Other builders' work

[big90sbasshorns]

Was it a peizo model? They got a good peizo system in those.

It is..."fully loaded" is the term they use...all of the options and goodies.

And I agree, the peizo is very nicely executed. From a mechanical and engineering standpoint it's a very well thought out instrument.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Yep, my guitarist has one 6 and one 7 with the peizo.

 

[Musiclogic]

The funny thing is how Tom Anderson went from being a devout Fender improver(as so many "builders" these days) to adding his own nuances making things so much better. As for other builders flaws, it's always the same, uneven pieces, bad pickup routs, poor sanding skills, lack of block sanding, glue lines, etc. I have had many high end instruments in my shop from a Ritter last year to hand made Tobias', I've had stuff from people here cross my benches, it's all about capability, and sometimes no matter how good you are, something can leave wrong that you do not catch. It happens, as long as you take responsibility, it ends well usually. But yes, there are some treats for the viewing out there.

 

[HogieWan]

One of the odd deals with Anderson, is that 2 bolt neck they have too (but not all of them have it).....Works for them though. And don't even get me started about the angled neck pockets either, just an amazing instrument.

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Love that neck pocket - I have been thinking about trying something similar.

 

[Musiclogic]

I believe it's something like a 35 degree angle on each bevel, actually pretty cool to create that much contact area

 

[Beej]

Interesting topic; has some great potential to become just terrible! Kind of like talking about the giant pink elephant standing in the middle of the room that everyone pretends to ignore.

Well, I haven't built hundreds of instruments, or even dozens, but I have set up and repaired hundreds over the years. To pick on and also elevate the big guys: When it comes to problems that should not exist, I've always been amazed at the crap that Fender can get away with selling at their price points. Ditto on Gibson. Granted, given how much of the market those two share, the majority of guitars that have crossed my table fall into one of those two builders, but it doesn't stop my amazement at little details that should not exist. Fit and finish problems IME tend to be more Fender's issues. Crummy electronics and bad setups are more Gibson's issues. I've definitely found more problems with genuine Fenders than with Squiers in my day, albeit the Squiers are more cheaply made with inferior components (esp older ones), however for the money, they aren't bad. Epiphones tend to be pretty good. I haven't had any problems ever with a Gretsch of any kind, including Baldwin era Gretsches (Beasts and the like). The finest bass I've ever set up was a late 90's Dingwall. Amazing everywhere, even in the elec cavity. Another builder whose work I have never personally found any problems with is PRS - sounds cliche and I know others have had small issues with them, but I've set up and worked on probably about a dozen or so and none had fit, finish, playability or sound production issues and all set up quickly and easily. Well, I have to caveat that with a quick statement about how easily they can need a new setup just by changing tuning (detuning etc) or changing string gauges.

Them's my thoughts...

 

[LedBelli Bass]

As a builder I am still under triple digits.

This is NOT a digg . . . but when I read that I went, "Holy Cow, and to think that I'm still under double-digits!"

I wonder what I'll be doing come bass 11, or 20, or . . .

As for the workmanship question: there's some really bad stuff out there made in CNC equiped factories! And, there's some really bad stuff out there made in garages too! I think it comes down to the character and integrity (and ability) of the person doing the work. The work is a reflection of the person.

 

[LedBelli Bass]

One of the odd deals with Anderson, is that 2 bolt neck they have too (but not all of them have it).....Works for them though. And don't even get me started about the angled neck pockets either, just an amazing instrument.

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Ruh Roh, . . . not tryin to be controversial, but:

The pictured neck pocket is a farce. By design, it does not promote a stiff, firm neck joint that counteracts string tension . . . quite the contrary, the way it is, it is prone to weakness. And then it uses only two screws . . . that only worsens the situation.

If the idea is/was to increase "contact area" by sloping the sides of the pocket, then that should have been accomplished by inverting the slope and creating a sliding dovetail joint (something I've thought about doing) that would require no screws at all, and be infinitely stronger!

When one considers the physics of a strung truss, then the problem with this joint becomes very clear.

Now, scuse me while I go duck down . . .

