Which CNC machine is best for Metal?
Rick B.
Rick B.
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Only the world's best CNC machines!
- Thread starter warrplayer
- Start date
It's just string theory, nothing too complicated really.
They are pointing out that they use top of the line modern machines.
I do not own one of their basses and probably never will but I do feel that their basses are very well made.
I highly doubt that most of the Chinese instaments are made on the same quality of machine.
Some people just do not appreciate quality. I do. Even though I do not really like their basses.
I worked in the automotive industry for 17 years. I used all types of CNC machines every day. We held tolerances of our parts measured in microns (check out how small that is if you have time or feel like it; it is VERY SMALL). The CNC machines are obviously well made machines and are made to produce the exact same part to the exact same specification over and over and over within a certain tolerance (in my case, it was microns).
The CNC machines are set up and of course watched over and have checks that are done on the parts and such. Sometimes, the operators themselves would worry me more than the machines. You get an operator having a bad day at home, fussing with the wife, kids misbehaving, sick, just overall having a bad day, it is those times that we were grateful to have great CNC machines, that when set up correctly, could hold tolerance to automotive parts, in the spec of microns, like what is used on automobiles around the world.
At the end of the day, I love beautiful hand made basses, that one person took a long time to build. But if I buy a bass that has been more "mass produced", I would be thankful that it was produced with any of the best CNC machines that money can provide (along with the best people running them)!!!!!!
The CNC machines are set up and of course watched over and have checks that are done on the parts and such. Sometimes, the operators themselves would worry me more than the machines. You get an operator having a bad day at home, fussing with the wife, kids misbehaving, sick, just overall having a bad day, it is those times that we were grateful to have great CNC machines, that when set up correctly, could hold tolerance to automotive parts, in the spec of microns, like what is used on automobiles around the world.
At the end of the day, I love beautiful hand made basses, that one person took a long time to build. But if I buy a bass that has been more "mass produced", I would be thankful that it was produced with any of the best CNC machines that money can provide (along with the best people running them)!!!!!!
A mistake is still a mistake...but they're highly more likely to come from a human than from a machine following a mathematically calibrated template.
We keep forgetting that similar basses made from the same wood and using same hardware and strings will still sound different. There are no two basses that sound the same in the whole universe. So... In essence, using CNC or not doesn't make much of a difference anyway.
Maybe not soundwise, but as far as basses made in the same run, they should come fairly close in feel.
Some slight weight differences may be noticed because of wood density, also setup differences may feel a bit different.
There are some serious lack of understanding here
A bass builder of first magnitude is not running off 1000s or 100s or even more than a dozen at a time - there is NO mass market
Squire or Rhondo or whatever entry level bass may be run in the scores at a time - they are looking for 'scale' costs
The high end CNC work is meticulous in quality - has to be to justify prices - the work is first rate CNC or not
A bass builder of first magnitude is not running off 1000s or 100s or even more than a dozen at a time - there is NO mass market
Squire or Rhondo or whatever entry level bass may be run in the scores at a time - they are looking for 'scale' costs
The high end CNC work is meticulous in quality - has to be to justify prices - the work is first rate CNC or not
Yes, a human luthier can produce an amazing instrument. Better, than anything machine made. There is of course an art, as well as a craft.
But, for those of us who can not afford master craftsmen built instruments, CNC makes high quality mass production, possible. And the better the CNC the better the instrument.
I have an ESP LTD B-4 with an amazing neck, 5 piece laminate, with an angled headstock and volute. It's a elegant design that ensures a consistent break angle without string trees. Fender didn't do that, because Leo was working with mid century tech, and it had to be doable with semi skilled labor. A neck like my ESP, would easily cost $1000 (if not more) if made by hand. The entire bass cost $500.
Technology does put people out of jobs, takes away some of the art, but it also allows the common man, access to well made products at affordable prices.
Anyway, Warwick is a German company, so of course they are going to advertise there superior technology!
BTW, I own a German car, but it's MIM.
But, for those of us who can not afford master craftsmen built instruments, CNC makes high quality mass production, possible. And the better the CNC the better the instrument.
I have an ESP LTD B-4 with an amazing neck, 5 piece laminate, with an angled headstock and volute. It's a elegant design that ensures a consistent break angle without string trees. Fender didn't do that, because Leo was working with mid century tech, and it had to be doable with semi skilled labor. A neck like my ESP, would easily cost $1000 (if not more) if made by hand. The entire bass cost $500.
Technology does put people out of jobs, takes away some of the art, but it also allows the common man, access to well made products at affordable prices.
Anyway, Warwick is a German company, so of course they are going to advertise there superior technology!
BTW, I own a German car, but it's MIM.
Sir, if your "serious lack of understanding here" comment was towards me, please let me clarify. When I said "mass produced", I didn't mean 100's, 1000's, or more. I only meant more than one handmade bass at a time. That was what I meant. I have no clue how many basses are made at a time by a CNC machine, and I never claimed to.
I am by no means an expert at anything, but I think I deserve some credit. 17 years of experience working with CNC machines should count for something.
I would recommend people take a look at the production videos on the Warwick/Framus youtube channel. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind, but this series is fascinating in its own right regardless of which side of the argument you come down on. Here is a link to the first one - the others will follow from this.
Wow..TB'ers will find anything to rag on or prove/disprove, argue over..geez...
It's amazing that people will have a go at a company making genuine efforts to make their instruments high-quality with consistency. You'd think some people actually enjoy the ordeal of going to GC to try out a load of variable quality basses from the same brand hoping to find a "good one". Perhaps Warwick's goal is that they're all "good ones". To me, that's a laudable ideal. Honestly, it's staggering, given all the bitching about QC which goes on here, that anyone could object to a company highlighting a commitment to consistency.
Hey, what else are you gonna do when you need to fly through your parts!
And I guess this means all of your gigs are fly gigs…better get a frequent flyer card for your axe...
Just make sure it's not from an F-35 - you will spend many many times longer maintaining it as flying, sorry, playing it!!
