NEWS  

Here's the latest official news from MusicYo:

NEW LINE -> Things are progressing. However it's not certain that everything will be in place for a Summer NAMM debut. Supposedly it won't be much after that though. We'll know more as the show edges closer.

I've still been talking about that get-together with the Kramer guys. That will likely happen, and MusicYo has agreed to "sponsor" it in some way. I asked that if the new line isn't ready for an official NAMM roll-out but is close to prime time, would they consider debuting it at our Saturday night Kramer/Steinberger event. They indicated that's a real possibility. And though NS Design will not have a booth at the summer show, Ned is likely coming to Nashville at Gibson's request. If he does he's agreed to attend our event. Must say it'd be nice to have the new product there for him to talk about and show everyone personally.

USA PRODUCTION -> Everything has pretty much ground to a halt in the last month or so. The bottle-neck is bodies. Though they've got TransTrems in (and have ordered more S-Trems from Zen-On), they can't get bodies (or get enough of them fast enough) from Gibson. Seems like Gibson proper would just rather not deal with these and the low volume. So much for things being easier keeping it in house.

On the plus side some Epiphone staff re-discovered a vendor that previously supplied bodies to Steinberger in Nashville. Hopes are to get production rolling again through these guys. Though a smaller supplier they should be able to adequately handle Steinberger USA needs and/or volume. They do poly finishes to boot so ash XQ's may be back from the grave. It's likely XQ basses will be their first test, with solids exclusively in a first small order. This shop indicated they can do all the trans finishes, as well as the custom bent maple caps for the unbound GM's. Officially MY has said it may be 3-4 months before product shows up. I'll be keeping a close eye on developments with this.

They're also considering offering a GLB-2T now that they have enough TT's. Again this is once the body situation gets resolved.

PARTS -> Korean made parts are on order and should arrive next month. Yes this is the same shipment we've been waiting on since Xmas. Don't know all the reasons for the delays. Confirmed this order includes R-Trems, string adapters, gearless tuners & TT tools.

Though they did order S-Trems from Zen-On (anticpated arrival early June), they did not order any more bass jaws. The plan to do so in the future but nothing is ordered at this time. Inquired about a bulk order from our group, hoping it might move things along. That idea went nowhere.

SPIRITS -> Sales continue to be strong. Basically all based on inventory and availability and they seem to be keeping a semi-regular supply. More of the hot selling platinum GT's are on order. No new developments or offerings are planned.

SALES -> Overall it's been good. Again Steinberger sales have officially overtaken Kramer and remained on top. That's with all the supply problems with the USA line, but Kramer has had supply issues on the USA side as well.

That's all for now. More news when updates are warranted.


Posted by andyyak 4/22/2004 01:56:30 PM