Alhambra Guitars Traceability System
At Alhambra Guitars we have always been distinguished by our innovative spirit and, proof of this, is the investment made in the last decade, in which we have been incorporating new technologies to our construction process, while maintaining our tradition and craftsmanship.
It is a perfect coexistence that combines the latest technologies available, which facilitate the control of raw materials, the quality of the processes, with the experience of more than 100 artisans working at Alhambra Guitars.
The traceability system assigns a unique code to each of the instruments built. This unique code will carry all the information related to each of the processes that will be applied to each guitar during its construction time. This traceability system has evolved over the years to be able to identify not only the instruments as unique, but also each individual piece that makes up an Alhambra guitar.
Implementation
The traceability system was implemented in Alhambra in 2000.
In the first stage, this system only collected information on the quality controls carried out on each of our instruments at the end of each phase of the construction process.
In the second stage of this implementation, which took place in 2019, the traceability already collected information on all the work carried out on each guitar. In every single task, the key parameters of its construction are saved, so that we have detailed information about what, who, when, how and where, in order to identify any deviation in the process or to provide much more accurate information to improve our customer service.
Identification by serial number
In 2019 when stage 2 is implemented, the traceability system identifies each of the pieces (top, necks, sides, backs, fingerboards, etc.) that make up an Alhambra guitar and assigns them a bar code. This allows us to know not only the origin of each of the woods, but also to know such basic parameters as the time that the wood has been stored at Alhambra facilities drying in an open air space, when the wood began the guiar construtition process, its relative humidity, etc. All this information not only ensures the quality of the Alhambra guitars, but also of each of the pieces that make up the guitars.
Once all the pieces are identified and classified, they are transported from the sawmill section to the assembly section, which will be in charge of the construction of the guitars. From this point on, the processes of modeling, varnishing and polishing will begin to complete the final adjustments, a process that usually lasts, depending on each model of guitars, between 6 to 12 weeks.
Once the guitar is assembled, a serial number is assigned. This number will accompany the guitar throughout its construction. When the guitar is finished, adjusted and has passed all quality controls, the guitar is approved by Alhambra's expert quality staff. At this point, the unit code is converted into an alphanumeric code and the Music Identification Card of each guitar (MiC), is printed.
MiC Card
The MiC card shows the unique information of each instrument, the woods used, as well as their specifications.
The MiC is the result of the whole traceability system, it is the link between the customer, his/her guitar and its construction process at Alhambra.
It also provides additional information about the headstock or the type of bracing used for the construction of your model.
This card includes the model number and its serial number, exclusive for each model, which eases communication with Alhambra in case of any inquiries.
Through the QR code, you can access the website to register the instrument and get an additional year of guarantee.
In conclusion, the traceability system is implemented to help manage the work at Alhambra's workshops resulting in very useful information for the customer who owns an Alhambra guitar, because thanks to the traceability system the customer knows everything about its construction and the unique characteristics of their guitar.
