How much do you care where a piece of gear is made?

[Rock Bodom]

I picked up a Chinese Epi last month on a whim. Swore I'd never buy a MIC. Ended up loving the guitar, really good fretwork and nice job on the finish for the price point. Plays nice too, can't put it down every time I pick it up. I remember saying to my wife, the only thing I hate is that this really inexpensive guitar stays in tune better than my real Les Pauls.

With my mind now expanded, last week I picked up a MIC Soloist, couldn't resist the rainbow crackle. Same deal...good fretwork, super nice job on the finish, and plays/sounds great.

Might be luck of the draw and I got two winners, but I'm convinced it isn't total rubbish coming out of China.

I've had good luck with MIJ Jacksons over the years, and some of the Korean stuff has been really good (World Musical Instrument Co factory I've tended to particularly like). I've also had a number of really good MIM Fenders/EVH/Charvels. Indonesian a bit more mixed (again, might be luck of the draw).

I think at the end of the day I'm number 6. I like having guitars at a wide range of price points, and just filtering out and keeping the winners.

 

[Rex Rocker]

I am shocked by a lot of what was MIK that went to Indonesia.

I refuse to own an Indonesian instrument.

I have nothing against Indonesia, but I have not owned or played anything that has made me go "yeah, this is quality". Even my MIK LTD (not even LTD Deluxe) was miles ahead of an old Ibanez Premium I had for a brief period time in terms of build quality out of the box.

I would love to play an Indonesian guitar that proves me wrong, but as of now, not even the Premium Ibanez line has made me go "yep, this is it". I fear the current Indonesian LTD Deluxe range is subpar compared to the great stuff WMI Korea built.

 

[skullfxr]

I am shocked by a lot of what was MIK that went to Indonesia.

I refuse to own an Indonesian instrument.

I have nothing against Indonesia, but I have not owned or played anything that has made me go "yeah, this is quality". Even my MIK LTD (not even LTD Deluxe) was miles ahead of an old Ibanez Premium I had for a brief period time in terms of build quality out of the box.

I would love to play an Indonesian guitar that proves me wrong, but as of now, not even the Premium Ibanez line has made me go "yep, this is it". I fear the current Indonesian LTD Deluxe range is subpar compared to the great stuff WMI Korea built.

WMI Korea did some great stuff for the money IMO.

I hear a lot of good things about the solar guitars that IIRC Indonesian, but I refuse to drop $1200+ on an Indonesian guitar.

I mean yeah Chinese stuff isn't as bad as it was in the '90's and earlier, but as someone said, no one builds a guitar in China to make the finest possible instrument. They go there to cut corners.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

I prefer my guitars made in USA and Japan. You can look at my sig and see the amps I own.

 

[311boogieman]

Didn't vote, but as long as I know where it is coming from I can make my own value based decision. My main rig comes from:

Splawn - USA
Mesa - USA
Peavey - China
Fender Strat - Mexico
Schecter C1+ - South Korea


(only the Splawn was expensive and I bought it used for $1,400 so I guess you could say I'm cheap)

No way I would pay $6K for an amp. I can think of 4 or 5 other amps I'd rather have instead (ie 5150, DSL, Deliverence 60, JSX, etc)

 

[romanianreaper]

I mean yeah Chinese stuff isn't as bad as it was in the '90's and earlier, but as someone said, no one builds a guitar in China to make the finest possible instrument. They go there to cut corners.

There is something to be said about the awesome process of taking this wood and crafting a guitar out of it. I agree that it seems like there just isn't the same level of "feeling" going into those guitars. I remember there was this article in a guitar magazine I was reading years ago, and they were showing a factory in China. I thought it was Epiphone but can't remember. They showed the location of the factory and then these dorms right next door. These workers would go from their "homes" and then walk a few hundred feet to their workplace every day. Just seemed so weird.

Then they had pictures of the workers making the guitars and although they didn't look sad, etc., they just had these blank looks like they got zero enjoyment out of making a guitar and could have been a toaster and wouldn't have even mattered.

 

[godgrinder]

There is something to be said about the awesome process of taking this wood and crafting a guitar out of it. I agree that it seems like there just isn't the same level of "feeling" going into those guitars.

The main problem is there isn't the same level of wood going into these guitars in the first place. Usually they are fairly well made nowadays but most of the times they are nicely poly coated god-knows-what variation of proper timbers.

