Blackmachine Guitars

[Anonymous]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the interest in my guitars. I don’t know if your aware of this but guys who are into metal hate pop music. The reason we hate it is that it is the soundtrack to the society that metal rebels against. Rampant commercialism of the human soul, vapid obsession with the self, almost non existant attention spans (who’s No1 this week?), detestable senses of entitlement (“I wanna be a billionaire, sooo freakin’ bad..” Bruno Mars). The list goes on. Most pop music that airs these days, typically documents human behaviours that occur at the end of a civilisation. [SIC]

Let us for a minute juxtapose these multitudes of sin with the entirely more socially concerned and responsible attitudes that inspire metal musicians. Metal sees the bigger picture. We see a story of mankind. We see the journey to modern thought. We see history, and the progression of ideas and actions. We see the failure of the human ego when granted power. We see foolish, wise, brave, cowardly,strong and weak people. The main thrust of metals philosophical message is that there is a possibility that the world could end as mankind continues to wail on towards its own self made destruction. For someone born behind the iron curtain Alex, I thought these themes would really resonate with you. But apparently you would rather work with Britney Spears. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I would love to hear that I am wrong about you because then I would know that one more extra person is as concerned for mankind as I am. But, as things stand, I cannot endorse you. I cannot even sell you a guitar.

Dylan

Double post...

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the interest in my guitars. I don’t know if your aware of this but guys who are into metal hate pop music. The reason we hate it is that it is the soundtrack to the society that metal rebels against. Rampant commercialism of the human soul, vapid obsession with the self, almost non existant attention spans (who’s No1 this week?), detestable senses of entitlement (“I wanna be a billionaire, sooo freakin’ bad..” Bruno Mars). The list goes on. Most pop music that airs these days, typically documents human behaviours that occur at the end of a civilisation. [SIC]

Let us for a minute juxtapose these multitudes of sin with the entirely more socially concerned and responsible attitudes that inspire metal musicians. Metal sees the bigger picture. We see a story of mankind. We see the journey to modern thought. We see history, and the progression of ideas and actions. We see the failure of the human ego when granted power. We see foolish, wise, brave, cowardly,strong and weak people. The main thrust of metals philosophical message is that there is a possibility that the world could end as mankind continues to wail on towards its own self made destruction. For someone born behind the iron curtain Alex, I thought these themes would really resonate with you. But apparently you would rather work with Britney Spears. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I would love to hear that I am wrong about you because then I would know that one more extra person is as concerned for mankind as I am. But, as things stand, I cannot endorse you. I cannot even sell you a guitar.

Dylan

So, you guys applaud this? Really? Because to me this is the most ridiculous, pretentious bullshit I think I've ever read. How about, "Sorry man, I don't have any endorsement spots at this time." If he doesn't want to sell the guy guy a guitar? This guy is trying to make a living playing guitar, which is a hard fucking thing to do. So what if he makes his bread playing for Brittney? Maybe he records killer metal stuff when he's not with her. I guess this guy thinks it's better to starve for the troo metulz. Pathetic. I guess I don't get being so disrespectful to a guitar player who asked for an endorsement and is trying to make a living.

Like any type of music, metal has it's good and bad. To portray metal music as some kind of deep, savior of the world music and Spears pop as all that is evil is dumb and the guy should be embarrassed frankly. Enjoyment of music is subjective and it's just entertainment, nothing that is going to change the world. People like what they like and if the guy really believes the drivel he wrote, he still didn't have to spew it at a guy just trying to make a living who asked for an endorsement.

Support this guy all you want, but even if I was interested in his guitars (I'm not) and I could get one, I wouldn't buy one...

Steve

 

[borninwinter]

Well I'm no fan of Britney Spears or any music in that vein, but I have to agree that Blackmachine email is a bunch of pretentious horseshit - far worse that playing guitar in a pop band. I love metal and I've been a fan for about 20 years now, but the idea that there is some grand ethical philosophy uniting it all is really beyond a joke.

