Dead spots are not a QC issue, they're a fact of life. Most basses have them. I think the OP is referring to companies with major production lines, not boutique builders.
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Which bass guitar company has the best QC?
- Thread starter RBX4
- Start date
Dead spots are not a QC issue, they're a fact of life. Most basses have them. I think the OP is referring to companies with major production lines, not boutique builders.
I disagree. There are thousands of ecstatic Ric owners over the years, who have never complained about QC issues. Owning three Rics isn't exactly comprehensive data. Even reading all the threads here on TB doesn't come close to confirming blanket conclusion like that.
Fenders and Gibsons are in the same ballpark as far as price. In fact, the latest MF sale came in quite a bit under a USA Fender or Gibson. You'll find many more QC complaints about those brands, as well as others in that "price tier".
Like a wise man once said -
Nobody is saying Ric is perfect. Actually, nobody can say that about anything.
Disclaimer: I am a consultant for SPECTOR and I designed/manage their website.
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To be fair, I think QC can be broken down into a couple of categories:
Custom-shop-hand-made guitars
and
Mass-produced guitars.
-------------------------
In the Custom-Shop/Hand-Made department I've yet to see any that didn't have amazing build quality. From Alembic and MTD to Fodera, Pedulla, SPECTOR, Ritter, Sukop, etc... these basses are either completely or mostly hand-made (CNC routing for pups and control, neck cavities for bolt-ons is very common even in custom-shop builds these days).
So you'd expect that if someone like Stuart Spector is signing his name and hand-numbering/dating the bass; it had better be near flawless. That's the ultimate in quality control.
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You have the mid-range Europe Shops which mix CNC work with a large amount of human-hand-ons construction. SPECTOR's Europe Series, all of NS-Design's instruments (which are made in the SPECTOR Factory) and the German Warwick stuff... it's all usually great stuff. There can be finish issues or as someone recently posted about Warwick, some strange inconsistencies with tone or wood quality... which is bound to happen. But again these guitars are majority hand-made and therefore I guess "custom-shop" to a level. And the quality will be really good.
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It's the mass produced import stuff that I think a term like Quality Control would best be applied. From China to Indonesia, Korea to Mexico... there are a slew of manufacturers that have introduced "entry-level" lines that are made in these countries.
Cheaper materials of lesser quality, cheap machining and labor costs and the ability to automate a large amount of the build process make these the most common instrument you're likely to come across when buying new or used guitars.
And the QC in many factories is spotty. It's the Monday/Friday curse... if it was made on Monday it's gonna be a lemon because everyone is hung-over from the weekend or doesn't want to be there (because it's Monday) or if it was made on Friday it'll be a lemon because everyone wants to finish quickly to start their weekend. Everybody's workin' for the weekend syndrome.
I've found that the Korean factories are building the best stuff coming out of Asia these days... and I've personally owned a couple of MIM instruments and they've been fine for the little amount of money they cost. I actually had a USA Custom-Shop electric guitar that wasn't $1800 worth of nicer than the $300 MIM model I had sitting next to it on a rack.
I think from manufacturer to manufacturer you'll find a difference in QC which is based on their production size (the smaller the easier to control), the country of origin (some countries are easier to work with than others), and the most important thing, customer perception.
In the end QC is meaningless if a guitar is put in the hands of someone who because of past experiences either loves (and is therefore willing to overlook some small faults) or is dubious (and therefore will be looking for any and every flaw) of overseas quality.
I'm a marketing guy... I was taught in school that if you can help formulate the customer's perception of the product BEFORE they get it, things will go much better so long as you're able to form a favorable impression.
Sad but true. Marketing is less about truth and more about hype and or psychological manipulation. And I retired from marketing years ago because I couldn't stomach the idea of helping people sell products I wouldn't buy for myself.
I came out of retirement to help SPECTOR for they are the only company I've ever worked with where the owners really care about the customers first and they strive to build/create products that are the best that can be had for the money. And there are a few bass manufacturers I can say that about in all honesty. Its a great industry with great people. And why, because bassists are cool.
------------------------
To be fair, I think QC can be broken down into a couple of categories:
Custom-shop-hand-made guitars
and
Mass-produced guitars.
-------------------------
In the Custom-Shop/Hand-Made department I've yet to see any that didn't have amazing build quality. From Alembic and MTD to Fodera, Pedulla, SPECTOR, Ritter, Sukop, etc... these basses are either completely or mostly hand-made (CNC routing for pups and control, neck cavities for bolt-ons is very common even in custom-shop builds these days).
So you'd expect that if someone like Stuart Spector is signing his name and hand-numbering/dating the bass; it had better be near flawless. That's the ultimate in quality control.
-------------------------
You have the mid-range Europe Shops which mix CNC work with a large amount of human-hand-ons construction. SPECTOR's Europe Series, all of NS-Design's instruments (which are made in the SPECTOR Factory) and the German Warwick stuff... it's all usually great stuff. There can be finish issues or as someone recently posted about Warwick, some strange inconsistencies with tone or wood quality... which is bound to happen. But again these guitars are majority hand-made and therefore I guess "custom-shop" to a level. And the quality will be really good.
-------------------------
It's the mass produced import stuff that I think a term like Quality Control would best be applied. From China to Indonesia, Korea to Mexico... there are a slew of manufacturers that have introduced "entry-level" lines that are made in these countries.
Cheaper materials of lesser quality, cheap machining and labor costs and the ability to automate a large amount of the build process make these the most common instrument you're likely to come across when buying new or used guitars.
And the QC in many factories is spotty. It's the Monday/Friday curse... if it was made on Monday it's gonna be a lemon because everyone is hung-over from the weekend or doesn't want to be there (because it's Monday) or if it was made on Friday it'll be a lemon because everyone wants to finish quickly to start their weekend. Everybody's workin' for the weekend syndrome.
I've found that the Korean factories are building the best stuff coming out of Asia these days... and I've personally owned a couple of MIM instruments and they've been fine for the little amount of money they cost. I actually had a USA Custom-Shop electric guitar that wasn't $1800 worth of nicer than the $300 MIM model I had sitting next to it on a rack.
I think from manufacturer to manufacturer you'll find a difference in QC which is based on their production size (the smaller the easier to control), the country of origin (some countries are easier to work with than others), and the most important thing, customer perception.
In the end QC is meaningless if a guitar is put in the hands of someone who because of past experiences either loves (and is therefore willing to overlook some small faults) or is dubious (and therefore will be looking for any and every flaw) of overseas quality.
I'm a marketing guy... I was taught in school that if you can help formulate the customer's perception of the product BEFORE they get it, things will go much better so long as you're able to form a favorable impression.
Sad but true. Marketing is less about truth and more about hype and or psychological manipulation. And I retired from marketing years ago because I couldn't stomach the idea of helping people sell products I wouldn't buy for myself.
I came out of retirement to help SPECTOR for they are the only company I've ever worked with where the owners really care about the customers first and they strive to build/create products that are the best that can be had for the money. And there are a few bass manufacturers I can say that about in all honesty. Its a great industry with great people. And why, because bassists are cool.
I love warwicks, all of them . Own a corvette std. Awesome finish.
But i read that the older ones have problems with the nerve, so derivate in neck curvature problems. Saw real pics of that problems.
This not happens with the modern ones.
Cheers from argentina !!
But i read that the older ones have problems with the nerve, so derivate in neck curvature problems. Saw real pics of that problems.
This not happens with the modern ones.
Cheers from argentina !!
I'm more than happy with my two Carvins. Disclaimer:I'm lefty and don't ever have access to much more than the $300 crap they hang on the walls of most guitar stores.
I Would say Warwicks and G&L Basses. Every one I've played is exceptional. Never had good experiences with ebmm basses
I like ernie ball but the one beef I have with them is they will never sell you a pickup,, even if you send them the bass they will not put a pickup in it if it doesn't already have one (an OEM EB pickup)
take my advice,, unless you know you like it NEVER buy a used EB with a basslines or other aftermarket pickup!
take my advice,, unless you know you like it NEVER buy a used EB with a basslines or other aftermarket pickup!
That's interesting. I wonder why they would do that? (I can guess, but nothing I can come up with makes sense--especially to a company that is supposed to have good customer service.)
Sorry if someone all ready covered this, but Gibson straight up sucks. Washburn - not a single person knows what's up, Eden is owned by Washburn, so forget them. Mark Bass are snobby and awful to deal with, Modulus is FANTASTIC, if you can get in touch with them, EMG are fantastic to work with, Schroeder (Jorge) is extremely personable and very easy to talk to...
Squier has some of the best instruments on earth today. their steller customer service and fine attention to detail make them a worthy competitior against any of the smaller boutique bass builders. just as one begins to hold the fine top grade wood of the squier one understands what all the fuss is about.
The ones I had from a few years ago were great. I had a couple that required a little work which I didn't expect at that price. The US ones are magnificent.
I have a couple of Carvins now and they are among the top 2 or 3 I've ever had as far fit, finish and ready-to-go-out-of-the-box-ness. Unbelievably solid.
Spector. When you send a bass to be PLEK'd and they tell you no improvement can be made, nuff said.
Skyline Laklands i kind of take offense at.
An import bass of lesser build quality than a domestic G&L or Musicman, for nearly the same price? I have never seen a skyline without some rough routing showing, or poor finish quality. These are things I overlook on a Squier or Schecter, except those brands have better fit and finish for a lower price.
I suppose Laklands are pretty classy looking compared to cheaper brands, but I just cant spend north of a grand on a bass that is only 90% there.
And domestic Laklands are great (if dear)!
I suppose every brand has a different focus on QC.
Some may have mediocre action and great finish (kinda common these days!). Other guys put a lot of energy into the action and playability, but the electronics are held together by spit and paste.
An import bass of lesser build quality than a domestic G&L or Musicman, for nearly the same price? I have never seen a skyline without some rough routing showing, or poor finish quality. These are things I overlook on a Squier or Schecter, except those brands have better fit and finish for a lower price.
I suppose Laklands are pretty classy looking compared to cheaper brands, but I just cant spend north of a grand on a bass that is only 90% there.
And domestic Laklands are great (if dear)!
I suppose every brand has a different focus on QC.
Some may have mediocre action and great finish (kinda common these days!). Other guys put a lot of energy into the action and playability, but the electronics are held together by spit and paste.
I own a Lakland Skyline 55-02 and haven't noticed any of what you describe. It's a beautiful bass, even if it isn't my #1.
Also, if you don't know how to do your own setups, it would probably pay to learn how. Counting on the factory to set the action to your liking is like buying a car and expecting the drivers seat to already be adjusted perfectly for you. Same with a soldering iron. The electronic components in most electric basses are pretty simple, a very modest investment in a soldering iron will pay for itself over and over. All the info you need to do almost any repair is on the internet, usually straight from the manufacturer.
