What do 'Master Builders' actually do?

[boneyguy]

[Mike Eldred]

Ron,
All good. That body was hand hammered by Scott out of a sheet of aluminum btw.
When you come out, you can meet him, and he'll show you how he did it.

Like I said, I have already filmed a bunch of stuff, and that "filigree" thing with the jewels...that is all done by hand. One guy (Yuriy Shishkov -Master Builder) a tiny exacto, and then gold and silver wire are hand hammered into the slot. All the fittings for the jewels are hand done by Yuriy as well. No NC.

But, look, I get it as I have said many times before. Try to get a Republican to be a Democrat. Or vice-versa. People want to pretend that some big corporation does this or determines that...it's BS. Yes, we are a corporation...and some guy is blowin' through a 1958 3X10 Bandmaster down the hall right now...people can't get that. It doesn't make "sense" to most of the public. They WANT to pretend that it's fat-cats in suits smokin' cigars squeezin' the little guy...whatever.

You'll see more and more videos, pics, etc. LOTS going on now. Especially from the FCS. I'll be filming a ton of stuff next week, and we'll get it up asap.

Like I said before, it's all good, and I hope you can come out soon. It's a wonderful place.

ME

[fezz parka]

I don't think ME was singling anyone out around here as being a "bolter", with the exception being Bill Nash...

[pressure]

I started out with a Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster then I wanted a Tele!
My first Tele was a Fender 1951 Nocaster, butterscotch blond, and it was awsome, Custom Shop but team built. Then I got to thinking what if I could get a Tele made EXACTLY the way I wanted. So I talked to Frank at The Music Gallery and he guided me in my first Fender Master Built Custom Shop guitar. I was worried that trading in the Nocaster to start the Custom Shop build would be a mistake because that Nocaster was a great great guitar but I was determined to get a Fender Tele built to my specifications.
The Tele that master builder Dennis Galuszka crafted for me is astounding. It was just what I wanted and exceeded my expectations.

[twangster2]

Frank is a awesome cat. Can't get any better than him, period.

The Music Gallery is a store to marvel at. Hands down..

[Chud]

And now I want a Kirn and a Masterbuilt. Thanks you two. GAS!!

[dayold]

Originally Posted by VicAjax

they masterbuild.



i can't believe no one said that yet.

Good one!

For the record what is this guy doing and what is that tool?
It looks to me like a cheese grater?

[twangster2]

Originally Posted by dayold

Good one!

For the record what is this guy doing and what is that tool?
It looks to me like a cheese grater?

It looks like a file that has a flat side and a round side.

[Rich68]

Originally Posted by dayold

Good one!

For the record what is this guy doing and what is that tool?
It looks to me like a cheese grater?

If you see the light coming through it (see the shadow on the guitar), it looks more like a microplane blade from here. Microplane is a crazy sharp tool, used in both the workshop and the kitchen

http://us.microplane.com/microplanewoodworking.aspx

[dayold]

Why is everyone so down on CNC? the neck pockets can be cut with amazingly tight tolerances. I was sold on it when I got an "aftermarket" body and neck. The fit was so tight I could hold the neck straight out and the body wouldn't budge from it. You had to work it to get the bare neck off. that guitar had the best sustain.

oh yea the body contours were done by hand but the rest was CNC'ed.

I would prefere a hand sanding of the final stage of the neck because otherwise the neck edges may feel a bit mechanical.

[dayold]

like i said cheese grater...lol

[nadzab]

Originally Posted by dayold

The fit was so tight I could hold the neck straight out and the body wouldn't budge from it. You had to work it to get the bare neck off.

That's way too tight, in my book.

[Mike Eldred]

Stratcheese™©®

ME™

[dayold]

SO I 've built a few guitars in my day. Very marketable, sellable guitars.
What are your qualifications needed to become a master builder or just even a plain builder? Can I send you one of my creations for my resume?

[Mur]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

After all a Tele isn't exactly the last word in high-end, complex luthiery. I'm assuming they don't hand-carve necks and bodies, or do they? Do they fret the necks, paint and finish the guitars; solder up their own electronics?
Or (with my cynics hat on), is the whole Masterbuilt thing simply a marketing ploy?

I had one built. The Master Builder oversee's the project and details, and assembles it. After discussing with you what you want (in length), he looks for the parts, such as a body with certain weight, and grain. And selects a neck suited for the project. The neck will often be much stiffer than usual, giving the guitar extra punch. And the Abigail pups are cool. Other than that, the fit and finish are perfect, and the setup, excellent ..at least it was when the old veteran guys did mine, Alan Hamel and Fred Stuart (both of which are hugely talented in their field).

[t-ray]

This thread has been great! Sort of like a reality show. Hang in there, ME. (Strat cheese - indeed!)

[Latebluesman]

One piece rosewood neck, made by an alien robot...

[chipbutty24]

I think the anti-CNC comments are hilarious. At my job we make highly precise custom engineered industrial equipment. Flanges, couplings, etc. all get made with the help of a CNC. It's a manditory part of what we do and my customers would not accept any less precise manufacturing method. For some reason when it comes to gits, certain people think it has to be "hand" made to be any good. I think in terms of guitars we ascribe WAY more importance to the "old tyme" methods than is really warranted. Carry on with your CNC, Fender.

[Five-O]

Why is it that we can all appreciate what a guy does to a classic car, or a collection of its parts, bringing it back to life or show condition, even better than original sometimes, yet when the same guy does that to a guitar or a collection of guitar parts, we refer to him as a bolter... sort of demeaning him ? I just don't get it. I say to you all, keep building or assembling em, by whatever means you can.

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by Five-O

Why is it that we can all appreciate what a guy does to a classic car, or a collection of its parts, bringing it back to life or show condition, even better than original sometimes, yet when the same guy does that to a guitar or a collection of guitar parts, we refer to him as a bolter... sort of demeaning him ? I just don't get it. I say to you all, keep building or assembling em, by whatever means you can.

Yep....I've Posted your same thoughts here before, but never seems to

change many minds.....I've just learned to live with it.....