Real Zemaitis - crappy routing?

[The_Nuge]

First off, this post isn't meant to offend anyone - so please don't be offended!

I've always been a bit fascinated by Zemaitis guitars, and have always imagined them to be of extremely high quality. I never been in close contact with a real one, so I was a bit shocked when I saw these pics:
1988 A.C. Zemaitis Hand Made Set Neck Guitar & Case - Certified Genuine | eBay

Please check out the pics of the control cavity and the wiring. Were they really "routed" with a chisel or screwdriver, or has someone been messing with this? The rest of the guitar looks nice, but I'm surprised Mr. Zemaitis didn't put a little more effort into the bits that aren't immediately visible...

Hopefully some owners of the real deal will reply!

Cheers

Es

 

[DrBGood]

It says under the control cavity image that it was hand routed.

What never cease to amaze me is the misalignment of the tuners on tons of guitars.

 

[Jumping@shadows]

Yup they're famously sloppy- the acoustics especially! I've played a number and they were really nothing special

 

[AngryHatter]

Perfection comes from machines, not hand made.
WTF are you thinking?

That's mojo. Not razor blade cuts in the finish, but real, honest to God hand made touches.

I have a set of goblets that was hand made in Italy. One leans to the side. A flaw?
No, it is proof of hand work.

You guys need something real to worry about.

 

[CF Owens]

I've seen a few real Zs and there is a clear handmade character to them.

Some folks might be turned off by that but I guess those folks just don't get it. Old Fenders and even to a degree Gibsons have a lot of the same "character" to them!!

 

[mertzy]

Although I never played one, it spoke volumes to me when I read that Rich Robinson sold all of his Z's and replaced them with Deviser copies from Japan.

 

[The_Nuge]

I think there is a clear difference between handmade and sloppy. I like the little irregularities that come with handmade objects, but I don't understand why Zemaitis chose to route out the cavity with a screw driver (or something similar) when he obviously had a router. Or indeed work with the same level of precision as Barnaby without a router .

Es

 

[RaSTuS26]

Definitely cheapens the deal to see such poor workmanship.

 

[MooCheng]

that thing is pretty badly made,
even the headstocks not symetrical, and the nut.......well lets not go there,

 

[truckermde]

I have honestly never understood the appeal of those guitars at all.

To each his own, I guess...

 

[entresz]

Handmade or not, that looks so sloppy. It could have been made to look much better, while still being done by hand.

 

[Tidewater]

Zemaitis are truly awful but look so freaking Stones you can't help yourself. About as playable as a Travis Bean. (sad trombone)

 

[Deus Vult]

Perfection comes from machines, not hand made.
WTF are you thinking?

That's mojo. Not razor blade cuts in the finish, but real, honest to God hand made touches.

I have a set of goblets that was hand made in Italy. One leans to the side. A flaw?
No, it is proof of hand work.

You guys need something real to worry about.

clearly you opted for a cheaper set from a less skilled artisan. My Venetian, hand blown glassware doesn't do that.

Poorly lined up tuners are not the sign of handmade craftsmanship. It's a sign of someone not using a ruler to mark where to drill the holes. I'm sure you would be just fine with hanging window treatments all half-assed because it was done by hand. But then again, that suits you just fine based on about 98% of your posts on this forum.

 

[SGMM]

That's mojo. Not razor blade cuts in the finish, but real, honest to God hand made touches.

"razor blade cuts in the finish" are also "honest to god hand made touches" !!

 

[Cozmik Cowboy]

"razor blade cuts in the finish" are also "honest to god hand made by douches" !!

fify

 

[THDNUT]

Like 'em or not, they're very collectible and will only go up in value. After all, Tony isn't making any more of 'em.

 

[mertzy]

Like 'em or not, they're very collectible and will only go up in value. After all, Tony isn't making any more of 'em.

Lazy Bastid!

 

[SGMM]

fify

"douches" ?? ....like those intolerant of others preferences?? ....yup they're "douches" !!

 

[H.E.L.Shane]

I always thought about them as "Art" guitars anyway..

I've seen other examples that made me realize that it was more about the "bling" than the "Sing"... However, I've always assumed that they couldn't be utter crap either, else no one would actually play them..

When I build a guitar, my 1st concern is function.. make it play and sound as best as I possibly can.. then worry about the fashion.... and I'm stupid concerned about the innards, wiring, control cavities, because the last thing i need is a repair schlep opening it up years down the road and spouting off about a bad rout that nobody else will ever see.....I'm not sure that's how TZ worked...

 

[Zemaitis]

Although I never played one, it spoke volumes to me when I read that Rich Robinson sold all of his Z's and replaced them with Deviser copies from Japan.

WOW!! So my Deviser Pearl that is for sale right here on the forum is going to raise it´s value ...if Rich Robinson choose them instead of the real thing...may worth it!!
Have a look at my sale thread if someone is interested (EU citizens in particular)

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/member-classifieds/147611-eu-sellers-thread-15.html#post5836070