10 Issues With U.S. Made Guitars

[@PhillipMcKnight]

I wanted to make a video talking about some issues viewers have brought up about made in US guitars over the last few years. these are my thoughts, I'm interested to hear yours.

[@chrisggoodwin777]

I generally prefer to buy American to support jobs and businesses of my countrymen, but I will not buy an inferior product simply because it's American made. I also try to support businesses whose leadership teams seem to actually care about the end product, not just a profit line. I don't mind paying for quality, but I do mind just paying for a name or country of origin without the quality and value being adequately represented in the product. Thanks Phil for always being a straight shooter!

[@gringogreen4719]

Phil, I guess it depends on era. I've not been impressed with vintage gear all that much. I can see why things moved on and parts got better. I think you are correct that the future is going to be questionable. I think that major manufacturing will go similar to tech where parts are made and sourced all over the world and very little will be a single country. So long as features get better I'm fine with that. By the way, you are correct about becoming a luthier. Despite the knowledge and experience, the pay isn't that great. It's a big part of why I pumped the breaks to go to Roberto-Venn. Great school, great people. Just the other side of that looks rough if that's all I do.

[@williamliew5444]

@bigvegan I recently picked up an made in Japan Ibanez talman and i love that thing

[@carlosegtrs5308]

Wait to we'll see the New Fender's coming very soon

[@gringogreen4719]

@@dougdeeper2537 Play gear that inspires you. Don't worry where it comes from. A guitar that demands that you play it will pull you through to a guitar you bought for another arbitrary reason. You will love it for its strengths and it's flaws.😉👍✨

[@weehuge]

Made In Japan guitars for the win... The Quality Control on any MIJ guitar I've played has always been top notch.

[@kenkovar2647]

Totally agree I bought an MIJ Fender Precision Bass and a Strat and they are very nice finish wise and in playability

[@blakjack3053]

Agreed. I have an Xplorer copy made by a Japanese company called Tokai, and it looks, sounds and plays every bit as good as my real Gibson Xplorer.

[@xp0079]

I wish there are more nitro finished MIJ, poly are durable but nitro often sound better.

[@caiusmadison2996]

Japanese culture is why, they refuse to show inferior work off. It's so ridiculous how bad the last 4 USA guitars where off from the moment I received them, either damaged, or string trees misdrilled and thus, misaligned. Nut work used to be excellent on USA, now, it's unfinished and or only set to work with 9's. Who the hell plays 9's after 6 months? 😆, virtually nobody who goes on to keep playing, is using 9's. Only metal needs 9's. Yet they always throw those baby strings on. 😒

[@ramencurry6672]

In my opinion it doesn’t matter. If the guitar has bad frets and the wrong nut, etc….I can just take it to my repair man and have everything straightened out

[@mreyes8519]

If my guitar doesn't have a top carved out by bullets, paint applied by eagle's feathers, and wood sourced from the mayflower, I won't buy it.

[@michaelware3970]

I'm not about to sell it, after all I had to go through to get it!

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

"wood sourced from the mayflower" Out of curiosity, where do you find guitars exclusively-made of American woods? As far as I am aware, most production guitars have mahogany, ebony, rosewood-substitutes, and other woods from Africa and India. I would love to have an American-made guitar made exclusively from American woods. For example, Florida swamp ash, New England maple, Cascades walnut, Arizona purple heart, all woods from America. However, the only way I know to get that is from custom orders. So, are there any production guitars exclusively-made from American woods? (Genuine question. I genuinely want to know.)

[@mreyes8519]

Guitar Nerd I’ve straight up never seen that available (affordable to commoners as myself) with the exception of limited runs like those government Gibsons (those were returned foreign woods though?) or the fender reclaimed series. There might be a handful of dealers that do that but they aren’t big shops.

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

@@mreyes8519 So when you mentioned "sourced from the Mayflower," you were referring to custom ordering something to have all American woods?

