Made in Indonesia

Ibateur · #1 05-01-2005, 03:25 PM

I passed by the local guitar shop today, looking for a cheapo Les Paul copy (my own reward to myself for stopping smoking). While at the window, I saw a couple of GSA and RG guitars (up to RG3xx and GSA was a 60). I was a little interested,so I peaked behind the headstock. I was actually expecting Made in Korea. But, they were actually Made in Indonesia. Not really suprised. Just wanted to let you all know that the discusion is not only Japan vs Korea.

Globbits · #2 05-01-2005, 03:49 PM

Just had a look at the Ibanez website, and the way i see it, if these are mad in Indonesia:
RG370
RG350
RG321
RG7321
RG320
GRG270
GRG170

and these are made, Prestige style, in Japan:

RG1520
RG1527
RG1570
RG1820
RG2550
RG2570
RG2620
RG3120
RGA121
RGA321
RGT220
RGT320
JEM7
UV

then surely the only RG guitars now being made in Korea are the RGT42, and the JEM555?

fettouhi · #3 05-01-2005, 05:02 PM

Aren't they doing guitars in China to?

Regards

André

dex · #4 05-01-2005, 05:10 PM

GRG, GRX, GSA, GAX, GSZ and the JTK are Indonesian - made in the same factory that makes Yamaha Pacifica up to 312 and other guitars for Yamaha.
AF, AK, AS and AG are all Chinese made.
All the RGs that are not prestige are Korean.

Next time you go to the store bring your glases.

ilia

Flobanez · #5 05-01-2005, 06:06 PM

Lucky that all my Ibanez' are made in Japan.
I'll never buy a Korean or Indonesian made guitar.

Jebus · #6 05-01-2005, 07:44 PM

My rg350ex was made in Korea. You must have missread it.

Tubarão Guitars · #7 05-01-2005, 11:20 PM

Even here at São Paulo, Brazil, i'm seeing PGM3 (white and blue/pink) and the JEM Jr. 333 in white and black colors.
The trems and hardware are all black, and seems exactly like Lo-TRS (but shows Ibanez logo only).
The price is dirt cheap compared to the PGM30 and JEM Jr.555.
Tubarão.

JESTER700 · #8 05-02-2005, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flobanez

Lucky that all my Ibanez' are made in Japan.
I'll never buy a Korean or Indonesian made guitar.

Never is a long time. There was a time people justifiably said the same about Japanese guitars. No longer. And IMO it's no longer a good generalization for Korea, either - I've seen some NICE Korean stuff.

Dr. Funkenstein · #9 05-02-2005, 09:57 AM

BTW congrats on the stopping smoking..... good move! I still struggle with it myself after 6 months, but everytime I have a flap about it, I spend the money I would have spent on something for my 2 year old son which always puts it back in perspective.

Cheers,

Dave

Ibateur · #10 05-02-2005, 11:16 AM

thanks doc. Luckily I don't feel the urges too much, which I found strange given the amount of smoking I used to do.

Hmmm. But maybe it just makes me see "Indonesia" when "Korea" is printed.... I'll check again in a week. By that time I should deserve at least a strum.

damo7v · #11 05-02-2005, 11:56 AM

i've seen RG320's with both Korean and Indonesian labels, so I'm convinced it's not your eyesight!

Korea is the new Japan... China is the new Korea... Indonesia is the new ????

vaijem777 · #12 05-02-2005, 11:58 AM

I said the same thing about Korean guitars until I took a chance and snagged an 'o4 AR300 Artist. As much as I hate to admit it, it's a REALLY nice guitar. Overall, the quality was right up there with a comparable Japanese-made model. Not quite on par with the Prestige AR2000/3000 models, but I didn't expect it to be. Things have definitely changed in regards to the overall quality of Korean-made guitars.

Rich · #13 05-02-2005, 12:03 PM

Korea is not the new Japan. I'm still waiting to see a true craftsman built Ibanez from Korea, and the Idonesian and Chinese stuff is just crap for crap prices.

btangel · #14 05-02-2005, 12:04 PM

time to start hating on MIC guitars then

vaijem777 · #15 05-02-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

Korea is not the new Japan. I'm still waiting to see a true craftsman built Ibanez from Korea, and the Idonesian and Chinese stuff is just crap for crap prices.

I'd agree with that. Korea is definitely NOT the new Japan...yet. But, Korean quality has vastly improved over the past 5 years even. Still not up to Japanese quality levels, but getting closer. For the money, Korean stuff is a better buy than it used to be.

The AR300 was an experiment for me though (already sold it). I'll stick with Japanese-made Ibanez' for the time being, but if I get the urge for another "beater", the Korean-made stuff is good enough