Polaris,
It is not a marketing ploy or a percieved thing with me. I have owned both Ibanez and Anderson guitars, and they are on two totally different levels. I am not saying that Ibanez can't make guitars of the same quality, I am saying that they DON"T on average. That is also to be expected, not because it is Ibanez, not because it is Japanese, but because it is a huge company that pumps out a tremendous amout of product, whereas the other companies focus more on quality and the fine tuning than on numbers.
I also agree with what Darren is saying, that a good luthier can produce a quality instrument out of Warmoth parts. The parts, woods, electronics, etc would be top notch and the if the luthier is highly skilled, his work would also be top notch. My point is that if he bought all of the parts new and charged the going rate for the work, the final price would certainly be in the same ballpark as Anderson, Pensa, Suhr and ohter such companies. I mean a quality exotic would neck from Warmoth can cost as much as $300-$400 alone, not counting the final fretwork and setup that would need to be done. A matching body could cost up to around $500. That is $800-$900 alone, and no other parts have been included, let alone the setup costs. Your final product would be around $1500-$2000 or so, maybe more depending on your options. how much do you think Andersons cost? Your custom would also have no resale value, whereas the Anderson would. I don't understand the arguement I guess. If you are the luthier I guess I can see it, but them again, if you are that good, you could build anything not just bolt on guitars and therefore your arguement agains bolt ons being overpriced would be shot as well.