[@mreyes8519]

Guitar Nerd yeah, but I’ve never seen a guitar carved out of bullets either :-/

[@chocomalk]

The best Les Paul I ever played was an Ibanez hahaha

[@joeb3590]

Fam! My 335 is the same way

[@alexandrebozier4703]

Ibanez rulls, im a huge fan of rg model, even the Indonesia made guitars are awesome now

[@ak47dragunov]

Yep. I own an 87 Greco LP Custom and it slaughters any Gibby I've ever tried

[@carmineredd1198]

@@ak47dragunov 1987 Gibson LP Custom Silverburst $700

[@glennlilley8608]

Hear hear, as a bass player starting out in the 70s ,pretty much everything regarded as a "proper " instrument, was little more than a roughly hewn dead sounding plank , Japanese copies of all persuasions were just made better, That said, if you searched long and hard enough? A gem could be found among the wood pile !

[@aparise1]

I went to Guitar center last year...they had 2 2019 gibson sg standards....the first 1 tried was complete garbage....the 2nd one I bought and love it. So inconsistent

[@tonymarinelli7304]

So disappointing, especially for the price they command.

[@aparise1]

@@tonymarinelli7304 Exactly

[@SombraPiloto]

Fender can at least put out relatively consistent USA-made guitars, Gibson QC is crap in comparison.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Frank Bama I am also very disappointed in Fender as well. I received a brand new fender ultra series guitar, took it home and the damn thing wouldn’t stay in tune so I brought it back to the tech at Guitar Center, this is before the pandemic started thank God . He started checking it out, the bolts connecting the neck to the body were loose as hell as well as the tuning machines screws.Everyone at the Guitar Center are friends of mine, however, they pulled the old well things come loose in shipping which is complete bullshit I can’t tell you how many guitars I’ve bought in my lifetime never had that happen before.

[@Wolf_K]

Frank Bama I bought a American Original 60s Jazzmaster recently and it’s flawless, highly resonant and just a brilliant guitar all round. High end Fender never seems to disappoint me.

[@deweym61]

I buy USA guitars for the same reason I try to buy other USA made products, it's my home and I want to support jobs here at home.

[@GuitarJeff]

It's kind of like Phil said, a lot of the parts on guitars are made overseas. Fret wire, China. Wood to make the guitar, Africa usually except alder, ash, and maple. Pickups might me wound here, but wire magnet bobbins all made overseas. Even the equipment inside the factories, machinery, saws, saw blades, sandpaper etc. So the made in USA might keep a couple jobs in the US, but really keeps a lot more jobs overseas. Auto industry is the same way. Do what you like, buy what you like but don't do it under false pretense. Two best guitars I own as far as quality and playability, Music Man Monarch Majesty USA and Ibanez J Custom made in Japan. Quality, Price, stability are the same and both I think the highest quality guitar you can get. I own more expensive American made, they have issues. I own a few PRS 10 top and a couple limited runs. Beautiful guitars, sound good. But to sit down and play for more that half hour or so, the no forearm carve starts digging in. I also am in Michigan and all my PRS need setups and truss rod adjustments every season change. Buy a guitar for comfort, quality, stability and for what you want. Rather than where it is made.

[@HooksBill]

Me too and none of the parts on my PRS core models have import parts. I spend more to buy them. Not because of some superiority complex, but because I want to support American made and Paul's passionate about building them. Even if it had an import part, it wouldn't be a big deal. I know the guitar itself is made here and the majority of the parts are American made. I'm not opposed to Japanese built guitars. I love them, but I try to support American companies.

[@phililpb]

The USA is not a charity

[@grayaj23]

@philipb right? I feel like we had this conversation in the mid-80's when Chrysler was making the K-car in the US. Buying a piece of junk from a USA manufacturer isn't patriotic. It's being an "enabler". The USA-made guitar industry isn't as bad as the late 80's auto industry, but my choices for my next guitar are going to be between a new MIM or MIJ guitar vs a used MIU. I can't pay a premium price without knowing that what I buy is objectively worth it.

[@seanbailey8545]

I understand your reasoning but, why would you pay considerably more for a worse product. The QA on American guitars is such a wide range, you get a perfect guitar or a guitar that's worse than a $100 Chinese guitar.

