Everyone wants to attribute the high price of USA products to the American wages, with all the Cnc machines and automation, when really the problem with American companies is they always get top heavy. You don’t need 10 managers and 18 supervisors that all make 6 figures to run a manufacturing facility. Keep things level and pay a decent wage and I bet they could crank out good guitars that would be competitively priced.
it will be interesting to see what will happen to Taylor now that they are worker owned, i think with the guys on the floor having a say in how to run the company they will probably side step alot of these issues=)
@@Rogijimbex look what happened to peavey. An American icon manufacturer. They’re American made stuff stayed very competitive, but even they stopped trying to update and innovate and eventually succumbed to outsourcing. The funny part, they’re prices didn’t change much, and they are slowly fading away.
I think that certain aspects of guitar production borrow a lot from expensive furniture production. Plus, guitars are almost like the original fidget toy. There is something sensory that goes into holding one, seeing one, playing one, etc. I would argue that sound is not the only important thing to a musician.
Yes... and not just brand names... I have a great sounding, great playing Japanese built Takamine P4DC that I will get rid of because I have grown to detest the looks of cutaway acoustics.
I believe the only difference between the Fender products that come out of the Corona factory and the ones built in Ensenada is 180 miles. Change my mind. I grew up in San Diego and surfed in Baja all through the 70's and 80's. The living conditions in Mexico relative to the US were much different in those days. It is VASTLY improved today. I know some might think, "They're taking all our jerrrrbs!", and that might be true. I don't know. I do know that my MIM Deluxe Tele is a fantastic guitar. My E series Tele is also a great guitar. My USA Fenders are also great guitars. Pretty sure my Taylor is MIM and again, great guitar. They play well and sound great. Let's talk resale value. If you bought a MIM for 600 and it's worth 350 on craigslist, you've lost 250. If you paid 1400 for a USA model and it's ACV on the used market is now 1000, you're down 400. I'm a working guitar player. I don't buy plus tops, or signature models. I'm going to use the guitar and I'm not going to take very good care of it. It's a tool to me. And relative resale value is important to me. It's a key decision point since I buy on the used market 90% of the time. My goal is to buy at a price I can resell down the road after making some money. It does not always work out that way.
Thank you for saying that about resale on usa strats. Been saying it for a while. If it is a second American pro Strat for example, here in the UK people will put you over a barrel and try to get you down to £800
I've been to the Corona factory, 80% of the workers there were Mexican. People sometimes forget that California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas used to be part of Mexico.
My uncle was a lifelong jazz guitarist, he passed away this year at 88...He used to tell me about what it took him to get his first Gibson in the '40s, which he bought used, and then sold in the early 50s to finance his first brand new Gibson - which he owned till he died...To him growing up in the '30s and '40s a Gibson was considered almost out of reach, something you had to scrimp, save, sacrifice and wait to get - if you ever did get one... Compared to those days it seems like USA-made instruments from brands like Gibson, Fender, Martin, PRS etc, while not cheap, are a lot more attainable than they once were... And if made-in-the-USA is the thing, how about a shout out to National Resophonic who revived an iconic but moribund American brand and style of guitar and continue to make great instruments - I own 2 (a Resolectric and an M2) - love them both, play them regularly...
nationals .. . saving up for one for metal resonators, the import ones can be sketchy or have that issue of either playing good or and having bad tone or play bad but unreal tone. But nationals and mules seem to have them.
As a guitar builder myself I can honestly say that the cost of materials is on the rise from suppliers which will reflect on the purchase price of the instrument.
"You're driving a Honda, sir." I don't know what you said after that, as I could not stop laughing. Mexican Fenders have been good to me. No issues. And, everything I have gotten from Korea has been quality, as well.
When it comes to guitar there are 2 things. Does it feel good in the hand and how does it sound. If those 2 things are good it doesn't matter where it was made.
Resale value........ My American made instruments hold a 55 to 65% resale value..minimum... I like to buy and sell guitars as a hobby. I can always get my money back on American make guitars
Dude in what world are you losing more than 50% value on a Mexican fender…if that was the case you’d be able to pick up fenders for sub $300 which you cannot
Yeah exactly! seems like some people accidentally make this weird turn in their heads that Chinese people can’t build guitars because they’re Chinese? It’s a weird phenomenon.
I’m not Japanese, but I work and live in Japan. It was a very easy decision for me to buy a MIJ Fender Telecaster. I got to support my, “neighbors”, and the guitar is great. 50’s reissue butterscotch blackguard tele (ash body/ maple neck) with Texas Special pickups. I paid the equivalent of about 860 dollars U.S. Supporting the businesses where you live is great, but I understand that it’s very difficult when it feels like your, “neighbors”, seem to be pricing you out of the market. 🎸
Also, instruments were way more expensive back then than they are now. I believe that the MSRP for a 1959 Les Paul was around $350, which is almost the equivalent of $3,500 now. We don't see Gibson Les Paul standards selling for that price, they are currently hovering in the $2,500 mark.
I've been preaching this for years. Back then our paychecks weren't taxed as much leaving a bit more disposable income but yes, pro level Gibsons are relatively cheaper now than in the 50's/60's.
The 1959 instrument was hand made using the best materials available. The 2020 instrument is CNC and built within a strict price and time frame. Moreover, there is more competing claims against peoples incomes these days than there were in 1959 - so inflation calculators are useless as they incorrectly assume that preferences and the basket of goods we consume are constant - which they clearly are not. Example: Nobody was buying Iphones in 1959 or signing up with an ISP.
Quality. I have a MIM Player Strat in great condition and has been serving me great. I recently bought my first MIA, an ultra Tele with multiple issues with the inlays. Still a great guitar, just needs some work. But I was very surprised the quality control from Mexico was better than the quality control from an American Fender.
I used to work in a music store. We had to send back 2 brand new Ultra Teles for repair, that just came through the door. One was the inlays, as you mentioned. On the other, the bridge was installed crooked. We also had to send back 2 ES-335’s(one that was for a customer), because the nut was installed wrong. The one for the customer, they filled the nut, and re-filed it?! Had to return their money, and they bought a PRS Hollow Body. Never once had any problems with the MIM range. Fantastic guitars.
I still think some of the squire classic vibes are an amazing value. I own a Gibson, Fender American and I just got a classic vibe that is out of this world. Overseas guitars are so much better than they were way back when.
Answer, yes I have a made in USA hangup. Wish I didn't. But I think fender does the best job of keeping the Mexican guitars a high value, and the USA guitars just a little nicer and priced at a point that you can still justify USA.
I love the 600 dollar fender players, MIM, but I love the Preformer I have MIA, have a MIJ (Japan) that is something else, build well also, I love all 3 of them. Have Chinese and Korean guitars, most places have good gear and bad gear ot depends what they are putting out
I've played mim, mij, mit, and made in America. I can tell the difference in feel, and a bit in sound via a side-by-side comparison. It took over a decade to appreciate the differences. All that said; it comes down to preference. I've played Harmony, Peavey (that guitar had a short and shocked my arm constantly), Epiphone, Gibson, and Fender. It comes down to what "speaks to YOU." I look at a guitar as the translation of my soul. It gives a voice to what would otherwise be unheard. To me, guitars also have a personality as well.
I thought I cared but I realized that I don’t. I bought a horribly warped MIM ‘96 strat in college, had a tech revive it, and it’s the best feeling guitar I’ve ever touched. I’ve played tons of USA Fenders and even some PRS Silver Skies, but there’s something magic in that rescued guitar that can’t be matched.
I think that the other appeal of american-made guitars is that they come with a built-in history. For instance I believe that the heritage guitar company is still using some of the original Gibson Kalamazoo factory equipment in their current production, which is really cool. Paul Reed Smith designs have some McCarty DNA in them. Fender, music Man, and g & l all have ties back to Leo fender at various points and time in his life, and his innovations. Martin is deeply ingrained in musical history. It's kind of like looking at a stratovarius. There is something mythical, legendary, and historical going on when you are dealing with an instrument like that.
You may not be able to say it but I will. That Jason Isbell Telecaster looks amazing. The Mike McCready Stratocaster looks cool as well. One is $1,600 the other is $15,000. I really wanna check one of the Jason Isbell’s out. The pictures look great, if it feels as good as it looks, I’m gonna get one. The EVH Frankie was MiM and is in that $1,500ish range. I really don’t mind paying that for a quality instrument, no matter where it was made, as long and it’s great build quality and great materials.
The Isbell Tele looks like a winner to me. So does the single P90 Tele. I have R9’s, 57 Mary Kaye and 59 Journeyman Strats. The SRV Artist Strat I have is by far the biggest bang for buck vintage style Strat I’ve played. Besides, If an Artist/Signature guitar is a negative, throw your Burst in the trash!
Growing up, I had always dreamed of owning a Fender. Years later, when I finally had the opportunity to do so, I opted for the Made In Mexico version and still own it. I will say this, that same model within a year later, went up $200. WTF?!🎧
Once this COVID thing tapers down and the majority are back at work, TRUST ME - guitar prices will go down. That being said, if you're American and you "can" afford to buy American - buy American. Keep our money home.
