What corners were cut on the production models

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Actually the ones that come on the production models don't have any shims, nor the little plate that goes under the center four saddles ...

Exactly! That "little plate" is a shim. What I meant by "Floyd with no shims" was that the Floyd taken out of the box, and the default shim is removed (and none are added) which makes about a 15" radius.

so it's not 10". I'm not sure exactly, but it's either 15" or 16" radius. Others on this forum would know exactly.

But, I also measured a brand-new OFR straight from the box, with the default shim in place, and it is nowhere near 10" radius (looks like 14" to me.) The NUT is a 10" radius, I think this is where the "Floyd Rose bridge is a 10" radius" thing comes from. It's in their literature as a 10" radius but the bridge itself is definitely NOT a 10" radius.

I wouldn't say that's a corner that's been cut. I would say its the way the Floyd is designed. Out of the box. Standard.

It's arguably cutting a corner to not shim it properly to fit the radius of the neck of the guitar it's being put on, which it isn't. Let's call it "un-optimized."

[beachjammer]

Well, just for grins, here's the result of my labor. I ended up just using a flat fine-tooth file on the upper edge to take the curve out. Didn't touch anything below 1/8" deep in the pocket, just the top edge.

Before:




After:



The gap is not small but not terrible, and the neck is definitely very tight in the pocket (maybe 1/16 - 1/32 with the bolts "loose") so I'm happy.

Looks to me like you did some quality work my friend! Looks good!

[Grandturk]

Sorry to bring the thread back on topic.

Don't know if I'd consider this another corner that was cut... I guess I would. The bridges on these are an "out of the box" Floyd with no shims, which measures approximately 15" radius (I know Floyd Rose says 10" radius, but this is the nut... the bridge is nowhere close to 10" radius).

I put a German Floyd Rose on my black SD1 and shimmed it to about a 19" radius with some aluminum tape and it's a definite improvement.

I wouldn't say that's a corner that's been cut. I would say its the way the Floyd is designed. Out of the box. Standard.

[DHardmanJr]

The bridges on these are an "out of the box" Floyd with no shims, which measures approximately 15" radius (I know Floyd Rose says 10" radius, but this is the nut... the bridge is nowhere close to 10" radius).

Actually the ones that come on the production models don't have any shims, nor the little plate that goes under the center four saddles ... so it's not 10". I'm not sure exactly, but it's either 15" or 16" radius. Others on this forum would know exactly.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Sorry to bring the thread back on topic.

Don't know if I'd consider this another corner that was cut... I guess I would. The bridges on these are an "out of the box" Floyd with no shims, which measures approximately 15" radius (I know Floyd Rose says 10" radius, but this is the nut... the bridge is nowhere close to 10" radius).

I put a German Floyd Rose on my black SD1 and shimmed it to about a 19" radius with some aluminum tape and it's a definite improvement.

[skintaster]

I have a love/hate relationship with guitar center. I often buy effects and accessories from them, but try to shop elsewhere for larger purchases. Most of the guitars and amps they have in the showroom seem to be completely thrashed by the time I check them out. I bought a Peavey Valveking from them last year, and it was missing a knob and had several tears in the its tolex covering. The salesguy I was talking to said that it had been put out on the floor earlier that day! I only bought it because I got a large discount, and was planning on giving it to my nephew as his first tube amp.

When I went to check out the Egnater Rebel 20, the first one I tried was screwed. Something was blown, and I had to get someone to scramble up another from the back. I've actually begun to regard Guitar Center as a place to try out gear before I buy it from somewhere else, and judging from their banged up stuff, I'm not the only one!

I generally prefer to shop at the mom and pop stores anyway, but a few of the local ones are pricy, and suffer from a "If you don't play SRV style blues rock you suck" syndrome.

On the other hand, Guitar Center's manager was the only guy that made any effort to help me and my band after our rehearsal studio was broken into. Drew at the Houston shop took our gear descriptions and called us when someone tried to sell some shadily acquired guitars at his store. It wasn't our stuff, but he was super cool for the effort. None of the other shops seemed to care at all.

[85 San Dimas]

What idiot thought that up?

I mean, how the hell are you supposed to spot the dented-up used guitars when they're scattered amongst all those dented up new guitars?

You've been in the same stores I have.............no doubt.:ROTF:

You are dead-on.

I asked the sales guy one time..."Now I want to see the good ones you have in the back......not the ones out here that have been destroyed"
He just stared at me like I had said something In Mandarin? According to him they didn't have any, and it was "see ya".

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Well, just for grins, here's the result of my labor. I ended up just using a flat fine-tooth file on the upper edge to take the curve out. Didn't touch anything below 1/8" deep in the pocket, just the top edge.

Before:




After:



The gap is not small but not terrible, and the neck is definitely very tight in the pocket (maybe 1/16 - 1/32 with the bolts "loose") so I'm happy.

[Grandturk]

Pretty sure Hamer rough cuts their top carves on a cnc and then hand finishes it (with hand held sanding machines).

[beachjammer]

I'm all for CNC machines. Someone mentioned earlier (maybe in another thread?) that Gibson does their LP archtops by hand.

The only "luthier" I saw actually touch a guitar in that episode was the guys that did the fretwork, binding, and inlays. The rest of it was machines and what appeared to be "laborers".

Agreed, from what I saw Gibson CNC'd everything, as does PRS, Washburn and Carvin on the vids I've saw. I don't see the big deal personally. It's not like it affects the tone and if anything it improves the playability.

[Newc]

I'm all for CNC machines. Someone mentioned earlier (maybe in another thread?) that Gibson does their LP archtops by hand.

The only "luthier" I saw actually touch a guitar in that episode was the guys that did the fretwork, binding, and inlays. The rest of it was machines and what appeared to be "laborers".

[roodyrocker]

Implying that CNC'd bodies are lower quality is a complete misnomer...if anything, they are better/more consistent than a hand made body.

Not only that, but Jackson has been using CNC machines even before Fender bought them. A CNC machine is nothing more than yet one more tool in their shop.

[Rupe]

Implying that CNC'd bodies are lower quality is a complete misnomer...if anything, they are better/more consistent than a hand made body.

[Grandturk]

Then again, if you've seen the Made In America episode featuring Gibson and their Memphis facility (which now produces all solidbody electrics), you wouldn't touch another one. Aside from the CNCd bodies (yes, even those famous arched tops are not done by hand), there's the sloppy buffing - the guy was dancing around while buffing the body and the tape that protects the fretboard was peeling off about 5 frets from hitting the buffing wheel.

After that episode aired, there was some speculation on the future value of the Ratzenbergerburst on the Les Paul Forum.

[Newc]

Well, that's true for any model in any price range - I've seen pics of brand new USA Les Pauls that had horrible issues.

Then again, if you've seen the Made In America episode featuring Gibson and their Memphis facility (which now produces all solidbody electrics), you wouldn't touch another one. Aside from the CNCd bodies (yes, even those famous arched tops are not done by hand), there's the sloppy buffing - the guy was dancing around while buffing the body and the tape that protects the fretboard was peeling off about 5 frets from hitting the buffing wheel.

One can only imagine what was being done to the board, binding, and frets.

Then of course there are even USA Custom Shop issues, with all brands.
However, the good ones outnumber the bad ones, even though it still sucks to get a bad one.