Here's the latest MusicYo update:
GR's -> This month's sale price on the GR's has them going out the door at a quicker pace for sure. That's not unusual, as these types of price reductions generally increase product sales anywhere from 2-10 times. Since the GR's weren't selling that great before there is some speculation if this new price point is more reflective of what the market will bear. No guarantees there, so if you want a GR I'd suggest you get one while you know you can for $800. Please be sure to use our MusicYo link as it helps defer our out-of-pocket expenses for running this site.
GM's -> They've been keeping better stock on items, so this has helped ease demand. Overall sales are still quite good which is positive. Planning for the Newburgh GM's is underway but no firm release date has been established. Two sample bodies were scanned in the past two weeks. From there they'll be converted to CAD drawings for CNC milling and additionally refined. Again no timetable. They've also entertained a 12 string version, and new headpieces have been ordered. However the priority right now is the XQ basses. On that note. . .
XQ's -> Final testing and body revision is under way. These bodies will be 100% USA made, being produced and assembled in Nashville. No firm commitments on pickups or electronics options just yet. Previous conversations had both EMG's & Bartolini's in the mix though nothing's been decided yet. That testing will happen in the upcoming weeks. Far as I know they're still planning on HAZ Labs active dual tone EQ boards as well. These are still a couple of months out.
PARTS -> They did not necessarily run out of TransTrems, S-Trems & bass bridges just yet though they do show as "Out of Stock" on the site. Actually they only allocated a small portion of thier stock for individual sale. They are going to move some more of these parts over shortly.
We're still working on a bulk group purchase of items not listed but inventoried from the trailer. These are items like R-Trem pins, XL pivot plates, etc. They're still open to this; they just need to organize it and figure out pricing from their end. We'll be pushing to make this happen from here on in so expect more regular updates on the Yahoo! Groups site regarding this.
No other official announcements just yet.
I'd add that I've also talked to some other contacts within Gibson. Ned has definitely been working on new ideas. Though I'm unaware of what exactly all these are, let's say "an undentified source close to the investigation" who saw some prototype parts said they "could turn out really great." Keepng my fingers crossed that typical Ned innovation shows up yet again.
More news as it arrives.
Posted by andyyak 3/18/2003 08:20:47 AM
Not much new developments this past month. We should have another detailed update after the MusicYo management return from MusikMesse in Frankfort, Germany. For those unaware that's the European equivalent of NAMM - the big musical instrument trade show held every January in CA.
We did coordinate getting two Newburgh bound bodies to the Nashville factory. Seems Gibson didn't have any bound ones in their collection. These have already been scanned and will be converted into the mater CAD drawings for cutting the new bodies. We'll try to get an ETA on these in the update.
We held a poll on the Yahoo! Groups site regarding whether guys wanted the original square bolck heel or the newer tapered one. The results? Over 4:1 in favor of the newer style. I've forwarded those results to MusicYo. Though the Newburgh GM's will be a re-issue, I'd bet we'll see that heel improvement when they do start selling.
Be sure to join the Steinberger World daily interactive forum on Yahoo! Groups for more frequent updates.
Posted by andyyak 3/9/2003 11:33:52 AM
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