Asian imported guitars
- Thread starter Open lane
- Start date
Re: Asian imported guitars
+1, doesn't matter where it was made- It's all about design, materials and craftsmanship.
In my case, it's easy to compare- Highlights incude:
They are all great and purchased (or built) because they did exactly what they need to do at the right price point.
My Zion Strat (with Joe Barden's) cost 4 times my MIM strat-
Another great comparison, is the L5S example that you've seen posted- we we're using it as a prototype to research a long scale mahogany line with snap + warmth, but decided not to put into production- Why?
Helped a buddy recently buy a $199 Yamaha acoustic that plays better and has better tone than anything I owned for my first 20 years playing guitar- Don't know why it's so good, but read about Yamaha's spin on wood treatment here:
https://www.guitarworld.com/acoustic-nation/acoustic-nation-yamaha-creates-vintage-tone-new-wood
+1, doesn't matter where it was made- It's all about design, materials and craftsmanship.
In my case, it's easy to compare- Highlights incude:
- Made in US- Zion Strat, Parker Nitefly, LesPaul/SG and the guitars we build
- Asian- Reverend Double Agent, Ibanez RC365H
- Mexico- MIM strat
They are all great and purchased (or built) because they did exactly what they need to do at the right price point.
My Zion Strat (with Joe Barden's) cost 4 times my MIM strat-
- Is the Zion better? Yes.
- Is it 4 times better? No.
- Are they both wonderful guitars? Yes
Another great comparison, is the L5S example that you've seen posted- we we're using it as a prototype to research a long scale mahogany line with snap + warmth, but decided not to put into production- Why?
- Is it a great guitar? Absolutely!
- Did it take 5 years to get it right? Yep
- Was it made in the US? Yep
- Is it significantly better than the Reverend double agent? Nope
Helped a buddy recently buy a $199 Yamaha acoustic that plays better and has better tone than anything I owned for my first 20 years playing guitar- Don't know why it's so good, but read about Yamaha's spin on wood treatment here:
https://www.guitarworld.com/acoustic-nation/acoustic-nation-yamaha-creates-vintage-tone-new-wood
6stringerguy
New member
Asian imported guitars
I’ll play anything except Chinese made since I’m never experienced anything good from there.
Indonesia and Korea though hell yeah
I’ll play anything except Chinese made since I’m never experienced anything good from there.
Indonesia and Korea though hell yeah
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Asian imported guitars
I dont have any usa made guitars and i don't want one :burnout:.
I like mij guitars and my own made aussie wombats.
I have a few chinese guitars like this charvette i refinished and over-loved . It's ok.
I dont have any usa made guitars and i don't want one :burnout:.
I like mij guitars and my own made aussie wombats.
I have a few chinese guitars like this charvette i refinished and over-loved . It's ok.
Diego
New member
Re: Asian imported guitars
I've owned instruments coming from USA, Mexico, Japan, Indonesia, China and Korea.
I currently own two MIC Epiphones and they're pretty good. Not amazing, but solid. They're good enough for me, and fair for their price.
I also had a MIC Jackson which was faulty from factory, so it qualifies as a complete dog to me.
It felt cheap and it was cheap so I'll take it, but the neck was warped so it was a ***** to setup. A shame, because the neck profile felt excellent. A mad shredder.
I've got an Ibanez SZ which is made in Korea and I think it's objectively a bit better than the Epiphones. It resonates better, it feels a bit more stable. But then it's a more modern design and I've used it for 10 years almost.
My MIM Tele and MIA/MIM Strat are pretty much on par quality wise with the Ibanez. I really can't set them apart. They're dependable and ring lively.
And I also owner a pre-Fender MIJ Jackson KV4 that was just as good as my Mexican and Korean guitars, and a MIJ Ibanez Prestige RG1550 which was a fundamentally flawed guitar due to a badly designed trem system, but it was very good.
All those guitars hit the same level, and the only guitars I've tried that are a big step up from that have been Core PRSes, CS Gibsons and some Ernie Ball guitars. Those have been incredible. Newer Asian offerings like Reverend and Chapman are good, but not much of an upgrade in quality, and very expensive compared to say a used early Korean PRS SE, which are steals.
You know what really surprised me? The newer Schecters from Korea. Tried a Keith Merrow and a Blackjack Solo II ATX.