They plan on making this covid an endemic which means never going away. Plus they will not get enough sales on vaxxinez so they will probably force them in us under the guise of getting back to normal, which they have no intentions of doing.
I had an old Yamaha that I'd had since I was 16. About 7 years ago I decided to get back to playing guitar ( I'm 55 now) and wanted a guitar that was easier to play. I went with a Martin x-series 000 made in Mexico. A great little guitar with electric pickups that sounds great. I've played it with friends, open mic nights, and it is the first guitar I go to just to strum. I've added a martin 15 series since but still love that x.
I have a gibson explorer I bought brand new and its the best guitar I own. I also have a Mexican player tele and love it and I have a haggstrom that's made in China and its great too. For me the allure of an American (gibson) guitar are a few things in no order: 1- nitro finish 2- heritage of brand 3- paying Americans for their craftsmanship 4- higher quality materials. just my two cents.
I know this is old school and probably outdated at this point but I buy guitars made in the USA to support the workers and I still feel the quality is excellent.
I live in Canada & purchased a PRS S2 Custom 22 semi-hollow last year before taxes it came to $2400. I'm eyeing a PRS SE "Paul's Guitar" which is $1300 before Federal & Provincial tax. I understand the exchange rate, but not every company does that example REVV Amps same price in the US & Canada.
I'm a guitar player for about 40 years and I have found that most of the time if a guitar company has any made in Japan are incredible guitars.I buy Ameican for the obvious reasons but Japan makes fantastic guitars usually if they are from a good company.
Several points! 1) My ONLY gripe with the MIM Fenders is that most of them have polyester finishes on them. Like if they had done the Vintera with nitro (I mean they're doing it for the road worns so it's not like it's not available there) I'd buy one in a SECOND. It's just such an odd choice to have a fully vintage spec instrument and then dip it in plastic to finish it. 2) Pricing: I know you talked about the "olden days" old man arguments, but honestly prices have almost doubled in just TEN years. I'm in Canada so this effect has been amplified by the exchange rate, but back in 2009/10 an American Standard was about $1000 new. The AmPro is pushing over $2000 now. Same with the MIM Standards - they were about $550 back in the late 00's. Now they're pushing $1000. Even the American Vintage line - those were around $1600 back in 2011. Now the AO series is almost 3 grand. The inflation on guitars has been insane and way higher than most other retail sectors. 3) The used market has been very crazy to watch as a result of this constant inflation on new pricing. Prices on used gear are all over the place. People are asking ridiculous amounts on a lot of pieces. Not even sure what to make of it. 4) Are we headed for a guitar market crash? 2020 is probably going to be an aberration in sales as so many people were at home for extended periods. As the world hopefully returns to "normal" in 2021 with large scale vaccine rollouts, are those new guitar sales going to continue or is there going to be a snap back? And then what happens when all those people who bought guitars because they decided to learn how to play abandon it? Is the used market going to be flooded with guitars when a lot of people realize it's just collecting dust in the corner? Strange times indeed.
😋😋😋 and for those of us who want to add to our collection, will be reaping all the benefits! The used market prices are pretty high . I myself have only bought one used guitar, but I love it, it’s broken in so well and plays so well!
I just did a setup on a squier for a friend recently. I was dreading it, remembering the ones from the nineties and how crappy they were. I was very impressed on the build quality and ease of setup on that instrument. The over seas pieces are made pretty darn well.
I've seen so many feel shamed and rub the Squier emblem off and put a Fender decal on it. I tell them they pussied out. If your Squier sounds and feels good to you, own it and tell the "musicians" in the crowd to f off. Lol
I remember when I was 18, I ordered a broken down Mexican fender Strat that was modded to within an inch of its life by the previous owner for 250$. I got it rewired and set up for about 90$ so the total of it was about 340$. Looking back at the ad and pictures, I wouldn’t have bought it, but it’s my favorite strat. No other strat has had the feel or cut that specific strat has. It’s not just me who’s said that. Other people who have borrowed it for gigs have said it just feels amazing. It is my first real electric and I wouldn’t sell it for anything.
i bought the majority of my collection in the early 2000s, all USA made. The most I paid for any of them was $1700 for a brand new Gibson ES 335. A grand for a Gibson Les Paul Studio and like $700 for the Gibson SG special. I bought four USA Fenders, three standards for a grand each and one deluxe tele for $1200. These prices today still get a gasp out of me, especially when they're over a $1000 and don't come with a case.
Nice mention of the PRS Hollowbody II Piezo :) Yeah, it's pretty expensive for an "overseas" model, but the build quality and finish are bloody awesome.
I saw that signature this morning, and I am not a fan of signatures, but that was my favorite of the new Fender releases. I am a fan of nitro finish, my 2006, 62 reissue Stratocaster is the best I have ever had, (and my 1994, 52 reissue blonde Tele). That being said, my 1996 Jimmy Vaughn Strat (MIM) gives them both a run for their money. Again not a fan of signatures, or Jimmy Vaughn in particular, but got such a good deal on it, my first Reverb purchase!
Staying for the second show at the Rolling Stones Let’s Spend The Night Together film was a big deal for me. Gosh was that the early 80s? Man. I remember it being like a little Stones concert at our normally very stiff movie theatre. Another great video guys!
I bought a gretsch 6131t-62 jet firebird two years ago, new. Made in Japan. One of the best guitars quality wise I've ever had. Flawless. I couldn't afford a custom shop gretsch. Don't know how they could be much better.
I have a story about this topic. Walked into my local Guitar Center about 2 years ago just killing time. Picked up one of those Dangelico 335ish semi hollow made in Indonesia (I believe it had P90s or buckers, hard to remember) 700 dollar price tag. That guitar was everything I’d want in a semi hollow. Played great and sounded great and for the price, it was hard to believe. It was every bit as good as my 97 blonde ES335. I sorta wished I bought it. That changed my views on overseas instruments. I’ve always marketed for MIA or MIJ. If it works, it works. Shouldn’t matter where it’s made.
You left out Japanese fenders, funny thing about them is they used to be what Mexican Fenders are right now. Which is the more affordable option that eventually got too good to the point where it was hard to justify them being cheap. Mexico has always had a history of lutherie so it's not exactly shocking that the quality had improved so much.
I've gotten to a point where when I buy a guitar it doesn't matter where it's made. I check the basics for me since I play different styles. The basics for me: How does it look? How heavy is it weight wise? How is the neck and fit and finish? Are there any obvious problems- bad jack, bad volume pots, fret sprout,frets not rolled, pick-ups not working properly, bowed neck, anything rattling around, action etc. I've played $5,000 guitars to $200 guitars from Epiphone,Gibson,Squire,Fender,Jackson,Charvel,Ibanez,EVH,PRS etc. As long as it plays well, it set up good and no issues it doesn't matter to me because it'll still sound like me at the end of the day. Great post guys👍🤘😎🎸
I have a MIM '95 Fender Stratocaster Special and I've endured its few QC issues for over 20yrs. I love it even more due to the upgrades that practically cost almost as much as I paid for the guitar brand new in '96 but I don't mind that cuz it's my very first Strat and during those 20 years I already knew what I wanted in it and it's a keeper for life. My first Tele, a 2002 Tradition CAB10, was made in China but assembled in Burleson TX; i researched it deep after i bought it used over 3yrs ago and I was impressed over the information I came across. I have played plenty of American-made guitars and impressed by each one of them but even more impressed by those based on American Strats, Teles, Les Pauls and SGs; speaking of the latter, the Maestro Les Paul & SG Juniors are rooted in Kalamazoo though they weren't made there... but so? if a guitar feels good to you when you play it and you enjoy playing it then you should buy it regardless of where it was made. Oh by the way, those Fender locking tuners folks are crazy about these days? I got news for you: they're not made in America(!) so if anyone's good with that then that's good but if not then oh well... it's still good.
A few months ago I bought a new PRS Hollowbody SE in Québec City for 1199.99 CAD, 941.92 USD, that was made by Cor-Tek in China. I bought the replacement PRS locking tuners, not because of any tuning issues, just because at that price point I couldn't resist. I can't put the thing down. The tone, responsiveness, weight... I've been playing since 1967 and this thing is absolutely amazing.
I have a ‘87 MIJ Fender RI of the ‘68 Pink Paisley Tele played by James Burton; a MIJ ‘95 Fender RI of a ‘62 Strat; a 2004 MIM Fender 50’s Classic Esquire; and a 2010 Epiphone 50th Anniversary RI of the V11960 Les Paul Standard made in Epiphone’s HQ China plant. They are as good as any USA made guitar...
I’m perfectly happy with the MIM fenders, I am someone who modifies my guitars so I don’t see a point to spending more when I’ll be eventually swapping out parts.
