FreeNote Music's "Budget" Microtonal Guitars

Does anybody have one of these?

http://microtones.com/guitars.htm

I'm thinking of getting one - they are priced about $200 more than the
12 Tone Ultra Plus neck alone.

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
wrote:
>
> Does anybody have one of these?
>
> http://microtones.com/guitars.htm
>
> I'm thinking of getting one - they are priced about $200 more than
the
> 12 Tone Ultra Plus neck alone.
>

I don't really see how you could go wrong, unless you'd worry about
resale on such a oddity. G&L makes good guitars. No, anyone?

I'd buy one, but I'd look into the possibility of design-your-own JI
or other (eg expanded ET) tunings. I don't see why they couldn't do
what John Carruthers does and just punch in the numbers for a custom
fret-placement. BTW, Carruthers doesn't do partial or bent frets!
(last time I checked)

What *I think* I want to get, in the more "affordable" realm, is a
Takoma acoustic with a bolt-on neck fretted by Carruthers. But I
haven't pursued it for lack of funds. Considering what you'd spend
for a good acoustic, it's still quite reasonable, I believe.

Pete

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
wrote:
>
> Does anybody have one of these?

I've got one of the ultra-plus necks on a nice Fender body. Can't say
I play it a whole lot, the idea of going half-and-half JI plus 12tet
frustrates the crap out of me. There are very few complete JI scales
on it, unless you confine your scales to only two or three strings.
So often I find that I know exactly where I'd need another JI note for
a composition, but alas...there's a 12tet note there instead.

But if you just want a microtonal axe to fool around with, or don't
mind having to sometimes use 12tet notes in place of desired just
ones, go for it. It's a good deal, and it can be fun.

ambassadorbob wrote:

>--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...> >wrote:
> >
>>Does anybody have one of these?
>>
>>http://microtones.com/guitars.htm
>>
>>I'm thinking of getting one - they are priced about $200 more than >> >>
>the
> >
>>12 Tone Ultra Plus neck alone.
>>
>> >>
>
>I don't really see how you could go wrong, unless you'd worry about >resale on such a oddity. G&L makes good guitars. No, anyone?
>
>I'd buy one, but I'd look into the possibility of design-your-own JI >or other (eg expanded ET) tunings. I don't see why they couldn't do >what John Carruthers does and just punch in the numbers for a custom >fret-placement. BTW, Carruthers doesn't do partial or bent frets! >(last time I checked)
>
>What *I think* I want to get, in the more "affordable" realm, is a >Takoma acoustic with a bolt-on neck fretted by Carruthers. But I >haven't pursued it for lack of funds. Considering what you'd spend >for a good acoustic, it's still quite reasonable, I believe.
>
Who is this John Carruthers? I need a couple of necks fretted with JI frets straight across the neck.

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "ambassadorbob"
<petesfriedclams@s...> wrote:
>
> > http://microtones.com/guitars.htm

> I don't really see how you could go wrong, unless you'd worry about
> resale on such a oddity. G&L makes good guitars. No, anyone?

I got the impression the $699 guitars are not G&L.

> I'd buy one, but I'd look into the possibility of design-your-own JI
> or other (eg expanded ET) tunings. I don't see why they couldn't do
> what John Carruthers does and just punch in the numbers for a custom
> fret-placement. BTW, Carruthers doesn't do partial or bent frets!
> (last time I checked)

Perhaps it can be done, but not for $699. I have neither the time,
nor the equipment, nor the talent to do my own refretting.

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Igliashon Jones"
<igliashon@s...> wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Does anybody have one of these?
>
> I've got one of the ultra-plus necks on a nice Fender body. Can't say
> I play it a whole lot, the idea of going half-and-half JI plus 12tet
> frustrates the crap out of me. There are very few complete JI scales
> on it, unless you confine your scales to only two or three strings.
> So often I find that I know exactly where I'd need another JI note for
> a composition, but alas...there's a 12tet note there instead.
>
> But if you just want a microtonal axe to fool around with, or don't
> mind having to sometimes use 12tet notes in place of desired just
> ones, go for it. It's a good deal, and it can be fun.

