Another Dilution of quality!

[lbpesq]

The more SE models that PRS puts out, the lower my opinion of the company.  Same thing with Martin.  They used to produce a small family of arguably the finest acoustic guitars in the world.  Now they have far more models than I can keep track of, they come in all colors and materials, including synthetic(!) I believe, and even some with pictures of cowboys or batman or something painted on.  I certainly won't be buying one of those, and, because of the dilution, I am far less likely to buy a new Martin of any model.  By the way, I recently got an Eastwood Sidejack Baritone guitar (Made in China, I believe).  For $369 this is one helluva guitar!
 
Bill, tgo

[white_cloud]

Absolutely - the quality of guitar/bass that a tiny budget can buy nowadays is incredible!
 
I never raised this thread to put down low budget instruments (we have all been there, right?) or specifically korean instruments! I admit that Im generally very impressed with the kind of value for money axes that are produced by Korean and even more so by Japanese craftsmen.  
 
It would be wrong to do so considering the sheer demand for such instruments from youngsters (and oldsters) trying to get started in a band, personal pleasure etc.
 
Maybe Im being a touch hypocritical but for me a Fender for example is never a high end luthier product - neither is a Cort - so its kind of not a big deal to me for those guys to produce in the far-east/mexico etc. Its just that I considered Zon to be on a different level from most makes!
 
Im probably just an idealist at the end of the day!

[speicky]

...but you're not alone, John... not by far !

[0vid]

(quote)But it is your emotional attachment to your korean built Conklin groove that has driven your response to this subject - therefore emotions DO come in to it! (quote)
 
Actually, no. I'll pick an instrument for the application - who makes it carries little weight for me. I play my instruments for various sonic applications in recording or performance situations, and I have a noah's ark of musical instruments, each is different for what they do. I am not a brand fan in anyway, Alembic included. I am here in this forum to exchange useful information on the Alembic products I own and use; I am not a card carrying fan club member.  
 
If you think a company devalues its name or exclusivity by expanding its business, then good for you and your voting wallet. I don't have a problem with it and I don't see the reason to maintain any imaginary elitist status. It leads to bigotry, snobbery - albeit in the consideration of musical instruments and the marques behind them. I don't have a problem with other people having something I have and am not interested in promoting a have and have not society in anyway.
 
(Message edited by 0vid on July 17, 2008)

[white_cloud]

Well -
 
Everybody is different and thats as it should be. We all think and feel in our own way - and react accordingly!
 
Bigotry and snobbery are inherant human traits unfortunately - but are probably more relevant in a discussion regarding situations that affect human welfare as opposed to musical instrument choice!
 
I dont actually have any particular loyalty to brand - I simply select the products that I believe in for my own personal reasons!
 
Bottom line here Ovid is we are just going to have to agree to disagree
 
John.

[funkyjazzjunky]

This has nothing to do with bigotry or snobery.  The reason that imperts by Warwick, MTD, Fender Squires, et al sell for less is that they are of lesser quality.  Not bad quality, but lesser quality.  Not poor quality, but not the standard normally set by premium bass luthiers.
 
An American made base built on a factory line with lesser quality control and lesser quality materials would be just as bad.

[alembic_doctor]

BUILD AMERICAN.    BUY AMERICAN

[alembic_doctor]

Having just remembered that this is the World Wide Web, I submit:
 
For those of you who do not live here in these Great States.  I would implore you to buy American as well.  I like to think that for the most part, Americans build some of the best stuff in the world.
 
Now there are some other countries that produce some very fine stuff.  But China ain't one of 'em.
 
The British make the absolute best pre-amps and mixing consoles.
 
The French actually make some far superior speaker systems
 
The Russians (and the their outlying areas) make some really smokin' microphones and tube equipment.
 
Heck, they make some awesome effects processors in Denmark.
 
But I can not think of one single item, in my industry, that China ever innovated.  
 
my $0.02

[David Houck]

Here's one

[David Houck]

Here's another one
 
By the way, this clip is pretty amazing; absolutely wonderful right hand technique!
 
(Message edited by davehouck on July 18, 2008)

[mike1762]

They make pretty good Chinese food

[David Houck]

As a generalization, my view is, that to make our communities sustainable, no matter where we live, it is important to support local farmers, artisans, craftspeople and merchants.  I also tend to think that there are supremely talented artisans and craftspeople all of the world; that no arbitrary political boundary determines the limits of human artistry and craftsmanship.

[alembic_doctor]

Thanks for correcting me Dave.  The Chinese do make some pretty innovative instruments of their own design.  At least I don't think they borrowed the technology to make their instruments.

[mike1762]

This was made in China....
 

 
I like that.

[dnburgess]

Chinese inventions: compass, gunpowder, printing, silk.