As an owner of both an American Professional and Player Series strat, I can say they both sound great and feel great to play, but the American one definitely has some additional quality. The finish is better, it doesn’t have seams everywhere that look like they glued a bunch of pieces of wood together and veneered it, the bridge and tremelo parts look like higher quality metals, and the frets got more attention. It takes nothing away from how great the Mexican guitar plays, and you could live without the added quality, but I feel like it’s definitely worth the up charge. I also have a made in Japan HM Strat reissue and it’s up there in quality as well. Just got a PRS SE HollowBody II made in China and it’s already one of my favorite guitars. I don’t care where they’re made if they play great and sound great.
I have three electric guitars. 2 are from Korea - A 2001 DEAN EVO, and a 2021 reverend double agent; 1 is made in the USA - 2011 G&L asat custom shop that I snagged used. All three play great. Build on all three are very nice, clean. Sonic characteristics all very nice. I don't care where it is from, really; is it well built? Does it feel good in the hands? Does it sound great when plugged straight into the amp? That is all that matters. All that said - if I had to do it all over again, I would have just gotten the reverend. I love it that much. Definitely prefer it over my g&l - the reverend is lighter and the neck, for me, is spot on perfect. I prefer it over the Dean because, again the neck. Additionally, the reverend pickups absolutely blow the 20 y/o Dean pickups out of park.
Every guitar I own is offshore made... no issues with any instrument... I'm a working player... but, with the exception of my prs se models, they need set up, and fret/ nut work... the prs were almost perfect.
Last month I bought my first made in Corona, California Fender. I don't know why other than I just wanted an American made Stratocaster so when I had the extra funds I got it. But, y'all are right. The quality of guitars these days from all over the world is very high compared to when I got my first guitar back in the mid 70s. I don't have a good reason for choosing American made over the others. I just wanted one.
Love the video......I firmly believe we should be blindfolded when buying guitars. It should be how the guitar feels and sounds that dictates the purchase, not the country of manufacture, not the fancy bits and pices or colours or inlays. Flamenco guitars are a prime example, extremely plain looking but sound beautiful and pure. All that said I'm a sucker for a douuble edgebound and the scratchplate of a J200.....if only I could practice what I preach !!!!!
Might be a controversial statement, but with certain brands (i.e Fender) it's pretty much the same people just working in a different place. By that I mean the US Fenders are made in the USA sure, but mostly by Mexicans (take a look at the Andertons factory tour video). The only real advantage the USA factory has is all the original equipment which was used on the original models, can provide unmatched authenticity, aside from that the actual workers are the same. I'd buy the US model for the authentic parts, better specs but not for who built it. I would also rather the USA on the headstock, but that's purely for resale value
That tour blew my mind. I thought the components like trem blocks, bridge saddles, input jacks, etc were out sourced and assembled in the US. I had no idea it was all machined, milled, and polished all in the US Fender factory. I assumed the body, neck, pickups and the finishes were done in the US, but the rest just shipped to the factory and assembled.
@@nubfishin9152 Funny you mention it, the part with the little bridge saddle polishing also really impressed me. Felt awful for the poor guy that had to sit there polishing a stack of thousands of those things but that's the real deal. Don't know how much more authentic it can get!
I've had the good fortune to own Fender, Gibson, PRS, and Gretsch guitars etc. Also MIM Fenders, Epiphones and PRS SE's. I've now come to really treasure two foreign-made major brand instruments recently acquired. First, the Fender road worn "Brad Paisley Esquire" with the "secret agent" neck pickup under the pickguard. At $1400 it seemed expensive for a Mexican Fender...however, as you were indicating, the build quality and sound are first-rate...impeccable. Just a lovely instrument! Another is the newer Epiphone Les Paul Custom (black). I have three Gibson Les Pauls for comparison. The Epiphone is genuine and so.o.o beautiful. I just stand it up and look at it...let the light shine on it. It's fine art!! Caveat: As in another of your videos, you mentioned seeing "Gibson" on the headstock or "Made in USA" on the back just fulfilling the feeling somehow ("wow I've got a real Gretsch 6120 in my hands"). Makes one proud. That's the rub. Mojo accomplished ...but rationally you know the less expensive models are exceptional and in some cases may sound better to you than the "authentic" model. But...... Such a deal. Like your discussions a lot. Thanks much
My first decent guitar was a Peavey T-60 in 1982. Still have it and it still plays great. The idea that people overseas can't build a quality product is nonsense. It really comes down to how cheap are they trying to make it and how many per day they're trying to churn out, just like in the US. Good stuff can be made anywhere and bad stuff can be made anywhere. Added: I think the PRS S2 line is some of the best value out there. I have an S2 Mira and Vela semihollow. Both rock.
This is how I always tiered it in my head- Top tier- USA /Japan 2nd tier - Mexico / Korea Third tier - Indonesia cause it’s iffy. I’ve had good stuff and really janky stuff. Bottom- China. Stay away unless you can play it first. My opinions only people.
If I'm looking for a Fender, I can't find any meaningful reason to buy anything but the Player series EXCEPT color. That's it. The Players are just awesome and when they aren't from time to time, can't be fixed easily with a simple setup or pickup swap. Either way you're usually in less money than the American made ones.
There are great guitars made everywhere.. but it's important to remember that it's important to care. Guitars or instrument making is a craft and there is a certain art to it. I for one like seeing the craft being nurtured and jobs staying local. There will always be the boutique brands and higher-end guitars that will remain made in USA, Europe and Japan. Support local businesses when possible. Of course, it all depends on the price point.
I came for the review I watched till the end for the vibe you guys make an awesome Guitar talk show. You Guys could be the Rhett and Link from GMM of Guitars!
I own about 25 guitars that are a mixture of American, Mexican, and Asian. I find it hard to find any fault in most of the Asian or Mexican guitars. For example, I have a Core PRS P-22 and an SE Custom 22 Hollow Body. I find the SE to be at least 95% of the Core at 1/3 the price. Can't beat that. Another example is my Ibanez AS-103 (ES-335 style). I think the build quality, fit and finish , etc. are as good or better than any of the Gibson ES guitars that I have owned (the fret work is impeccable). Another example is my Gretsch G5422TG, which might not have the same mojo as a 60's White Falcon I used to own, but the quality is probably on par. I think you get my point. I think the more recent imports in the around $600.00 and above price range are on par with a lot of the American made guitars of the past few decades. However, I find some exceptions to this. First are acoustic guitars. My Martins and Gibsons blow away any imported acoustic guitars that I have had (disclaimer: I have never had a Takamine or a Taylor or imported Martin). Interestingly, also, for laughs and giggles I bought a Harley Benton TE90QM after hearing all of the Harley Benton hype ($205.00 plus $68.00 2 day shipping from Germany). Hated it at first, but after doing a fret level, crown, and polish, it's actually not a bad guitar.
I absolutely love my USA made instruments, however in today’s world as tight as money is you can’t find a better value than what is being produced by Epiphone (2020 models) as well as the Squier Classic Vibe series.
Because they r fender strats and Les pauls but instead of slapping "Fender" or "Gibson" they put the epiphone and squier on them and people think they aren't "as good" smh. People r brainwashed with literally everything.
Hey Baxter and John! Just getting to catch up with you guys! So yesterday I went to my local guitar shop and put a Mexican player series Strat in layaway-Vintage Buttercream Blonde is the color of it but man the neck plays and feels like butter and the pickups sound just heavenly! Very happy with my decision
I think the specific factory more so than the country of origin had a big part in the desirability of a guitar for me. It used to be that only X was served up by the American factory but now X is offered from Mexico now too. I will say that a good factory has a mojo it imparts into each guitar. My USA guitars are good because the workers are treated well and they want to be there. My epiphone, while being a perfectly fine instrument is kinda soulless as it comes from the epi factory in China where labour standards are lower etc. I tried a Mim fender a couple years back and absolutely loved it, but the American EJ strat was calling. TLDR: labour practices and type of guitar are most important to me
Yea I care, and from personal experience, I have good reason too. I bought a Martin, since I am left handed, it has to be made for me. So I got the guitar and the back of the neck is rough. It says right on the guitar Made in Mexico. I keep the guitars in a music room with an automatic humidifier, set at 50% RH. The back of the composite neck is so rough that I can file my fingernails with it. Garbage, I am donating it to charity as I play my Yamaha and Cordoba much more than it. Now I have a Taylor acoustic, it's gone. As for Fender, I bought a BassBreaker amp and cabinet. When the tubes went out I had to take them out to fix it. I found two small silver screws in the cabinet, one on a speaker magnet. I looked all through the amp for empty screw holes and found none. The amp says right on it, Made In Mexico. So the assembler dropped two screws into the cabinet and didn't bother to take them out. Quality inspections must be a joke as well. II want nothing Made in Mexico.
I've always chosen guitars on a one by one basis. I've seen drastic improvements in import guitars over the years, but I've also seen Japanese guitars from the 80's that were already blowing domestic product out of the water, particularly from ibanez and Yamaha. Cort and Samick have always given you major bang for your buck. And if you have the skills to do a few upgrades you can make them serious players.
