A call for questions

[Basschair]

In case you haven't seen it, there's another thread going where the idea came up that getting the veteran/seasoned/professional builders to answer a series of questions on their approaches to aspects of the building process would help us all. Here's that thread...the topic came up on page 5.

I'm of the opinion that a standard list of 20 questions would be the best approach for this first time endeavor. Down the road we may do this again with different questions and/or questions taylored to specific builders.

For the moment, I'm putting this out to you all: what questions would you like to have answered? Keep it specific to the process of building a bass. You don't need to come up with 20 questions on your own, just reply to this thread with some that are important to you. The list will be pared down to 20 from these replies. Please do not be offended if yours are not chosen.

Regarding putting out the actual list of questions to the more/most experienced builders, the format has not been decided upon just yet...let's just work on getting the questions for now.

[dj150888]

A question I have myself.

I'm a tad worried that it might be below some of the experienced builders like Mr Skjold etc.

anyways..... on to the question (which is kind of 2 hidden in 1!)

What do you think the biggest problem first time builders and inexperienced builders run into? What steps can a budding luthier/hobbyist take to avoid encountering this problem or to remedy it if its unavoidable?

[mikeyswood]

Allow me to satae a few that I would view as important:

Who are your influences and what do you use of theirs?

What tools do you use?

What other instrumets do you build?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Being more of a tool & machinery person, I'd feel that an insight of the purchasing order of certain tools would be beneficial for the community.

Not every one of us have the means, money or space to have a power-tool woodshop so listing the hand tools, perhaps the 5-10 most important for every luthier who's answering, would be a nice guide for the beginner builders.

Regards
Sam

[tZer]

Because so many builders have their own specific set of likes and dislikes, I'd like to know their various views on:

1) Woods: If you have a preference, what are your favorite neck/body/finger(fret)board woods and why?
2) Necks: Neck-thru, Glued/set, Bolt-on - do you have a preference and why?
3) Headstock: Do you prefer angled headstock or straight and why?
4) Fingerboards/fretboards: Do you prefer radiused or flat and why?

[Rickett Customs]

(If you do.) Do you have a particular way of selecting woods you use and how did you develop this method? Other than the obvious warping, bowing, checking... etc. (example: grain patterns..etc)


When you started out, how many instruments did you have under your belt before you felt like you "came into you own"?

[Pete skjold]

Originally Posted by dj150888

A question I have myself.

I'm a tad worried that it might be below some of the experienced builders like Mr Skjold etc.

anyways..... on to the question (which is kind of 2 hidden in 1!)

What do you think the biggest problem first time builders and inexperienced builders run into? What steps can a budding luthier/hobbyist take to avoid encountering this problem or to remedy it if its unavoidable?

No questions asked should be considered below anyone here . This is the point . I was someone just like you at some point and if any of us can give our insight and it helps you then thats what it is all about .

I believe the questions are just being compiled at the moment , but when I am given the go I will answer the best I can .

Pete

[hoytbasses]

this might be too rudimentary, but a session on measuring/layout might be of use. my students can't measure with a ruler and when you hand them a vernier caliper, they have a stroke. since accuracy is so important, this might be more use than many people might like to admit. added to this, what measuring tools are best for what job?

kfh

[ljzimmer]

1. What methods do the guys who have been around a while use when choosing lumber?

Do you stay local, buy online (why or why not) and what constitutes a good piece of wood to work with?

2. What is your favorite hand tool and why?
3. What is your favorite power tool and why?

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

When you started out, how many instruments did you have under your belt before you felt like you "came into you own"?

+1

Thanks for your consideration!

Loren

[wingnut]

List the top five most common mistakes/misconceptions beginners make/have.
How to "bend" wood.
Different types of glues and when and how to use them.

[stevetx19]

how about a some info on each builder's preference regarding wood aesthetics; can it get too flashy? Do you build whatever combo's the customer asks, even if you think it is over the top? At what point does exotic wood make a bass look too homemade?

if that can be grouped into one question...

[Mr. Majestic]

These are a few off the top of my head:

What type of glue do you use and why?

If you could only have three tools, what would they be?

What are your favorite woods and why, and do they influence tone?

How/why did you get started?

What is your one pet peeve?

[Rochey6957]

1 Best way to fix pickup cavites that are too large.
2 Best way to make wooden knobs.
3The "little things" that make a project that much more satisfying.

[pilotjones]

20. What technical aspect of building do you think is important, but was not asked about in the previous nineteen questions? Please give your thoughts.

[Pete skjold]

Heres something along the lines of question , but this has to do with the people I would like to see included in answering the 20 ?s

Sheldon Dingwall
Mike Tobias
Carey Nordstrand
Bud Lecompte
Roger Sadowsky
Rick Turner
Ken Smith
Ken Lawrence ( I don't know if I spelled that right )
Benevente ( Chris & Brian Barrett )
Roscoe ( Gard )
Nino Valenti
Cliff Bordwell

This is a short list , but this is the type of scope that can be achieved . I know I missed some and there are several regular posters Like Will Remirez and so on that I hope it could be pretty inclusive . Damn , I know I'm skipping several very key guys here , so please speak up

Pete

[Gone]

- What pricing strategy do you use?

eg. markup, hourly rate, set pricelist
(not looking for actual prices here)

- What marketing strategies have you used over the years? And what's proved most effective?

eg. word of mouth, online, conventions, stores

- Do you see/anticipate any shifts in the custom bass building industry over the next 20 years?

eg. different materials, etc

[Pete skjold]

Originally Posted by Gone

- What pricing strategy do you use?

eg. markup, hourly rate, set pricelist
(not looking for actual prices here)

- What marketing strategies have you used over the years? And what's proved most effective?

eg. word of mouth, online, conventions, stores

- Do you see/anticipate any shifts in the custom bass building industry over the next 20 years?

eg. different materials, etc

I am trying to lay low here , but these are some great questions , I wish I had another perspective on some of these myself . This is shaping up to be some very good questions !

Pete

[Mikey R]

Ive got a couple, would be good to get answers from a few different sized builders:

1) Do you buy timber as and when needed, or do you hold a lot of timber in stock?
2) Does this effect the pricing of a custom instrument? You would have paid far less 10 years ago for timber just because of inflation, so how do you calculate the APR?
3) Do you need to worry about insurance for stock held? Theft / fire damage?

[Mr M]

Here are some questions, would be great to hear from experienced builders:
- How do you stock the lumbers? Inside/outside of the workshop? Do you lay them one over the other horizontally or do you lean them against the wall vertically.
- Do you put paraffin or candle wax(?!) on cut side of the lumbers to prevents the cracks that may occur while waiting?
- Have you ever worked with woods that are not usually used in luthery? How were the results?
- If there is a dent etc. on the wood to be used in a transparent finish (so you can't use a woodfill/paste), how would you repair them?
- Do you have any first hand experience that a thicker fretboard implies more the characteristics of the fretboard wood?
-The already asked question of which glue to use for which application is a good question that I'd like to hear the answer too.

I hope those are not stupid questions.

[ljzimmer]

Originally Posted by pilotjones

20. What technical aspect of building do you think is important, but was not asked about in the previous nineteen questions? Please give your thoughts.

+1