 

[thegame]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the interest in my guitars. I don’t know if your aware of this but guys who are into metal hate pop music. The reason we hate it is that it is the soundtrack to the society that metal rebels against. Rampant commercialism of the human soul, vapid obsession with the self, almost non existant attention spans (who’s No1 this week?), detestable senses of entitlement (“I wanna be a billionaire, sooo freakin’ bad..” Bruno Mars). The list goes on. Most pop music that airs these days, typically documents human behaviours that occur at the end of a civilisation. [SIC]

Let us for a minute juxtapose these multitudes of sin with the entirely more socially concerned and responsible attitudes that inspire metal musicians. Metal sees the bigger picture. We see a story of mankind. We see the journey to modern thought. We see history, and the progression of ideas and actions. We see the failure of the human ego when granted power. We see foolish, wise, brave, cowardly,strong and weak people. The main thrust of metals philosophical message is that there is a possibility that the world could end as mankind continues to wail on towards its own self made destruction. For someone born behind the iron curtain Alex, I thought these themes would really resonate with you. But apparently you would rather work with Britney Spears. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I would love to hear that I am wrong about you because then I would know that one more extra person is as concerned for mankind as I am. But, as things stand, I cannot endorse you. I cannot even sell you a guitar.

Dylan

So, you guys applaud this? Really? Because to me this is the most ridiculous, pretentious bullshit I think I've ever read. How about, "Sorry man, I don't have any endorsement spots at this time." If he doesn't want to sell the guy guy a guitar? This guy is trying to make a living playing guitar, which is a hard fucking thing to do. So what if he makes his bread playing for Brittney? Maybe he records killer metal stuff when he's not with her. I guess this guy thinks it's better to starve for the troo metulz. Pathetic. I guess I don't get being so disrespectful to a guitar player who asked for an endorsement and is trying to make a living.

Like any type of music, metal has it's good and bad. To portray metal music as some kind of deep, savior of the world music and Spears pop as all that is evil is dumb and the guy should be embarrassed frankly. Enjoyment of music is subjective and it's just entertainment, nothing that is going to change the world. People like what they like and if the guy really believes the drivel he wrote, he still didn't have to spew it at a guy just trying to make a living who asked for an endorsement.

Support this guy all you want, but even if I was interested in his guitars (I'm not) and I could get one, I wouldn't buy one...

Steve

I agree with you. But at least he didn't take the guy's deposit, sit on it for a year, collect the interest, and then decide to not sell to a highly specific type of customer, all the while offering the same product to others. Now that is a douche move.

 

[Mizati20]

Hate to break it to anyone buying a Blackmachine... but you aren't getting a real Blackmachine... he has subbed out his work ENTIRELY to someone else, and he simply checks over the guitar before he sends it out... I've been E-mailing Doug for quite awhile asking about a left handed Blackmachine... and I absolutely flipped SHIT when last month he replied and said there were some "in the works"... only to inform me he has no input in the builds and they are done by a "friend"...

When I asked him about specs or possible progress pics he totally brushed me off and told me he had several buyers who were ready to immediately pay, and made me feel like I should be privileged that he was even offering me a guitar... only to just again ask when I would be sending money...

He has put himself in a position where the hype surrounding these things is so ridiculous that he doesn't even have to build the fucking things anymore and sit back and collect money... I will still say I love the look of Blackmachines and would still love to own a REAL one... but I honestly don't think Doug is even building guitars anymore...

....fuck that noise....

Edit: I am not saying that the guitars being produced aren't probably top notch... but the whole mystique behind Blackmachine was that they had some special mojo about them or whatever... if it's something so simple that another builder can just copy and stamp a name on it... well, I'm just not interested in that anymore

 

[borninwinter]

The attitude in his email to the guy and the treatment of customers are connected maybe...

 

[Mizati20]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the interest in my guitars. I don’t know if your aware of this but guys who are into metal hate pop music. The reason we hate it is that it is the soundtrack to the society that metal rebels against. Rampant commercialism of the human soul, vapid obsession with the self, almost non existant attention spans (who’s No1 this week?), detestable senses of entitlement (“I wanna be a billionaire, sooo freakin’ bad..” Bruno Mars). The list goes on. Most pop music that airs these days, typically documents human behaviours that occur at the end of a civilisation. [SIC]

Let us for a minute juxtapose these multitudes of sin with the entirely more socially concerned and responsible attitudes that inspire metal musicians. Metal sees the bigger picture. We see a story of mankind. We see the journey to modern thought. We see history, and the progression of ideas and actions. We see the failure of the human ego when granted power. We see foolish, wise, brave, cowardly,strong and weak people. The main thrust of metals philosophical message is that there is a possibility that the world could end as mankind continues to wail on towards its own self made destruction. For someone born behind the iron curtain Alex, I thought these themes would really resonate with you. But apparently you would rather work with Britney Spears. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I would love to hear that I am wrong about you because then I would know that one more extra person is as concerned for mankind as I am. But, as things stand, I cannot endorse you. I cannot even sell you a guitar.