If pretty much any guitar purchased has to be set up to be playable, then paying lots extra for US made or something similar doesn't make any sense. Problem is we tend to get locked into Guitar Center since they tend to be localized.
I can comfortably say that most of the Fender MIJ's especially RI's are much more price worthy rather than MX and USA made ones. Fujigen is like a stronghold of good quality made guitars.
I’m in the UK, nigh on everything is overseas here. We have small boutique here, but other than that, it’s all overseas for us. Place of manufacturing isn’t really as important. The only importance is the heritage & prestige.
I have to agree with what you said about the PRS overseas models. I have a Korean SE Single-cut (Korina wood) that I tell people is a back up guitar, but in reality it plays better than some of my US built bigger brands.
The technology of building guitars have come such a long way, that I honestly don’t think it matters that much where you buy it from, unless your buying a custom built guitar. A straight up production guitar off the line, blindfolded I don’t think most people could tell MIA from MIM from MIK
Here in Australia, everything (bar a couple of exceptions) is imported. Everything travels across water. A cursory glance online at local pricing puts a Mexican Strat Player at $1100, US Strat Performer at $1900, US Strat Pro II at $2640 and Custom Shop stuff north of six grand. If in 35 years of playing I've never bought a US Strat, it's less likely now than ever (I do own a Mexican P Bass and Bassbreaker 15 FSR tweed combo). I own 20 guitars and only one was assembled in the US (mostly Japanese parts), though the last six guitars I've amassed are primarily American parts and I've done my bit to help keep Warmoth and various US pick-up companies in business. But an off-the-rack US guitar? Not going to happen. Even pricing and quality being equal - which it isn't - I prefer putting my money into Mexican labour and American labour and profits (which so many seem to forget) in Mexican made Fender stuff. And I can sleep knowing I haven't been stiffed with fat margin in overpriced US Fenders.
I agree that Mexican and overseas manufacturers are making really good quality. My #1 right now is a MIM Tele. What I'm having trouble with is the spiking prices of some overseas guitars. PRS is significantly breaching past the $1,000 mark for models from China and Indonesia, which is something i'm not sure i'm comfortable paying for overseas. Not saying they aren't good guitars, just that savings i'm expecting for an overseas product doesn't feel like it's there anymore. Maybe I need to reorient my view of guitars to be more like how I view cars.
There's so much good stuff on the market these days that honestly it comes down to the individual guitar for me. I've picked up some American made stuff that has made me question how it got out of the factory, just the same as I've picked up some stuff from outside the US that is absolutely stunning right out of the box. For my money, Reverend's approach to building the guitars overseas and doing the QC in the States is probably the best in that regard. I own a couple now and they've all been perfect right out of the box.
New to guitars/bass and I have just discovered your channel. Love the format and some of the discussions have been excellent as well. I started with a MIM P Bass which made sense to a beginner and I am now considering a Tele. I'd have no hesitation buying from the Player Series again because I perceive good value - were I a more experienced musician, it may be easier to justify spending more for an American-made instrument for the improvement in fit, finish, tone... but that is an argument for another day.
I have a Korean made Schecter Solo II that plays better than my Gibson Les Paul. The pots are the only thing that let the Schecter down and those are easily upgraded.
I've been playing and buying guitars since the mid 80s and honestly, Mexico makes great guitars. I have owned several Mexican made strats that are just as good if not better than a lot of U.S. made strats. I had a South Korean made PRS SE and it's extremely well made. Indonesia is doing fantastic work too. I think the quality of American made guitars, with the exception of a few companies like G&L, Charvel and PRS, have taken a nosedive. I bought a Japanese made ESP Horizon over an American made Jackson Soloist in '87 because the ESP was a superior guitar in every way and cost about half what the Soloist did.
It depends on the price points entirely for me. Under a grand I think overseas and Mexico are fine. Over that and I want American, EU, or Japanese made.
I've owned/own USA, Korean, Indonesia, and Chinese made guitars. Cost versus build quality (my experience), Korean built PRS guitars wins hands down, no contest. I've owned 4, still own 3, and they all stack up against my US made PRS. I've owned three dogs, a USA Gibson (terrible fret work), Chinese 1k Signature Epiphone (nut fell apart into pieces, toggle switch was bad, truss, sharp edges on frets), Indonesian bottom tier PRS ( must have been built on a Monday when everyone was hung over, name something and there was something likely wrong with it, that was a rough one from such a reputable company), I have a beautiful work of art USA PRS that is perfect in every regard, I've owned a few Indonesian, and Chinese guitars from other brands that were decent as well.
Yeah, I also had an Indonesian made PRS Custom 24 SE. I couldn't get it to stay in tune if I used the bar at all. I did buy a core McCarty this year and it's been great.
I remember bank in 2015 an old bandmate said there’s no way he was paying 900+ bucks for a made in Mexico fender when we were talking about the MiM jazzmaster with nitro lacquer and American 65 jazzmaster pickups. Looking back, I wish I would have bought one, because a model with the same specs has severely gone up in price. Overall, I’m not against owning a new MIM and actually probably leaning more in that direction nowadays. Something that keeps me from buying some of the American guitars, is that there are very few options for getting a nitro finished guitar, unless you’re paying well over 2 grand or going custom shop. For me, it’s just a cosmetic thing. I want my guitars to age as I play them, like the old ones would. If fender incorporated that finish into more less expensive models, they’d tap into a huge market of buyers that want the same as myself.
I have guitars from the U.S., Mexico, and Korea and my favorites vacillate between them. They’re all good but I will say the highest quality guitar of the bunch is a Fullerton G&L.
I'm indifferent about the country of origin but I do prefer to have a professional setup job or PLEK job on everything I buy just because I cant play it in the store most of the time.
true story..I asked Mike from Agent Orange about his Jazzmaster and told me to only by the Mexico ones so i went out a few days later and found a Surf Green MIM Jazzmaster 2015 ... i love love love that guitar....
I think if we reach the point where you have to use a loan to purchase one of these high end imports, you might as well go all the way with a flagship model.
I think it all comes down to long term value. If you are looking for a great playing guitar that doesn't cost much. Get one made in Korea or Indo or Mexico. If you want something that can appreciate in value over time, you have to get American made. Just an opinion.
One often gets the feeling, with signature guitars, that they add a mark up to pay the artist, but you're not getting any better playability. There are some exceptions. I have one of the Joe Satriani higher=end Ibanez guitars, and it is superbly made and well worth the price I paid. But some of the Strats can be modified from stock USA Standard Strats for a fraction of the price. Same with the Gibsons. They're simply not worth the extra money.
Just for fun I used an inflation calculator and using 265 as the price for a Les Paul in 1959, it comes out to 2,357 today. So the price increase for a les Paul is not just inflation
Great info as always guys. One brand I wanted to mention was Eastman. They’re a Chinese brand that hand make their guitars with top quality components. As they were originally a violin company they have a point of difference with their hand rubbed violin stains that are really beautiful and age in a similar way to nitro. I bought one of their ES type guitars for 1300 Australian which would be about $800 US which is amazing value compared to similarly priced guitars over here. Do you or any of your viewers have any experience with Eastman? I’d love to hear your thoughts?
Everyone wants to attribute the high price of USA products to the American wages, with all the Cnc machines and automation, when really the problem with American companies is they always get top heavy. You don’t need 10 managers and 18 supervisors that all make 6 figures to run a manufacturing facility. Keep things level and pay a decent wage and I bet they could crank out good guitars that would be competitively priced.
it will be interesting to see what will happen to Taylor now that they are worker owned, i think with the guys on the floor having a say in how to run the company they will probably side step alot of these issues=)
Good point!
@@Rogijimbex look what happened to peavey. An American icon manufacturer. They’re American made stuff stayed very competitive, but even they stopped trying to update and innovate and eventually succumbed to outsourcing. The funny part, they’re prices didn’t change much, and they are slowly fading away.
so true all true
its like government everyone takes to much
I think we all hear with our eyes a lot more than we like to admit. ;)
I think that certain aspects of guitar production borrow a lot from expensive furniture production. Plus, guitars are almost like the original fidget toy. There is something sensory that goes into holding one, seeing one, playing one, etc. I would argue that sound is not the only important thing to a musician.
Totally agree!
Particularly with headstocks and logos.
Yes... and not just brand names... I have a great sounding, great playing Japanese built Takamine P4DC that I will get rid of because I have grown to detest the looks of cutaway acoustics.
I mean... if you can't help but pick it up every time you look at it...
Own two guitars made in Indonesia, both excellent. Playability off the charts!
I believe the only difference between the Fender products that come out of the Corona factory and the ones built in Ensenada is 180 miles. Change my mind. I grew up in San Diego and surfed in Baja all through the 70's and 80's. The living conditions in Mexico relative to the US were much different in those days. It is VASTLY improved today. I know some might think, "They're taking all our jerrrrbs!", and that might be true. I don't know. I do know that my MIM Deluxe Tele is a fantastic guitar. My E series Tele is also a great guitar. My USA Fenders are also great guitars. Pretty sure my Taylor is MIM and again, great guitar. They play well and sound great.
