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CNC or not

CNC or not ?

  • I like my basses cut by hand.

    Votes: 8 2.8%

  • I prefer a cnc cut bass.

    Votes: 38 13.1%

  • I don't mind.

    Votes: 243 84.1%
  • Total voters
    289
  • Poll closed .
#105
scotch said:
Just curious:

How would you feel about a builder using a cnc cutter to 'rough shape' a body and neck & then do all of the critical final shaping and finishing by hand? (Including knives & rasps to shape the neck + hand tools & abrasives to finish the body contours.)

Additionally, would you consider using a band-saw to rough out a body blank as "hand-made"?

Purely just interested in opinion, not a loaded question! :)
Click to expand...

As I said, my issue isn't with using a CNC, but builders using said machines and charging hand made prices.

I visited the Roscoe shop a few years back and I was so impressed. It's a *wood shop*. They do all cutting, shaping, etc. by hand. Sure, they had a CNC in the shop, and it was being utilized solely as a sawdust covered shelf.
 
#106
Eric Perry said:
As I said, my issue isn't with using a CNC, but builders using said machines and charging hand made prices.

I visited the Roscoe shop a few years back and I was so impressed. It's a *wood shop*. They do all cutting, shaping, etc. by hand. Sure, they had a CNC in the shop, and it was being utilized solely as a sawdust covered shelf.
Click to expand...

Gotcha- but still curious what you (and others) think regarding the use of power tools. What does "hand-made" indicate to you? Any use of power tools? Elbow-grease alone?
 
#107
Eric Perry said:
As I said, my issue isn't with using a CNC, but builders using said machines and charging hand made prices.
Click to expand...

CNC just gets you close. The fine details and finishing touches require the most time, effort, and expertise, and these are done by hand whether a CNC machine is used or not.

And there are no "hand made" instruments that I'm aware of. It would be crazy for a luth not to use power tools of any kind. As many have said, CNC is simply a fancy power tool.
 
#108
scotch said:
Gotcha- but still curious what you (and others) think regarding the use of power tools. What does "hand-made" indicate to you? Any use of power tools? Elbow-grease alone?
Click to expand...

No, I think using power tools is expected, and (as far as I'm concerned) totally acceptable along with expected. Again, I can't stress enough, it's not the issue of using a CNC, it's charging hand-made prices for CNC-produced instruments.
 
#110
Eric Perry said:
No, I think using power tools is expected, and (as far as I'm concerned) totally acceptable along with expected. Again, I can't stress enough, it's not the issue of using a CNC, it's charging hand-made prices for CNC-produced instruments.
Click to expand...

When a business invests in technology it incurs the initial expense (sunk cost), depreciation, and ongoing labor and ancillary expenses. This is true whether the tool is a jointer, table saw, or CNC router. Every CNC tool I've looked at requires far more cash flow than "ordinary" shop tools.

IMO, the distinction you're trying to make is a false dichotomy. What, exactly, are "hand-made prices," and why are they relevant?
 
#111
Eric Perry said:
As I said, my issue isn't with using a CNC, but builders using said machines and charging hand made prices.

I visited the Roscoe shop a few years back and I was so impressed. It's a *wood shop*. They do all cutting, shaping, etc. by hand. Sure, they had a CNC in the shop, and it was being utilized solely as a sawdust covered shelf.
Click to expand...

So Roscoe necks are not identical from one bass to the next?
 
#116
Eric Perry said:
No, I think using power tools is expected, and (as far as I'm concerned) totally acceptable along with expected. Again, I can't stress enough, it's not the issue of using a CNC, it's charging hand-made prices for CNC-produced instruments.
Click to expand...

Who decides what "hand-made prices" are? I'll give you a hint: the consumer. If someone is willing to pay the same money for a Drozd (CNC) and an F Bass ("hand made"), who is to say what the appropriate price is for each one? It's going to be the person buying it.

There is no way to differentiate between "hand-made prices" and CNC-made prices. The prices are what they are, and you can pay it or not. You are free to base your decision on whether or not CNC machines were used.
 
#118
Eric Perry said:
I visited the Roscoe shop a few years back and I was so impressed. It's a *wood shop*. They do all cutting, shaping, etc. by hand. Sure, they had a CNC in the shop, and it was being utilized solely as a sawdust covered shelf.
Click to expand...

I can assure you that you are mistaken.





Eric Perry said:
I'm not going to get into a pissing match. If you have questions about Roscoes, go ask Gard.
Click to expand...

^^Translation: "I have no meaningful response, so I'm going to rhetorically stick my tongue out at you."
 
#119
I did a quick head count among the instruments and found that 60-70% of my flock is CNC (Carvin, Groove Tools, Squier, etc.). It's certainly made instruments more affordable and allowed for amazing quality down in the lower priced Asian imports like the Squier and SX basses.
If it gets better quality instruments in the hands of more players I'm all for it.
 

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