Dylan

Most hypocritical thing I think I've ever read... "Let me bash you by replying with an E-mail that embodies the exact behavior I am ridiculing you for...."

As someone mentioned previously, there is no other form of musician that is more stuck up than a true metalhead...

 

[bubbastain]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the interest in my guitars. I don’t know if your aware of this but guys who are into metal hate pop music. The reason we hate it is that it is the soundtrack to the society that metal rebels against. Rampant commercialism of the human soul, vapid obsession with the self, almost non existant attention spans (who’s No1 this week?), detestable senses of entitlement (“I wanna be a billionaire, sooo freakin’ bad..” Bruno Mars). The list goes on. Most pop music that airs these days, typically documents human behaviours that occur at the end of a civilisation. [SIC]

Let us for a minute juxtapose these multitudes of sin with the entirely more socially concerned and responsible attitudes that inspire metal musicians. Metal sees the bigger picture. We see a story of mankind. We see the journey to modern thought. We see history, and the progression of ideas and actions. We see the failure of the human ego when granted power. We see foolish, wise, brave, cowardly,strong and weak people. The main thrust of metals philosophical message is that there is a possibility that the world could end as mankind continues to wail on towards its own self made destruction. For someone born behind the iron curtain Alex, I thought these themes would really resonate with you. But apparently you would rather work with Britney Spears. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I would love to hear that I am wrong about you because then I would know that one more extra person is as concerned for mankind as I am. But, as things stand, I cannot endorse you. I cannot even sell you a guitar.

Dylan

So, you guys applaud this? Really? Because to me this is the most ridiculous, pretentious bullshit I think I've ever read. How about, "Sorry man, I don't have any endorsement spots at this time." If he doesn't want to sell the guy guy a guitar? This guy is trying to make a living playing guitar, which is a hard fucking thing to do. So what if he makes his bread playing for Brittney? Maybe he records killer metal stuff when he's not with her. I guess this guy thinks it's better to starve for the troo metulz. Pathetic. I guess I don't get being so disrespectful to a guitar player who asked for an endorsement and is trying to make a living.

Like any type of music, metal has it's good and bad. To portray metal music as some kind of deep, savior of the world music and Spears pop as all that is evil is dumb and the guy should be embarrassed frankly. Enjoyment of music is subjective and it's just entertainment, nothing that is going to change the world. People like what they like and if the guy really believes the drivel he wrote, he still didn't have to spew it at a guy just trying to make a living who asked for an endorsement.

Support this guy all you want, but even if I was interested in his guitars (I'm not) and I could get one, I wouldn't buy one...

Steve

Totally agree. (with Steve)

 

[steve_k]

Well I'm no fan of Britney Spears or any music in that vein, but I have to agree that Blackmachine email is a bunch of pretentious horseshit - far worse that playing guitar in a pop band. I love metal and I've been a fan for about 20 years now, but the idea that there is some grand ethical philosophy uniting it all is really beyond a joke.

That email exchange was actually from Daemoness, not Blackmachine. I think anyone waiting in the Blackmachine line would welcome any email at this point!

 

[borninwinter]

Well I'm no fan of Britney Spears or any music in that vein, but I have to agree that Blackmachine email is a bunch of pretentious horseshit - far worse that playing guitar in a pop band. I love metal and I've been a fan for about 20 years now, but the idea that there is some grand ethical philosophy uniting it all is really beyond a joke.

That email exchange was actually from Daemoness, not Blackmachine. I think anyone waiting in the Blackmachine line would welcome any email at this point!

Ah my mistake. I guess I won't order a guitar from them either

 

[cardinal]

I assumed that Daemoness email was tongue-in-cheek. Was he actually being serious when he wrote that? I can't tell.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the interest in my guitars. I don’t know if your aware of this but guys who are into metal hate pop music. The reason we hate it is that it is the soundtrack to the society that metal rebels against. Rampant commercialism of the human soul, vapid obsession with the self, almost non existant attention spans (who’s No1 this week?), detestable senses of entitlement (“I wanna be a billionaire, sooo freakin’ bad..” Bruno Mars). The list goes on. Most pop music that airs these days, typically documents human behaviours that occur at the end of a civilisation. [SIC]

Let us for a minute juxtapose these multitudes of sin with the entirely more socially concerned and responsible attitudes that inspire metal musicians. Metal sees the bigger picture. We see a story of mankind. We see the journey to modern thought. We see history, and the progression of ideas and actions. We see the failure of the human ego when granted power. We see foolish, wise, brave, cowardly,strong and weak people. The main thrust of metals philosophical message is that there is a possibility that the world could end as mankind continues to wail on towards its own self made destruction. For someone born behind the iron curtain Alex, I thought these themes would really resonate with you. But apparently you would rather work with Britney Spears. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I would love to hear that I am wrong about you because then I would know that one more extra person is as concerned for mankind as I am. But, as things stand, I cannot endorse you. I cannot even sell you a guitar.

