Official Luthiers Forum!

Not boring,...

I saw a tour of the Martin factory on TV a couple of weeks ago, and they showed this lady at work. She was incredibly fast and very precise. They probably show her at work more than any other aspect of the guitar build. There wasn't much of a human aspect to the CNC cutting and automated buffing machines, as there is to neck fitting and installing the bindings and purfling.
She managed to trim a heel cap in about the same amount of time that it takes me to trim my nails!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I toured the factory about a year ago, which was the beginning of this new "hobby" for me.

Anyhow, they were also hand shaping necks in the custom shop area & I think they still hand scallop braces on models that have scalloped bracing. Unfortunately, it was around lunch time when my tour took place so not a lot was going on.

If you take the tour, don't do it around noon.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Susan is a true delight!

Toured the Martin factory back in the 80's during an ASIA meet. It was great to see the process. I think I got the biggest kick out of watching the string winding machines, however... too cool!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Do you think they meant .001? .010 seems kind of a huge amount for neck setting.



Sublime. I would just love to watch her work!

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Pat