Took a factory tour yesterday

[alexanderraimo]

What an awesome experience. Anyone who hasn't been to the factory and is close to Maryland (or doesn't mind traveling) should go. The tours are free and they take you through a bunch of different areas and show you the process of making the core models as well as let you touch some examples.

Definitely gives you a much greater appreciation of everything that goes into the process.

 

[rugerpc]

My first factory tour was somewhere around 1999, before they built the new building. No amps or acoustics then, but still, everything was crammed into the smaller building. It was impressive then and it is even more so now.

I heartily encourage anyone who loves guitars, or even just loves seeing how things are made, to take the tour.

If they ever get back to doing the Experience, by all men's don't miss THAT!

 

[alantig]

+1 for the factory tours, and the Experience tours as well. I finally did my first regular factory tour (read: up and running) in October, and it really is a different animal than during Experience (as it would have to be). The sounds, the atmosphere, the attitude - even the smell - it's all different.

I've been to the Martin factory tour a couple times as well, and I'd recommend it highly as well. As rugerpc said, you don't even have to love guitars to get an appreciation for the skill and craftsmanship that goes into building these wonderful toys.

 

[Brad737]

I'd love to go on a tour sometime. Are these regularly scheduled?

 

[Kynlore]

I'd love to do that if I'm ever in the area.

 

[László]

I got to do it at the 30th Anniversary event. It was interesting, fun, and meeting the people who make the instruments we love was very cool indeed.

 

[rugerpc]

+1 for the factory tours, and the Experience tours as well. I finally did my first regular factory tour (read: up and running) in October, and it really is a different animal than during Experience (as it would have to be). The sounds, the atmosphere, the attitude - even the smell - it's all different.

I've been to the Martin factory tour a couple times as well, and I'd recommend it highly as well. As rugerpc said, you don't even have to love guitars to get an appreciation for the skill and craftsmanship that goes into building these wonderful toys.

+1

Walking the factory floor during the Experience is great, but very different from actually watching, hearing, smelling the factory in action. Very cool and not to be missed!

 

[vchizzle]

I'm embarrassed to say I've never actually taken a guided tour. I've gone through the factory whilst in action and wandered around endlessly during EXP's. I hope there's an experience or some type of event next year. If not, I'll have to just fly out for a visit.

 

[alantig]

I'd love to go on a tour sometime. Are these regularly scheduled?

Tuesdays and Thursdays, twice a day. An e-mail will get you signed up.

I got to do it at the 30th Anniversary event. It was interesting, fun, and meeting the people who make the instruments we love was very cool indeed.

It is, but there's something different about when everything is up and running. I haven't met nearly everyone at the factory, and while I saw a lot of familiar faces, there were a lot of people working who I don't recall ever seeing. At any PRS event.

I'm embarrassed to say I've never actually taken a guided tour. I've gone through the factory whilst in action and wandered around endlessly during EXP's. I hope there's an experience or some type of event next year. If not, I'll have to just fly out for a visit.

Were you not at one of the first couple when they did the guided tours at Experience? It was cool (although Veronica drew the short straw year after year and ended up with my tours, no matter when I signed up), but the free-form ones they've done the past few have been better - more time to spend in any area that draws special interest, and more of a chance to ask questions and really see how some things are done.

There's a show on one of the zillion cable channels - "How It's Made", or something like that (it's been a while). Always fascinating to watch, no matter what they're making. It was on that show that I saw some footage from a Fender factory - if you want to see the difference in scale between a Martin/PRS and and a Fender/Gibson, it was pretty evident. Granted, some of the Fender design choices lead to more extensive automation for some things, but it's an eye-opener.

And I like the idea of flying out - Guerilla Experience!!!

 

[JMintzer]

I got to do it at the 30th Anniversary event. It was interesting, fun, and meeting the people who make the instruments we love was very cool indeed.

Not to mention that it was ME, who gave you a guided tour...

 

[alantig]

Not to mention that it was ME, who gave you a guided tour...

For $800?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

For $800?

I heard Les talked him down from $1000.

 

[Alan Manning]

I could always save up &tell wifey i'm taking her on her dream holiday to America & as by some devine intervention just happen to turn up there LOL!!!

 

[vchizzle]

Nope, only the free form where I just drifted a lot. Next time I wanna do guided to learn more.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, twice a day. An e-mail will get you signed up.



It is, but there's something different about when everything is up and running. I haven't met nearly everyone at the factory, and while I saw a lot of familiar faces, there were a lot of people working who I don't recall ever seeing. At any PRS event.



Were you not at one of the first couple when they did the guided tours at Experience?

And I like the idea of flying out - Guerilla Experience!!!

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Yeah, I need to get up there, I have some stuff waiting for me, but work has just been slamming me lately. I need a day off.