Went to Guitar Center on Saturday

[Plank_Spanker]

I just can't justify spending that much on a CNC made guitar (Gibson and Fender are in the same boat).

Not to be an a$$, but what's wrong with CNC? If the wood selection is good, and the machine programming is good, you're looking at great consistancy. A guitar doesn't have to be hand carved and rubbed to be a great one. I see nothing wrong with CNC guitars.

[Rocket]

Not to be an a$$, but what's wrong with CNC? If the wood selection is good, and the machine programming is good, you're looking at great consistancy. A guitar doesn't have to be hand carved and rubbed to be a great one. I see nothing wrong with CNC guitars.

+1

[hubberjub***]

Not to be an a$$, but what's wrong with CNC? If the wood selection is good, and the machine programming is good, you're looking at great consistancy. A guitar doesn't have to be hand carved and rubbed to be a great one. I see nothing wrong with CNC guitars.

Nothing is wrong with CNC. It should be turning out a very good and consistent product. As an owner of two Gibsons and three USA Fenders I feel comfortable stating that quality can vary greatly on these instruments. Also, CNC was implemented as a cost cutting mechanism yet the consumer is not seeing any cut in cost. I'm not trying to insult anyone as I own CNC guitars too. I just feel that there are better guitars for the money.

[Plank_Spanker]

Nothing is wrong with CNC. It should be turning out a very good and consistent product. As an owner of two Gibsons and three USA Fenders I feel comfortable stating that quality can vary greatly on these instruments. Also, CNC was implemented as a cost cutting mechanism yet the consumer is not seeing any cut in cost. I'm not trying to insult anyone as I own CNC guitars too. I just feel that there are better guitars for the money.

I agree that CNC was introduced to cut manufacturing cost, but that doesn't mean the the company should lower prices accordingly....................the demand and market will anchor the price, and it increases the profit margin for the company. Just how many mass marketed guitar manufacturers are still eschewing CNC methods and going the full blown hand built route? My guess? Very few, if any.

As far a quality variations go, that applies to any manufacturing method. CNC doesn't hold the monopoly in quality variations, nor is CNC a benchmark of inferior quality. If anything, "hand built" guitars will be more susceptible to quality variations than CNC guitars.

I'm not trying to pick a fight. I just don't understand your blanket aversion to CNC manufactured guitars. Personally, I don't really care how a guitar is made as long as it does what I need it to do and makes me happy.

I'm not insulted here, and I certainly hope you are not. This is just good discussion.

[hubberjub***]

I agree that CNC was introduced to cut manufacturing cost, but that doesn't mean the the company should lower prices accordingly....................the demand and market will anchor the price, and it increases the profit margin for the company. Just how many mass marketed guitar manufacturers are still eschewing CNC methods and going the full blown hand built route? My guess? Very few, if any.

As far a quality variations go, that applies to any manufacturing method. CNC doesn't hold the monopoly in quality variations, nor is CNC a benchmark of inferior quality. If anything, "hand built" guitars will be more susceptible to quality variations than CNC guitars.

I'm not trying to pick a fight. I just don't understand your blanket aversion to CNC manufactured guitars. Personally, I don't really care how a guitar is made as long as it does what I need it to do and makes me happy.

I'm not insulted here, and I certainly hope you are not. This is just good discussion.

In no way am I insulted. I know you are a Gibson man. They are some of the most historically significant guitars ever built and still remain to be a trend setting company. In terms of the cost cutting being passed down to the customer, I am an economics freak and understand the reasons as to why they remain at the price they do. I am more upset by the recent Fender price increases which seem to be way out of line. My biggest gripe with Gibson is their occasionally poor paint shop. When you find a good one it's great but I can't tell you how many orange peeled Gibsons are sitting at my local GC. I hope no one is offended by my snobbish guitar opinions. I draw attention away from my poor playing by claiming to have a superior knowledge of gear. It's just a ploy to make me feel better about myself.

[Plank_Spanker]

I hope no one is offended by my snobbish guitar opinions. I draw attention away from my poor playing by claiming to have a superior knowledge of gear. It's just a ploy to make me feel better about myself.

It's not snobbish. You just know what you want - and there's nothing wrong with that at all.