiniti breaks down on the road what are odds that Infiniti would pay for my hotel room while it is being repaired? I’d say about ZERO. Now, Seymour Duncan is a company that sells pickups that cost around $70. Is there any question this Forum Day is going to cost them a lot of money? This is pure customer appreciation. SD isn’t going to make all of their money back on that next Custom Custom.

+1
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Regarding Forum Day, you only hit your 30th year in business once. I'm guessing we're not likely to see another event like this for at least 5 years, maybe 10!
RGN, what the heck is wrong with you? Take the time off and get your butt out to Santa Barbara! If you're driving an Infiniti, I'm guessing the issue isn't funds, but time. Take the time. This is a once in a lifetime event if you ask me. :)
 
Re: Limited edition duncans at musicians enemy!!

Fret Tech said:
RE: "...This limited edition (300) series is 100% made in our Custom Shop by hand, by Seymour." - posted by Billy Gill.

As far as I'm concerned, this fiasco is over and done. It would have been an awesome different story if the above statement was true. To me, this was only about getting a set of "personal Seymour pups", and not a thing about tone or MJ or magnet type or whatever.

There is also NO question in my mind that either the A2 or A5 version will be superb little engines worthy of sitting in anyone's axe, and will be treasured for the little sonic jewels they are.

I refused UPS delivery of the pups yesterday. So all I've wasted is time ... time better spent, IMO.

However, it would have been nice to hear a few words of apology specifically concerning the above initial statement by Mr. Gill that Seymour did the winding - with all the other apologizing, somehow that one got missed in Mr. Gill's last post.


Based on my dealings with him, Billy is a stand up guy and I'm sure it was just an oversight. It was unfortunate how things played out, but Billy's email should put to rest any unresolved questions at this point.

Mistakes happen. Lets move on guys :)
 
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