 

[bassy7]

I don't want to get into the mechanical/acoustical pros/cons of the Anderson neck pocket right now... But I want to put out there that even if it has no real advantage, it really does yell out...
" I am frickin super high quality man, look at my weird neck pocket- its hard to do, but I can still do it tight and right!!"
Its a beautiful joint!

 

[Rickett Customs]

Ruh Roh, . . . not tryin to be controversial, but:

The pictured neck pocket is a farce. By design, it does not promote a stiff, firm neck joint that counteracts string tension . . . quite the contrary, the way it is, it is prone to weakness. And then it uses only two screws . . . that only worsens the situation.

If the idea is/was to increase "contact area" by sloping the sides of the pocket, then that should have been accomplished by inverting the slope and creating a sliding dovetail joint (something I've thought about doing) that would require no screws at all, and be infinitely stronger!

When one considers the physics of a strung truss, then the problem with this joint becomes very clear.

Now, scuse me while I go duck down . . .

Ha hA Farce? could be......

Yeah, this looks like a joke pic of Tom too:

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But more can be read here:

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[mikeyswood]

Another builder whose work I have never personally found any problems with is PRS - sounds cliche and I know others have had small issues with them, but I've set up and worked on probably about a dozen or so and none had fit, finish, playability or sound production issues and all set up quickly and easily.

If I am not mistaken, PRS have the wires switch without logical reason (to me at least); the neck pup has a black hot/white ground and the bridge is opposite; or I have it backwards.

As for the workmanship question: there's some really bad stuff out there made in CNC equiped factories! And, there's some really bad stuff out there made in garages too! I think it comes down to the character and integrity (and ability) of the person doing the work. The work is a reflection of the person.

What do you look at to judge the two, Cleve?

...creating a sliding dovetail joint (something I've thought about doing) that would require no screws at all, and be infinitely stronger!

I've been wanting to try that too. Now that I am building for myself I may give that more attention...

 

[Rickett Customs]

As far as necks, IIRC, sliding dovetails have been used on set necks (can't recall who did it), have not seen this on a bolt on though, guess it would require some angle in the pocket too.

I know David King uses a dovetail, for his control cavity covers though.

 

[Musiclogic]

Sliding dovetails are great for knockdown drawers and furniture, but unless you do a tapered pin, the sliding dovetail negates the idea of mass surface contact. A standard dovetail or finger joint could be decent, I have no doubt there was a reason for the design, most likely based on theories of downward force applied. Who knows, never heard anyone complain about Toms stuff...LOL I'll avoid comments on PRS, not a fan.

 

[HogieWan]

Here is the neck pocket for Taylor's solidbody guitars - I really like the design. They one use one screw:

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[screambasses]

I don't know about you guys but I know every flaw with every bass I've ever built and it bugs me, especially when I have no control. I'm a perfectionist but sometimes I'll look at a bass cringing because I know the minor flaw with it. Hell, anything truly hand-made will have some sort of flaw with it and I like to see that on other builder's work. For instance I hand cut and hand slot my brass nuts. When I'm done I leave the file marks because it gives character. But I learned a long time ago sometime you just have to let it go otherwise you'd get an ulcer. Chances are nobody will even see those flaws.

pete

 

[mikeyswood]

So true, Pete.

My beloved BC Rich had many imperfection in their heyday. I think that's what made them so perfect. Running your hand along the curves would reveal the hand-cut edges. They were sanded and finished perfectly smooth, but those bits of character are what I try to keep in my builds.

I hope that I never have a perfect build, because there will be nothing to improve for the next one.

 

[tZer]

Flaws = Character - Man, I am LIVING by that concept!

 

[iamlowsound]

Here is the neck pocket for Taylor's solidbody guitars - I really like the design. They one use one screw:

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Hmm, that just gave me a crazy good idea for a neck joint.

lowsound

 

[tjclem]

Posts 35, 36 and 37. Make me feel much better.

 

[renniw]

I don't remember who and what he was refering to , but a TBer here once said :

"It's not a flaw, it's a unique feature...."

Made me sleep better...