Let's talk resale value. If you bought a MIM for 600 and it's worth 350 on craigslist, you've lost 250. If you paid 1400 for a USA model and it's ACV on the used market is now 1000, you're down 400. I'm a working guitar player. I don't buy plus tops, or signature models. I'm going to use the guitar and I'm not going to take very good care of it. It's a tool to me. And relative resale value is important to me. It's a key decision point since I buy on the used market 90% of the time. My goal is to buy at a price I can resell down the road after making some money. It does not always work out that way.
Thank you for saying that about resale on usa strats. Been saying it for a while. If it is a second American pro Strat for example, here in the UK people will put you over a barrel and try to get you down to £800
I've been to the Corona factory, 80% of the workers there were Mexican. People sometimes forget that California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas used to be part of Mexico.
My uncle was a lifelong jazz guitarist, he passed away this year at 88...He used to tell me about what it took him to get his first Gibson in the '40s, which he bought used, and then sold in the early 50s to finance his first brand new Gibson - which he owned till he died...To him growing up in the '30s and '40s a Gibson was considered almost out of reach, something you had to scrimp, save, sacrifice and wait to get - if you ever did get one...
Compared to those days it seems like USA-made instruments from brands like Gibson, Fender, Martin, PRS etc, while not cheap, are a lot more attainable than they once were...
And if made-in-the-USA is the thing, how about a shout out to National Resophonic who revived an iconic but moribund American brand and style of guitar and continue to make great instruments - I own 2 (a Resolectric and an M2) - love them both, play them regularly...
nationals .. . saving up for one for metal resonators, the import ones can be sketchy or have that issue of either playing good or and having bad tone or play bad but unreal tone. But nationals and mules seem to have them.
As a guitar builder myself I can honestly say that the cost of materials is on the rise from suppliers which will reflect on the purchase price of the instrument.
"You're driving a Honda, sir." I don't know what you said after that, as I could not stop laughing. Mexican Fenders have been good to me. No issues. And, everything I have gotten from Korea has been quality, as well.
The Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio has produced over 20M vehicles, starting in 1982.
Love my Indonesian Greg Bennet Samicks!
Baxter must have made this video when he was hungry. his description of the mexico factory was: snack room, tacos, beer, and pastries. 🤣
They dont have good Mexican food out there on the east coast!
That is a very good point and I think you may have been right:)
When it comes to guitar there are 2 things. Does it feel good in the hand and how does it sound. If those 2 things are good it doesn't matter where it was made.
Speak more broke 🤑
@@JavaoftheLava what?
In my opinion it does not matter where the guitar is from! If sounds and plays good then it's the one! Just look at Jack Pearson and his Squiers
I have American and Mexican made Fenders. They're both well made, and they sound great.
Mexico is part of America so off course the quality is similar
@@visje1996 Lol!
Reverend does the same as PRS. Get the guitars from Korea then set up everything in house. Each hand signed and numbered.
My Reverend is made and finished as well as any guitar I've ever played.
@@morganghetti totally agree. I have 3 revs.
Gretsch does as well. They inspect the Electromatics in Phoenix.
The new PRS SE models are now made in Indonesia. Some models are reaching $1,000. I’d rather buy a good used American made guitar for that same money.
@@johngrasso1483 buy a fender. Better guitars, better stock pickups. PRS are pretty but master of nothing.
Resale value........ My American made instruments hold a 55 to 65% resale value..minimum... I like to buy and sell guitars as a hobby. I can always get my money back on American make guitars
Which is bullshit when MIM guitars r made like 20 mins away 😂
I think they pump out more from mexico and from USA not as many come out
Dude in what world are you losing more than 50% value on a Mexican fender…if that was the case you’d be able to pick up fenders for sub $300 which you cannot
The luthiery stands on its own. Good work can come from anywhere. Quality, not origin, governs. My! Opinions!
Yeah exactly! seems like some people accidentally make this weird turn in their heads that Chinese people can’t build guitars because they’re Chinese? It’s a weird phenomenon.
Yes! Exactly! I have a strat from everywhere. Also have played strats from everywhere I have not been fond of
I’m not Japanese, but I work and live in Japan. It was a very easy decision for me to buy a MIJ Fender Telecaster. I got to support my, “neighbors”, and the guitar is great. 50’s reissue butterscotch blackguard tele (ash body/ maple neck) with Texas Special pickups. I paid the equivalent of about 860 dollars U.S. Supporting the businesses where you live is great, but I understand that it’s very difficult when it feels like your, “neighbors”, seem to be pricing you out of the market. 🎸
The second part of this video really spoke to me. Its the content we were all hoping for. Cheers!
We blame our content guy :)
Also, instruments were way more expensive back then than they are now. I believe that the MSRP for a 1959 Les Paul was around $350, which is almost the equivalent of $3,500 now. We don't see Gibson Les Paul standards selling for that price, they are currently hovering in the $2,500 mark.
I've been preaching this for years. Back then our paychecks weren't taxed as much leaving a bit more disposable income but yes, pro level Gibsons are relatively cheaper now than in the 50's/60's.
@@az8999
In the 50s Fender guitars were the equivalent price of an American Professional model today.
The 1959 instrument was hand made using the best materials available. The 2020 instrument is CNC and built within a strict price and time frame. Moreover, there is more competing claims against peoples incomes these days than there were in 1959 - so inflation calculators are useless as they incorrectly assume that preferences and the basket of goods we consume are constant - which they clearly are not. Example: Nobody was buying Iphones in 1959 or signing up with an ISP.
Quality. I have a MIM Player Strat in great condition and has been serving me great. I recently bought my first MIA, an ultra Tele with multiple issues with the inlays. Still a great guitar, just needs some work. But I was very surprised the quality control from Mexico was better than the quality control from an American Fender.
I used to work in a music store. We had to send back 2 brand new Ultra Teles for repair, that just came through the door. One was the inlays, as you mentioned. On the other, the bridge was installed crooked. We also had to send back 2 ES-335’s(one that was for a customer), because the nut was installed wrong. The one for the customer, they filled the nut, and re-filed it?! Had to return their money, and they bought a PRS Hollow Body. Never once had any problems with the MIM range. Fantastic guitars.
I still think some of the squire classic vibes are an amazing value. I own a Gibson, Fender American and I just got a classic vibe that is out of this world. Overseas guitars are so much better than they were way back when.
Answer, yes I have a made in USA hangup. Wish I didn't. But I think fender does the best job of keeping the Mexican guitars a high value, and the USA guitars just a little nicer and priced at a point that you can still justify USA.
I love the 600 dollar fender players, MIM, but I love the Preformer I have MIA, have a MIJ (Japan) that is something else, build well also, I love all 3 of them. Have Chinese and Korean guitars, most places have good gear and bad gear ot depends what they are putting out
I love the USA strat tho, #1
I've played mim, mij, mit, and made in America. I can tell the difference in feel, and a bit in sound via a side-by-side comparison. It took over a decade to appreciate the differences. All that said; it comes down to preference. I've played Harmony, Peavey (that guitar had a short and shocked my arm constantly), Epiphone, Gibson, and Fender. It comes down to what "speaks to YOU." I look at a guitar as the translation of my soul. It gives a voice to what would otherwise be unheard. To me, guitars also have a personality as well.
I thought I cared but I realized that I don’t. I bought a horribly warped MIM ‘96 strat in college, had a tech revive it, and it’s the best feeling guitar I’ve ever touched. I’ve played tons of USA Fenders and even some PRS Silver Skies, but there’s something magic in that rescued guitar that can’t be matched.
I think that the other appeal of american-made guitars is that they come with a built-in history. For instance I believe that the heritage guitar company is still using some of the original Gibson Kalamazoo factory equipment in their current production, which is really cool. Paul Reed Smith designs have some McCarty DNA in them. Fender, music Man, and g & l all have ties back to Leo fender at various points and time in his life, and his innovations. Martin is deeply ingrained in musical history. It's kind of like looking at a stratovarius. There is something mythical, legendary, and historical going on when you are dealing with an instrument like that.
You may not be able to say it but I will. That Jason Isbell Telecaster looks amazing. The Mike McCready Stratocaster looks cool as well. One is $1,600 the other is $15,000. I really wanna check one of the Jason Isbell’s out. The pictures look great, if it feels as good as it looks, I’m gonna get one. The EVH Frankie was MiM and is in that $1,500ish range. I really don’t mind paying that for a quality instrument, no matter where it was made, as long and it’s great build quality and great materials.
The Isbell Tele looks like a winner to me. So does the single P90 Tele.
I have R9’s, 57 Mary Kaye and 59 Journeyman Strats. The SRV Artist Strat I have is by far the biggest bang for buck vintage style Strat I’ve played.
Besides, If an Artist/Signature guitar is a negative, throw your Burst in the trash!
Growing up, I had always dreamed of owning a Fender. Years later, when I finally had the opportunity to do so, I opted for the Made In Mexico version and still own it. I will say this, that same model within a year later, went up $200. WTF?!🎧
Once this COVID thing tapers down and the majority are back at work, TRUST ME - guitar prices will go down.
