I think you could probably make an argument that cutting out holes in the fingerboard to put in blocks is more likely to create structural integrity problems and dead spots. If it looks the same AND it's easier to accomplish a better sounding and longer lasting instrument for less money, fender (and everyone else) shouldn't give a damn if a few elitists find it unsavory!
grygrx wrote:I think you could probably make an argument that cutting out holes in the fingerboard to put in blocks is more likely to create structural integrity problems and dead spots
grygrx wrote:I think you could probably make an argument that cutting out holes in the fingerboard to put in blocks is more likely to create structural integrity problems and dead spots
grygrx wrote:I think you could probably make an argument that cutting out holes in the fingerboard to put in blocks is more likely to create structural integrity problems and dead spots. If it looks the same AND it's easier to accomplish a better sounding and longer lasting instrument for less money, fender (and everyone else) shouldn't give a damn if a few elitists find it unsavory!
how come they still do it on their more expensive models then? if blocking created those problems, and painting them on had the advantages you mention why doesn't everyone do it?
i've got a 42 year old block inlaid fender, so i reckon i have some insight to make comparisons with.
I've always wondered the same thing, hactually; it's not going to make the neck any stronger, now, is it? And I've played cheaper guitars where you can feel a slight snag on the edge of the inlay when you bend a string.
Plus I think grygrx may be one of the best logins ever.
I'm not saying that it CAN'T be done well, it just adds to the price/time/skill factor needed to produce an instrument. It's doesn't really add anything except piece of mind that it's inlay-ed rather than painted, people like the fancy (I'm not different). I guess I don't know what you guys expect from a 300$ instrument.
grygrx wrote:I guess I don't know what you guys expect from a 300$ instrument.
We expect what we see.
If I see blocks then I want blocks, not painted rectangles. If blocks are too costly then make them dots, don't paint them on.
Blah! Not willing to pay for craftsmanship, but want the craftsmanship. Despite the fact it has no impact on the ability of the tool to do it's job. Got IT!
What? I am willing to pay for the craftsmanship. I said if the cost is too high for it to be practical then make them dots.
If we're arguing about guitars as tools then this discussion is moot, the dots on the side of the neck work perfectly well enough for you to know where you are. Get rid of dots altogether.
Get rid of that silly headstock while you're at it, what a waste of wood.
Please lavish me with more sarcastic exclamation marks and emoticons.
Uhh yeah, that was just lazy.
Apologies, I'm over tired.
No worries, I wasn't really trying to prove a point (though it may have come off otherwise).
I was hoping to grasp why some people are so visceral about the inlay vs block thing, when in many cases it's not possible to tell the difference unless you saw the neck in half.
