tms13pin
Silver Supporting Member
- Messages
- 1,902
So, I'm curious: who uses a CNC and who hand-builds the whole
way through. And if a CNC is used, for how much of the build
is it used (just body? neck? carves?).
I'm not interested in a discussion over which is better, I have
no problem with machines. I'm just curious about many of the
"boutique" builders and what they do. I'd also think it'd be
interesting if some of the builders would chime in and say why
they've gone to the CNC and what aspect of things is better,
worse, the same, etc. since they've done so. I'm more
interested in the builders viewpoint here, not the buyers, as
I don't want to start an opinion war. I'm sure output is higher
with the CNC. How does it impact customization, etc. for you?
Does that really matter (may not be part of your business plan)?
How do you keep the quality up vs. Fender and Gibson....
major automation but very big names.
For instance, Driskill does everything by hand. PRS uses CNCs
for things (how much, I'm not sure), Brian Moore CNC's the
bodies (at least), blah blah. I don't really know about
Suhr, Anderson, McInturff, Lentz, etc. Soloway is all handmade,
right? How "custom" are you and are the really custom orders
(if you accept them) done completely by hand?
Lots of questions. Just trying to understand the small market
luthier industry a bit more. It's really been interesting since I
joined TGP to just lurk and see what players gush over, etc., and
I've learned about a lot of guitar (and amp) builders that I never
knew existed.
Thanks in advance for your comments and perspectives on this.
--Tom
way through. And if a CNC is used, for how much of the build
is it used (just body? neck? carves?).
I'm not interested in a discussion over which is better, I have
no problem with machines. I'm just curious about many of the
"boutique" builders and what they do. I'd also think it'd be
interesting if some of the builders would chime in and say why
they've gone to the CNC and what aspect of things is better,
worse, the same, etc. since they've done so. I'm more
interested in the builders viewpoint here, not the buyers, as
I don't want to start an opinion war. I'm sure output is higher
with the CNC. How does it impact customization, etc. for you?
Does that really matter (may not be part of your business plan)?
How do you keep the quality up vs. Fender and Gibson....
major automation but very big names.
For instance, Driskill does everything by hand. PRS uses CNCs
for things (how much, I'm not sure), Brian Moore CNC's the
bodies (at least), blah blah. I don't really know about
Suhr, Anderson, McInturff, Lentz, etc. Soloway is all handmade,
right? How "custom" are you and are the really custom orders
(if you accept them) done completely by hand?
Lots of questions. Just trying to understand the small market
luthier industry a bit more. It's really been interesting since I
joined TGP to just lurk and see what players gush over, etc., and
I've learned about a lot of guitar (and amp) builders that I never
knew existed.
Thanks in advance for your comments and perspectives on this.
--Tom