That being said, if you're American and you "can" afford to buy American - buy American.
Keep our money home.
You think it's going away?
LOLOLOLOL.
They plan on making this covid an endemic which means never going away.
Plus they will not get enough sales on vaxxinez so they will probably force them in us under the guise of getting back to normal, which they have no intentions of doing.
@@Surge_LaChance So you think we're all gonna die from this thing then.
LOLOLOLOLOL
I had an old Yamaha that I'd had since I was 16. About 7 years ago I decided to get back to playing guitar ( I'm 55 now) and wanted a guitar that was easier to play. I went with a Martin x-series 000 made in Mexico. A great little guitar with electric pickups that sounds great. I've played it with friends, open mic nights, and it is the first guitar I go to just to strum. I've added a martin 15 series since but still love that x.
I have a gibson explorer I bought brand new and its the best guitar I own. I also have a Mexican player tele and love it and I have a haggstrom that's made in China and its great too. For me the allure of an American (gibson) guitar are a few things in no order: 1- nitro finish 2- heritage of brand 3- paying Americans for their craftsmanship 4- higher quality materials. just my two cents.
honestly, it doesnt matter where it was from as long as the built quality is good.
I know this is old school and probably outdated at this point but I buy guitars made in the USA to support the workers and I still feel the quality is excellent.
I have nothing against Mexican or overseas but I always buy American because I’m old and we do that
Nothing wrong with that!
I live in Canada & purchased a PRS S2 Custom 22 semi-hollow last year before taxes it came to $2400. I'm eyeing a PRS SE "Paul's Guitar" which is $1300 before Federal & Provincial tax. I understand the exchange rate, but not every company does that example REVV Amps same price in the US & Canada.
My favorite guitar is a MIM Telecaster. I've tried multiple made in USA versions, but I prefer the feel of the MIM and haven't found a better one.
YUP my MIM Strat is amazing
I'm a guitar player for about 40 years and I have found that most of the time if a guitar company has any made in Japan are incredible guitars.I buy Ameican for the obvious reasons but Japan makes fantastic guitars usually if they are from a good company.
Several points!
1) My ONLY gripe with the MIM Fenders is that most of them have polyester finishes on them. Like if they had done the Vintera with nitro (I mean they're doing it for the road worns so it's not like it's not available there) I'd buy one in a SECOND. It's just such an odd choice to have a fully vintage spec instrument and then dip it in plastic to finish it.
2) Pricing: I know you talked about the "olden days" old man arguments, but honestly prices have almost doubled in just TEN years. I'm in Canada so this effect has been amplified by the exchange rate, but back in 2009/10 an American Standard was about $1000 new. The AmPro is pushing over $2000 now. Same with the MIM Standards - they were about $550 back in the late 00's. Now they're pushing $1000. Even the American Vintage line - those were around $1600 back in 2011. Now the AO series is almost 3 grand. The inflation on guitars has been insane and way higher than most other retail sectors.
3) The used market has been very crazy to watch as a result of this constant inflation on new pricing. Prices on used gear are all over the place. People are asking ridiculous amounts on a lot of pieces. Not even sure what to make of it.
4) Are we headed for a guitar market crash? 2020 is probably going to be an aberration in sales as so many people were at home for extended periods. As the world hopefully returns to "normal" in 2021 with large scale vaccine rollouts, are those new guitar sales going to continue or is there going to be a snap back? And then what happens when all those people who bought guitars because they decided to learn how to play abandon it? Is the used market going to be flooded with guitars when a lot of people realize it's just collecting dust in the corner? Strange times indeed.
😋😋😋 and for those of us who want to add to our collection, will be reaping all the benefits! The used market prices are pretty high . I myself have only bought one used guitar, but I love it, it’s broken in so well and plays so well!
I just did a setup on a squier for a friend recently. I was dreading it, remembering the ones from the nineties and how crappy they were. I was very impressed on the build quality and ease of setup on that instrument. The over seas pieces are made pretty darn well.
Blasphemy! But... Yeah, your right.
I've seen so many feel shamed and rub the Squier emblem off and put a Fender decal on it. I tell them they pussied out. If your Squier sounds and feels good to you, own it and tell the "musicians" in the crowd to f off. Lol
I remember when I was 18, I ordered a broken down Mexican fender Strat that was modded to within an inch of its life by the previous owner for 250$. I got it rewired and set up for about 90$ so the total of it was about 340$. Looking back at the ad and pictures, I wouldn’t have bought it, but it’s my favorite strat. No other strat has had the feel or cut that specific strat has. It’s not just me who’s said that. Other people who have borrowed it for gigs have said it just feels amazing. It is my first real electric and I wouldn’t sell it for anything.
i bought the majority of my collection in the early 2000s, all USA made. The most I paid for any of them was $1700 for a brand new Gibson ES 335. A grand for a Gibson Les Paul Studio and like $700 for the Gibson SG special. I bought four USA Fenders, three standards for a grand each and one deluxe tele for $1200. These prices today still get a gasp out of me, especially when they're over a $1000 and don't come with a case.
Nice mention of the PRS Hollowbody II Piezo :) Yeah, it's pretty expensive for an "overseas" model, but the build quality and finish are bloody awesome.
I saw that signature this morning, and I am not a fan of signatures, but that was my favorite of the new Fender releases. I am a fan of nitro finish, my 2006, 62 reissue Stratocaster is the best I have ever had, (and my 1994, 52 reissue blonde Tele). That being said, my 1996 Jimmy Vaughn Strat (MIM) gives them both a run for their money. Again not a fan of signatures, or Jimmy Vaughn in particular, but got such a good deal on it, my first Reverb purchase!
Baxter, the complete denim outfit is known as the Canadian tuxedo
Staying for the second show at the Rolling Stones Let’s Spend The Night Together film was a big deal for me. Gosh was that the early 80s? Man. I remember it being like a little Stones concert at our normally very stiff movie theatre. Another great video guys!
I bought a gretsch 6131t-62 jet firebird two years ago, new. Made in Japan. One of the best guitars quality wise I've ever had. Flawless. I couldn't afford a custom shop gretsch. Don't know how they could be much better.
I have a story about this topic. Walked into my local Guitar Center about 2 years ago just killing time. Picked up one of those Dangelico 335ish semi hollow made in Indonesia (I believe it had P90s or buckers, hard to remember) 700 dollar price tag. That guitar was everything I’d want in a semi hollow. Played great and sounded great and for the price, it was hard to believe. It was every bit as good as my 97 blonde ES335. I sorta wished I bought it. That changed my views on overseas instruments. I’ve always marketed for MIA or MIJ. If it works, it works. Shouldn’t matter where it’s made.
You left out Japanese fenders, funny thing about them is they used to be what Mexican Fenders are right now. Which is the more affordable option that eventually got too good to the point where it was hard to justify them being cheap. Mexico has always had a history of lutherie so it's not exactly shocking that the quality had improved so much.
I've gotten to a point where when I buy a guitar it doesn't matter where it's made. I check the basics for me since I play different styles.
The basics for me:
How does it look?
How heavy is it weight wise?
How is the neck and fit and finish?
Are there any obvious problems- bad jack, bad volume pots, fret sprout,frets not rolled, pick-ups not working properly, bowed neck, anything rattling around, action etc.
I've played $5,000 guitars to $200 guitars from Epiphone,Gibson,Squire,Fender,Jackson,Charvel,Ibanez,EVH,PRS etc.
As long as it plays well, it set up good and no issues it doesn't matter to me because it'll still sound like me at the end of the day.
Great post guys👍🤘😎🎸
I have a MIM '95 Fender Stratocaster Special and I've endured its few QC issues for over 20yrs. I love it even more due to the upgrades that practically cost almost as much as I paid for the guitar brand new in '96 but I don't mind that cuz it's my very first Strat and during those 20 years I already knew what I wanted in it and it's a keeper for life. My first Tele, a 2002 Tradition CAB10, was made in China but assembled in Burleson TX; i researched it deep after i bought it used over 3yrs ago and I was impressed over the information I came across. I have played plenty of American-made guitars and impressed by each one of them but even more impressed by those based on American Strats, Teles, Les Pauls and SGs; speaking of the latter, the Maestro Les Paul & SG Juniors are rooted in Kalamazoo though they weren't made there... but so? if a guitar feels good to you when you play it and you enjoy playing it then you should buy it regardless of where it was made. Oh by the way, those Fender locking tuners folks are crazy about these days? I got news for you: they're not made in America(!) so if anyone's good with that then that's good but if not then oh well... it's still good.
A few months ago I bought a new PRS Hollowbody SE in Québec City for 1199.99 CAD, 941.92 USD, that was made by Cor-Tek in China. I bought the replacement PRS locking tuners, not because of any tuning issues, just because at that price point I couldn't resist. I can't put the thing down. The tone, responsiveness, weight... I've been playing since 1967 and this thing is absolutely amazing.
