Hand-built=better quailty?

[jazzboi]

Hi guys!

I've posted this here,because I don't know whether should I post it in the Basses or Amplifiers forum.
So I just wondered if the hand-built things are always better than the stock basses/amps/cables etc. ?
What do you think? Is there any bass or amp builder who you know that makes worse product,or has made a few worse product as the big rivals,who make stock for everyone?

[pklima]

Hahaha, how about someone I don't want to name but whose name starts with "W" and ends with "ishnevksy"? I've owned a couple of his instruments, and if you want something unusual made on the cheap he is the man, but he definitely springs to mind.

[Deacon_Blues]

The last option seemed the closest to a carrots option. When something requires real precision work of even and repeatable quality, I think the work of a good machine can't be beaten.

Anyway, if speaking about whole instruments and putting it all together, I think there's nothing that beats handcraft by a skilled person who puts his heart and soul into the manufacturing of the instrument.

[ROON]

Humans make imperfections. Machines very rarely do.

[Dr. Feelgood]

Originally Posted by ROON

Humans make imperfections. Machines very rarely do.

Isn't that the point, though... To own something uniquely made and defined by its imperfections?

[AmazingGracePlayer]

It all depends. A stock Fender Jag can't possibly compete with hand-built Foderas. But then again, if you get a hand-built custom bass for $1000, it might (probably will) be worse than a stock Music Man Bongo or something of that sort.

[tplyons]

It can be better or worse, depending on the competency of the person building it.

I wouldn't want handmade cables built by someone with really bad shakes and arthritis, but I would like them built by Butch Ammons.

I wouldn't want a bass built by someone who doesn't even own a drill press, but I'd surely take a Benevante.

A machine can't build a perfect bass, it takes a bit of human involvement to ensure that the best fit is made, etc. etc.

[NickyBass]

When I was about 12 or 13 I made a guitar out of 3/4" plywood, a couple of rotting 2x4's and a hand saw. It wasn't pretty.

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by NickyBass

When I was about 12 or 13 I made a guitar out of 3/4" plywood, a couple of rotting 2x4's and a hand saw. It wasn't pretty.

That's GOTTA be better than a CNC routed Sadowsky.

[steve21]

You mean a CNC routed parts bass, Tim.

And I voted no.

Ken Bebenesee or whatever comes to mind as well.

[jollygiantchris]

Depends on whose hands are making this product.

[SoComSurfing]

Does anyone remember the Dave Pushic bass that made the rounds here a few years ago?

[macteacher]

I agree with jollygiantchris. Depends on who makes it. I have a custom 6 string fretless Ken Bebensee and it was the only 6 string that really did it for me after looking for years. I don't have huge hands so the 24th "fret" position on production line basses were always too big for me. Ken's was perfect for me with string spacing similar to an Alembic. The craftsmanship on the bass was unparalleled as well.

If you go with a less experienced builder though, you won't have the quality control of a production instrument so you should always try before you buy if you can...

[spade2you]

I think we'd all be surprised with how many luthiers use CNC machines for their bodies and necks. It saves them time, allows them to build things with a certain degree of consistency, and saves us money.

It's after the initial carving or CNC routing that makes something luthier-made higher quality. The CNC machine might make the neck, but it's planing the fingerboard to perfection and adding frets with amazing precision. It's sculpting the necks to a comfortable profile. It's making sure that the finish is very even throughout the neck.

[Mojo-Man]

It not that quality is better?

For me hand-build, means you can get any options you want.
Scale.
Number of strings
woods.
pickups.
Body shape.