CNC: Is it purely a blessing?

[kiramdear]

Has it revolutionized the way RIC makes instruments? Or is it just a new tool to be taken in stride? I'm just curious because it seems too marvelous to be able to push a button and in a few minutes have your body parts carved out. But since few things in life are as marvelous as they seem, I wonder what would be the down side, if any, of working with the new technology.

I'm blonde and not at all familiar with the gizmo, so feel free to explain in simple terms.

[electrofaro]

I've only seen such machines make wooden furniture parts. It doesn't have to be quicker than human hand work, but on forms like a guitar body which are quite simple really, it speeds up the process quite a bit. Less error and parts fit together much better with less correction work to be done. Result is a product that's as much possible the same as the one produced a year ago on the same machine, and one being produced a year after.

[egosheep]

The downside in my mind is moving away from the quirks and personality inherent in more "hand made" instruments. Like for instance, the way horns got duller from years of using the same worn body template. Now every 330 has a sharp-as-a-tack horn. I just don't like the look of them. From one point of view, the dulling horn is an error that CNC is fixing by making everything consistent. I'm old-fashioned, I like things the way they used to be: Huge dished out ramps, cross braces, thinner tops, etc etc etc.

[electrofaro]

To quote someone I know: would you buy a car in the condition you just described?

I doubt it...

[wim]

Every piece of wood is unique.
Even if your CNC machines are set to reproduce, for example, 'the best rick ever' it's not guaranteed they'l all be as good as the original.
Off course, pricetags will be lower and build quality much more consistent.
Since ricks don't have fine tuned, hand carved, arched tops and the likes, it's not that big of a deal.
Thinner tops should be possible with CNC, bracings would add to the price though.

[RIC_FACTORY]

It should be pointed out that the majority of the work performed on every Rickenbacker is still done by hand. The CNC machines cut out the shapes and turn rough blanks of wood into recognizable guitar parts that are then sanded, bound, assembled, and sanded again to make a guitar. That's just the woodshop dept. by the way. Beyond that, EVERYTHING is done by hand, whereas many companies now use robots to paint, sand, and buff their guitars.

As far as the changes to the "horns" or scoops on some models, that is by design. I happen to prefer the current look of those instruments, but of course, that is all subjective (like the 12 string headstocks, full-width inlays, etc.)

One topic that should not be overlooked in regard to CNC manufacturing is safety. I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that our workers can load parts in a machine, close the doors, and let it do the dangerous work that used to have the potential to cause serious injury in days past.

[doctorwho]

... One topic that should not be overlooked in regard to CNC manufacturing is safety. I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that our workers can load parts in a machine, close the doors, and let it do the dangerous work that used to have the potential to cause serious injury in days past.

Excellent point, Ben. Some may not be aware that on-job injuries are not only bad for the employee, but also for the employer in the added paperwork (reporting, etc.) and costs (more injuries = higher insurance rates etc.). Any improvement in procedures that reduces the risk of on-job injury is a plus.

[jwilli]

+1, Ben.

However.....I have to say that I do like the "rounder" shape of the horns on the 360/12C63 vs. the sharper horns of the 381V69 & 330.

[johnnysain]

There is a certain appeal and charm to things made completely by hand, especially musical insruments. Perhaps it has nothing to do with quality and things that really matter......Today, an artist can do previously unimaginable and incredible art on a computer,.....but are there any Rembrandt's or DaVinci's out there doing them?.....(the same goes with music and technology).

[aceonbass]

As far as the changes to the "horns" or scoops on some models, that is by design.

Speaking of which, who's responsible for the new rounder upper horns on the 620 & 660 guitars? I don't care for the way it looks and am really surprised that the new pattern would be applied to the 660. Could it be the same person responsible for redesigning the 4003 guard in '97, now known as the "double hump" guard?

[doctorwho]

... now known as the "double hump" guard?

Is that "dromedary" ... or "Bactrian"? ...

[aceonbass]

That would be a Hybrid camel.....

[Clint]

The downside in my mind is moving away from the quirks and personality inherent in more "hand made" instruments.

True, but what some may call quirks and personality, others may call horrible mistakes.

[RIC_FACTORY]

Dane: Every 600 Series body is cut using the same geometry and tooling, to reduce time wasting changeovers. The new shape was approved by all of us, the CNC programmers do not have the sole discretion to alter model geometry. I can't tell you about the origin of your so-called "double hump" pickguard as that was well before my time here and whoever made it is long gone.

Kira: In response to your question... CNC machines have virtually no downside, but the catch is you have to have someone that can program them. You can't just throw a chunk of wood in the machine and expect it to spit out a guitar body. Programming requires great attention to detail and experience in using CAD programs to create geometry and toolpaths. It also means you have to perform test runs and fine tune production procedures for machine operators. The initial work is pretty intense, but once everything is done and tested, it is extremely safe and efficient. It has been my experience that the only folks that disapprove of CNC technology are the ones that DON'T actually have machines, but if they finally get one, guess what?

[bitzerguy]

The initial work is pretty intense, but once everything is done and tested, it is extremely safe and efficient. It has been my experience that the only folks that disapprove of CNC technology are the ones that DON'T actually have machines, but if they finally get one, guess what?

This is a common experience for me as well. I have heard an argument about there being "less artistry and personality" in CNC assisted guitars, which abruptly became "there is more consistency, reliability and better tone" when he got his CNC.

I am blown away by your comment, Ben, about the safety of your employees being improved as being one of the most important aspects of the CNC addition. That kind of perspective is very rare today, and speaks volumes about the success of the company. I have much more respect for RIC now than I did yesterday, and I had a considerable ton of respect for the company already. I, for one, am hugely impressed.