Dylan

So, you guys applaud this? Really? Because to me this is the most ridiculous, pretentious bullshit I think I've ever read. How about, "Sorry man, I don't have any endorsement spots at this time." If he doesn't want to sell the guy guy a guitar? This guy is trying to make a living playing guitar, which is a hard fucking thing to do. So what if he makes his bread playing for Brittney? Maybe he records killer metal stuff when he's not with her. I guess this guy thinks it's better to starve for the troo metulz. Pathetic. I guess I don't get being so disrespectful to a guitar player who asked for an endorsement and is trying to make a living.

Like any type of music, metal has it's good and bad. To portray metal music as some kind of deep, savior of the world music and Spears pop as all that is evil is dumb and the guy should be embarrassed frankly. Enjoyment of music is subjective and it's just entertainment, nothing that is going to change the world. People like what they like and if the guy really believes the drivel he wrote, he still didn't have to spew it at a guy just trying to make a living who asked for an endorsement.

Support this guy all you want, but even if I was interested in his guitars (I'm not) and I could get one, I wouldn't buy one...

Steve

I agree with you. But at least he didn't take the guy's deposit, sit on it for a year, collect the interest, and then decide to not sell to a highly specific type of customer, all the while offering the same product to others. Now that is a douche move.

Well, while this is an entirely separate issue, I'll say this - if we as gear purchasers continue to reward this type of behavior, this is the type of service we're going to get. It's that simple - reward the business model and there is no reason for the purveyor to change it.

The funny thing to me is that I've broken this business model for boutique amps with my business by only selling my hand built amps when they are actually available. No deposits, no wait lists, just pay me and I ship you a high quality, hand built amp the next day. If they aren't in stock I don't sell them or take deposits. I'll be honest - I haven't been rewarded with a lot of business for this and I see threads every day for the same amps, same companies with people putting down deposits for amps they won't get for a LONG time. Such is the hype machine, it is what it is.

Steve

 

[borninwinter]

I assumed that Daemoness email was tongue-in-cheek. Was he actually being serious when he wrote that? I can't tell.

Other than the fact that what he's saying is ridiculous, it sounded like he was serious to me. Maybe it was just a marketing thing to get metal players talking.

 

[HRC51]

I'll chime in my 1 cent -- hopped up on pain pills at the moment, so I may lose coherency.

steve_k asked about Blackmachine guitars. I tend to enjoy his posts and he knows his guitars.

I am lucky enough to own a 3rd hand B2. I would consider myself a "Les Paul" guy, so it took some time to get used to the flat top, 25.5 scale, thinner neck and no radius fretboard of the B2. It really is a wonderful guitar. Amazing build quality, choice of woods, and clarity of tone. I think mine was built in 2006, so I think/hope it was hand built by Mr. Campbell. I sent him an e-mail thanking him for making such a fine instrument; and to my surprise, he sent a very nice letter back. Blackmachine and Doug are aces in my book. I have played hundreds of guitars and put most back on the shelf. There are a few that I kept -- the B2 is one of these.

I have no experience with Daemoness guitars. I've watched Dylan's videos and I am impressed by his commitment and his skills. If he does not want to sell a guitar that he has put in many hours, that's his business. Also, we have all said things on the internet that we regret or have been misconstrued. At least he has not taken money from hundreds of people and kept them waiting for years with no hope of delivery like some other "luthiers."

Don't feel bad for Alex Feather. He is a working musician with an Anderson endorsement. Not my cup of tea, but he could play circles around me (no big compliment).

I was appalled at the Rhianna rock star live performance, and sad when I saw Nuno jump in there. Still, Nuno sounded and played great.

Zakk Wylde was part of a musical abomination on American false Idol. Zakk played great and will always be one of my guitar heros.

Finally, I was taken aback when I found out how much Gil Yaron was charging for his Les Pauls. Then I read through his website and saw what he was making for steve_k and Mr. Thorn -- very impressive and worth it. Great guitars made with pride and commitment. Seems like the right combination.

