Fret leveling done at EB/MM factory?

[Goofball Jones]

Having a discussion with someone about fret leveling and crowning of basses and if and where it's preformed.

I remember getting my Stingray and it being fine right out of the box....had my luthier re-crown the fret edges due to them every-so-slightly poking out of the sides due the the very dry weather we had this winter and my humidifier breaking. It got pretty dry in here .

Anyway, my friend was saying that usually basses under $2500 bucks or so usually don't get fret-leveled at the factory and it's mainly a machine that does the fretwork. He said manufacturing cost was a factor and to have someone come in and finish up the frets would cut into that. Which is why companies such as Lakland and Sadowsky and others stand out in playability (and price) due to the finishing.

So, the question is, DOES EB/MM do final fret-leveling at the factory before being shipped out. As I said, I didn't have any problems with my SR and it was perfect when I bought it...set up very nicely right out of the box.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

It's done at the factory by craftsmen:

 

[Sonnyonbass]

I think your friend talks poo poo.


And I had a Lakland (55-94) that had decent fretwork. But by no means excellent.
My SR5's on the other hand....

 

[bovinehost]

I think your friend talks poo poo.

Well, as far as EBMM goes, he is indeed talking poo-poo, but it gives us the opportunity to correct some wrongheaded beliefs.

 

[Goofball Jones]

Thanks guys...I thought so.

Also, to be sure, my friend never said anything about EB/MM per-se...was talking in general. He was talking in general below a certain price point etc etc. He's a real nice guy, but he wasn't sure about EB/MM and said he'd be surprised if you DID do it at the factory because he's just going off his experience with other mass producers of instruments and the problems he's seen with the frets.

I was just making sure EB/MM DID in fact do fret finishing there at the factory. I knew they had to since mine was set up so nicely when I got it.

 

[Musicman Nut]

Having a discussion with someone about fret leveling and crowning of basses and if and where it's preformed.

I remember getting my Stingray and it being fine right out of the box....had my luthier re-crown the fret edges due to them every-so-slightly poking out of the sides due the the very dry weather we had this winter and my humidifier breaking. It got pretty dry in here .

Anyway, my friend was saying that usually basses under $2500 bucks or so usually don't get fret-leveled at the factory and it's mainly a machine that does the fretwork. He said manufacturing cost was a factor and to have someone come in and finish up the frets would cut into that. Which is why companies such as Lakland and Sadowsky and others stand out in playability (and price) due to the finishing.

So, the question is, DOES EB/MM do final fret-leveling at the factory before being shipped out. As I said, I didn't have any problems with my SR and it was perfect when I bought it...set up very nicely right out of the box.

Well first, get your friend off the Crack he's smoking because he does not have a clue to what he's talking about, Second, I have 200 of these basses with EVERYONE PERFECT FRET WORK, PERFECT CROWNS, all done right there in the EB factory, Infact
One of the few Bass Companies that spend as much time on the fret work as they do on the whole bass.
Hope your friend Gets Help.

 

[Goofball Jones]

Well first, get your friend off the Crack he's smoking because he does not have a clue to what he's talking about, Second, I have 200 of these basses with EVERYONE PERFECT FRET WORK, PERFECT CROWNS, all done right there in the EB factory, Infact
One of the few Bass Companies that spend as much time on the fret work as they do on the whole bass.
Hope your friend Gets Help.

Lol, again...he didn't say EB/MM specifically...was just saying in general under a price point. He honestly didn't know, and is now pleasantly surprised that EB/MM DOES do fret finishing.

So calm down and put away your weapons....

 

[RobertB]

It's done at the factory by craftsmen:

That's amazing, when you consider how many are produced on a yearly, monthly & daily basis. Approximately how many employees are there at EBMM who are hands on with the construction of the instruments & what would you say the average monthly number produced is?

 

[Big Poppa]

No that is just how passionate the loyalists can be. There is just soooooooo much misinformation.

WE actually make our own bodies and necks from scratch unlike some of the guys you mention.

We spend gobs of time in set up as that is the proper thing to do....

Anyone seen a photo of Laklands Milling Machines or finishing dept?

SOme of the basses you speak of have higher retail prices because since they dont actually make the stuff there is an additional layer of expense..... Trust me, it is easier if you just have to assemble and set up the stuff.....

 

[bovinehost]

These guys do get excited, don't they?

 

[bovinehost]

Anyone seen a photo of Laklands Milling Machines or finishing dept?

You're a very naughty boy.

 

[Goofball Jones]

No that is just how passionate the loyalists can be. There is just soooooooo much misinformation.

WE actually make our own bodies and necks from scratch unlike some of the guys you mention.

We spend gobs of time in set up as that is the proper thing to do....

Anyone seen a photo of Laklands Milling Machines or finishing dept?

SOme of the basses you speak of have higher retail prices because since they dont actually make the stuff there is an additional layer of expense..... Trust me, it is easier if you just have to assemble and set up the stuff.....

I actually toured their factory last summer when I was deciding on what my bass was going to get. They're super nice guys btw.

But as you can see, I went with my Stingray HS. So that tells you something right there.

 

[bovinehost]

I actually toured their factory last summer when I was deciding on what my bass was going to get.

Did you see the paint booths? The wood shop?

Sorry, but if I don't ask you, BP will!

 

[Goofball Jones]

Did you see the paint booths? The wood shop?

Sorry, but if I don't ask you, BP will!

Lol, no, I did not. It was a wild time. They had this party/Open house there. So it was kind of confusion. But we didn't actually see anything being built while there. Just set-ups and things like that. It was fun though. Had some hot-dogs and heard some live music etc etc.

But no, didn't see any milling machines or paint booths or anything like that.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I've had quite a few basses in my short time in the bass world and I can honestly say every one of my EBMM's were perfect out of the box. I wouldn't be surprised if they grew their own trees.

 

[Big Poppa]

Here is a photo of the milling dept

















here is a picture of the paint dept


















there you have it

 

[oli@bass]

Why is it getting so hot in here, just because of a innocent question?

 

[bovinehost]

The heat is down now - we're just having fun at this point.

 

[DTG]

my Bongo is perfect..............its like an infection........it get in on you...........then you just dont want to play anything else......bongo bongo bongo..........just perfect



bongo bongo bongo bongo bongo.........

 

[tkarter]

The fret ends can stick out? Maybe that one is to play in the dark with.


tk