The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: Chris P. on January 28, 2011, 08:49:47 AM

Title: Masterbuilt
Post by: Chris P. on January 28, 2011, 08:49:47 AM
A question I have for ages.

I know if a guitar is build by a master it's masterbuilt. But why are some guitars like Epiphone called Masterbilt, without the 'u'?

And if so is a Peterbilt built by Peter? And what's a Ken worth?
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: Dave W on January 28, 2011, 09:00:53 AM
In reverse order:

A Ken is worth a Henway.
 
Old truckers never die, they just get a new Peterbilt.

Masterbilt is a lame attempt market a product as premium when it probably is just a mass produced item with a few upgrades.
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: Chris P. on January 28, 2011, 11:19:41 AM
 ;D

But why call it 'Masterbilt' and not 'Masterbuilt'? What happened to the 'u'?? Old English? Luthier-slang?
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: hieronymous on January 28, 2011, 11:23:36 AM
Maybe because if they call it "masterbilt" without the u it implies that it is "built by a master" but since it isn't a real word they can't be busted for false advertising?
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: chromium on January 28, 2011, 11:51:15 AM
Or maybe because the 'masterbuilt' name is already kind of established in another industry?

http://www.masterbuilt.com/


Of course if the Epi is so hot it'll smoke turkeys, then they could have earned their 'u'!
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: nofi on January 28, 2011, 12:21:52 PM
that could also mean 'masterbilk'.
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: Dave W on January 28, 2011, 01:02:24 PM
Quote from: hieronymous on January 28, 2011, 11:23:36 AM
Maybe because if they call it "masterbilt" without the u it implies that it is "built by a master" but since it isn't a real word they can't be busted for false advertising?

True. It's meant to imply something that it isn't. Not that I think they would really be busted for false advertising.
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: exiledarchangel on January 29, 2011, 02:25:02 AM
Quote from: hieronymous on January 28, 2011, 11:23:36 AM
Maybe because if they call it "masterbilt" without the u it implies that it is "built by a master" but since it isn't a real word they can't be busted for false advertising?

Then it will be called "busterb(u)ild" :P
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: Droombolus on January 29, 2011, 03:25:12 AM
Maybe an attempt to get into retro 60s lingo ? Back when Joey Dee's band were called the Starliters and the pre-fab four were called The Monkees ? Just a possitive thought .......   ;D
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: Dave W on January 29, 2011, 08:11:52 AM
It's a meaningless marketing term designed to mislead, nothing more than that.

Like calling a mass-produced product "Hand-Bilt" to imply that it is without saying so.
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: Chris P. on January 29, 2011, 10:26:19 AM
Okay, thanks!
Title: Re: Masterbuilt
Post by: Highlander on January 30, 2011, 12:44:49 PM
D'yer ken, laddie...? ;D