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An open letter to Custom builders. (Update on Page 11)


Shockwave
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Specialty guitar makers aren't really luthiers. They're essentially carpenters. And ALL guitars are a combination of machine work and hand building. Everything From a Fodera is a Squier. So there's a little bit of snob appeal here and it's significance is quite overrated.

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[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1380644039' post='2228373']
Specialty guitar makers aren't really luthiers. They're essentially carpenters. And ALL guitars are a combination of machine work and hand building. Everything From a Fodera is a Squier. So there's a little bit of snob appeal here and it's significance is quite overrated.
[/quote]

*snigger*

Why don't you send off a few emails to these carpenters. They'll make for an ace inclusion in the book.

Edited by EBS_freak
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[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1380637299' post='2228239']
Really? Widely regarded as one of the best basses Fender ever made. I love 'em.

Anyway - back OT... :blush:
[/quote]

I know a lot of folks like them , but the neck is way too skinny for me , and the fake blocks and binding irritate me. Not that keen on the pickups, either. I think the uber skinny neck affects sound quite a bit , too , in all probability. To my ears, there's a slightly nasal upper -mid emphasis that is out of keeping with what a real 72 Jazz sounds like. I would much rather Fender had made a production model of this bass that cost more but was much closer to the original bass that Geddy bought i.e not Custom Shop , but not a cheap imitation , either.

Edited by Dingus
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Lutherie encompasses specialist carpentry skills, along with various skills . Saying that a luthier is just a carpenter is akin to saying that a surgeon is just a butcher. More luthiers would use machines to help them in their work if they could afford the machinery, but most can't so do the work by hand .

Edited by Dingus
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[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1380635793' post='2228203']
I really have to admire anyone getting a custom made bass, but on reading this thread I dont think I,ll bother! <_<
[/quote]
I had a custom build by a very reputable builder - I was promised 6 months, and the build was completed and in my hands in that time. Not every custom build is a bad experience. From some of the threads I've seen over the years on the forum, the vast majority seem to have a favourable outcome.... :).

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On a point of principle, I think you can only name and shame somebody after you have given them some time to rectify the situation AND TOLD THEM that you are going to post on a particular forum, so that they have a meaningful right to reply. After that, go ahead. Only by exchanging this information can we work out what's going on.

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[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1380634805' post='2228191']
It absolutely does matter what the stories are like. Some folk for example, I knew if I dealt with (given the stories that I have read), would be a rollercoaster ride. I'd have to think carefully about taking that step. Perhaps I should clarify - sometimes the want for the product overrides all the negative stories. You brain tells you it's a bad move... but your heart really wants it.
[/quote]

OK, what you said (and I did quote it in my initial response) was "It doesn't matter what stories good or bad you are told..." - and that's to qualify that if you want something that only X can provide, X has you over a barrel and you'd better lube up. So yes, I think we're in agreement - my point being that the stories are valuable because they can affect your decision.

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[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1380645551' post='2228401']
Surely the word Luthier is a descriptive word for their work. If every carpenter were all lumped together, then you could spend a lot of time looking for someone to build you a fine cabinet.
[/quote]

You'd need a cabinet maker for that. It's a specialist skill, like luthiery

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[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1380636892' post='2228227']
But the fact is, and I'm sorry to say this and I hope I don't offend anyone, but every time I go to a bass bash or play someone's bass, or even buy a bass from someone on here, most of the time I am surprised by how badly they are set up, and how poorly they play, sometimes I am amazed at how little they seem to have been cared for.
[/quote]

That's [s]relousing[/s] relicing for you.

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Both my current basses are custom made and I am thinking hard about another.
I know exactly what I am gettting and what I want and I still expect the guy to surprise
me a little.... in positive way.

The only decision is which bass I sell to accomodate..as 3 basses is too much for me.

Of course, I might just say, what the hell and go ahead anyway. I am expecting a year to build it

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[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1380647875' post='2228452']
OK, what you said (and I did quote it in my initial response) was "It doesn't matter what stories good or bad you are told..." - and that's to qualify that if you want something that only X can provide, X has you over a barrel and you'd better lube up. So yes, I think we're in agreement - my point being that the stories are valuable because they can affect your decision.
[/quote]

Yes! (I think!) :P in that if you must have a product, your heart takes over and the stories can become irrelevant, apart from telling you how much lube you may need.

Good clarification!

Edited by EBS_freak
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[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1380650004' post='2228504']
well, thanks very much... you've just sewn a seed of doubt into my cast-in-stone colour scheme for my next commision :lol: arrrhhhhhhhhh !!!!!
[/quote]

Surf green and seafoam green. Both beautiful. Choose wisely! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!

(of course, you do realise that you'll fast become your chosen luthier's worst enemy when the colour on the bass he builds doesn't match the one above...)

Edited by EBS_freak
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