Official Luthiers Forum!

Where do you look first when checking the build quality of a guitar? Binding? Neck joint? Frets? Peghead?

I always look at the binding/purfling in the waist to check for craftsmanship, since I suck pretty bad in getting that area right.

How about you guys?

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Thank You and Best To All

I think you are right that you tend to look at the things you have difficulty with. Purfling joints are always something I check. The neck joint and frets are certainly checked. I also check around the binding, rosette and inlays to see how much filler was used. I do this when looking at custom built as well as factory instruments. As I started to do this I found that many high-end factory guitars have these problems as well. Most of these things the average player would never notice, but I know if I can find these problems on my guitars another builder will be able to as well. So I try to be really picky about the little things.

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Well, I listen first. Then I look 'er over, peek into the soundhole, rosette details, tight neck joint, presense/absense/quality of mitred purflings, fretwork, finish...just sort of give it an overall look-over.

I'm with MAttia on this one!
absense or presence of mitred purflings and I look most of the time inside the soundhole! You can tell a lot about the guitar by the quality of the glue joints,glue clean up, kerfing,etc....
If it looks bad inside the box, image the place you can't really see.....

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I look at the insides first too. I always have a tooth mirror and a pocket lamp that allows me to give a look where the builder does not think the customer may watch.
Luigi

   Binding and purfling, rosette... quality of finish/use of filler... frets and then inside the box...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I first look at the guitar as a whole to see if it pleases my eyes and then i'll play it to check how she sounds, if she sounds good, i'll check more thoroughly, if the sound is so/so, i'll make a quick check all around but still will play with it!

I start with the feel of the neck and frets, 'cause that's where, as a player, I'll have the most contact with the instrument throughout its (or my) life. That evaluation goes quickly--it's pretty much a "go/no-go" situation. Then I'll check the setup: how well did the builder do the nut & saddle? If that's good, then I'll look at the overall workmanship--tight joints, smooth surfaces, minimal glue squeezeout, well-shaped and sanded braces, etc, and whether it looks like it will all hold together for the long run. Finally, I'll listen to the sound. I expect to make some compromises to the above in lower priced instruments.

Lots of times being a "screw-checker" gets old to me, cause I can find
flaws in any guitar I've ever picked up mine included. I go for the tone,
and playability. If they are both there I forget about any little not right
mitres, or tiny finish marks, or slightly fuzzy lines, or binding thickness
uniformity, ect... Not to say I don't do my best to get them all as perfect
as possible, but really as long as the guitar is solidly built, I don't care as
much about the little crap. A great luthier and friend told me once that
"perfection is boring, but the mark of human hands is inspiring".

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

[QUOTE=John Mayes] Lots of times being a "screw-checker" gets old to me, cause I can find
flaws in any guitar I've ever picked up mine included. I go for the tone,
and playability. If they are both there I forget about any little not right
mitres, or tiny finish marks, or slightly fuzzy lines, or binding thickness
uniformity, ect... Not to say I don't do my best to get them all as perfect
as possible, but really as long as the guitar is solidly built, I don't care as
much about the little crap. A great luthier and friend told me once that
"perfection is boring, but the mark of human hands is inspiring". [/QUOTE]

Yeah, what John said...

Listen, Listen, Listen....
That imperfect mitered joint may belong to the best sounding instrument you've NEVER heard!
Guess why I say this!

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

[QUOTE=1bordeaux] Listen, Listen, Listen....
That imperfect mitered joint may belong to the best sounding instrument you've NEVER heard!
Guess why I say this![/QUOTE]


I can't stand it any longer----WHY-WHY?