What do 'Master Builders' actually do?

[Chud]

Originally Posted by 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.

Anyone here watch Ancient Aliens on the History Channel? There's some documented heavy stone and marble out there in several places around the world that was cut thousands of years ago to specifications that today's most advanced technology would not be able to do. So either craftsmanship has taken a nosedive in the last several thousand years, or...

[Minky]

Originally Posted by Chud

Anyone here watch Ancient Aliens on the History Channel? There's some documented heavy stone and marble out there in several places around the world that was cut thousands of years ago to specifications that today's most advanced technology would not be able to do. So either craftsmanship has taken a nosedive in the last several thousand years, or...

Is something like that even posable?


.....Yes....

[dazzypig]

I wasn't knocking CNC. Why would I? It removes chunks of material very efficiently, quickly and with repeatable highly precise results.

[boneyguy]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

....I've just learned to live with it.....

Hmmmm..... I don't think you have yet really.

I've put together a couple of guitars that turned out very well. Sold one to a guy that says it's the best guitar he's ever had. That took me by surprise. I made the bodies from a block of wood and did all the routing and shaping myself but on both guitars I used an aftermarket neck. As a result I would never call myself a 'builder' (yet) and even when I've gotten compliments that include statements like "Did you build that?!!" I'm always very forthright about what parts I built and what I didn't build.

For me and others it's an important distinction.

[Nick JD]

Originally Posted by dayold

Do masterbuilders moonlight as prostate examiners?

I'm more worried about the rubber gloves than the kitchen impliment - although he's doing a masterful job destroying that paintjob.

[Latebluesman]

[Shepherd]

Originally Posted by Mike Eldred

They don't buy necks from other people, bolt them on a body and say they "built" it. :)

ME

So true. Those are Masterbolters .

[Le Jab]

Rons been a bit of a Fender mud-slinger in the past, and its good to see a thawing out of relations.
I visited the factory 10yrs ago or so. I was shown around by the extremely knowledgable Mike Doyle - then California Fender rep. My enduring memory is meeting the late, great John English. He was preparing a collection for Germany, and he took time out to show me one or two breathtaking examples of his work. On his workbench were a couple of guitars in various states of completion. It was the quailty of workmanship, atention to detail and the obvious love for what he did that was most apparent. And - surprisingly - all the masterbuilders were working in their separate cuibicles, masterbuilding guitars! Fancy that.

[P Thought]

This might be the most interesting thread I ever read. Thanks, everybody.

[burntfrijoles]

As a previous poster stated, it's hard to imagine how much finer a Masterbuilt could be over the team built CS.
I have two team built guitars that I special ordered. Both are beautiful, expertly built, with great tone and a dream to play. I am 100% satisfied with both.
I am sure that they could have been tweaked by the more personal attention to detail you get by one to one relationship to the master builder. I will probably do that when I buy my retirement present to myself.
I had to wait a long time to get both of my guitars so they aren't just flying out of the CS by automation and mass production. They were both worth the wait.
I have played guitars made by several "boutique" builders. Fine instruments but I would (and did) opt for the Fender Custom shops.
These urinary distance contests are rarely productive and always ensue because of ....
Cynicism ?
"my dog's bigger than your dog" ?
An agenda?
Honest curiosity?

[Latebluesman]

[Latebluesman]

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?

Well?

[andrenighthound]

Originally Posted by Mike Eldred

And, this...(Kit Carson made the little bits on this one)

ME

That tele art is amazing! Is that yours? Any more pics?

[Latebluesman]

I would like to say to all my TDPRI friends that
I respect very much everyone who builds, creates, makes, crafts etc, pieces of art like musical instruments are,
made to give joy and self expression, made to calm and educate the savage human soul.
Because I love the guitar, I especially admire and feel like I am between brothers when it comes to Telecaster fans.
Also, I don't respect at all people that make weapons.
I like truth, honesty, fair game, humor, even sarcasm, and I like to use my "common" sense.
I am not someone who knows a lot about Telecasters.
I use the internet to collect information about anything.
Every picture, video or article I found about FCS and masterbuilders,
was full of smiles, love for the guitar, love for the accurate and well built
instruments, love for music, eyes full of emotions, respect and pride for the Fender history, and FANTASTIC GUITARS.
I say some things talk for themselves, we just have to believe...

[chipbutty24]

Major gas pains...

[James J LaRue]

hope it's not too off-topic or n00b, but what's up with the different-looking strat single coil pickup route on some of these? Has a rounded section for the back tab of the pickup (where the coil wire meets the wire leads) is this to accommodate a differently shaped pickup or just a cosmetic variation to avoid angles and favor curves?

like this middle PU:


and these:

[Ron Garson]

These too!

[twangster2]

Originally Posted by chipbutty24

Major gas pains...

Some Tums will cure you're gas. If it's real bad Tums Ultra does the trick.

[James J LaRue]

TBH I'd be afraid to play most of these, they're like museum pieces. Like that beautiful transparent smokey colored matching fretboard...wouldn't wanna see wear marks on that...

[Mondoslug]

This was a great thread.