Re: Rasmus guitars by John Suhr.
I disagree with the business move as I´ve seen what releasing cheaper side offerings often does to a brand, and I´m not sure John can avoid that happening.
The description would lead me to believe they´re likely using the Fujigen plant in Japan or Samick´s facilities in Korea, both excellent choices well capable of producing instruments worth >1000$ US. But when it gets out (and in today´s day an age, it will which exact plant they´re using, that could lead to other lower end brands from the same plant being "discovered" by people sucking sales away from Suhr´s budget offerings as opposed to generating them.
That off to the side, the number of companies producing strats (and superstrats) in that price segment is immense. You have Ibanez 500 series (or whatever they´re called these days) and low end Prestige lines, Jackson, ESP /LTD, Washburn, Charvel, and even Fender themselves, just to name the bigger players. ANd many of these offerings can boast Made in USA which for better or worse carries a certain stigma that is a selling point for many. Even though they may be a bit lower in quality, but conversely many are also less expensive.
Just my thoughts, I´m just not sure I really see a viable market at that price point. But I wish John best of luck in proving me wrong :beerchug: