Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

[Agileguy_101]

A couple of things that really stood out to me over other guitar manufacturers:

Their binding process is really unique and the results speak for themselves. I have a Morse Y2D right next to me and the binding is second to none.

I love the process that they use to make their maple/maple necks.

Speaking of necks, I really like how they dab the rosewood on the edges of the boards with the soldering iron to cover up gaps between the frets and the board, really nice touch.

I like that even though they buy pre-dried wood, they dry it again themselves to extract all of the moisture that the mills don't get.

This video is just more evidence that EBMM makes some of the absolute best instruments available for purchase. I have absolutely never played one that was sub par in any way. I'd have no problem buying one sight unseen.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Can't get past the fugly........

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

I've never seen one Music Man that I thought was even remotely ugly. Go figure.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

They are still the best guitars I have ever played. I have 2.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Whats that awesome tool he is using at 8.32? I need one of those for guitars and my toe nails

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

I've never seen one Music Man that I thought was even remotely ugly. Go figure.

Apparently you've never seen the Albert Lee, Armada, Bongo, and Big Al models.

 

[erksin]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

apparently you've never seen the Albert Lee model.

Hottest thing they make, IMO - if they did lefties and had fatter neck options, I'd own several by now.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Great video brother Agile!

At 6:40 "The difference between a good guitar and a great guitar is about 100 details". This is true of amps, pedals, Pro Audio gear etc. This is why the "my $300 guitar is just as good as any $2000 guitar' comments are usualy just silly posturing or genuine incomprehension in general. 'High Quality' in gear is never only about sound quality. Its in the details we see and the details we can't see. Its actually built into the intent of the company. Ernie Ball USA is a great example. They still consistently make great guitars and basses. Respect, RG

BTW, the Albert Lee model and the Big Al are just ahead of their time (light years ahead). LOL!

 

[LReese]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

The only guitars EB made that induced GAS for me were the EVH/Axis models.

Not really a hater, but their guits just don't inspire me.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

....their guits just don't inspire me.

Guitars are their own thing for certain, but man hard not to get inspired by the MM Basses with Nathan at the wheel! LOL. This is one of the few tunes he use it with!
I may have had no career if it weren't for Nathan! Cheers! Respect, RG

 

[J E C]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

That is a good vid Rodney. I hadn't seen it before. I agree, there is nothing that sounds like a good Stingray! Have always liked there sound!

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Apparently you've never seen the Albert Lee, Armada, Bongo, and Big Al models.

I personally love all of them. I played an Albert Lee and a Big Al a few weeks ago and they were incredible. I've not played an Armada yet, but I really want to as all of those unique features look like they'll make the guitar otherworldly.

I personally love the Bongo. It's so comfortable too.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

BTW, the Albert Lee model and the Big Al are just ahead of their time (light years ahead). LOL!

yeah, they look like something Jet Screamer would play on an episode of The Jetsons.....lol

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Apparently you've never seen the Albert Lee, Armada, Bongo, and Big Al models.

The Bongos are hot yo.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Even if you don't like some (or any) of their models, you have to hand it to them, they've got some great production techniques that some other big companies could learn from. I'd love to see binding done like that on a Gibson or a Fender with a Maple neck made like a MM.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Great video brother Agile!

At 6:40 "The difference between a good guitar and a great guitar is about 100 details". This is true of amps, pedals, Pro Audio gear etc. This is why the "my $300 guitar is just as good as any $2000 guitar' comments are usualy just silly posturing or genuine incomprehension in general. 'High Quality' in gear is never only about sound quality. Its in the details we see and the details we can't see. Its actually built into the intent of the company. Ernie Ball USA is a great example. They still consistently make great guitars and basses. Respect, RG

BTW, the Albert Lee model and the Big Al are just ahead of their time (light years ahead). LOL!

I disagree. I think that the difference between a good guitar and a great guitar is personal preference. The "my $300 guitar is just as good as any $2000 guitar" not silly posturing. It works for the person who owns it. Do I want a Gibson Explorer? Yeah, but I'm not at the point in my life where that's a feasible option. In the meantime, being able to make decent music on a decent guitar means more than making **** music on a great guitar (see Zakk Wylde (exception: The Moderne of Doom)).

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

I disagree. I think that the difference between a good guitar and a great guitar is personal preference. The "my $300 guitar is just as good as any $2000 guitar" not silly posturing. It works for the person who owns it. Do I want a Gibson Explorer? Yeah, but I'm not at the point in my life where that's a feasible option. In the meantime, being able to make decent music on a decent guitar means more than making **** music on a great guitar (see Zakk Wylde (exception: The Moderne of Doom)).