I have a ‘87 MIJ Fender RI of the ‘68 Pink Paisley Tele played by James Burton; a MIJ ‘95 Fender RI of a ‘62 Strat; a 2004 MIM Fender 50’s Classic Esquire; and a 2010 Epiphone 50th Anniversary RI of the V11960 Les Paul Standard made in Epiphone’s HQ China plant.
They are as good as any USA made guitar...
I’m perfectly happy with the MIM fenders, I am someone who modifies my guitars so I don’t see a point to spending more when I’ll be eventually swapping out parts.
As an owner of both an American Professional and Player Series strat, I can say they both sound great and feel great to play, but the American one definitely has some additional quality. The finish is better, it doesn’t have seams everywhere that look like they glued a bunch of pieces of wood together and veneered it, the bridge and tremelo parts look like higher quality metals, and the frets got more attention. It takes nothing away from how great the Mexican guitar plays, and you could live without the added quality, but I feel like it’s definitely worth the up charge. I also have a made in Japan HM Strat reissue and it’s up there in quality as well. Just got a PRS SE HollowBody II made in China and it’s already one of my favorite guitars. I don’t care where they’re made if they play great and sound great.
I have three electric guitars. 2 are from Korea - A 2001 DEAN EVO, and a 2021 reverend double agent; 1 is made in the USA - 2011 G&L asat custom shop that I snagged used. All three play great. Build on all three are very nice, clean. Sonic characteristics all very nice. I don't care where it is from, really; is it well built? Does it feel good in the hands? Does it sound great when plugged straight into the amp? That is all that matters.
All that said - if I had to do it all over again, I would have just gotten the reverend. I love it that much. Definitely prefer it over my g&l - the reverend is lighter and the neck, for me, is spot on perfect. I prefer it over the Dean because, again the neck. Additionally, the reverend pickups absolutely blow the 20 y/o Dean pickups out of park.
Every guitar I own is offshore made... no issues with any instrument... I'm a working player... but, with the exception of my prs se models, they need set up, and fret/ nut work... the prs were almost perfect.
Last month I bought my first made in Corona, California Fender. I don't know why other than I just wanted an American made Stratocaster so when I had the extra funds I got it. But, y'all are right. The quality of guitars these days from all over the world is very high compared to when I got my first guitar back in the mid 70s. I don't have a good reason for choosing American made over the others. I just wanted one.
I love my Player series. I am a tinkerer, plays really well, and i am not scared to screw with it and change pots, pickups, and tuners.
Love the video......I firmly believe we should be blindfolded when buying guitars. It should be how the guitar feels and sounds that dictates the purchase, not the country of manufacture, not the fancy bits and pices or colours or inlays. Flamenco guitars are a prime example, extremely plain looking but sound beautiful and pure. All that said I'm a sucker for a douuble edgebound and the scratchplate of a J200.....if only I could practice what I preach !!!!!
Might be a controversial statement, but with certain brands (i.e Fender) it's pretty much the same people just working in a different place. By that I mean the US Fenders are made in the USA sure, but mostly by Mexicans (take a look at the Andertons factory tour video). The only real advantage the USA factory has is all the original equipment which was used on the original models, can provide unmatched authenticity, aside from that the actual workers are the same. I'd buy the US model for the authentic parts, better specs but not for who built it. I would also rather the USA on the headstock, but that's purely for resale value
That tour blew my mind. I thought the components like trem blocks, bridge saddles, input jacks, etc were out sourced and assembled in the US. I had no idea it was all machined, milled, and polished all in the US Fender factory. I assumed the body, neck, pickups and the finishes were done in the US, but the rest just shipped to the factory and assembled.
@@nubfishin9152 Funny you mention it, the part with the little bridge saddle polishing also really impressed me. Felt awful for the poor guy that had to sit there polishing a stack of thousands of those things but that's the real deal. Don't know how much more authentic it can get!
I've had the good fortune to own Fender, Gibson, PRS, and Gretsch guitars etc. Also MIM Fenders, Epiphones and PRS SE's. I've now come to really treasure two foreign-made major brand instruments recently acquired. First, the Fender road worn "Brad Paisley Esquire" with the "secret agent" neck pickup under the pickguard. At $1400 it seemed expensive for a Mexican Fender...however, as you were indicating, the build quality and sound are first-rate...impeccable. Just a lovely instrument! Another is the newer Epiphone Les Paul Custom (black). I have three Gibson Les Pauls for comparison. The Epiphone is genuine and so.o.o beautiful. I just stand it up and look at it...let the light shine on it. It's fine art!! Caveat: As in another of your videos, you mentioned seeing "Gibson" on the headstock or "Made in USA" on the back just fulfilling the feeling somehow ("wow I've got a real Gretsch 6120 in my hands"). Makes one proud. That's the rub. Mojo accomplished ...but rationally you know the less expensive models are exceptional and in some cases may sound better to you than the "authentic" model. But...... Such a deal. Like your discussions a lot. Thanks much
My first decent guitar was a Peavey T-60 in 1982. Still have it and it still plays great. The idea that people overseas can't build a quality product is nonsense. It really comes down to how cheap are they trying to make it and how many per day they're trying to churn out, just like in the US. Good stuff can be made anywhere and bad stuff can be made anywhere.
Added: I think the PRS S2 line is some of the best value out there. I have an S2 Mira and Vela semihollow. Both rock.
This is how I always tiered it in my head-
Top tier- USA /Japan
2nd tier - Mexico / Korea
Third tier - Indonesia cause it’s iffy. I’ve had good stuff and really janky stuff.
Bottom- China. Stay away unless you can play it first.
My opinions only people.
If I'm looking for a Fender, I can't find any meaningful reason to buy anything but the Player series EXCEPT color. That's it. The Players are just awesome and when they aren't from time to time, can't be fixed easily with a simple setup or pickup swap. Either way you're usually in less money than the American made ones.
There are great guitars made everywhere.. but it's important to remember that it's important to care. Guitars or instrument making is a craft and there is a certain art to it. I for one like seeing the craft being nurtured and jobs staying local. There will always be the boutique brands and higher-end guitars that will remain made in USA, Europe and Japan. Support local businesses when possible. Of course, it all depends on the price point.
I’ve slowly been replacing my guitars with American made but I agree about PRS and Fender imports. They’re great value
I came for the review I watched till the end for the vibe you guys make an awesome Guitar talk show. You Guys could be the Rhett and Link from GMM of Guitars!
I own about 25 guitars that are a mixture of American, Mexican, and Asian. I find it hard to find any fault in most of the Asian or Mexican guitars. For example, I have a Core PRS P-22 and an SE Custom 22 Hollow Body. I find the SE to be at least 95% of the Core at 1/3 the price. Can't beat that. Another example is my Ibanez AS-103 (ES-335 style). I think the build quality, fit and finish , etc. are as good or better than any of the Gibson ES guitars that I have owned (the fret work is impeccable). Another example is my Gretsch G5422TG, which might not have the same mojo as a 60's White Falcon I used to own, but the quality is probably on par. I think you get my point. I think the more recent imports in the around $600.00 and above price range are on par with a lot of the American made guitars of the past few decades. However, I find some exceptions to this. First are acoustic guitars. My Martins and Gibsons blow away any imported acoustic guitars that I have had (disclaimer: I have never had a Takamine or a Taylor or imported Martin). Interestingly, also, for laughs and giggles I bought a Harley Benton TE90QM after hearing all of the Harley Benton hype ($205.00 plus $68.00 2 day shipping from Germany). Hated it at first, but after doing a fret level, crown, and polish, it's actually not a bad guitar.
I just bought the Fender Vintera 50s Stratocaster road worn Stratocaster (in surf green). It was made in Mexico, and it's great!
I absolutely love my USA made instruments, however in today’s world as tight as money is you can’t find a better value than what is being produced by Epiphone (2020 models) as well as the Squier Classic Vibe series.
Because they r fender strats and Les pauls but instead of slapping "Fender" or "Gibson" they put the epiphone and squier on them and people think they aren't "as good" smh. People r brainwashed with literally everything.
Agreed
I own a MIM '72 reissue Thinline Tele, and it's my #1. I bought it used on reverb, and it's the best bang for the buck-plays great, sounds great.
Hey Baxter and John! Just getting to catch up with you guys! So yesterday I went to my local guitar shop and put a Mexican player series Strat in layaway-Vintage Buttercream Blonde is the color of it but man the neck plays and feels like butter and the pickups sound just heavenly! Very happy with my decision
I think the specific factory more so than the country of origin had a big part in the desirability of a guitar for me. It used to be that only X was served up by the American factory but now X is offered from Mexico now too. I will say that a good factory has a mojo it imparts into each guitar. My USA guitars are good because the workers are treated well and they want to be there. My epiphone, while being a perfectly fine instrument is kinda soulless as it comes from the epi factory in China where labour standards are lower etc. I tried a Mim fender a couple years back and absolutely loved it, but the American EJ strat was calling.
TLDR: labour practices and type of guitar are most important to me
Yea I care, and from personal experience, I have good reason too.
