Masterbuilt

[Chris P.]

A question I have for ages.

I know if a guitar is build by a master it's masterbuilt. But why are some guitars like Epiphone called Masterbilt, without the 'u'?

And if so is a Peterbilt built by Peter? And what's a Ken worth?

[Dave W]

In reverse order:

A Ken is worth a Henway.
 
Old truckers never die, they just get a new Peterbilt.

Masterbilt is a lame attempt market a product as premium when it probably is just a mass produced item with a few upgrades.

[Chris P.]

 

But why call it 'Masterbilt' and not 'Masterbuilt'? What happened to the 'u'?? Old English? Luthier-slang?

[hieronymous]

Maybe because if they call it "masterbilt" without the u it implies that it is "built by a master" but since it isn't a real word they can't be busted for false advertising?

[chromium]

Or maybe because the 'masterbuilt' name is already kind of established in another industry?

http://www.masterbuilt.com/


Of course if the Epi is so hot it'll smoke turkeys, then they could have earned their 'u'!

[nofi]

that could also mean 'masterbilk'.

[Dave W]

Maybe because if they call it "masterbilt" without the u it implies that it is "built by a master" but since it isn't a real word they can't be busted for false advertising?

True. It's meant to imply something that it isn't. Not that I think they would really be busted for false advertising.

[exiledarchangel]

Maybe because if they call it "masterbilt" without the u it implies that it is "built by a master" but since it isn't a real word they can't be busted for false advertising?

Then it will be called "busterb(u)ild"

[Droombolus]

Maybe an attempt to get into retro 60s lingo ? Back when Joey Dee's band were called the Starliters and the pre-fab four were called The Monkees ? Just a possitive thought .......  

[Dave W]

It's a meaningless marketing term designed to mislead, nothing more than that.

Like calling a mass-produced product "Hand-Bilt" to imply that it is without saying so.

[Chris P.]

Okay, thanks!

[Highlander]

D'yer ken, laddie...?