 

[ClintN667]

My Solar guitars are made in Indonesia and I've been really impressed but thats due to the QC once it leaves Indonesia. I do think also the fact that Ola, Greg, and Xavier make frequent trips to the manufacturing facility helps a lot too. Since they are keeping a closer eye on their product maybe the factory stays on their toes a bit more. I have a friend in Germany who bought a B stock a few months ago and he couldnt find why it was a B stock. Typically I would take anecdotes like this with a light grain of salt but his other guitars are higher end guitars like Aristides.

I bought a MiK LTD Sparrowhawk a few months after getting my Solar S1.6 and while it was nice it didnt take the place of my Solar. I really think it all comes down to what someone is willing to pay or do extra for QC. I have a Mayones on order which will be my first high end guitar so my views might change. I've tried out a lot of other guitars the past two years like Charvel, MiJ Ibanez, Gibson, ESP, and a couple Suhr and the only ones that really stood out was the Suhrs but it didnt scream $3000+.

My amps recently have been Splawn,Friedman, KSR, and Ceriatone. Kyle Rhodes has earned a life long customer from me with his customer service alone but also the tone and quality. It's nice to know I can reach out and talk to him about my amp with knowing he has had an actual hand in building it. I would like to get another Splawn in the future or a Splawn cab. Everyone gushes over Friedman amps but the Splawn amps were more my tastes. I wish he had the social media push that Friedman has. I kinda feel like people are sleeping on them nowadays but that may be due to not having an all "new" amp every year.

I guess really for me it comes down to being able to put a name and face with my gear instead of a random factory somewhere in the world. Its nice to be able to email the builder and having a relationship with them where they know what you like and really want you to be happy with your purchase instead of some random conglomerate where you are just another faceless customer for some random product that they dont give a shit about.

 

[SpiderWars]

For me it depends on what I'm buying. I generally prefer Toyotas/Hondas but also generally prefer USA made guitars (lots of non-USA too but you get the idea). Some things I don't care and just want cheap.

 

[skullfxr]

I really like Scott Splawn. Such a nice and approachable guy. I 'may' be modding my Nitro and he has even given me advice on that. Which is really cool.

I like being a part of the build.

I also wish Scott got more of a presence and push. I wish he would put out something new.

Friedman is cashing out big time with a new model every year. I wish Scott could do that. Scott really hasn't put out anything new in a long time other than the Supersport, which I totally love.

Once the hype leaves the Friedmans and the price drops, I will buy a used one. I like the ones I have played. BUT I am more into the Splawn sound more than the Friedman sound. But would love to have both tbh. As you all can see I am a amp whore.

 

[panhead]

All my shit is from the 60`s 70`s even though I didnt have much money I still acquired in the late 70`s early 80`s 4 halfstacks 2 LPs and some pedals for around $3500? Now this shit is worth stupid money. So I don't care where this other shit is made.

 

[ClintN667]

I really like Scott Splawn. Such a nice and approachable guy. I 'may' be modding my Nitro and he has even given me advice on that. Which is really cool.

I like being a part of the build.

I also wish Scott got more of a presence and push. I wish he would put out something new.

Friedman is cashing out big time with a new model every year. I wish Scott could do that. Scott really hasn't put out anything new in a long time other than the Supersport, which I totally love.

Once the hype leaves the Friedmans and the price drops, I will buy a used one. I like the ones I have played. BUT I am more into the Splawn sound more than the Friedman sound. But would love to have both tbh. As you all can see I am a amp whore.

yeah he could really just make little tweaks and package it as something new. A new feature here and there. When I bought a JJ jr. I was expecting some mind blowing amp that was way beyond what Scott produces. While it was nice it didnt have the bark and aggressiveness that a Splawn has. He is selling new fully loaded amps for around 2000 and at one point was giving away 2x12 cab with the purchase. I think if he got a Splawn into the hands of a "influencer" once in awhile it would do wonders for business. Granted I dont know if he wants an uptick or is comfortable where he is at. I would like to see a Quick Rod or Nitro with just a bit more saturation. The Nitro I had with the Buxom boost in front was amazing.

 

[wIsEbLooD]

For me there has to be value in an instrument.
I see no value in Mass produced Chinese junk.
And to sell this stuff at premium prices is just beyond me.

 

[Monkey Man]

Amen to that, brother.

 

[skullfxr]

For me there has to be value in an instrument.
I see no value in Mass produced Chinese junk.
And to sell this stuff at premium prices is just beyond me.

Exactly. 100% dead on.

 

[Thunkful]

If it's made by Fartin then we have a problem.

 

[Rock Bodom]

A good guitar or amp is a good guitar or amp. My ears tell me more than a flag does.

I don't care the "theory" of why the materials or production method should be better/worse, if its good, its good. And every country listed so far has had at least some winners. As someone who is old enough to remember the "value" of a cheap guitar a few decades ago when I was a kid...we are MILES ahead now with the value someone can get on a budget.