Thanks for the review. I don't play guitar much these days, but a
relatively low cost axe with some access to microtones that I can use
to play with musicians restricted to 12tet has some appeal to me.

also one has to take into consideration the height of the strings which Caruthers does.
The one i did with a rankin kit i just took a fret on a small pice of board material and would tune the open string to a tuner, slide up to the pitch i wanted again against the tuner and mark it. testing the open string again and repeated the process all the way up through the tuning.
recommend using one of the middle sized strings though.
paolovalladolid wrote:

>
>
>Perhaps it can be done, but not for $699. I have neither the time,
>nor the equipment, nor the talent to do my own refretting. >
>
>
>
>
>
> >

Kraig Grady
North American Embassy of Anaphoria Island <http://anaphoria.com/>
The Wandering Medicine Show
KXLU <http://www.kxlu.com/main.html> 88.9 FM Wed 8-9 pm Los Angeles

Who is this John Carruthers? I need a couple of necks fretted with JI frets straight across the neck.

--

* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

David Beardsley wrote:

>Who is this John Carruthers? I need a couple of necks fretted with JI >frets straight across the neck.
>
Is this him? http://www.carruthersguitars.com/

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@b...> wrote:
>
> David Beardsley wrote:
>
> >Who is this John Carruthers? I need a couple of necks fretted with
JI
> >frets straight across the neck.
> >
> Is this him? http://www.carruthersguitars.com/
>
>
> --
> * David Beardsley
> * microtonal guitar
> * http://biink.com/db
>

Yeah, that's him.

Igliashon had him do a 22-et recently, and I guess it took awhile, but
he was happy with it. He shipped him his body and JC sent it back
with a new neck all set up, and everything. I think. When I ordered
mine it was more cost effective to get a whole new neck, rather than a
refret, but if you're really sweet on a neck you've got...He has/had
a 'copying lathe' (?) to make any (bolt-on) neck shape you want, and a
computerized fret-slot cutter, so he can just plug in the numbers and
voila. (I just gave him a slip of paper with a list of ratios on it.
And I think the intonation on my guitar is better than that of my DX-
7II, which Kraig helped me tweak to match his vibes and stuff).

Carruthers and Rick Turner were THE GUYS in the 70's and early 80's
(California) for vintage and custom guitar work, IIRC (but I'm sure
there were others who were just as good or better and not as well-
known). A lot of repair people used to send stuff to JC for the more
critical lutherie stuff, like neck resets on rare instruments, and
stuff. I used him a lot at one time. Not always easy to deal with,
like many, but always top-notch work. And if it's not, you've paid
enough for the right to bitch! Hee! He has another guy who supervise
(d/s) the weird jobs, like my 22. I'd go back to have mine adjusted
and stuff, or to get another one.

But Dan Stearns' guy in Boston, I think, sounded pretty cool. Dan?

He's a lot closer to you, and might be more fun to work with.

But I don't know of anyone I'd expect better work from for a custom
Fender neck in JI than Carruthers. He's done Lucy guitars and others
for a long time, now. Charles has a link, too, pretty sure.

Best of luck,

Pete

ambassadorbob wrote:

>Yeah, that's him. >
>Igliashon had him do a 22-et recently, and I guess it took awhile, but >he was happy with it. He shipped him his body and JC sent it back >with a new neck all set up, and everything. I think. When I ordered >mine it was more cost effective to get a whole new neck, rather than a >refret, but if you're really sweet on a neck you've got...He has/had >a 'copying lathe' (?) to make any (bolt-on) neck shape you want, >
I'll do what ever is cheaper. I really like the neck I have on this Strat Plus.

>and a >computerized fret-slot cutter, so he can just plug in the numbers and >voila. (I just gave him a slip of paper with a list of ratios on it. > >
Cool.

