Birdeye Maple again...BP

[dandegeit]

Hey BP

Just a thought but if I had "and I do" had a really nice piece of birdseye maple that is more than long and wide enough for a bass would you consider using that if I sent it to you guys directly.

This piece is 8 feet long and 1 foot wide and about 2" thick. I would plane it down to the size you need. I really think this would be cool since it is a very special to me piece of wood.

Just a thought. I know you're going to say no but just think about it first. This could be a way of saving cost and providing us a way of have more to do with the construction of our instruments.

Just think about it

DANO

 

[bdgotoh]

I don't think it would actually save money.

They have a ton of wood being processed on any given day and none of it is destined for any particular bass.

So if you sent in a special piece of wood someone being paid a good wage would have to walk it through each processing step so it didn't get lost and put on someone else's bass by accident.

That's going to cost a heck of a lot more than just using the next piece of maple that happens to come off the line for your order.


On the other hand, If BP says yes I want to send him some really lightweight butternut for a Sterling HH body!!

 

[bovinehost]

On the other hand, If BP says yes I want to send him some really lightweight butternut for a Sterling HH body!!

Save them butternuts, Bradley!

BP is going to say no and besides what Brad says, can anyone else think of some other reasons why not?

 

[dhuffguitars]

They could have a mishap while making the neck and have to scrap the "special" piece of wood. Then the customer would be pissed and go on all the message boards they could find saying how crappy their service is on trying to replace the "special" board.

 

[silverburst]

And doesn't wood have to be properly aged, and stuff?

 

[Colin]

imagine how expensive that would be? how would you keep track of the neck blank?

 

[maddog]

honestly, find a custom luthier to make you something special.

Is maple a good body wood?

the honestly asking,

 

[Kirby]

If something would happen to the neck after it was built and you were using it, it would get rather sticky who would be responsible for repairing the neck. The liability issues would be most prohibitive in my opinion. Not saying that you would hold EB accountable, but I am sure there are those out there that would.

The lawyers for EB I imagine would want the neck to come from their stock so that they could guarantee their work or provide customer service for the neck.

Maybe it would be different long ago, but our society wants to sue at the drop of a hat unfortunately eliminating options that existed in the past.

 

[roballanson]

Actually it raises an interesting point for me. I have been looking at wood policy in whisky and bourbon barrel making (aging and drying)....
So what happens to the wood for basses, I have never known. Is it dryed for a while? BP?

 

[strummer]

Is maple a good body wood?

the honestly asking,

In my opinion, generally no. As a top, fine, but I haven't managed to make a maple body I was happy with sound wise yet, and I've tried it twice. Soft maple, otoh, works fine but alder is nicer...

 

[silverburst]

Is maple a good body wood?

I have a George Lynch ESP Kamikaze with a mpale body and it sounds killer. If you like George Lynch's sound.

 

[Big Poppa]

Ok I always like to try to figure out how to do something rather than figure out how not to. I also don't hire lawyers that tell me why I cant do something, I like them to protect me while I'm doing whatever it is that I seek an opinion on.

Having said that just about all of those reasons are accurate. I need to be in control of my supply chain if Im going to be responsible for it. Also it sets a precedent that would be really difficult to manage.

guess it's like asking your favorite auto manufacturer to use your roll of leather for the interior...If they are one off coachbuilders then its possible.

THe number one reason is it would clog the entire manufacturing process and we have a guy in the factory named Murphy....he is the guy who loads the wrong program into the cnc when in milling, the guy who over sands in sanding, the guy who paints the body vintage sunburst instead of tobacco burst in painting, he is really good at buffing through in buffing and is the guy who sets the finished body his keyring in set up. WHen hes in shipping he usually ships to the worng customer. YOu dont remember him at the open house.....his last name is Law. Mr Murphy Law.
Because of Mr Murphy and all of his cousins that work for us when we have to make a one off for protootyping or for an artist we ALWAYS make two and sometimes murphy figures how to screw up both.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Heh. I guess that sums it up. Thanks, BP. You should just fire Murphy and save yourself the trouble. It sounds to me like he'd thrive at the DMV, or something.

And, to the original poster, multiply your request by 5,000 and you'll see why they can't use everyone's special wood.

If I were you, I'd take the neck blank to a custom luthier and have him make you a replacement neck for your Stingray. But, once you get it from the EB, I don't think you'll want to do that.

 

[Moondog]

THe number one reason is it would clog the entire manufacturing process and we have a guy in the factory named Murphy....he is the guy who loads the wrong program into the cnc when in milling, the guy who over sands in sanding, the guy who paints the body vintage sunburst instead of tobacco burst in painting, he is really good at buffing through in buffing and is the guy who sets the finished body his keyring in set up. WHen hes in shipping he usually ships to the worng customer. YOu dont remember him at the open house.....his last name is Law. Mr Murphy Law.
Because of Mr Murphy and all of his cousins that work for us when we have to make a one off for protootyping or for an artist we ALWAYS make two and sometimes murphy figures how to screw up both.

BP, next time I'm on the west coast I'll offer my
services as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt . . .
Mr Murphy will be out of a job

 

[Big Poppa]

Are your really a lean six sigma guy? WE have been busting our asses to find one

 

[bovinehost]

Call the general's daughter!

She's worried about the French anyway.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Are your really a lean six sigma guy? WE have been busting our asses to find one

I've been working on 2 six sigma projects for the last couple of months. NOT FUN!

 

[Moondog]

Are your really a lean six sigma guy? WE have been busting our asses to find one

Yes BP, I'm a BB in the Pharma industry...waste/scrap reduction, leaning
and optimizing processes, and mistake-proofing is a big part of my job.

Are you looking for a full time continuous improvement type position
or advisor/consult? I know one of the best master black belts in the
LSS academy if you're interested . . he's in Phoenix

 

[Big Poppa]

consultant would be great pm me thanks

 

[Moondog]

consultant would be great pm me thanks

Done - best of luck!