archtop.com

**HeyNow** · 06-05-2016, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by jasonc

It's not an open seam. Guild used to use a walnut(?) strip down the center of their backs. That's what you're seeing here. Just google "Guild Artist Award back" and you'll see several pics of blonde guitars that show what I'm talking about. I'm not sure why I keep coming to the defense of other makers seams lately haha.

Ha, good point. I actually own an AA...d'oh

**jazz.fred** · 06-05-2016, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by va3ux

Interesting and somewhat related to the recent posts on marketing and the better mousetrap : back in the mid 80's I was on a sales training course, which is basically marketing. The instructor used type writers as an example. At that time (before the proliferation of PCs and 'word processors', although they were starting to appear), any office you went into had secretarys and type writers - lots of them. If your company had deep pockets, they bought IBM Selectric type writers, perceived to be the best in existence.

To make a point the instructor asked what everyone thought the most popular type writer in the world was and the unanimous response was 'IBM'. 'Correct', he said. He then asked what the best type writer in the world was and the unanimous response was 'IBM Selectric'. 'Wrong' he said. The best type writer available was actually made by Olivetti and it was far less expensive than the IBM. Yet none of us could ever recall seeing one during our visits to customer sites or our own offices. So how could the best type writer be so seldom seen and be so obscure, while a slightly lower quality and much more expensive type writer (IBM) be present every where. The answer was 'Marketing'.

Just a few years later at a similar course, a similar example was made using MS Word, Wordperfect and Lotus Ami Pro. Today MS Word is probably the standard through out the world but there was a period of time when Word Perfect and Ami Pro were way ahead MS Word. Brute force marketing wins out. Who even remembers Ami Pro and when was the last time you heard mention of Wordperfect.

With regard to the IBM Selectric v. Olivetti typewriter example, we saw exactly the same situation in the microcomputer industry in which the IBM PC became the de facto industry standard although there were machines which were clearly technically superior (The Victor 9000 and the DEC Rainbow come to mind). It was perceived value rather than absolute value that determined the industry leader. I am reminded of a quotation from one of my favorite books Marketing Warfare by Al Ries and Jack Trout. They wrote, "The best company has the best products and there's always one of their salespeople around to tell you so." An example of "Brute Force Marketing" at its finest.

**jazz.fred** · 06-05-2016, 03:26 PM

Bob,

Upon reviewing my comments, it appears that they were directed toward you. No offense intended, but the vast majority of your posts are Marketing oriented. This is not necessarily a negative thing, but I gotta' call 'em like I see 'em.

**Top of the Arch!** · 06-05-2016, 03:30 PM

Thats fine , I just had no iron in this fire and wondered why my name was brought up. I still dont understand why my name was brought up in a thread I had never posted in. You just decided to make a comment about me out of thin air? Bob

**Top of the Arch!** · 06-05-2016, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

Thanks, I did not remember the particulars of my post. Having re-read them, I stand by my comments.

How is it you make comments about me in a thread Ive never posted in and then feel you have to "stand by" them? I dont get it! In the middle of a thread I have never posted in you make this statement about me??? Am I missing something here? Bob Heres your statement.

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

I spent over thirty years in product Marketing on the applications software side of the microcomputer industry. I understand the function of Marketing and what an important contribution it makes toward the success of any company.

I must admit that it is my perception that every post submitted by you is Marketing oriented. I don't believe that I've ever read a post from you which disseminated information that was completely devoid of Marketing content. IMO, they are focused on "brand awareness".

I had a Marketing professor in graduate school who commented:

"Thoreau wrote that "if you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door". This is not exactly true. The world must be made aware of the existence of the mousetrap, what makes it better and where they can buy one."

This quotation reminds me of your posts. ....

**Groyniad** · 06-05-2016, 03:51 PM

i had an in-hand Skype audition of a guitar (around 5.5k) that had very significant binding damage when the audition took place (in retrospect you could even see it in the stock photos on the site!) - was represented in the Skype audition as in near mint condition - priced as in near mint condition - and had to be sent back at my very very considerable expense

the binding was coming away from the guitar at the cutaway so badly you could even see it in his own pictures. he insisted it was travel damage - refused to help with visa fees or exorbitant postage fees back to him

of course there are many perfectly acceptable deals done - how could there not be??

but 20 straight (ish) deals don't prove much

and one totally bent one proves a lot

**jazz.fred** · 06-05-2016, 04:27 PM

Sorry, I am confused. My comment was directed toward Archtopheaven. (I think).