>And I think the intonation on my guitar is better than that of my DX-
>7II, which Kraig helped me tweak to match his vibes and stuff). > >
Nice.

>Carruthers and Rick Turner were THE GUYS in the 70's and early 80's >(California) for vintage and custom guitar work, IIRC (but I'm sure >there were others who were just as good or better and not as well-
>known). A lot of repair people used to send stuff to JC for the more >critical lutherie stuff, like neck resets on rare instruments, and >stuff. I used him a lot at one time. Not always easy to deal with, >like many, but always top-notch work. And if it's not, you've paid >enough for the right to bitch! Hee! He has another guy who supervise
>(d/s) the weird jobs, like my 22. I'd go back to have mine adjusted >and stuff, or to get another one.
> >
Once I Googled him, I found an interview.

>But Dan Stearns' guy in Boston, I think, sounded pretty cool. Dan?
>
>He's a lot closer to you, and might be more fun to work with.
> >
I don't mind shipping a guitar out to California.

>But I don't know of anyone I'd expect better work from for a custom >Fender neck in JI than Carruthers. He's done Lucy guitars and others >for a long time, now. Charles has a link, too, pretty sure.
>
>Best of luck,
>
>Pete >
Thanks!

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

David Beardsley wrote:

>>and a >>computerized fret-slot cutter, so he can just plug in the numbers and >>voila. (I just gave him a slip of paper with a list of ratios on it. >> >>
>> >>
>Cool.
> >
This is a big plus, I don't have to explain what I need and where I'm coming from.

How long did it take for him to turn the work around?

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@b...> wrote:
>
> This is a big plus, I don't have to explain what I need and where
I'm
> coming from.
>
> How long did it take for him to turn the work around?
>
> --
> * David Beardsley
> * microtonal guitar
> * http://biink.com/db
>

Neil and Igliashon would know better, with shipping and all.

I was living in LA at the time, so it didn't take very long. Like 2
weeks.

He always seemed very efficient in that regard, to me. Never hung me
up.

These probably take a bit longer, 'cause they figure you won't need it
for that Christina Aguilera audition...and they REALLY don't wanna
have to do it over! ;-)

P

ambassadorbob wrote:

>Neil and Igliashon would know better, with shipping and all.
> >

Please do tell guys.

>I was living in LA at the time, so it didn't take very long. Like 2 >weeks.
>
That's an incredible turn around time!

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "ambassadorbob"
<petesfriedclams@s...> wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Does anybody have one of these?
> >
> > http://microtones.com/guitars.htm
> >
> > I'm thinking of getting one - they are priced about $200 more than
> the
> > 12 Tone Ultra Plus neck alone.
> >
>
> I don't really see how you could go wrong, unless you'd worry about
> resale on such a oddity. G&L makes good guitars. No, anyone?

The reason these are cheap is because they're *not* G&Ls.

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Igliashon Jones"
> <igliashon@s...> wrote:
> >
> > --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid"
<phv40@h...>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Does anybody have one of these?
> >
> > I've got one of the ultra-plus necks on a nice Fender body.
Can't say
> > I play it a whole lot, the idea of going half-and-half JI plus
12tet
> > frustrates the crap out of me. There are very few complete JI
scales
> > on it, unless you confine your scales to only two or three
strings.
> > So often I find that I know exactly where I'd need another JI
note for
> > a composition, but alas...there's a 12tet note there instead.
> >
> > But if you just want a microtonal axe to fool around with, or
don't
> > mind having to sometimes use 12tet notes in place of desired just
> > ones, go for it. It's a good deal, and it can be fun.
>
> Thanks for the review. I don't play guitar much these days, but a
> relatively low cost axe with some access to microtones that I can
use
> to play with musicians restricted to 12tet has some appeal to me.

I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my new paper -
- it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned intervals
like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly sacrificing the
pure intervals.