Quite expensive compared to other Asian guitars, but holy **** they're good. Almost flawless. The Blackjack blew my socks off, like a mad scientist Les Paul on steroids.
I also tried a newer Tokai LP and it's easily one of the best guitars I've ever played.
I'm no chauvinist, so I don't give a crap about where a guitar comes from.
I've owned instruments coming from USA, Mexico, Japan, Indonesia, China and Korea.
I currently own two MIC Epiphones and they're pretty good. Not amazing, but solid. They're good enough for me, and fair for their price.
I also had a MIC Jackson which was faulty from factory, so it qualifies as a complete dog to me.
It felt cheap and it was cheap so I'll take it, but the neck was warped so it was a ***** to setup. A shame, because the neck profile felt excellent. A mad shredder.
I've got an Ibanez SZ which is made in Korea and I think it's objectively a bit better than the Epiphones. It resonates better, it feels a bit more stable. But then it's a more modern design and I've used it for 10 years almost.
My MIM Tele and MIA/MIM Strat are pretty much on par quality wise with the Ibanez. I really can't set them apart. They're dependable and ring lively.
And I also owner a pre-Fender MIJ Jackson KV4 that was just as good as my Mexican and Korean guitars, and a MIJ Ibanez Prestige RG1550 which was a fundamentally flawed guitar due to a badly designed trem system, but it was very good.
All those guitars hit the same level, and the only guitars I've tried that are a big step up from that have been Core PRSes, CS Gibsons and some Ernie Ball guitars. Those have been incredible. Newer Asian offerings like Reverend and Chapman are good, but not much of an upgrade in quality, and very expensive compared to say a used early Korean PRS SE, which are steals.
You know what really surprised me? The newer Schecters from Korea. Tried a Keith Merrow and a Blackjack Solo II ATX.
Quite expensive compared to other Asian guitars, but holy **** they're good. Almost flawless. The Blackjack blew my socks off, like a mad scientist Les Paul on steroids.
I also tried a newer Tokai LP and it's easily one of the best guitars I've ever played.
I'm no chauvinist, so I don't give a crap about where a guitar comes from.
Last edited:
Re: Asian imported guitars
Something like a Gio is amazing for the price. IMO Ibanez does a great job cutting corners in the right place to produce good value.
On the other hand the American and Japanese guitars I have "in general" seem to stay in tune better, remain dimensionally stable under varying temperatures, tolerate lower action, don't have screws stripping out when adjusting things like intonation, or crackling pots. You can change most of that through components but I think the wood selection or treatment is typically better in American and Japanese instruments. That doesn't mean I think all non-American or non-Japanese guitars are bad, but I think you're more likely to have structural issues with them. With the ongoing global environmental issues I suspect everything will reach parity one way or the other though. Perhaps it's time to re-explore synthetic guitars.
Something like a Gio is amazing for the price. IMO Ibanez does a great job cutting corners in the right place to produce good value.
On the other hand the American and Japanese guitars I have "in general" seem to stay in tune better, remain dimensionally stable under varying temperatures, tolerate lower action, don't have screws stripping out when adjusting things like intonation, or crackling pots. You can change most of that through components but I think the wood selection or treatment is typically better in American and Japanese instruments. That doesn't mean I think all non-American or non-Japanese guitars are bad, but I think you're more likely to have structural issues with them. With the ongoing global environmental issues I suspect everything will reach parity one way or the other though. Perhaps it's time to re-explore synthetic guitars.
Mikesr1963
New member
Re: Asian imported guitars
Threads like this make me smile. Because it's funny to hear you get what you pay for when most don't what it is that they're over paying for. But hey, if it makes you feel good.
Threads like this make me smile. Because it's funny to hear you get what you pay for when most don't what it is that they're over paying for. But hey, if it makes you feel good.
Driverfrown
New member
Re: Asian imported guitars
the older Japanese made pre-fender Jackson's are in most respects just as good as their USA counterparts, esp the soloists with neck-thru construction where it is highly unlikely they were built on an assembly line but in a more controlled environment.
Unfortunately with any non custom made guitar including USA made ones now a days, there is always potential for shoddy work. I recommend paying the $ for a custom build, or learn to build a guitar yourself and use high quality parts.
