Fender Factory Tour Video 1959 or earlier

[Steve_Karl]

Wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nswcAPvH0P8#t=40

 

[Surf n Music]

That is awesome!! CNC what?? It is called a Journeyman with skills! Wish I could go back in time!!

 

[Cagey]

That is awesome!! CNC what?? It is called a Journeyman with skills! Wish I could go back in time!!

No, you don't. Those weren't the "good ol' days", they were bad. Bad, I say. Back in the days before CNC machines, robots, SPC, QC, etc., things were so inconsistent it was ridiculous. Those guys had skills, but they were humans and subject to all sorts of daily/hourly variations that showed up in their work, but they shipped it all. The result was you had to find a heavily-stocked distributor so you could play 10 or 12 of the things to find one that you even half-assed liked. Then, the damned thing would have the wrong finish. "I wanted a red one, but the only one that played worth spit was this long-haired, green-eyed flying purple people eater!!"

Now, even the Koreans can turn out stuff that absolutely embarrasses Gibson and Fender. Not only is their labor cheaper, but all that's involved is pressing the button that says "Magically Delicious Fender Neck" and Poof! Out one comes. Other computer-controlled machines handle bodies, paint, fret dressing, etc. End result? What Gibson would call a $3500 fiddle can be sold for $400 or so, including profit for the raw materials supplier, manufacturer, shipper, and distributor.

 

[Steve_Karl]

Yep. It's a nice history lesson but I totally agree with Cagey.

 

[Surf n Music]

That is awesome!! CNC what?? It is called a Journeyman with skills! Wish I could go back in time!!

No, you don't. Those weren't the "good ol' days", they were bad. Bad, I say. Back in the days before CNC machines, robots, SPC, QC, etc., things were so inconsistent it was ridiculous. Those guys had skills, but they were humans and subject to all sorts of daily/hourly variations that showed up in their work, but they shipped it all. The result was you had to find a heavily-stocked distributor so you could play 10 or 12 of the things to find one that you even half-assed liked. Then, the damned thing would have the wrong finish. "I wanted a red one, but the only one that played worth spit was this long-haired, green-eyed flying purple people eater!!"

Now, even the Koreans can turn out stuff that absolutely embarrasses Gibson and Fender. Not only is their labor cheaper, but all that's involved is pressing the button that says "Magically Delicious Fender Neck" and Poof! Out one comes. Other computer-controlled machines handle bodies, paint, fret dressing, etc. End result? What Gibson would call a $3500 fiddle can be sold for $400 or so, including profit for the raw materials supplier, manufacturer, shipper, and distributor.

Way to take the romance out of it  :toothy11: That is true though, it was a production line and it must have been dam monotonous! I can only imagine a guy coming in bitter n hung over " you want a hundred of these... I give you a hundred". Good points

 

[Cagey]

Hehe! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wreck the romance. It's just that the reality was a LOT different.

 

[Re-Pete]

That is awesome!! CNC what?? It is called a Journeyman with skills! Wish I could go back in time!!

No, you don't. Those weren't the "good ol' days", they were bad. Bad, I say. Back in the days before CNC machines, robots, SPC, QC, etc., things were so inconsistent it was ridiculous. Those guys had skills, but they were humans and subject to all sorts of daily/hourly variations that showed up in their work, but they shipped it all. The result was you had to find a heavily-stocked distributor so you could play 10 or 12 of the things to find one that you even half-assed liked. Then, the damned thing would have the wrong finish. "I wanted a red one, but the only one that played worth spit was this long-haired, green-eyed flying purple people eater!!"

Now, even the Koreans can turn out stuff that absolutely embarrasses Gibson and Fender. Not only is their labor cheaper, but all that's involved is pressing the button that says "Magically Delicious Fender Neck" and Poof! Out one comes. Other computer-controlled machines handle bodies, paint, fret dressing, etc. End result? What Gibson would call a $3500 fiddle can be sold for $400 or so, including profit for the raw materials supplier, manufacturer, shipper, and distributor.

I'd back up Cagey's comments about the good/bad days by recalling a story from Rickenbacker's owner. The Hall family had a  distributor sales relationship with early Fender & the tales are told here of manufacturing inconsistencies...  :doh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj9LzzYEb8E