Paul Erlich wrote:

>I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my new paper -
>- it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned intervals >like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly sacrificing the >pure intervals.
>
Which Catler tuning?

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@b...> wrote:
>
> Paul Erlich wrote:
>
> >I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my new
paper -
> >- it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned
intervals
> >like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly sacrificing the
> >pure intervals.
> >
> Which Catler tuning?

The paper contains a "TOP Catler", but you'd probably prefer the Kees
variant if you want an unstretched 12-equal in there.

Paul Erlich wrote:

>--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@b...> wrote:
> >
>>Paul Erlich wrote:
>>
>> >>
>>>I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my new >>> >>>
>paper -
> >
>>>- it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned >>> >>>
>intervals > >
>>>like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly sacrificing the >>>pure intervals.
>>>
>>> >>>
>>Which Catler tuning?
>> >>
>
>The paper contains a "TOP Catler", but you'd probably prefer the Kees >variant if you want an unstretched 12-equal in there.
> >
What is a TOP Catler? What is a Kees variant?

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...> wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
> wrote:
> >
>
> > Thanks for the review. I don't play guitar much these days, but a
> > relatively low cost axe with some access to microtones that I can
> use
> > to play with musicians restricted to 12tet has some appeal to me.
>
> I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my new paper -
> - it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned intervals
> like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly sacrificing the
> pure intervals.

Paul,
Is this option available on the $699 guitars? The website doesn't
mention any alternative to the 12-Tone Ultra Plus tuning. I take it
your papers are online somewhere? This is a serious question - I
mostly just skim the tuning list and may have missed the link to your
paper(s), and you know how awful Yahoo Groups' search function is.

Charles,
Thanks for the link. I'll try inquiring about the replaceable
fretboard system that is referenced in your link.

Paolo

David Beardsley wrote:

>Paul Erlich wrote:
>
>>>The paper contains a "TOP Catler", but you'd probably prefer the Kees >>>variant if you want an unstretched 12-equal in there.
>>>
>>> >>>
>>>What is a TOP Catler? What is a Kees variant?
>>>
>>> >>>
I ask because I only know about a few.

1. his original JI tuning on his white Strat clone.
2. the 2nd JI tuning on his G&L. I own the prototype.
3. the tuning in his book
4. 12 tone plus temperament
5. 12 tone ultra plus temperament

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@b...>
wrote:
>
> David Beardsley wrote:
>
> >Paul Erlich wrote:
> >
> >>>The paper contains a "TOP Catler", but you'd probably prefer the
Kees
> >>>variant if you want an unstretched 12-equal in there.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>What is a TOP Catler? What is a Kees variant?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> I ask because I only know about a few.
>
> 1. his original JI tuning on his white Strat clone.
> 2. the 2nd JI tuning on his G&L. I own the prototype.
> 3. the tuning in his book
> 4. 12 tone plus temperament

This one (#4) is what I took as the basis for the name "Catler" in my
paper. TOP is a general method for optimizing temperaments, where the
octaves may be tempered in general. Kees is similar but keeps pure
octaves. Tuning-math stuff.

> 5. 12 tone ultra plus temperament
>
> --
> * David Beardsley
> * microtonal guitar
> * http://biink.com/db
>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...>
wrote:
> >
> > --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid"
<phv40@h...>
> > wrote:
> > >
> >
> > > Thanks for the review. I don't play guitar much these days,
but a
> > > relatively low cost axe with some access to microtones that I
can
> > use
> > > to play with musicians restricted to 12tet has some appeal to
me.
> >
> > I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my new
paper -
> > - it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned
intervals
> > like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly sacrificing
the
> > pure intervals.
>
> Paul,
> Is this option available on the $699 guitars?

No, you'd probably need Carruthers or someone to do it for you.

> The website doesn't
> mention any alternative to the 12-Tone Ultra Plus tuning. I take it
> your papers are online somewhere?

