|
Post by Vincent on Apr 3, 2019 7:17:45 GMT
What about about Chapman Guitars? Similar business model. I don't think there are many shops that you can walk into and buy one. Thomann began from being a tiny family music shop in Germany to become this mega store that it is now. Their history demonstrates to me that they are a very forward thinking company. It would not surprise me at all to see Thomann products at NAMM in the future. I know of at least 4 stores in the UK that stock Chapman guitars and it's a completely different business model. Rob's line is extra revenue based on his YT popularity Some folks here place more importance on HB than Thomann. Out of 99296 products 1500 are Harley Benton,just over 1.5%. I did say similar business model, meaning not exactly the same but they began, with the exception of maybe the Andertons walk in store selling direct online. I have just taken a look at the dealer list for Chapman Guitars. There are shops all over the world stocking them now. Impressive. I remember the collaborative design concept of Chapman Guitars at the onset. I did not realise they had grown so much.
|
|
|
|
Post by blindwilly3fingers on Apr 3, 2019 9:09:06 GMT
It was Cory Mura on yt where I first clapped eyes on HB's. From there I obviously found all the other guys reviewing them. I was looking to buy an LP and went for Epiphone as I was unsure of HB quality. I kept watching videos read online reviews and took the plunge. While waiting for my first delivery I found this den of inequity. How long has Thomann been selling HB's LeoThunder? Do you know? I've not seen the copper model you mention. The Brian May copy looks to have had a couple of different modes (switch configurations) I believe. Thank you for the lowdown on the History of HB. I would be interested to know more.
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Apr 3, 2019 9:11:43 GMT
Weirdly I have no idea how I found Harley Bentons. I owned a Yamaha Pacifica and an Affinity Strat and had just caught the 'search for a cheapy second-hand bargain' bug. I just seemed to snap up strats and parts to build a Frankencaster strat-o-tele so I have no explanation as to how I ended up with a B stock MS60 VW. It certainly wasn't through anything on YouTube though. Sometimes we never know what a day might bring... I don't exactly recall how I got there myself. The "why pay more" question had to be answered. Understanding how inflating prices makes products look more valuable, I always have this attitude for anything. I'll pay for quality I want, not for fantasy, so I overcame the aversion of the cheap unknown brand, which I consider a healthy default attitude, and started digging. In retrospect, I must admit these reviews were not addressing the issues I know Harley Benton to have. I have not forgiven the barely functioning tone pots on two of mine, and this is something reviewers mostly fail to check (I think only Cory has been doing this lately). This is something I had on none of my other branded guitars, be they Aria, Ibanez, Schecter or Squier, even my unbranded Partcaster. Some money is clearly saved on determining and ensuring a good match of components. If there is a knob, I don't want it to work like a switch. Youtubers don't do a set-up either (I think the China Guitar Sceptic does). That's when you find out your frets aren't level or your screws aren't reaching far enough, not by saying "fine, the action is a little higher than I like but perfectly reasonable" as most will do. So all in all, I'll rather go with a 2nd hand Ibanez (I never had a GIO, can't tell about those) than a new HB. I suspect the new "pro" models are better in this regard. Still, when I wanted an 8-string or a fretless bass out of pure curiosity, or a Les Paul to try and like it, I went for HB in the 160€ range (got them for much less, but that's a detail).
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Apr 3, 2019 9:41:53 GMT
|
|
|
Post by blindwilly3fingers on Apr 3, 2019 10:19:18 GMT
So HB has been around at least 15 years, some models rank quite high on Thomann's sales rank thingy. Its a pity there is no figures of how many units are sold. I don't know how many of each model they get at a time 50?, 100? Maybe that figure is high and its only 25? As mentioned earlier some models sell out quick. Please post a pick of the copper LP LeoThunder I would like to see it.
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Apr 3, 2019 11:19:26 GMT
Please post a pick of the copper LP LeoThunder I would like to see it. Here's one of those that sold on ebay last year:
|
|
|
Post by blindwilly3fingers on Apr 3, 2019 12:08:53 GMT
Please post a pick of the copper LP LeoThunder I would like to see it. Here's one of those that sold on ebay last year: It looks like a gold top is the colour much more orange/copper? On screens colour can look different, do you have one of those? I like the look of it in copper but as said in person the colour can be quite a different shade than pictures. A bit like how the black edge on sunbursts can make the guitar look smaller in a picture. The camera never lies apparently? But it can handle the truth recklessly.
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Apr 3, 2019 12:22:47 GMT
I don't have any of them but the Thomann pictures were quite different:
|
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Apr 3, 2019 13:04:17 GMT
Here's another one taken by a different camera. It shows the texture:
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Apr 3, 2019 13:06:53 GMT
And these are Gold L-450 and SC-450:
|
|
|
|
Post by blindwilly3fingers on Apr 3, 2019 13:51:31 GMT
Here's another one taken by a different camera. It shows the texture: Yep, that's just about my favourite colour on anything: cars, guitars, vases, sofas....boiler pipes.... That's almost a metallic burnt orange, very nice
|
|
|
Post by blindwilly3fingers on Apr 3, 2019 13:52:16 GMT
Here's another one taken by a different camera. It shows the texture: Cheers Leo some good pics
|
|