The Customer is Always Right
[Rant on]
Out of NAMM came the realization that the RG2027 7-string w/ double edge is no longer being stocked or produced. What we didn't understand is the reason. Still unanswered is if we can handle the truth... as the news is not good.
The discontinuation of the RG2027 is said to be a direct result of low sales. I'm not going to post numbers but they are said to be grim. History lesson... the Universe got cancelled in '95 for much of the same reason.
When the marketplace shuns a guitar like the 2027 it sends a dangerous message to the guitar makers. It says we
don't support upscale model Ibanez guitars unless they have a name or signature or production count on them.
You see, it becomes alot smarter business decision for Ibanez to crank out a new 'collectable' each year (and sell the run before they're made) than to produce a guitar like the RG2027 with no Vai, Satch or Korn name to sell it en masse. The innovative and new guitar (ie 2027) might not provide brisk sales and an immediate reward to dealers and manufacturers.
Once again, the customer is always right. Customers didn't want the 2027 and now it has been eliminated. At the same time, it is ironic that Ibanez puts out a K7 guitar. Common sense tells me that at the same price (actually the K7 is $100 more), the 'signature' K7 is an
easier 'sell' to customers. Is this merely a coincidence of timing or the result of customer demand?
Either way it is a travesty :angry:
There is no easy way to put this but I believe people who look to buy Ibanez guitars in the future need to
rethink their purchasing. That is if you care about Prestige model guitars and upscale Ibanez guitars minus the nametag and signature. We've argued the 'collecting' but unfortunately it is the same
limited audience being targeted for these guitars. Something must give, as this niche cannot buy them all. Guitars like the 2027 are left for dead in the marketplace as they are too pricy for the average Ibanez buyer and passed over for the latest limited edition guitar or upcoming 'yearly collectable'.
As it stands, once remaining stock is liquidated, there is no longer any
piezo bridge 7s available. Chalk this up to customers, or should i say lack thereof... glen
[Rant off]
