2-point Orpheum branded Strad-O-lin on eBay

[Eric Platt]

Think I mentioned in another thread - but did have very slightly ream out the tuner holes on my older SOL.

Am surprised they weren't using a jig for drilling the holes. Guess I thought that would be an easy, low cost thing to do. Maybe not.

[your_diamond]

Think I mentioned in another thread - but did have very slightly ream out the tuner holes on my older SOL.

Am surprised they weren't using a jig for drilling the holes. Guess I thought that would be an easy, low cost thing to do. Maybe not.

So, these mostly handmade Stradolins were subject to similar pitfalls as the poor workmanship on modern, lower price range Gibson guitars, that I've seen recently. Check your date codes, Just don't buy an instrument made on Monday (hangovers) or Friday (??? Can't remember why... Old-Timers Disease).

[Richard500]

Think I mentioned in another thread - but did have very slightly ream out the tuner holes on my older SOL.

Am surprised they weren't using a jig for drilling the holes. Guess I thought that would be an easy, low cost thing to do. Maybe not.

The jig could easily have been just a plate with holes, still requiring the drill to be oriented. When the headstock is tapered, it can also easily be drilled from the topside, resulting in the same problem. Then too, assembly line, lowest skill process, haste…
My shop was busy, so I sent out to a much larger machine shop for a bunch of 1” diameter holes in 1” SS plate. Good turnaround, but obviously given to the low-wage guy to do, as all came out a few (and critical!) thousandths small. Not a quick thing to remediate. All that was necessary was the other shop’s drill being worn, and never checked.

[MikeEdgerton]

Worn jigs and tools at Martin and Gibson have provided legendary issues that lasted decades.

[NickR]

Duplicate Post!

[Sue Rieter]

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