You will never think so highly of production line guitars no matter how nice they seemed.
the older Japanese made pre-fender Jackson's are in most respects just as good as their USA counterparts, esp the soloists with neck-thru construction where it is highly unlikely they were built on an assembly line but in a more controlled environment.
Unfortunately with any non custom made guitar including USA made ones now a days, there is always potential for shoddy work. I recommend paying the $ for a custom build, or learn to build a guitar yourself and use high quality parts.
You will never think so highly of production line guitars no matter how nice they seemed.
justFred
Well-known member
Re: Asian imported guitars
a very large percentage of the medical devices used in hospitals are from China...it's not a game you can choose not to participate in...
a very large percentage of the medical devices used in hospitals are from China...it's not a game you can choose not to participate in...
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Asian imported guitars
The level of quality has done nothing but improve.
Yeah - in the 70's most Asian meant junk (Except Yamaha keyboards and acoustics...). By the 80's - Yamaha, Ibanez out of Japan were excellent. Korean anything, not so much. By 2000's, Korea is solid performer and Japan is amazing with ultra ESP's, Gibsons, etc coming out
And now, even Indonesia and China are on point. You can get high end anywhere you want to pay for it. Man - those Epiphone Elitists in the $1000 range SLAYED or at the very least were on point with anything Gibson made at home.
And today - I'd throw down with any of a number of $299 guitars that would have blown you away in 1980 like the JS32 Jacksons and Ibanez offerings.
The level of quality has done nothing but improve.
Yeah - in the 70's most Asian meant junk (Except Yamaha keyboards and acoustics...). By the 80's - Yamaha, Ibanez out of Japan were excellent. Korean anything, not so much. By 2000's, Korea is solid performer and Japan is amazing with ultra ESP's, Gibsons, etc coming out
And now, even Indonesia and China are on point. You can get high end anywhere you want to pay for it. Man - those Epiphone Elitists in the $1000 range SLAYED or at the very least were on point with anything Gibson made at home.
And today - I'd throw down with any of a number of $299 guitars that would have blown you away in 1980 like the JS32 Jacksons and Ibanez offerings.
6stringerguy
New member
Re: Asian imported guitars
I know however I’ve played Ibanez, squiers and Jackson made in China and all them felt dead and were not fun to play, admittedly a friend has sent me a Chinese made George Lynch LTD so I can report back on that later.
All my other guitars are Korean and Indonesian though
Ibanez SZ-Korea
Ibanez Xiphos-Indonesia (am going to sell)
Ibanez RG-Indonesia
Ibanez MMM1-Korea
Schecter avenger-Korea
PRS-Korea
Ormsby-Korea
Yamaha-China (can’t sell due to it being first guitar)
The PRS and the Ormsby are currently my favourites and the xiphos and Yamaha are my least mainly due to the crappy hardware.
I know however I’ve played Ibanez, squiers and Jackson made in China and all them felt dead and were not fun to play, admittedly a friend has sent me a Chinese made George Lynch LTD so I can report back on that later.
All my other guitars are Korean and Indonesian though
Ibanez SZ-Korea
Ibanez Xiphos-Indonesia (am going to sell)
Ibanez RG-Indonesia
Ibanez MMM1-Korea
Schecter avenger-Korea
PRS-Korea
Ormsby-Korea
Yamaha-China (can’t sell due to it being first guitar)
The PRS and the Ormsby are currently my favourites and the xiphos and Yamaha are my least mainly due to the crappy hardware.
gilt.suspect
New member
Re: Asian imported guitars
I have many good Asian guitars; 2016 Epiphone Casino (China), 1995 Epiphone LP Special & 2006 Korina Explorer (Korea) both great ! Both Schector' are fantastic (Korea) & a G&L Legacy Tribute (Indonesia) Love it! I also had a Samick that was top notch from Korea.
CHEERS!
I have many good Asian guitars; 2016 Epiphone Casino (China), 1995 Epiphone LP Special & 2006 Korina Explorer (Korea) both great ! Both Schector' are fantastic (Korea) & a G&L Legacy Tribute (Indonesia) Love it! I also had a Samick that was top notch from Korea.
CHEERS!