**Groyniad** · 06-05-2016, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

Sorry, I am confused. My comment was directed toward Archtopheaven. (I think).

mine was a more general contribution to the thread - i should have quoted someone a few posts back to make that clear

**archtops** · 06-15-2016, 08:57 PM

First off, I'd like to sincerely thank all those on this thread who've shown their unflagging support for Julie and me throughout the years. For over 25 years now we have run a Mom and Pop shop dedicated to helping find fine old instruments the good homes they deserve. Just to clarify a few points quickly:

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"Both guitars made it fine but the first was packed with an assortment of pieces of paper goods like old gift bags."

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As a consignment shop, we receive an incredible amount of packing material of all types, and we do try our best to recycle as much of it as we possibly can. Our number one priority is the safe arrival of every instrument, and though the materials may at times be a bit varied, we never compromise when it comes to safe and secure packing.

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"The discription sometimes is goofy and makes me wonder how trustworthy the provided information is."

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We do try our utmost to describe each instrument in the greatest detail possible. However, in the interest of efficiency, we do build new pages from old ones, and sometimes a detail that needs updating does slip by. This is strictly mea culpa, and we do appreciate all those who have kindly pointed out typos and corrections for us over the years. We know our customers are highly detail oriented, and we do try our best to get as deep in the weeds as humanly possible. (We won't mention in this context the bulk of dealers who offer little more than a single line of text to describe a premium quality instrument, because we assume you already know who they are.)

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"Nice enough guy but hard to get information about neck specs."

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Describing neck profiles, like writing about instrument tone, is a bit like trying to describe wine: it's a highly subjective subject, but we do try to do our best to describe them as accurately as we can. Although we don't ordinarily include specific neck depth measurements for every guitar, we are always more than happy to make the measurements upon request, and have done this quite often: just call or email with your specific request. (Note: our micrometer is metric only.)

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"i had an in-hand Skype audition of a guitar (around 5.5k) that had very significant binding damage when the audition took place..."

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I am quite concerned about this report, and first want to make sure we haven't been confused with some other dealer. If you would be so kind as to contact me directly with the specifics of this transaction, I will be happy to review our records for you asap. If there was in fact a deficiency in our description, we will be more than happy to issue a refund of your return shipping costs in full. (One reason we have always strongly urged our customers to pay by check, wire or Paypal is that the major credit card processors still refuse to refund their transaction fees on returned items. We feel this is scandalous, but have been unable to get them to change this abusive policy, so please keep this in mind when considering payment options.)

Finally, I want to stress to everyone that if you should ever encounter a problem with any transaction here at archtop.com to please contact me directly, and I will do my utmost to sort it out for you in a fair and equitable fashion. My direct number is 877-850-1978 toll free, or 206-325-3737 outside North America. You will not speak to an assistant or an intern, you will reach my desk directly, and I will welcome your call as always.

But please keep in mind that we can only help you if you get in touch. There's no way we can substantively address a problem unless we know who you are, and the specifics of the transaction. It is a real but regrettable consequence of internet commerce that there will apparently always be a few folks who prefer to snipe anonymously, rather than giving us the option to rectify a problem. Given the volume of our business (which is a good problem to have) it's probably inevitable that there will be occasional miscommunications and misunderstandings, and we want to deal with any such issues as quickly and decisively as we possibly can. But we can't do that unless you grant us the courtesy of identifying yourself, and contacting us directly for a resolution. While we can't promise that everyone will always be perfectly happy in every instance, we do promise to do our very best to get to a solution that is fair and equitable to all concerned.

And finally, the next time you are tempted to take a gratuitous swipe at a hardworking small business, please take a moment to reflect on where you will go for in-depth knowledge and personal service, when the only merchants left standing are Amazon, eBay and Guitar Center. They've already driven the vast bulk of local music stores out of business, so I'd like to close by thanking all those good folks who've stood by us all these years, in this David vs. Goliath world. We're still standing, and it's only because of you.

So hats off, and stay in touch. Over and out.

Joe Vinikow
archtop.com
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**HeyNow** · 06-16-2016, 01:26 AM