The 'MADE IN ....' Factor

metal · #1 06-16-2009, 11:48 AM

Hi guys.. is it true that the guitar 'made in USA' or 'made in Mexico' are better than those made in china,Indonesia or Korea..???

I have and ESP guitar which has 2 of its frets buzzing... i've tried adjusting the bridge but its still not helping much.

Is there any other solution for the buzzing??

So.. any of u guys there have USA,Mexican,or Australian made guitars and still have buzzing or fretboard problems?

**jim777** · #2 06-16-2009, 12:15 PM

It depends on the materials used, the tools involved, and the level of skill held by the people doing the work. There is nothing endemic to China or California that makes one better than the other for building guitars.

As for your guitar, I would take it to a tech and get it looked over. You may have high frets, or loose frets, or need a GnP, or something. that can happen with almost any guitar.

prestigeaxes · #3 06-16-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

It depends on the materials used, the tools involved, and the level of skill held by the people doing the work. There is nothing endemic to China or California that makes one better than the other for building guitars.

As for your guitar, I would take it to a tech and get it looked over. You may have high frets, or loose frets, or need a GnP, or something. that can happen with almost any guitar.

+1

I feel that all of the following places can build the same guitars in terms of quality, its just most of the places listed are utilized to make guitars cheaper, so therefor top quality is not what they are going to strive for.

gpenguins · #4 06-16-2009, 12:49 PM

For most of the cheaper Ibanez stuff, I steer clear of the non-Japanese Asian stuff - I've just had way too many problems. Mostly it's necks warping, so I may keep a Korean or Indo body and use it with a Japanese neck.

However, they have some models made in China that are pretty nice. They are some of the higher priced but still cheap (under $1000 street) hollowbodies - like the AF105, the PM35, etc, and I think there's even a couple of solid bodies they make in that shop, too. The fretwork on those is amazing - I think ibanezrules has some nice closeups of the frets ends on some of those high end Chinese models. And they play and sound absolutely great. So, you can absolutely get incredible quality out of China or Korea or whereever, but you won't be getting it in a $99 GC special, either.

blackflag · #5 06-23-2009, 12:11 AM

My opinion... Asian workers just aren't going to have the same level of attention, skill, or craftsmanship that an American worker would. Exceptions? Sure, you can find a great Asian guitar or a crappy US guitar. If I buy an Asian guitar, I assume it's going to have some issues I need to address...if not, I came out ahead. All of my guitars are US, except for one.

But if you pay somebody $1 a day, you're going to get what you pay for, in terms of labor. Just common sense. I try to always buy US.

Rich · #6 06-23-2009, 12:28 AM

Absolutely. Only an American worker can feel Pride of a job well done. It's purely an American invention, and we own the whole market on that concept. And no other worker in the world has any attention to detail at all, they stand around daydreaming all day while producing the worlds crappiest goods, because none of them have the slightest idea what craftsmanship is. I'm pretty sure I saw it reported on one of those documentary shows about the skinhead movement.

**Ayrton** · #7 06-23-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackflag

My opinion... Asian workers just aren't going to have the same level of attention, skill, or craftsmanship that an American worker would. Exceptions? Sure, you can find a great Asian guitar or a crappy US guitar. If I buy an Asian guitar, I assume it's going to have some issues I need to address...if not, I came out ahead. All of my guitars are US, except for one.

But if you pay somebody $1 a day, you're going to get what you pay for, in terms of labor. Just common sense. I try to always buy US.

kotornut · #8 06-23-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackflag

My opinion... Asian workers just aren't going to have the same level of attention, skill, or craftsmanship that an American worker would. Exceptions? Sure, you can find a great Asian guitar or a crappy US guitar. If I buy an Asian guitar, I assume it's going to have some issues I need to address...if not, I came out ahead. All of my guitars are US, except for one.

But if you pay somebody $1 a day, you're going to get what you pay for, in terms of labor. Just common sense. I try to always buy US.