I bought a Martin, since I am left handed, it has to be made for me. So I got the guitar and the back of the neck is rough. It says right on the guitar Made in Mexico. I keep the guitars in a music room with an automatic humidifier, set at 50% RH. The back of the composite neck is so rough that I can file my fingernails with it. Garbage, I am donating it to charity as I play my Yamaha and Cordoba much more than it. Now I have a Taylor acoustic, it's gone.
As for Fender, I bought a BassBreaker amp and cabinet. When the tubes went out I had to take them out to fix it. I found two small silver screws in the cabinet, one on a speaker magnet. I looked all through the amp for empty screw holes and found none. The amp says right on it, Made In Mexico. So the assembler dropped two screws into the cabinet and didn't bother to take them out. Quality inspections must be a joke as well.
II want nothing Made in Mexico.
I've always chosen guitars on a one by one basis. I've seen drastic improvements in import guitars over the years, but I've also seen Japanese guitars from the 80's that were already blowing domestic product out of the water, particularly from ibanez and Yamaha. Cort and Samick have always given you major bang for your buck. And if you have the skills to do a few upgrades you can make them serious players.
I don't care where it's from or what name you put on the headstock as long as it plays well, sounds good, and isn't drowning in clear coat
I don't care until you want to sell it. That is why I buy the brands that don't depreciate to much!
If pretty much any guitar purchased has to be set up to be playable, then paying lots extra for US made or something similar doesn't make any sense. Problem is we tend to get locked into Guitar Center since they tend to be localized.
I can comfortably say that most of the Fender MIJ's especially RI's are much more price worthy rather than MX and USA made ones. Fujigen is like a stronghold of good quality made guitars.
Canada builds some fine guitars as well. Cheers 🍺
heck yeah ... look at Seagull Guitars
@@dxcman1 Simon & Patrick, Godin, Boucher...
Yep! Godin and all the companies under it is a great example
Dingwall!
I’m in the UK, nigh on everything is overseas here. We have small boutique here, but other than that, it’s all overseas for us.
Place of manufacturing isn’t really as important. The only importance is the heritage & prestige.
I have to agree with what you said about the PRS overseas models. I have a Korean SE Single-cut (Korina wood) that I tell people is a back up guitar, but in reality it plays better than some of my US built bigger brands.
The technology of building guitars have come such a long way, that I honestly don’t think it matters that much where you buy it from, unless your buying a custom built guitar. A straight up production guitar off the line, blindfolded I don’t think most people could tell MIA from MIM from MIK
Here in Australia, everything (bar a couple of exceptions) is imported. Everything travels across water. A cursory glance online at local pricing puts a Mexican Strat Player at $1100, US Strat Performer at $1900, US Strat Pro II at $2640 and Custom Shop stuff north of six grand. If in 35 years of playing I've never bought a US Strat, it's less likely now than ever (I do own a Mexican P Bass and Bassbreaker 15 FSR tweed combo). I own 20 guitars and only one was assembled in the US (mostly Japanese parts), though the last six guitars I've amassed are primarily American parts and I've done my bit to help keep Warmoth and various US pick-up companies in business. But an off-the-rack US guitar? Not going to happen. Even pricing and quality being equal - which it isn't - I prefer putting my money into Mexican labour and American labour and profits (which so many seem to forget) in Mexican made Fender stuff. And I can sleep knowing I haven't been stiffed with fat margin in overpriced US Fenders.
I love my Mexican Robert Cray Stratocaster. It has my favorite neck profile of any Strat.
I agree that Mexican and overseas manufacturers are making really good quality. My #1 right now is a MIM Tele. What I'm having trouble with is the spiking prices of some overseas guitars. PRS is significantly breaching past the $1,000 mark for models from China and Indonesia, which is something i'm not sure i'm comfortable paying for overseas. Not saying they aren't good guitars, just that savings i'm expecting for an overseas product doesn't feel like it's there anymore. Maybe I need to reorient my view of guitars to be more like how I view cars.
There's so much good stuff on the market these days that honestly it comes down to the individual guitar for me. I've picked up some American made stuff that has made me question how it got out of the factory, just the same as I've picked up some stuff from outside the US that is absolutely stunning right out of the box. For my money, Reverend's approach to building the guitars overseas and doing the QC in the States is probably the best in that regard. I own a couple now and they've all been perfect right out of the box.
New to guitars/bass and I have just discovered your channel. Love the format and some of the discussions have been excellent as well. I started with a MIM P Bass which made sense to a beginner and I am now considering a Tele. I'd have no hesitation buying from the Player Series again because I perceive good value - were I a more experienced musician, it may be easier to justify spending more for an American-made instrument for the improvement in fit, finish, tone... but that is an argument for another day.
I have a Korean made Schecter Solo II that plays better than my Gibson Les Paul. The pots are the only thing that let the Schecter down and those are easily upgraded.
I've been playing and buying guitars since the mid 80s and honestly, Mexico makes great guitars. I have owned several Mexican made strats that are just as good if not better than a lot of U.S. made strats. I had a South Korean made PRS SE and it's extremely well made. Indonesia is doing fantastic work too. I think the quality of American made guitars, with the exception of a few companies like G&L, Charvel and PRS, have taken a nosedive. I bought a Japanese made ESP Horizon over an American made Jackson Soloist in '87 because the ESP was a superior guitar in every way and cost about half what the Soloist did.
It depends on the price points entirely for me. Under a grand I think overseas and Mexico are fine. Over that and I want American, EU, or Japanese made.
Just picked up a Japanese Strat, and it is absolutely wonderful
I've owned/own USA, Korean, Indonesia, and Chinese made guitars. Cost versus build quality (my experience), Korean built PRS guitars wins hands down, no contest. I've owned 4, still own 3, and they all stack up against my US made PRS. I've owned three dogs, a USA Gibson (terrible fret work), Chinese 1k Signature Epiphone (nut fell apart into pieces, toggle switch was bad, truss, sharp edges on frets), Indonesian bottom tier PRS ( must have been built on a Monday when everyone was hung over, name something and there was something likely wrong with it, that was a rough one from such a reputable company), I have a beautiful work of art USA PRS that is perfect in every regard, I've owned a few Indonesian, and Chinese guitars from other brands that were decent as well.
Yeah, I also had an Indonesian made PRS Custom 24 SE. I couldn't get it to stay in tune if I used the bar at all. I did buy a core McCarty this year and it's been great.
I remember bank in 2015 an old bandmate said there’s no way he was paying 900+ bucks for a made in Mexico fender when we were talking about the MiM jazzmaster with nitro lacquer and American 65 jazzmaster pickups. Looking back, I wish I would have bought one, because a model with the same specs has severely gone up in price. Overall, I’m not against owning a new MIM and actually probably leaning more in that direction nowadays. Something that keeps me from buying some of the American guitars, is that there are very few options for getting a nitro finished guitar, unless you’re paying well over 2 grand or going custom shop. For me, it’s just a cosmetic thing. I want my guitars to age as I play them, like the old ones would. If fender incorporated that finish into more less expensive models, they’d tap into a huge market of buyers that want the same as myself.
I have guitars from the U.S., Mexico, and Korea and my favorites vacillate between them. They’re all good but I will say the highest quality guitar of the bunch is a Fullerton G&L.
I'm indifferent about the country of origin but I do prefer to have a professional setup job or PLEK job on everything I buy just because I cant play it in the store most of the time.
true story..I asked Mike from Agent Orange about his Jazzmaster and told me to only by the Mexico ones so i went out a few days later and found a Surf Green MIM Jazzmaster 2015 ... i love love love that guitar....
I think if we reach the point where you have to use a loan to purchase one of these high end imports, you might as well go all the way with a flagship model.
This is a phenomenal video, guys. I’ve got American guitars and Indonesian guitars, all amazing. Things aren’t the value of where they come from.
I think it all comes down to long term value. If you are looking for a great playing guitar that doesn't cost much. Get one made in Korea or Indo or Mexico. If you want something that can appreciate in value over time, you have to get American made. Just an opinion.
One often gets the feeling, with signature guitars, that they add a mark up to pay the artist, but you're not getting any better playability. There are some exceptions. I have one of the Joe Satriani higher=end Ibanez guitars, and it is superbly made and well worth the price I paid. But some of the Strats can be modified from stock USA Standard Strats for a fraction of the price. Same with the Gibsons. They're simply not worth the extra money.
Just for fun I used an inflation calculator and using 265 as the price for a Les Paul in 1959, it comes out to 2,357 today. So the price increase for a les Paul is not just inflation
Great info as always guys. One brand I wanted to mention was Eastman. They’re a Chinese brand that hand make their guitars with top quality components. As they were originally a violin company they have a point of difference with their hand rubbed violin stains that are really beautiful and age in a similar way to nitro. I bought one of their ES type guitars for 1300 Australian which would be about $800 US which is amazing value compared to similarly priced guitars over here. Do you or any of your viewers have any experience with Eastman? I’d love to hear your thoughts?