Re: Asian imported guitars
USA is a manufacturing dead end that will eventually become irrelevant. For the most part it already is. We already see extremely high quality levels out of Korea and the Chinese are rapidly improving. I still think US guitars have a leg up on Chinese but that can't sustain itself. Foreign guitars offer better value aka more bang for the buck already. I've been directly involved in moving manufacturing overseas and the US has issues. Environmental, SOX act accounting requirements, corporate taxation it goes on and on. It's the fixed and variable overheads more than the direct labor costs.
USA is a manufacturing dead end that will eventually become irrelevant. For the most part it already is. We already see extremely high quality levels out of Korea and the Chinese are rapidly improving. I still think US guitars have a leg up on Chinese but that can't sustain itself. Foreign guitars offer better value aka more bang for the buck already. I've been directly involved in moving manufacturing overseas and the US has issues. Environmental, SOX act accounting requirements, corporate taxation it goes on and on. It's the fixed and variable overheads more than the direct labor costs.
Metalman_666
Well-known member
Re: Asian imported guitars
Great points across the board! I'm a proud Schecter owner myself and my #1 hard tail 6-string is still a Korean Schecter C-1 Classic I bought on a whim on eBay 11 years ago now. The neck feels great and the tone has always been very even and full.
I picked up a Schecter Keith Merrow 7 this year too that feels exactly the same, it's incredible that it sounds and plays like a guitar three times the price.
Until August last year I didn't own anything but import guitars. Now I have USA (JPX) and Poland (Mayones Duvell 7) which are phenomenal, there is something very special about the attention that was given to making them both.
But still, I got lucky at the time, and now I'm playing all sorts of imports in stores that feel great in the hands. If more people could get over the "prestige" of MIA on the label they might be happier (and so would their wallets)
Sent from my CLT-L04 using Tapatalk
Great points across the board! I'm a proud Schecter owner myself and my #1 hard tail 6-string is still a Korean Schecter C-1 Classic I bought on a whim on eBay 11 years ago now. The neck feels great and the tone has always been very even and full.
I picked up a Schecter Keith Merrow 7 this year too that feels exactly the same, it's incredible that it sounds and plays like a guitar three times the price.
Until August last year I didn't own anything but import guitars. Now I have USA (JPX) and Poland (Mayones Duvell 7) which are phenomenal, there is something very special about the attention that was given to making them both.
But still, I got lucky at the time, and now I'm playing all sorts of imports in stores that feel great in the hands. If more people could get over the "prestige" of MIA on the label they might be happier (and so would their wallets)
Sent from my CLT-L04 using Tapatalk
6stringerguy
New member
Re: Asian imported guitars
I’m happy with my imports too but have taken the plunge on a uk made guitar.
I’m happy with my imports too but have taken the plunge on a uk made guitar.
Re: Asian imported guitars
Sorry I didn't answer this sooner.
It was brand new when I bought it in late '68 or early '69.
Sorry I didn't answer this sooner.
It was brand new when I bought it in late '68 or early '69.
Driverfrown
New member
Re: Asian imported guitars
There are still some over priced American made at a low production rate but yet still fall into the "small shop assembly line" category of guitars that run the risk of average quality assembly, but are using better quality wood, hardware and electronics than those mass produced around the globe, and also to justify the cost kick they are built by qualified people.
You can take a low production limited model assy line guitar from anywhere and then upgrade it with higher end pickups and hardware and still be way under the retail cost of a overpriced factory USA guitar and come out pretty solid...
But taking a high production import with lower quality woods and electronics made by less skilled workers as opposed to the short run import model is not worth the $ you save over a mid level American assy line guitar.
What is commonly missed is that "any" high production model wherever it is made runs the risk of shoddy quality.
There are still some over priced American made at a low production rate but yet still fall into the "small shop assembly line" category of guitars that run the risk of average quality assembly, but are using better quality wood, hardware and electronics than those mass produced around the globe, and also to justify the cost kick they are built by qualified people.
You can take a low production limited model assy line guitar from anywhere and then upgrade it with higher end pickups and hardware and still be way under the retail cost of a overpriced factory USA guitar and come out pretty solid...
But taking a high production import with lower quality woods and electronics made by less skilled workers as opposed to the short run import model is not worth the $ you save over a mid level American assy line guitar.
Similar threads