[@jto541]

From my experience Japanese and Korean made guitars have always been the best

[@JohnSmith-wd9rc]

True. I had a 5 string Korean banjo. Less than $500 back in 2004, and it was on the level of a Gibson Master tone. The Asian builders have improved so much.

[@pablo9364]

Yeah I have a Japanese Ibanez RG550 build quality is unbelievable

[@daveduffy2823]

I have an Eastman 335 clone and it sounds amazing. And $1000 cheaper.

[@nickyounger1368]

Esp eii! Absolutely incredible.

[@Rattersar15]

I couldn't imagine my Japanese made ESP being any better. Plus I love the picture of Sal in your avatar.

[@LarryHovis]

I just buy inexpensive guitars and set them up the way I like. Any of my guitars that I've put $300 in will match or be better than a $2,000 guitar.

[@michaelware3970]

Just out of curiosity,some examples?

[@guitargirl6323]

@@michaelware3970 I personally have bought an ibanez rg 470 for 400, put a new paintjob on it new bridge new neck and new tuners and it's still less than a grand and honestly its one of the best playing guitars i've owned. Second to an mij scalloped olympic white strat.

[@michaelware3970]

@@guitargirl6323 Glad to hear about your Ibanez, the first good guitar I had was an Ibanez Musician, made when they stopped making copies, and came out with their original stuff, in the late 70's, unfortunately was stolen, I miss it!

[@Dokkensound]

Squire or MIM Fender, Epiphone. Have the frets dressed and setup adjusted. They really cut corners on electronics so replace the p/u's. Wiring , switches and pots replace with sets from StewMac, Mojotone, 920D etc...Last maybe replace the tuners. You can have a sweet almost custom guitar and you don't have to do it all at once. Even a $200 Affinity can become a solid gig guitar with some tlc and parts upgrades.

[@LarryHovis]

@@michaelware3970 A Firefly Les Paul Style $179, put in a real bridge pickup (Alnico 2) $37, fantastic guitar. Jackson Kelly $242 and $44 or so to replace pickups. Epiphone Les Paul SL $132 and I'll probably need to give that better single coil pickups as well. I have others, but these are good examples.

[@allenthornton8798]

I’ve decided that the only way I’m going to get a nice USA made guitar is to build it myself

[@GregPentecost]

That's what I am working on... Thinking of a headstock something akin to a violin headstock... LOL

[@BeardMan01]

I'm about to start making a Tele shaped acoustic out of carbon fiber. I'll probably be using a Warmouth neck.

[@sorrenblitz805]

Plenty of kits and parts online.

[@kenkovar2647]

apparently that might be true

[@kenkovar2647]

@@BeardMan01 I don't care if that ain't for realz but I love it 😂

[@woodyh4650]

There used to be a WIDE margin of quality between USA made vs import guitars/basses. Not so much anymore.

[@jts3339]

The improvements in quality are due to the USA companies teaching foreign manufacturers about US Manufacturing and Quality techniques. People associate Japanese products with high quality, but it’s because we taught our US military designed Quality Systems to the Japanese manufacturers after World War II. Likewise with companies based around the world. Everyone has benefited from US Quality techniques except for the USA because they can emulate our manufacturing quality at wages that would be below the poverty level in this country, the cost of raw materials is lower, and government requirements for safety are less than in the US. We moved our factories overseas, we taught the world our manufacturing and Quality techniques, and we put our factories and workers out of business while CEO salaries exploded.

[@chnacr2]

@@jts3339 Someone should teach those things again to Gibson today

[@carlandjennifersilva]

@@jts3339 that may be true, maybe foreign companies have benefited from our systems but also American companies have been lazy, cheap, and slow to improve themselves.

