Asian imported guitars

[Open lane]

I have a large guitar collection including 5 USA made guitars and 2 japanese. I recently ordered a $150 ibanez gio, made in china, to bring with me for travel purposes. I wasn’t expecting much, just needed a guitar i could bang around. I was really surprised, aside from the heavy weight, the thing plays close to as well as any of my other guitars. I can’t exactly feel it’s resonance or say it is dripping with overtones, but it really is a very nice and solid guitar. I’ve been playing it more than my others because i don’t have to baby it. I’m now re-examining the emphasis i’ve placed on country of origin when purchasing a guitar. I always thought that some korean guitars were fine, but really drew the line there, as my cutoff point. This made in china guitar is fine!! The only thing that would tip me off to it’s low value is it’s cheapo plastic knobs.

Anyone else surprised to find love in such an unexpected place? This thing has me jonesing for more imported guitars.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Other than my Gibson
All of mine are Chinese made
Maybe a Korean Squire

Oh and a USA Martin

 

[Aceman]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Quality is quality. Country has nothing to do with it.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Asian imported guitars

I don't know about China, but I have an Ibanez made in Indonesia that's not too shabby. A Jackson from Japan that could be my favorite guitar. A Jackson bass from Indonesia that's pretty sweet, though I did have to set it up when I got it, but then I've had to do that to almost everything that I get. My Schecters might be Korean, though they may be Chinese, either way, I love 'em.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Asian imported guitars






I have a Cozart LP jr Goldtop, Trapezoid inlays, Graphtech bridge, the Gold color is very nice, all Mahogany,1/4 inch Maple top as thick as my Gibsons, set neck, they got the neck angle correct. Its on Par with my Gibsons, i put a SD Custom P-90 Ceramic in the bridge, its a great guitar for the money.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Quality is quality. Country has nothing to do with it.

Exactly. Guitar making has a certain learning curve to it, but it's not insurmountable with enough communication, money, and determination. Any industrial nation can learn to do it. Japan used to be looked down on 50 years ago, now they set the bar very high. I have 2 very nice Chinese Eastman guitars that rival anything Gibson has made. 20 years ago, they were unheard of. I'm frankly surprised there are no name brand African made guitars in America.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Some of the worst quality-control guitars I have that have required the most set-up work and fretboard repair are American-made Gibsons. Some of the best quality guitars I have are Indonesian.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Th Asian guitar building market absolutely competes and in many cases surpasses what we often consider the “the best” guitars built.

 

[Open lane]

Re: Asian imported guitars

I feel kinda stupid for carrying the perception i did for as long as i did.

 

[justFred]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Best guitars ever owned and still own: Fender American Strat and mid 90s Les Paul Studio...
Mid high is a Warmoth Tele I painstakingly put together myself...
Mid are a couple of Classic Vibes that are a great value from build quality thru electronics...
Mid low was an Epiphone SG G400...
Junk were a few Squier Affinity experiments...
But the bottom line is country of origin doesn't matter, anyplace can build an excellent guitar if motivated. Right now I think USA made are motivated to make the best they can while asian countries are going for volume and the low end market where there is a real potential for big sales numbers and profits are.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Best guitars ever owned and still own: Fender American Strat and mid 90s Les Paul Studio...
Mid high is a Warmoth Tele I painstakingly put together myself...
Mid are a couple of Classic Vibes that are a great value from build quality thru electronics...
Mid low was an Epiphone SG G400...
Junk were a few Squier Affinity experiments...
But the bottom line is country of origin doesn't matter, anyplace can build an excellent guitar if motivated. Right now I think USA made are motivated to make the best they can while asian countries are going for volume and the low end market where there is a real potential for big sales numbers and profits are.

Asian makers have always been about volume and low per unit prices. Nothing new there. And their quality has been much improving over the past 50 years. USA built used to be about quality and pride in their work. About giving customers the best product possible for the best price possible. And I still like the quality of American Fenders. But one USA maker specifically has been more concerned about volume, higher prices-per-unit, and let quality be damned in the process...rest on their laurels and let their past reputation sell their guitars. Did I say "higher prices"? I meant to say "outrageous prices"! My first Les Paul was a '68 Custom, black beauty...superb quality and $350 including case. Now they're 10 times the cost and 1/10 the quality. My first Asian guitar was less than $100 and only reasonable quality at best. Now the same type is only double the cost (which, when you consider inflation over the past 50 years, is way LESS cost, possibly even 1/10 the cost) and 10 times the quality!

In a market place that is driven by competition, you either keep up and compete or you go out of business. Simple as that. We all know a prominent maker that couldn't keep up/compete, and has suffered the inevitable natural consequences of that.

 

[justFred]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Outstanding overview!!!!!! You nailed it.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Asian imported guitars

... aside from the heavy weight, the thing plays close to as well as any of my other guitars. I can’t exactly feel it’s resonance or say it is dripping with overtones...

In general, heavier the guitar is, the less acoustic output it will have. The body has too much mass to be easily excited.

But keep playing it and it should open up a bit.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Asian makers have always been about volume and low per unit prices. Nothing new there. And their quality has been much improving over the past 50 years. USA built used to be about quality and pride in their work. About giving customers the best product possible for the best price possible. And I still like the quality of American Fenders. But one USA maker specifically has been more concerned about volume, higher prices-per-unit, and let quality be damned in the process...rest on their laurels and let their past reputation sell their guitars. Did I say "higher prices"? I meant to say "outrageous prices"! My first Les Paul was a '68 Custom, black beauty...superb quality and $350 including case. Now they're 10 times the cost and 1/10 the quality. My first Asian guitar was less than $100 and only reasonable quality at best. Now the same type is only double the cost (which, when you consider inflation over the past 50 years, is way LESS cost, possibly even 1/10 the cost) and 10 times the quality!

In a market place that is driven by competition, you either keep up and compete or you go out of business. Simple as that. We all know a prominent maker that couldn't keep up/compete, and has suffered the inevitable natural consequences of that.

What year did you buy that ‘68 Custom?

 

[Adieu]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Materials matter, though... soft ****e woods, squishy hardware that strips itself out or breaks, and frets that dent if you breathe on em too hard can quickly ruin your experience

Gotta make sure you aint buying one of those extreme cost cutters

 

[Wattage]

Re: Asian imported guitars

 

[Aceman]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Best guitars ever owned and still own: Fender American Strat and mid 90s Les Paul Studio...
Mid high is a Warmoth Tele I painstakingly put together myself...
Mid are a couple of Classic Vibes that are a great value from build quality thru electronics...
Mid low was an Epiphone SG G400...
Junk were a few Squier Affinity experiments...
But the bottom line is country of origin doesn't matter, anyplace can build an excellent guitar if motivated. Right now I think USA made are motivated to make the best they can while asian countries are going for volume and the low end market where there is a real potential for big sales numbers and profits are.

But Fred, those are all highly correlated with the money you spent on the guitar.

 

[justFred]

Re: Asian imported guitars

But Fred, those are all highly correlated with the money you spent on the guitar.

Isn't everything?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Asian imported guitars

I would gladly relieve myself on any Asian guitar.

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: Asian imported guitars

Quality is quality. Country has nothing to do with it.

+1. The standards and priority of them are set and spec’d by the parent company regardless of origin country. Any one of those south East Asian factories has the facilities and equipment to turn out a quality high end instrument, if the price per unit incentive is there for them to do so.