Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

[KeeperOS]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

Lotsa good advice here man, FWIW, I own 5 MiA guitars, 2 MiK and one Mexi Strat made in the span of 20 or so years and while I love every one of them, I have to admit that the quality (or difference of) doesn't go hand-in-hand with the country of origin. My best two are US-made but also custom-built. I have a Korean guitar that I bought dirt-cheap that is at the same quality level as a "normal" production high-end USA one and there's a Korean that's exceptionally well-made that I really can't flaw in the least. There are also Indonesian and Chinese ones that I've played and found to be pretty darn good.

Usually, the difference is in the quality of the raw materials, the hardware and electronics used, but even that is rather quickly becoming smaller and smaller.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

I dunno. Since I play more bass now I turned into a total MIA snob, with some some MIJ in the mix.

The only other thing I liked lately was a LTD bass.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

Usually, the difference is in the quality of the raw materials, the hardware and electronics used, but even that is rather quickly becoming smaller and smaller.

+1. The gap is narrowing.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

+1. The gap is narrowing.

The midrange offerings gap is narrowing, and the 2000s trend for cheap barebones low spec american guitars Is sorta making it all confusing

HOWEVER...the high end isnt a gap its a freakin CHASM. Get to Fender AmDlx or Gibson LP Custom levels, and the only country making production competition is Japan

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

the only country making production competition is Japan

Countries don't make guitars.

 

[voggin]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

The issue, I think, isn't the country, it's the specs. The workers in Korea or wherever are just as capable as anywhere else. Only, the reason companies tend to manufacture in, say, Indonesia is to build to a price point. They don't tend to say, "Let's save $200 on labour to build an SG for $999 instead of $1199". Instead, they want to make a guitar for $300, and squeeze things down, including labour, to get there. So materials as well as labour may (and I stress may) be inferior to an American or Japanese high-end model.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

Nah, I'm not so sure about the workers.

Guitar making is a bit random and you have to react to things.

Having a maker who is an enthusiastic guitar player himself will make a real difference in the high end market.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

Thanks for the input guys. ill reply one by one Q: )

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

Countries don't make guitars.

Nah, I'm not so sure about the workers.

Guitar making is a bit random and you have to react to things.

Having a maker who is an enthusiastic guitar player himself will make a real difference in the high end market.

+1

I think a guitar builder in say, Mexico, who genuinely has a passion for guitars and does his absolute because of his love will produce a far superior instrument than a Japanese worker (who doesn't fit into the cultural stereotype of the Japanese taking pride in everything) working for his pay and wants to go out drinking with his coworkers as soon as his shift ends. Assume both workers are in a production plant, and do their work regardless of the prices of the guitars they are building.

 

[Psykel]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

I own a 2012 (bought new) Hagström Viking DLX 12-string, made in China. It's beyond awesome! Beats the snot out of similar MiA guitars that costs 2-3 times what I paid.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

Hey JP how's doin'?

I have no in-depth experience with Chinese manufactured guitars but as long as they have those new super precise CNC machines and strict quality control of the brands, I have no worries. Some of the recent Ibanez axes that I test played were great for the first feel of the minute.

My last no-go guitar was a Squier '51. It says 'made in Indonesia' and also says 'play me' every time I look at it. It has an ample of great riffs in it ya know. I love that beast and prefer the feel to most Fenders.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

I have no in-depth experience with Chinese manufactured guitars but as long as they have those new super precise CNC machines and strict quality control of the brands, I have no worries.

+1. That takes a lot of the human elment out of the equation, and makes for more consistent guitars. I've found recent Chinese-made Epi's (on new CNC equipment) to be much more consistent than the older Korean ones.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

There's a 2005-2007 Ibanez SZ720FM that I'm eyeing right now. It sustains and resonates better than a few of my more expensive guitars. A real player that is definitely up there in quality. Made in Korea. I remember playing one when they were in production at a guitar show and being really impressed with it. It may be mine come the weekend.

In the mass produced arena, the line is getting so thin between the different places of manufacture. Where the separation happens is the wood selection. Sometimes the wood in imports, mostly from Asia, are a different "flavor" of the same wood that would be used in North America, or they have similar tonal properties but not the same species.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

+1

I think a guitar builder in say, Mexico, who genuinely has a passion for guitars and does his absolute because of his love will produce a far superior instrument than a Japanese worker (who doesn't fit into the cultural stereotype of the Japanese taking pride in everything) working for his pay and wants to go out drinking with his coworkers as soon as his shift ends. Assume both workers are in a production plant, and do their work regardless of the prices of the guitars they are building.

A japanese worker who is sloppy, doesnt care, and has zero pride about doing well will get the boot real, real fast...while in many other countries, doing the bare minimum isnt just an approach, but a lifestyle philosophy

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

Dismissing a guitar brand or line simply because of country of manufacture is incredibly short sighted.

Quality is quality, regardless of what the builder's passport looks like.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

guys, sorry for my absence, but im having hard time with a sore throat and LAZYNESS. ill fix it in 2 days.
Q: )
As i promissed. one by one replies.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

I just got an Indonesian LTD that looks and plays better than anything I've seen come down the pike in years. Setup, frets, action,are spot on. I'm not crazy about the 81-60 's but that's more of an EQ issue for the moment with my amps. Out of the box it blew my LP (2011 Studio) away. For less than $500.
PC

Yeah, i heard some of those stuffs, but i heard that from guys that dont have a clue what they are talking about or they have little or no experience. so when i get to play their aforementioned instrument, ahahahah its not that good.
but ill stay allert whenever some indian, chinese, or something like that guitar pops up so ill confirm or deny this improvement of quality .
Thanks for the input man.
Q: )

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

As much mystique as we wish to attach to them, guitars are very, very simple devices, and frankly, anyone with the slightest engineering nous can make one.

I AGREE, But at the same time, i disagree. Q: )

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

I agree with that. specifically here in Brazil. THATS... I dont even want to comment on it cause im already starting to get VERY Upset. when i remember the prices they practice here. Q: |

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Does The Old Rule still Applies? (guitar country of origin)

I agree man. completely... But, when you compare those Asiatic guitars with the usa or lets say japanese ones, when you needs to SELL them, wouldnt you loose much more than if you have bought a usa or japanese one?!?!
or did that also changed?