[@feddomeijerwiersma6955]

@@jts3339 This is entirely true and historically accurate. And entirely irrelevant, as that was nearly 80 years ago, so means nothing as to why USA made products are (generally) inferior or of lesser quality, in terms of QC. Flame on, bros…

[@jts3339]

@@feddomeijerwiersma6955 I accurately described Part One of this situation. Most working people alive today are aware of the reasons why the quality of Made In USA goods has declined over the years. The reasons may vary somewhat by company, culture, and region, but when profits became more important than the workers, the workers took less interest in the quality of their work.

[@nevillecragg9066]

This is so true. I’ve collected guitars and specifically gone after US made instruments. Yet my PRS SE feels and looks great and is finished immaculately and requires only small upgrades to put it on par with the US guitars in my collection and I prefer playing the SE’s. I find so much of the music industry Is driven by this “50’s Tone” and USA made snobbery that it’s hard to get away from. That said it’s awesome to be reassured that import guitars are great and OK to be seen playing by guys like yourself, Darrel Braun, Andertons, Intheblues etc that will honestly say “ this guitar sounds and feels great and forget about the headstock label” Well done for saying it.

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

A good guitar is a good guitar, regardless of where it's from. It's how it's built, not where it's built!

[@jameswilkins4motion]

This is probably the most sensible KZbin comment of all time

[@FRANKSNAKE71]

Agree 100%. Refreshing to see an intelligent comment. Well said!

[@pablo9364]

That’s part of the fun finding the good guitars. It’s a good feeling when you pick up THAT guitar you think ‘never ever sell this one, it’s a keeper’

[@kingZactheMerciless]

Yes that’s true, but some factories just do a better job than others. I’m fond of Japanese built guitars personally.

[@dragongamer4753]

Everybody: guitar manufacturers shouldn't be stuck in the past, they need to make new products Gibson: Ok we'll do that. (creates lp robot series) Everyone: boo nobody likes change. Gibson: ):

[@speelbergo]

I really liked what Gibson was trying to do. It was the execution that lacked, not the innovation

[@Xero6969]

The robot tuners sucked pretty much. If it was really good then it could have been successful.

[@speelbergo]

It wasn't the tuners themselves, it was everything else in that $8000 monstrosity

[@Xero6969]

speelbergo for 8000$ it felt like trash and was trash honestly

[@nomadenview]

"G" = Lawsuit is my hobby

[@Robertt12]

Recently, I bought a 2020 made in China Epiphone LP Studio from an online music store. I wasn't looking for or expecting much from it, I just wanted something to sit on a stand in my home office that I could pick up and hit a few licks on when the desire struck. I was really surprised at the quality of the instrument when I received it! Flawless gloss finish, Grover tuners, plays well and sounds great when I play it through an amp. And it was about 30% of the cost of a 2020 Gibson LP Studio. I'm very happy with it.

[@4the0cean]

My favorite guitar is a Mexican Nashville telecaster. Purely amazing. My next favorite guitar is a D’angelico deluxe DC (made in Korea). Very nice. My next favorite is an EBMM artisan Majesty. I already sent it to EBMM in the first year to have it fixed (under warranty thankfully). My 400 dollar fender kicks the butt out of a guitar that is 7.5 times more expensive. Play all the guitars you can touch without bias and just pick what feels right. Price tags are misleading.

[@sergioalvarez5949]

I have a MIM nashvile tele, not that good, JMO. But both my MIM Player and my tele CV are very good.

[@erikl6988]

Hmmmm sometimes going by feel alone isn't enough. Something may feel great but after a few months it could fall apart due to cheap parts.

[@I_Do_Not_Give_AF]

A good guitar is a good guitar regardless where it’s made. I have an Gibson LP Studio that feels incredible but have played a ton that I didn’t care for, also loved a Cort mgm1 Matt Murphy signature guitar I owned a while back made in Korea, incredible quality

[@rockdaddy2168]

I just bought Cort Matt Murphy. Caught my eye in a used shop, beautiful excellent condition, it had been setup and played great. Got a killer deal. Now one of my go to guitars.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

I just got a great Studio for $1500....i love it, my first real usa Gibson......

[@rockdaddy2168]

@@bradt.3555 Might want to hang on to that Brad. There were only 82 ever sold. Happy fiddling.

