RE: Overseas Guitar Factories - What am I buying?

[scarello]

I know the country of origin will usually indicate "Quality"; but I know some folks (Me being one) like one brand made in China or Indonesia over another brand made in the same country.

Funny thing is, I've read that guitars branded from different companies are made in the very same factory.

Point in case being the Ibanez JS100; based on the serial number, it could be made in the Cort factory; but It would be very unlikely for me to buy a Cort guitar.

Indonesian Epiphone Les Paul Guitars I've heard are made in a Samick factory; and again, it would be very unlikely for me to buy a Samick guitar.

So I guess my question is how much quality is lost and how much marketing and customer perception comes into play?

I mean, I've worked in manufacturing before, and made similiar parts, but based on customer specs and tolerances, we put out different quality products. Again, same person making two different quality parts; so my feeling is the factory is just putting out what the customer is asking for; not that the factory inherently puts out sub-standard product.

Does anyone have any feedback in general and maybe what factories brand what guitar?

Steve C - RI

[taracatac]

I don't have any further information, but I agree with your premise. I doubt the person making the neck says, "This is a Samick, so I don't have to do a good job. Oh, this one is an Ibanez, I have to work a little harder".

[elcid]

I gotta go with taracatac. I don't for once second believe any Korean, Indonesian, Chinese, etc guitar at a certain price point is better than the next just because of who the same company makes it for. Even when I taught and sold guitars I would tell parents looking for a starter guitar all the time that at the beginners price level they really wont see any difference in quality from one company to the next.

[DEADTUNES666]

Well the thing for me is that for the most part guitars in the $100.00-$250.00 range are beginner instrument, $250.00-$500 are novice, $500.00-$900.00 are intermediate, $900.00-$1200.00 are advanced, and $1200.00 and up are pro line quality...The varying determination would be the specs that the company has as guidelines for their models. The profile for a beginner Ibanez neck is vastly different than a comparably priced Fender...

[elcid]

Neck profile different, yes quality doubtful.

[marianozz]

I dont know, maybe they make a definite number of say "necks" per day, then that bunch goes through some sort of quality control where according to what each brand pays the factory they are separated in good ones for "brand X prestige" or "brand Y elite" lines, regular ones for regular guitars and the really crappy but still somewhat usable ones go the cheaper ones...

Or something!