Build Quality

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:28 am

We often refer to 'build quality' as a gauge of how good an amp is (refer recent thread on Vox CC).

A few years ago I repaired a Samick 50B bass amp. The Speaker had blown. While I was working on it, I had a good look at their build quality and to me, it was excellent! The soldering was top notch, the component alignment spot on. Plugs nice and tight fitting etc. Overall, beautiful to behold.

The sound was very average, but the quality of the construction was excellent.

In the '60s I used a Jansen Bassman 50 with p2p wiring and anyone who called that build quality good was living on a different planet to me. But the sound was great.

A majority of modern amps seem to be made in China now and I've seen almost everyone here laugh and point at such examples, saying they're all crap. Yet, if you open one up - their build quality is excellent. (well at least the ones I've seen inside - I can't comment on those I have no direct experience with).

I therefore struggle to understand how build quality can be a measure of how good an amp is.

Your thoughts?

thehenderson · Post by **thehenderson** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:30 am

I've owned and played a bunch of gear, I've opened it all up to have a look inside, but I would still have no idea of how to judge its 'build quality'.

All I can say is that it hasn't broken, the knobs turn smoothly and it doesn't rattle or go funky. That it looks nice?

I guess build quality in amplifiers is what amp techs would talk about?

stark · Post by **stark** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:49 am

IMO there's two aspects to "build quality" the quality of the components, and how well they are put together.

Rog I tend to think of things like the sturdiness of the cabinet, the quality of the components (which I can't judge by looking at them IRL or on paper, but I've read that top-notch pots, resistors caps etc are significantly costlier than POS ones.)

You've already mentioned solder joints.

Metal corner protectors

Mitre jointed or finger/dovetail jointed.

Wood or weetbix.

Whether pots and tube-sockets) are board-mounted (bad) or chassis-mounted (good).

Build quality translates to longevity, roadworthiness, and ease of repair. But if the amp never leaves the bedroom, i guess it's less of an issue.

Post by Bg » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:49 am

I think most here would actually acknowlege that China is the new Japan - I certainly would

slash-ed · Post by **slash-ed** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:46 am

I think China is the new Korea, and Korea is the new Japan, and etc...

USA is the new... Indonesia??

stark · Post by **stark** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:48 am

what's the new Zealand?

ash · Post by **ash** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:51 am

Terms like this are a good solid bugbear for me. A large number of people who too freely use the term wouldn't know "build quality" from a jab in the bunghole with a pointed cucumber.

I particularly loathe the Hyundai (or similar) ad on TV where they define "quality" as being "when something exceeds what is expected of it".

BOLLOCKS BOLLOCKS BOLLOCKS!!

That is what I call perverting the language to influence the audience in a deceptive manner. They need to pull that cucumber back out and take another sniff at the salad.

crushing day · Post by **crushing day** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:52 am

stark wrote:what's the new Zealand?

its the new britain ...

raz · Post by **raz** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:24 pm

crushing day wrote:
stark wrote:what's the new Zealand?
its the new britain ...

Some unkind souls would say it's the old Britain from 20 years ago

Post by Bg » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:26 pm

raz wrote:
crushing day wrote:
stark wrote:what's the new Zealand?
its the new britain ...
Some unkind souls would say it's the old Britain from 20 years ago

I think parts of it are even further back

Terexgeek · Post by **Terexgeek** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:55 pm

ash wrote:Terms like this are a good solid bugbear for me. A large number of people who too freely use the term wouldn't know "build quality" from a jab in the bunghole with a pointed cucumber.

I particularly loathe the Hyundai (or similar) ad on TV where they define "quality" as being "when something exceeds what is expected of it".

BOLLOCKS BOLLOCKS BOLLOCKS!!

That is what I call perverting the language to influence the audience in a deceptive manner. They need to pull that cucumber back out and take another sniff at the salad.

AMEN

Kudos for the cucumber reference BTW, is it patented or may I borrow it???

Terexgeek · Post by **Terexgeek** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:57 pm

[quote="Terexgeek"][quote="ash"]I particularly loathe the Hyundai (or similar) ad on TV where they define "quality" as being "when something exceeds what is expected of it".
quote]

In Hyundai's case is wasn't hard to exceed expectations, all they had to do was stop falling apart and everyone was astounded, doesn't make them a Lexus overnight does it!!!

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:59 pm

brrr Lexus .... toymota... brrrrr

Cars for the hoi polloi....

Polar Bear · Post by **Polar Bear** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:01 pm

Terexgeek · Post by **Terexgeek** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:07 pm

Rog wrote:brrr Lexus .... toymota... brrrrr

Cars for the hoi polloi....

Oh Rog, we were talking BUILD QUALITY something BMW forgot many years ago