I think you just mis-understood the point. I understand what you are saying. To understand what I am saying: we aren't talking about 'preference' we are talking about inherent quality. Certainly 'a' guitar can be great for you, fit your needs, style etc and it can support your vision as a musician or artist and it can sound perfect for an album, a lifetime of albums, an influential guitar tone for others etc. That is never in question. It still doesn't change the inherent quality and the '100 details' that does not go into a $300 finished product vs. a high-end instrument. Its not a debate, it just the reality of production instruments and company mindset. That additional attention to detail costs more, it takes longer to produce and requires specialized knowledge beyond machinery. Seymour Duncan is one of those companies. Just have a visit. Sit down with Kevin, Seymour or Kathy and have a chat. Its passion. Read the companies mission statement. Talk to the workers. That's mission is not fluff, that's a day to day standard of excellence from the products to how every person exec or worker is treated equally.

If anybody believes that a $300 guitar adheres to the same quality control as a $2000 guitar, as general rule then, indeed a lack of experience or knowledge about production (genuine incomprehension) is present. If someone boldy claims that their $300 import has had the same level of detail and expertise put into the finished product as a Collings, MM, Suhr, PRS etc.. it is just silly posturing. There is no foundation for it. Its important to recognize the difference to keep our dialogue clear. I have personally had the real-life pleasure of working with/for, beta testing for, co-designing with and spending time with great gear companies. Factory's visits and tours are always free. I think it is valuable to see first hand for yourself some of the differences any time you have the chance. These videos are cool, but meeting a crew one on one is awesome. Cheers and respect JTK,

RG

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

Rodney, you are awesome.

Certainly 'a' guitar can be great for you, fit your needs, style etc and it can support your vision as a musician or artist and it can sound perfect for an album, a lifetime of albums, an influential guitar tone for others etc. That is never in question. It still doesn't change the inherent quality and the '100 details' that does not go into a $300 finished product vs. a high-end instrument.

This is the most important part of Rodney's post. There's nothing wrong with inexpensive guitars. I've had some awesome ones, and they were lots of fun. But just because they're great doesn't mean that they are made with more skill than or can ever be a superior instrument to some of the aforementioned and acknowledged "quality" makes of guitar.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

I think you just mis-understood the point. I understand what you are saying. To understand what I am saying: we aren't talking about 'preference' we are talking about inherent quality. Certainly 'a' guitar can be great for you, fit your needs, style etc and it can support your vision as a musician or artist and it can sound perfect for an album, a lifetime of albums, an influential guitar tone for others etc. That is never in question. It still doesn't change the inherent quality and the '100 details' that does not go into a $300 finished product vs. a high-end instrument. Its not a debate, it just the reality of production instruments and company mindset. That additional attention to detail costs more, it takes longer to produce and requires specialized knowledge beyond machinery. Seymour Duncan is one of those companies. Just have a visit. Sit down with Kevin, Seymour or Kathy and have a chat. Its passion. Read the companies mission statement. Talk to the workers. That's mission is not fluff, that's a day to day standard of excellence from the products to how every person exec or worker is treated equally.

If anybody believes that a $300 guitar adheres to the same quality control as a $2000 guitar, as general rule then, indeed a lack of experience or knowledge about production (genuine incomprehension) is present. If someone boldy claims that their $300 import has had the same level of detail and expertise put into the finished product as a Collings, MM, Suhr, PRS etc.. it is just silly posturing. There is no foundation for it. Its important to recognize the difference to keep our dialogue clear. I have personally had the real-life pleasure of working with/for, beta testing for, co-designing with and spending time with great gear companies. Factory's visits and tours are always free. I think it is valuable to see first hand for yourself some of the differences any time you have the chance. These videos are cool, but meeting a crew one on one is awesome. Cheers and respect JTK,

RG

No, I understand what you're saying and I get what Agile is saying about the fact that a "quality" guitar is made with more skill and precision, and that's no less evident on my ****ty ass Hamer that is about on it's last legs. However, that's if you define "quality" how the guitar is built. I know that there was about zero thought put forth by the people who made my favorite guitar, but I still consider it a quality guitar because it does play incredibly well. I've played guitars that cost 10x as much as my guitar did (I payed $100 for it), but they don't move me in the same way. I totally get where you're coming from, and I hope I'm not coming off as ignorant, but I think that to address Agile's comment about superior instruments, what defines them as superior? Is it the price? By that logic, Gibson's Sully Erna Signature Les Paul is superior to a 2013 SG Standard, even though we all know that Sully Erna's signature guitar sucks a whole lot of ass. I wish I could say that I can agree that Music Man guitars are good, but I think that they are overrated. I think Music Man does well on their basses (I own a SUB Ray5 (which is also worth the $300 price tag)), but that their guitar designs lack over the Gibson Explorer I so covet. As always though, respect to you, because you do know a lot more than me (like how to solder without burning you fingers).

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Now THIS is How You Mass Produce High Quality Guitars

I think that to address Agile's comment about superior instruments, what defines them as superior? Is it the price?

Why would price matter?

It's about the build quality. If you watched even five minutes of the video in the OP, you'll understand what makes any Music Man a superior instrument to many, many production guitars. The skill that it takes to make them, the attention to every last detail, and perhaps most importantly the ethos of the company that produces these instruments and the people that take enough pride in their work to uphold that ethos in their work.