Build Times (Clone of old BG I found/revived)

[PRUNEFACE]

What bass luthiers have the longest build time? What is the average build time?
Maybe we could create a list of builders and their current/up-to-date build times?

(I'm not looking to purchase now (or anytime soon I don't think!) just curious, as I know the 3 year wait time for a Fodera in the BG world, I want to hear about what it is like on my favorite side of the bass world.)

[Herbie 80's]

Wrong side of the forum, bub.

This is double bass forum. For the big boys, :P.

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by Herbie 80's

Wrong side of the forum, bub.

This is double bass forum. For the big boys, :P.

You should read his post again....looks to me like he's asking for a build time on a DB.

IME, it depends on the luthier and the quality of the build.
I'm sure some of our luthiers and their clients will chime in.

[Herbie 80's]

Ohhh!

I see it now. He was relating that it takes 3 years for a Fodera to be built, and is asking us how long it'd take a DB to be built.

Sorry dude, gave you the wrong answer. Sorta just skimmed there.

[Paul Warburton]

We had a Thread on this not long ago. I tried to find it but couldn't. Meanwhile.....

[ole Jason]

I'm sure it doesn't literally take 3 years to build a Fodera. Most high end electric instruments tend to average around an 8-12 week build time. Multiply that build time by the number of orders in waiting at Fodera and you'll see why it takes 3 years.

With DB it really just depends on how the luthier works. If everything is done by hand by one person it's not uncommon to produce only one or two instruments a year but certainly there are others producing higher numbers.

[bassphase]

My Luciano Golia bass took about 14-15 weeks.



bob

[PRUNEFACE]

WOW! Only 15 weeks?

[Square Bear]

Originally Posted by bassphase

My Luciano Golia bass took about 14-15 weeks.



bob

you got it now? congrats. wish i could see it, but i'm all the way down on the other coast now...

[bassphase]

Originally Posted by Square Bear

you got it now? congrats. wish i could see it, but i'm all the way down on the other coast now...

Thanks.

I've had it several months now--it's really beautiful and sounds amazing. I keep trying to take some pics to post but it seems like every time I get ready to take it outside and get some natural light photos, it RAINS!

Like today!!!


bob

[PRUNEFACE]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

We had a Thread on this not long ago. I tried to find it but couldn't. Meanwhile.....

I'll go look PW.

[Paul Warburton]

I just dug around and still couldn't find it....probably because it was inside a Thread with another header.
I remember Arnold Schnitzer and Eric Roy (of Upton) were in there with a few others. Try contacting them or searching their posts from the last couple of months. Jeff Bollbach, Nick Lloyd, (two of my favorites along with Arnold) Romano Solano, Barrie Kolstein and Pollman are a few names that also come to my mind.

[arnoldschnitzer]

I'd like to point out that "build time" and "delivery time" are two different things. Some shops who have multiple luthiers try to build inventory, so that players can find instruments in stock, or at least not have much of a wait. Others, like myself, Stefan Krattenmacher or Dan Hachez, for example, build mainly on commission, and usually have a waiting list. Personally, my basses take about 400 hours or so from start to finish. This generally allows me to build two per year; the wear and tear on my decrepit old body is another factor that limits my production, as every part other than tuners and endpin is hand made. Another thing to consider is that some "hand-makers" are in actuality fairly automated, employing plate and neck carving machines, and using extensive jig work and other tricks of the trade to keep their build time down. I don't have a problem with that, as long as the maker is honest with his/her clients.

[bassphase]

As far as I know, all of Golia's basses are commissioned. If they all take the 15 weeks mine took that works out to 3.4 basses a year. I know he has an assistant but I don't know how extensive his duties are. I saw very few power tools in his shop--a drill press, band saw, circular saw, bench grinder and a mitre box saw. Lots of hand tools-- 2 walls full of clamps, chisels, saws etc.

He doesn't even use a form/mold anymore.

I have nearly 200 pics of the entire building process. It was great to watch it take shape.



bob

[moopants]

My Upton was around 8-10 weeks for the build. I know they've got more than one guy working in their shop. However, I know they have a more extensive inventory now and some of their basses could take double that time to make.

[ctregan]

Originally Posted by bassphase

As far as I know, all of Golia's basses are commissioned. If they all take the 15 weeks mine took that works out to 3.4 basses a year. I know he has an assistant but I don't know how extensive his duties are. I saw very few power tools in his shop--a drill press, band saw, circular saw, bench grinder and a mitre box saw. Lots of hand tools-- 2 walls full of clamps, chisels, saws etc.

He doesn't even use a form/mold anymore.

I have nearly 200 pics of the entire building process. It was great to watch it take shape.



bob

Any picture to share?

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by ctregan

Any picture to share?

Yeah, like all of them?

[PRUNEFACE]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Yeah, like all of them?

+1