[@fretgod321]

@@rockdaddy2168 Really? i've got one too; had it for the past 14 years or so

[@thenightstalker8095]

The factories of the Korean made Corts illegally exploit their employees. I'm boycotting them, at least the Korean ones.

[@HelenaHarris]

I am a lefty. Imports in lefty are just as rare as U.S. made guitars. I n fact I own more U.S. made left handed guitars than imports.

[@trulsolsen683]

Yup, we just need more lefty guitars, period. Unless this guy is talking about the sort of guitars you buy from AliExpress, even the Asian made lefties are scarce at best

[@InfamouslyCantankerous]

Check out schecter. They give the lefties love.

[@Skibble5150]

Disagree. There are tons of both. Not like in 1986 when i first started playing.

[@michaelsguitars3079]

This is the case for where I live. Finding a good left handed guitar, let alone a US made lefty, is next to impossible. Thanks to Sweetwater though, I can get most of what I need. They have a pretty good offering. Downside is ordering online can be a gamble.

[@drdrums1]

The problem is, fundamentally, demand. Not all companies have CNC machines that they use to create the shapes, where you can hit a button and mirror everything. For companies that are using templates, that creates the additional expense of creating mirrored templates (and not just the bodies, but also headstocks, side dot markers, etc.). These are fixed expenses that have to be amortized over the cost of doing a production run. Moreover, even for companies that have CNC machines where mirroring is simple, companies still have to think about volume and inventory. How much stock are they willing to keep on hand? What about less popular models? Lefty guitars simply will never approach the demand of right-handed guitars. There are way more right-handed folks than left-handed, and even those who are left handed, not everyone plays a lefty. Case in point - me. I'm left handed, but only play right handed instruments. I feel your pain, but this is not a problem that will ever go away. (As an aside, I've never fully understood why left handed guitars are a thing - consider classical string instruments, like the violin, viola, cello, double bass, etc. Ever seen an orchestra with players holding a bow in their left hand? Almost certainly not. Virtually nobody plays those strung in reverse - in my life, I've seen exactly one classical player with a reverse strung instrument, and my understanding is it was to accommodate an injury. I guarantee that there are left-handed classical musicians; they just learn to play a right handed instrument.)

[@BecomeTheKnight]

Loved this vid Phil. Excellent observations and insights. And thanks for the lefty love 💘 🔥🤘😘

[@aristotle5698]

Become The Knight “we are the 11%!”

[@itisaporsche]

That's what I loved too! Lefties are discriminated against! lol

[@ethanbarclay6292]

yeah Im racist, if lefties were a race!

[@asdf9890]

The lefty bit is absolutely true. I own 5, all pawn shop finds but well known brands, and only one is a US made. Not because of the price, it's because I have only ever seen one second hand USA made lefty, and I know own that one!

[@BeardMan01]

@@asdf9890 The pawn shop by me has a USA made SG lefty.......

[@SixStringHarmonies]

Amongst this talk of US manufacturing and wages, jobs leaving the US, don't forget: While the standard of living, benefits, and wages stagnate for ordinary workers, the ownership and executives of these companies (corporate parents, as well) are recording record high profits, productivity numbers, salaries, and bonuses. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. All while the poor work harder to stay poor, and further enrich the wealthy. This is purely a policy failure within the US government, now an oligarchy* as a matter of fact. As a function of greed, there are few owners who will sacrifice the lion's share of the profits in order to fight for a shrinking share in an ever-shrinking mid-high-end market. There are plenty of boutique high-end builders out there servicing the whims of the super-wealthy. What's missing are builders like PRS or Suhr. PRS making assembly-line US guitars for around $2-3K, and Suhr slimming down the line model, and pushing $4-5K (keeping in mind that most everyone has a custom shop for when Richie Rich wants another $8-14K custom guitar, even Fender and Gibson). As go the union jobs, so goes the standard of living. Where the unions won, the rich packed up and went overseas with the jobs. The legislators let them, because they were/are bought-and-paid-for. The US has been an oligarchy* since the early 1970s, and in an oligarchy the rich make the rules. Democracy is a sham; an illusion. You get to "choose" between two preordained choices funded by the super-wealthy. (See: Sheldon Adelson, George Soros, Koch Bros., and many more) THEY are the rulers, and a living wage for you isn't of any concern to them. It's an impediment to whether their great-great-great-great-grandchildren will have to work, or whether their 7th vacation home can also have a yacht along with the other six. * www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27074746

