#76
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I have a T185MX (all solid wood, semi-hollow electric), which comes in two other sizes... last year, they sold 52 of them in North America (all three models). In addition, I own their premium acoustic models (E40D, E40OM), and I heard (but haven't confirmed) that they only make about 20-30 of each model per year. BTW, Eastman confirmed that they custom voice each of their "40" tops, and they were working to train other luthiers onsite, so they could expand this into additional models. As of 2017, all of the voicing was being done by one person, who was a third generation luthier, not an unskilled laborer (as implied earlier in this thread). Quote:
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"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young |
#77
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IThanks for your reply, Larry.
Whatever his methods, Jim olson is perhaps the most well known luthier in the wider world and he has earned that reputation through his integrity, generosity and a long career of meeting customer expectations. As he and the other famous luthiers of his generation are either winding down or coming to the latter parts of their illustrious careers, they serve as standard bearers of excellence and business ethics for the next generation to emulate and try to surpass. Quote:
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In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#78
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Unfortunately, their price has risen to a point that, for me, prices them out of any market I would pay. Additionally, their prices will likely be going up a great deal with the current status of Chinese-made imports. At $2,000 for their mid-upper level offerings (and more than double that for some customs) they have become far too expensive compared to comparably-priced domestic/North American offerings from some other builders in (or below) that price level. I'm not knocking their quality, but I am their price-point. I buy substantially more expensive guitars so it's not about the money - it's about the value. And yes, I have evaluated their guitars in the past two years.
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#79
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I'm not sure that tap-tuning is the only method of voicing tops. It is probably the most mentioned, but solo guitar builders have different ways of building these beauties. Harry Fleishman is one of the most experimental (and refreshingly honest about results) of any builder around. And he is a hoot to talk with in person. I once asked him a question at Healdsburg guitar festival, and then followed him around for 20 minutes listening to the answer. Then I asked another question. He was a delight to follow around and chat with! He puts a door/entrance in all his guitars to go in and adjust things after the top is assembled and voiced. He was Michael Bashkin's first guitar building teacher. Ervin Somogyi arguably knows more about extracting tone (specific tone) from wood, and he was Michael's second strong building influence (Michael attended his week long workshop as many great builders have). I sense the explorational side of Harry in my Bashkin OM (built after both influences), and the targeted voicing and craftsmanship from Ervin's influence as well in it. If you have never tapped into Michael Bashkin's "Luthier-on-Luthier" podcast, the many episodes are well worth a listen. He interviews current luthiers about their journey. It certainly gives insight to a lot of other-than-traditional methods of building. |
#80
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Well that’s a cool opinion, but an opinion nonetheless. Handcrafted and handmade are synonyms. Kinda like how polishing a turd and polishing a piece of dung is exactly the same thing. [emoji13] |
#81
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#82
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I only care about the end result of the instrument. If every piece is hand carved, shaped and glued but the guitar doesn't put out it's worthless to me. Likewise, if a guitar is CNC cut and shaped and some pieces pre-cut by lasers and little-green aliens then assembled by elves - if it's the best guitar I've ever played - then it's the best guitar. Everything else is marketing.
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#83
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#84
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Making something by hand, in the old world sense, can be a choice for a way of life. If one wants to specifically support someone in preserving those "old world" ways and skills, then the goods aren't just the goods. I had the privilege to study some with a fellow named Rob Cosman. Rob can make a hand-cut dovetailed drawer - using saws and chisel and marking tools - faster than most people can setup their router. His joints are flawless every single time. He spent years developing that skill and now teaches that skill to others. One can buy a drawer made with hand-cut dovetails that will last your lifetime, or one can chose to buy a CNC'd, factory-made drawer - or a drawer made with modern extruded plastic and held together with screw fasteners - from Ikea that might last a decade or so. Both are drawers, both will hold one's "stuff". One cost more than the other. One supports specific skills, the other a different set of specific skills. There isn't a "right" answer: it's a choice one can make with implications. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=xxIgNel0H_I |