Yes, when I make guitars here in Japan. I only make ￥100 a day. That's only $1.15 a day (I know our currency is stronger than yours but I know it's just a fluke). I can't focus on the details. I just do as many as I can so I don't have to feel the sting of the whip on my back. It hurts so bad, and sometimes I cry but I try very hard to make many guitars an hour.

I know we can't compete with anything American here in Japan. Our cars, electronics, video games and even the attractiveness of our women is much worse than yours in America. But we try so don't be too harsh.

Yousef · #9 06-23-2009, 02:27 AM

^ Omg.. hahahah!! That was funny!

Me, I like Japanese guitars, cars, electronics, and video games! Jap girls are okay but I'm more keen to American girls.

I usually try to get the JAP Ibanez guitars because it feels they are better built and have better quality. But, if you take any guitar made from anywhere and put a lot of love into it, it can feel amazing regardless of location creation.

ibz_SA · #10 06-23-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackflag

My opinion... Asian workers just aren't going to have the same level of attention, skill, or craftsmanship that an American worker would. Exceptions? Sure, you can find a great Asian guitar or a crappy US guitar. If I buy an Asian guitar, I assume it's going to have some issues I need to address...if not, I came out ahead. All of my guitars are US, except for one.

But if you pay somebody $1 a day, you're going to get what you pay for, in terms of labor. Just common sense. I try to always buy US.

Yes because ibanez are made in the slums of Vietnam, wake up to your self, works are not paid a dollar a day. Stop being stereotypical of all Asian countries.

Jack Secret · #11 06-23-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibz_SA

Yes because ibanez are made in the slums of Vietnam, wake up to your self, works are not paid a dollar a day. Stop being stereotypical of all Asian countries.

They ARE??????

So all I've been playing all these years are...

VIEBANEZ???

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

I need to unload all these onto unsuspecting souls and buy all of them from a chap in Las Vegas named Ed since he's American and has TOTAL pride in his work! TO THE 'BAY!

oh, and why is that guy on a guitar forum that hasn't made USA guitars in over a decade? Funny how that works sometimes.

The Euphor · #12 06-23-2009, 09:40 AM

The sad thing is that people actually believe that US made guitars are superior based on where they are made. No matter who, what or how. Scary...

I really hope Blackfag had a lot of sarcasm in his post. I doubt it, but I hope.

blackflag · #13 06-28-2009, 12:05 AM

"The average monthly wage of workers in China's cities and towns in the first three quarters this year came out to 1,853 yuan(250$), showing year-on-year growth of 18.8%according to the data from a report issued by People's Bank of China (PBC)."

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/2007...e-increase.htm

Turn over your stereo. Look on the back of your computer. There isn't that much made in Japan anymore. China is the new Mexico.

But we're not talking about electronics, are we?

We're talking about an item of craftsmanship. And you're not getting any from a guy making $250 a month. Sorry if that hurts your feelings.

blackflag · #14 06-28-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Euphor

The sad thing is that people actually believe that US made guitars are superior based on where they are made.

The last two guitars I bought were an Ibanez AJD91 and a Gibson ES-339. They cost $350 and $1600. They're both awesome guitars, and I love them both. Happy with both purchases.

But one is a hundred dollar guitar. And one is a thousand dollar guitar. You get what you pay for. That's the way it is. And, as I said above...my opinion.

Rich · #15 06-28-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackflag

"The average monthly wage of workers in China's cities and towns in the first three quarters this year came out to 1,853 yuan(250$), showing year-on-year growth of 18.8%according to the data from a report issued by People's Bank of China (PBC)."

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/2007...e-increase.htm

Turn over your stereo. Look on the back of your computer. There isn't that much made in Japan anymore. China is the new Mexico.

But we're not talking about electronics, are we?

We're talking about an item of craftsmanship. And you're not getting any from a guy making $250 a month. Sorry if that hurts your feelings.

Maybe you should look at the sticker in the body of an Artcore Custom, see the "Made In China" label, and then choke on your words. But no doubt you'd come back with some smart ass answer about your AJD blah blah blah. BTW, I spent 3 hours doing a silver package on an AJD, and I'd put it up against your Gibson anyday.