More people can play better gear as a result. I think I can keep the tan pants folded away in the drawer on this one.

 

[sleewell2]

zero fucks


gear is a tool used to make music. i can achieve value by having fun with my band writing and performing music and don't need to waste energy concerning myself with where something was made.

 

[311boogieman]

I really like Scott Splawn. Such a nice and approachable guy. I 'may' be modding my Nitro and he has even given me advice on that. Which is really cool.

I like being a part of the build.

I also wish Scott got more of a presence and push. I wish he would put out something new.

Friedman is cashing out big time with a new model every year. I wish Scott could do that. Scott really hasn't put out anything new in a long time other than the Supersport, which I totally love.

Once the hype leaves the Friedmans and the price drops, I will buy a used one. I like the ones I have played. BUT I am more into the Splawn sound more than the Friedman sound. But would love to have both tbh. As you all can see I am a amp whore.

yeah he could really just make little tweaks and package it as something new. A new feature here and there. When I bought a JJ jr. I was expecting some mind blowing amp that was way beyond what Scott produces. While it was nice it didnt have the bark and aggressiveness that a Splawn has. He is selling new fully loaded amps for around 2000 and at one point was giving away 2x12 cab with the purchase. I think if he got a Splawn into the hands of a "influencer" once in awhile it would do wonders for business. Granted I dont know if he wants an uptick or is comfortable where he is at. I would like to see a Quick Rod or Nitro with just a bit more saturation. The Nitro I had with the Buxom boost in front was amazing.

A little off topic but I think we've talked about this before. Or maybe it was over on the Splawn boards. I get what you guys are saying. He did recently add the "old/new" and "mid cut" switches as options to the QR along with the B+ option. I just checked and you can get a new 50w Quick Rod (which is what I'd do) for $1,850. DAMN! And you can get a new Super Sport or Competition for $1,400.

If I had to guess, I'd say Scott is perfectly happy with where he is at. He obviously is not doing it for the money at $1,900 a head new. Right? And he has fairly long lead times too (but nothing like 16 - 36+ months). I think he likes to talk to his customers and answer the phone.

One more model wouldn't hurt though

Something with more saturation (ie Bogner or Friedman) would be cool to have in his stable but he's making a certain type of amp for those who is after THAT tone/articulation.

I just don't think having more amps, or a super spokesman or more advertising is really his style. Plus he'd have to consider adding in those extra steps (read: headaches) if he were to take it to the next level.

 

[skullfxr]

A little off topic but I think we've talked about this before. Or maybe it was over on the Splawn boards. I get what you guys are saying. He did recently add the "old/new" and "mid cut" switches as options to the QR along with the B+ option. I just checked and you can get a new 50w Quick Rod (which is what I'd do) for $1,850. DAMN! And you can get a new Super Sport or Competition for $1,400.

If I had to guess, I'd say Scott is perfectly happy with where he is at. He obviously is not doing it for the money at $1,900 a head new. Right? And he has fairly long lead times too (but nothing like 16 - 36+ months). I think he likes to talk to his customers and answer the phone.

One more model wouldn't hurt though

Something with more saturation (ie Bogner or Friedman) would be cool to have in his stable but he's making a certain type of amp for those who is after THAT tone/articulation.

I just don't think having more amps, or a super spokesman or more advertising is really his style. Plus he'd have to consider adding in those extra steps (read: headaches) if he were to take it to the next level.

Per my conversations with Scott, he seems content. But I have heard frustration of competing new sales with what they go for on the used market.

Per my conversations with him he seems to like being able to package him as a package with his amps. If you know what I mean.

There is no doubt that he makes a killer product. And 311, it was you about a decade ago that got me into Splawn.

The new features I have not tried, but it is not going to make me run out and drop $2k on one, when you can get a used one for $1k without those features.

As far as "his" tone, it IS "his" not really anything else.

I would love to see something new and different. Maybe a head with QR dirt with a nitro dirt and a normal Scott clean.

Or something altogether.

TBH I would take a Monolyth modded plexi if I were to drop $2K over a Splawn.

Splawns are cheaper than a decent SLP, JCM, etc. And if someone like Monolyth were to start modding Splawns it would be cheaper and maybe more badass. I would honestly consider getting my Promod modded if someone had a good system going. Splawn guts are rock solid good iron, and everything in them is top notch.

I REALLY do wish he would include a switch to allow KT88's or EL34's and in my head it would be a smart move because it COULD streamline things a little bit for him and be a nice feature.