Most of them are, but this is one I've been snail-mailing out.
Provide me with your snail-mail address, and you'll get a copy.

Paul Erlich wrote:

>--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@b...> >wrote:
> >
>>David Beardsley wrote:
>>
>> >>
>>>Paul Erlich wrote:
>>>
>>> >>>
>>>>>The paper contains a "TOP Catler", but you'd probably prefer the >>>>> >>>>>
>Kees > >
>>>>>variant if you want an unstretched 12-equal in there.
>>>>>
>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>>What is a TOP Catler? What is a Kees variant?
>>>>>
>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>> >>>>>
>>I ask because I only know about a few.
>>
>>1. his original JI tuning on his white Strat clone.
>>2. the 2nd JI tuning on his G&L. I own the prototype.
>>3. the tuning in his book
>>4. 12 tone plus temperament
>> >>
>
>This one (#4) is what I took as the basis for the name "Catler" in my >paper. TOP is a general method for optimizing temperaments, where the >octaves may be tempered in general. Kees is similar but keeps pure >octaves. Tuning-math stuff.
>

Thanks.

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...> wrote:
> > I don't really see how you could go wrong, unless you'd worry
about
> > resale on such a oddity. G&L makes good guitars. No, anyone?
>
> The reason these are cheap is because they're *not* G&Ls.
>

Hi Paul,

What are they?

Pete

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...>
> > > I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my new
> paper -
> > > - it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned
> intervals
> > > like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly sacrificing
> the
> > > pure intervals.
> >
> > Paul,
> > Is this option available on the $699 guitars?
>
> No, you'd probably need Carruthers or someone to do it for you.

I got the impression from your reply to David that the 12-tone ultra
plus tuning is in fact the Catler tuning, so I'm a bit confused.

Anyway, I'm faced with a $1000 car maintenance bill as of today, so
it'll be a while before I can further investigate the relative merits
of getting a stock budget 12-Tone Ultra Plus guitar vs. getting a
reasonable quality under-$600 guitar and having a luthier install the
Rankin system.

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "ambassadorbob"
<petesfriedclams@s...> wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...>
wrote:
> > > I don't really see how you could go wrong, unless you'd worry
> about
> > > resale on such a oddity. G&L makes good guitars. No, anyone?
> >
> > The reason these are cheap is because they're *not* G&Ls.
> >
>
> Hi Paul,
>
> What are they?
>
> Pete

The $699 guitars are Freenote guitars -- look again at the link you
provided:

http://microtones.com/guitars.htm

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...>
> > > > I would recommend something like the "Catler" tuning in my
new
> > paper -
> > > > - it makes some significant improvements on the badly tuned
> > intervals
> > > > like 7:5 on the 12-plus guitars while only slightly
sacrificing
> > the
> > > > pure intervals.
> > >
> > > Paul,
> > > Is this option available on the $699 guitars?
> >
> > No, you'd probably need Carruthers or someone to do it for you.
>
> I got the impression from your reply to David that the 12-tone ultra
> plus tuning is in fact the Catler tuning, so I'm a bit confused.

David mentioned 5 Catler tunings, including 12-tone ultra plus which
was #5 on his list. I replied that my paper had specifically proposed
a *variant* of #4 on his list -- the variation being what I described
in the quote at the top of this message. I attached the name "TOP
Catler" to this system in my paper for lack of anything better -- the
fourth Catler system David mentioned seemed to be the only previous
appearance of this scheme (in structure, not in exact tuning). Don't
know if that clears up your confusion.

> Anyway, I'm faced with a $1000 car maintenance bill as of today, so
> it'll be a while before I can further investigate the relative
merits
> of getting a stock budget 12-Tone Ultra Plus guitar vs. getting a
> reasonable quality under-$600 guitar and having a luthier install
the
> Rankin system.

There may be other, "in-between" options you should consider, such as
working with Carruthers -- note that a Rankin system is best for
classical guitars and can significantly reduce sustain on other types
of guitars.

