I'm going to need arrange them differently to fit them all in shot.
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Summer Build Off 2022 - Get Ready!
- Thread starter Beej
- Start date
Ah yes, I think it comes down to tough questions. Like, do I want my builds to revolve around my life, or my life to revolve around my builds?
Woah that's deep, man
Yeah, something's deep.
Let me grab my boots.....
Let me grab my boots.....
At the rate my pickups will be completed, I think I’m gonna enter the “Partial Build” category with my Scratch Build from the Winter build-off. 
Seriously though, it's interesting to have a Non Bass category. I may enter a Non Bass build. For a while I've had these ideas in my head for a four string mandola. This could be the perfect opportunity for me to build my first mandola.
Besides, I now have six bass guitars. That's plenty, isn't it?
I'll watch for your build; I'm going to do a F style mandola in the somewhat near future. "Four String" or 4 course?
I said I would build a mandola, but I've never held one in my hands, and I have no idea about size, scale length, and so on. So today I set out to build a mock up from some old offcuts. I have measured one of my violas and one of my violins (something I've never done before) and finally decided on a scale length of 48 cm (almost 19") and a nut width of 5 cm (almost 2"). These values can change depending on how this mock up feels in my hands. Who knows, there may even be more mock ups.
The shape vaguely approaches the typical pear shape that many mandolas seem to have. For the final instrument I will of course refine this shape into something prettier.
The shape vaguely approaches the typical pear shape that many mandolas seem to have. For the final instrument I will of course refine this shape into something prettier.
Well, family that was here for the last 6 days just left, so I can rightly focus again on building basses, talking about building basses, basses themselves and also those who build basses (or want to). 
Good thoughts on the SBO vs WBO, some of this has run through my brain before, but @Reedt2000 's idea of the Summer Showcase is interesting for suresies. He's always got all the good ideas when it comes to build offs.
I had thought about having the WBO limited to only scratch builds, but taking bits from previous intense discussions about the build offs is what drove the multiple categories for this most recent WBO. I think there is a risk that we will have a less robust "community experience" with really strict limits. We sort of saw that with the Walnut Free For All a few years back. Anyone who didn't like it, had other build plans or didn't have easy access to walnut (like much of our planet) either couldn't participate or was limited. Although I think all of the build offs have been successful reaching their goals, opening things up sees potentially wider participation, offers chances for folks to get their feet wet in a supportive environment and translates into more instruments making it to the voting.
To my mind, if we were faced with hundreds of entries, then it might make more sense to keep the BO experience to scratch builds, but we don't currently have that problem.
There is also the reality that some may be better set up to participate in the WBO and others the SBO. I mean W and S are opposite times of the year in Australia compared to the USA for example.
Some who participated in the recent WBO might have had an easier go if it was in the summer due to their workshop setups and the weather. Those with a temperature controlled all-weather shop may not care either way, but that seems to be the minority of builders here.
Some may not be able to participate in the SBO due to other seasonal competing life demands (cough *racing cars* cough) but can do the WBO and vice versa. My original hope for the SBO was that it would serve as another option for builders who can't do the WBO, and also keep the overall annual numbers of build threads a bit higher, as I'm obsessed with reading them.
All of that said, these were originated by Scoops here, but have taken on a life of their own with the community involvement we have seen, and contributions from the luthier hive mind. I don't feel like I need to maintain ownership or steer this along my personal whims, so it's great to hear the conceptual thinking going on here.
So... whatcha all think about all this stuff?
Good thoughts on the SBO vs WBO, some of this has run through my brain before, but @Reedt2000 's idea of the Summer Showcase is interesting for suresies. He's always got all the good ideas when it comes to build offs.
I had thought about having the WBO limited to only scratch builds, but taking bits from previous intense discussions about the build offs is what drove the multiple categories for this most recent WBO. I think there is a risk that we will have a less robust "community experience" with really strict limits. We sort of saw that with the Walnut Free For All a few years back. Anyone who didn't like it, had other build plans or didn't have easy access to walnut (like much of our planet) either couldn't participate or was limited. Although I think all of the build offs have been successful reaching their goals, opening things up sees potentially wider participation, offers chances for folks to get their feet wet in a supportive environment and translates into more instruments making it to the voting.
To my mind, if we were faced with hundreds of entries, then it might make more sense to keep the BO experience to scratch builds, but we don't currently have that problem.
There is also the reality that some may be better set up to participate in the WBO and others the SBO. I mean W and S are opposite times of the year in Australia compared to the USA for example.
Some who participated in the recent WBO might have had an easier go if it was in the summer due to their workshop setups and the weather. Those with a temperature controlled all-weather shop may not care either way, but that seems to be the minority of builders here. Some may not be able to participate in the SBO due to other seasonal competing life demands (cough *racing cars* cough) but can do the WBO and vice versa. My original hope for the SBO was that it would serve as another option for builders who can't do the WBO, and also keep the overall annual numbers of build threads a bit higher, as I'm obsessed with reading them.
All of that said, these were originated by Scoops here, but have taken on a life of their own with the community involvement we have seen, and contributions from the luthier hive mind. I don't feel like I need to maintain ownership or steer this along my personal whims, so it's great to hear the conceptual thinking going on here.
So... whatcha all think about all this stuff?
It seems to me that the essence of a buildoff is the challenge to make the best thing you can within a tight time limit. Some people only have the time to do something with a prebuilt neck, either because of personal obligations or lack of the range of equipment that helps keep the time manageable.
Since there are separate categories for each type of build, the scratch-only builds get judged against each other, the partial prebuilds get judged against each other. Neither set of builders is stepping in the other's box. People don't complain that The Oscars shouldn't have a Best Documentary award because it gets in the way of the Best Animated Short award.
Since there are separate categories for each type of build, the scratch-only builds get judged against each other, the partial prebuilds get judged against each other. Neither set of builders is stepping in the other's box. People don't complain that The Oscars shouldn't have a Best Documentary award because it gets in the way of the Best Animated Short award.
I always vote for the easiest thing to administer to avoid burning out the volunteer(s).
One way or another, we burned out or ticked off Scoops. Let's not do that to @Beej. (Thanks again Brent)
One way or another, we burned out or ticked off Scoops. Let's not do that to @Beej. (Thanks again Brent)
I guess the other alternative is for all of us to move to California, where it's always summer! 
Only logical conclusion, given the available variables.I guess the other alternative is for all of us to move to California, where it's always summer!
Nope.I guess the other alternative is for all of us to move to California, where it's always summer!
I really like the design challenge of the past WBOs. I don't know that it has to be relegated to scratch builds, but maybe only pre-made necks are allowable? That way there is still a raw design element but (and this is totally the case for me) the building of a scratch neck isn't mandatory as its the most difficult, crucial, and scary part
I guess the other alternative is for all of us to move to California, where it's always summer!
Ew, gross. I can still smell the sea lion urine.I guess the other alternative is for all of us to move to California, where it's always summer!
This is what did it for me. I stumbled upon the WBO Get Ready thread last autumn, and was simply sucked in. There were opportunities for me. Had that Buildoff been scratchbuild-only, I'd have backed out and would now be looking elsewhere for a new hobby.
See? This warms my heart and really underscores the anecdotal evidence.