 

[Stealthtastic]

Yaron is building a guitar for personal use by Thorn or is he working under Thorn? Probably the first? Sorry just a bit confused lol

 

[HRC51]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=135577

Building for Thorn

 

[steve_k]

I'll chime in my 1 cent -- hopped up on pain pills at the moment, so I may lose coherency.

steve_k asked about Blackmachine guitars. I tend to enjoy his posts and he knows his guitars.

I am lucky enough to own a 3rd hand B2. I would consider myself a "Les Paul" guy, so it took some time to get used to the flat top, 25.5 scale, thinner neck and no radius fretboard of the B2. It really is a wonderful guitar. Amazing build quality, choice of woods, and clarity of tone. I think mine was built in 2006, so I think/hope it was hand built by Mr. Campbell. I sent him an e-mail thanking him for making such a fine instrument; and to my surprise, he sent a very nice letter back. Blackmachine and Doug are aces in my book. I have played hundreds of guitars and put most back on the shelf. There are a few that I kept -- the B2 is one of these.

I have no experience with Daemoness guitars. I've watched Dylan's videos and I am impressed by his commitment and his skills. If he does not want to sell a guitar that he has put in many hours, that's his business. Also, we have all said things on the internet that we regret or have been misconstrued. At least he has not taken money from hundreds of people and kept them waiting for years with no hope of delivery like some other "luthiers."

Don't feel bad for Alex Feather. He is a working musician with an Anderson endorsement. Not my cup of tea, but he could play circles around me (no big compliment).

I was appalled at the Rhianna rock star live performance, and sad when I saw Nuno jump in there. Still, Nuno sounded and played great.

Zakk Wylde was part of a musical abomination on American false Idol. Zakk played great and will always be one of my guitar heros.

Finally, I was taken aback when I found out how much Gil Yaron was charging for his Les Pauls. Then I read through his website and saw what he was making for steve_k and Mr. Thorn -- very impressive and worth it. Great guitars made with pride and commitment. Seems like the right combination.

Let's have a pic of your Blackmachine. Thanks for the rundown. As for Yaron prices, he's charging just a hair above Huber, Ken Lawarence and other top shelf luthiers for solid body, set neck guitars. Much of the markup is with Cliff and getting a build slot quickly. Otherwise, it is to the back of the line.

 

[HRC51]

Here's my B2:

Original specs -- I know he has been using different woods lately.

Body: Swamp Ash with ebony top
Neck: Rosewood and ebony
Fretboard: Ebony with jumbo frets
PU: Bare Knuckle Warpigs









Doug Campbell, Gil Yaron, Ken Lawrence: I'll take one of each. please

Adam

 

[steve_k]

Very nice. I like that ebony top. Got the Ken Lawrence. Gil Yaron should be leaving Tel Aviv in a day or two.

<insert Blackmachine here>

Here's my B2:

Original specs -- I know he has been using different woods lately.

Body: Swamp Ash with ebony top
Neck: Rosewood and ebony
Fretboard: Ebony with jumbo frets
PU: Bare Knuckle Warpigs

https://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m58 ... d08665.jpg
https://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m58 ... 82c851.jpg
https://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m58 ... 611766.jpg
https://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m58 ... c8a528.jpg
https://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m58 ... 00320b.jpg

Doug Campbell, Gil Yaron, Ken Lawrence: I'll take one of each. please

Adam

 

[technomancer]

Hate to break it to anyone buying a Blackmachine... but you aren't getting a real Blackmachine... he has subbed out his work ENTIRELY to someone else, and he simply checks over the guitar before he sends it out... I've been E-mailing Doug for quite awhile asking about a left handed Blackmachine... and I absolutely flipped SHIT when last month he replied and said there were some "in the works"... only to inform me he has no input in the builds and they are done by a "friend"...

When I asked him about specs or possible progress pics he totally brushed me off and told me he had several buyers who were ready to immediately pay, and made me feel like I should be privileged that he was even offering me a guitar... only to just again ask when I would be sending money...

He has put himself in a position where the hype surrounding these things is so ridiculous that he doesn't even have to build the fucking things anymore and sit back and collect money... I will still say I love the look of Blackmachines and would still love to own a REAL one... but I honestly don't think Doug is even building guitars anymore...

....fuck that noise....

Edit: I am not saying that the guitars being produced aren't probably top notch... but the whole mystique behind Blackmachine was that they had some special mojo about them or whatever... if it's something so simple that another builder can just copy and stamp a name on it... well, I'm just not interested in that anymore

I'm assuming this was for a B6? Doug and Feline have both stated publicly that the B6s are built by Feline Guitars and Doug just assembles them.