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...> wrote:
>
> The $699 guitars are Freenote guitars -- look again at the link you
> provided:
>
> http://microtones.com/guitars.htm
>

I didn't provide it, I repeated it.

Who builds the Freenotes? Who frets the G&L's for them?

Thanks,

Pete

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...> wrote:

> David mentioned 5 Catler tunings, including 12-tone ultra plus which
> was #5 on his list. I replied that my paper had specifically proposed
> a *variant* of #4 on his list -- the variation being what I described
> in the quote at the top of this message. I attached the name "TOP
> Catler" to this system in my paper for lack of anything better -- the
> fourth Catler system David mentioned seemed to be the only previous
> appearance of this scheme (in structure, not in exact tuning). Don't
> know if that clears up your confusion.

It does. Much appreciated. If I go the budget Freenote route, the
best course of action looks to be to try the default tuning first,
then drop off the guitar at a respected local luthier/repair shop for
adjustment if/when I become dissatisfied with the tuning.

> working with Carruthers -- note that a Rankin system is best for
> classical guitars and can significantly reduce sustain on other types
> of guitars.

That explains a lot as to why the Rankin system does not appear to be
in wide use. Thanks for this also.

Paolo

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "ambassadorbob"
<petesfriedclams@s...> wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...> wrote:
> >
> > The $699 guitars are Freenote guitars -- look again at the link you
> > provided:
> >
> > http://microtones.com/guitars.htm
> >
>
> I didn't provide it, I repeated it.
>
> Who builds the Freenotes? Who frets the G&L's for them?

My guess is that the $699 guitars are assembled in a Korean factory.
The "real" G&L's being made in the US thus have a resultant higher
cost. This is based on my limited knowledge of where other makers
such as Brian Moore have their budget guitar lines manufactured.

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "paolovalladolid" <phv40@h...>
wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "ambassadorbob"
> <petesfriedclams@s...> wrote:
> >
> > --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...>
wrote:
> > >
> > > The $699 guitars are Freenote guitars -- look again at the link
you
> > > provided:
> > >
> > > http://microtones.com/guitars.htm
> > >
> >
> > I didn't provide it, I repeated it.
> >
> > Who builds the Freenotes? Who frets the G&L's for them?
>
> My guess is that the $699 guitars are assembled in a Korean factory.

Look again at the site. It says the necks are made by Freenote in the
USA, and bodies are imported. Since Freenote is in the US, it seems
most likely that the foreign (perhaps Korean) bodies are first
brought to the US and then the US (but not G&L) necks are bolted on
(in the US).

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Erlich" <paul@s...> wrote:
>
> > >
> > > Who builds the Freenotes? Who frets the G&L's for them?
> >
> > My guess is that the $699 guitars are assembled in a Korean
factory.
>
> Look again at the site. It says the necks are made by Freenote in
the
> USA, and bodies are imported. Since Freenote is in the US, it seems
> most likely that the foreign (perhaps Korean) bodies are first
> brought to the US and then the US (but not G&L) necks are bolted on
> (in the US).
>

Sorry to admit I'm not that interested, yet...but...

Then there are the questions:

Are they alder? Poplar? Plywood?

If they're tooled up to make necks, it wouldn't be a great leap to
throw together some bodies, but it does take some trouble, especially
in painting. So I assume they contract out for finished necks, too.
With blank fingerboards. For a finished maple fingerboard they could
just brush on some polyurethane (or whatever) and then clean it off of
the frets. They'd be thrilled if you asked for rosewood or
ebony 'board, 'cause they wouldn't have to coat it with a finish.

I got the impression that G&L ships them the whole thing in pieces
(more or less), with blank fingerboards, and they cut the fret slots,
install the frets, put 'em together, and set 'em up.

It was interesting to me to note that they do not seem to be listed in
G&L's available options, so there is no express or implied endorsement
of their work by the factory. Is that fairly accurate?

Thanks,

P

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