[@kgr6438]

Critical Mindset and it’s visibly collapsing before our very eyes, we go the way of all empires

[@smasica]

Couple what you wrote with companies maximizing profits for the almighty shareholders. How? Cut labor and materials costs. The CEOs and board members care only about pleasing shareholders and generating dividends. They do this by paying workers in Mexico or Indonesia $2.00/hr. and no benefits [health, vacation, sick leave] instead of a U.S. worker $12.00/hr. plus benefits. Labor costs go down, profits go up, but the price of the product stays the same. Good old predatory capitalism.

[@vinlander8484]

Adelson, Soros, Koch...I am noticing some patterns here...

[@kgr6438]

Nick Markos you gonna go full Jewish Question on us there, Nicky

[@danh5150]

@@kgr6438 I had no idea where he was going with that, but for what it's worth regarding any anti-Semitic overtones, the Koch family isn't Jewish. They are Protestants of Dutch descent who made their way to Texas and made their fortune in the oil industry. Their father was pretty much the political and ideological opposite of George Soros. I don't know too much about Adelson. I was wondering if he was referring to the growing wealth divide between the ultra wealthy and typical blue collar workers. * shrugs *

[@claudecat]

Not sure if I've commented here before as I've watched several videos, but this one really resonated with me. Love your matter of fact take on US manufacturing and labor issues in general in today's world. As with so many thing it boils down to corporatization, the insistence on rewarding the shareholders/owners at all costs. Innovation can't really happen when everything's constantly being scrutinized to save a few cents. All the best stuff has been invented/made by weird guys/gals with a dream. Today that guy/gal works at Wendy's and probably Uber on the side.

[@vanillamoose12]

I really appreciate guitar companies that keep us southpaws in mind. Am grateful to own a lefty Taylor, kiesel, and Gibson. As compared to 10+ years ago, feel there are more options for lefty players. Better yet, manufactures, like kiesel and fender, even offer online shops where u can customize your dream southpaw guitar :)

[@IamMedicine]

Ernie ball musicman flawless. I have the LIII

[@halcyo]

The $800-$1200 "high end import" instruments seem to be the absolute sweet spot in the market. High quality (sometimes better than the USA made ones) and the CORRECT pricing. I love the idea of supporting our domestic economy vs foreign, but paying $2000+ for guitars/basses gets a little ridiculous....My G&L L1000 bass is fantastic, for example, but I don't know that it's $1700 fantastic in reality, compared to plenty of $800 instruments I've played.

[@manuedwards6959]

I agree, with so many artist starting their own lines of instruments that price point is the sweet spot.

[@pkg24]

I want a USA made PRS custom 24. I think they're beautiful, play & feel great & Paul is passionate about it. His factory (which we've seen in video's) seems to do it right. They're customer service is known to be outstanding. Gibson? Fender? I have no desire for. They are just a company making money. After Jeff Keisel's temper tantrum on Instagram because a customer had issue's; makes me NEVER to want a Kiesel. It doesn't matter where it's made. What matters is 1. Is it made well? 2. Is it made with pride? 3. Never buy it to sell it. Buy it to play & love it.

[@DasRightfortyforfo]

you won't regret getting it either! My PRS stands up on craftsmanship at an equal level to my custom shop Jackson that was displayed at NAMM. Paul runs a tight shop over there and you get a true work of art at a high, but reasonable price.

[@elevenAD]

Jeff made good with the guy,and he sort of apologized lol, but in all honesty the only guitars I like more than my Cus24 are my Kiesel Vaders,they get nearly twice the playing time,try a guitar from both brands before you buy, don't let Jeff being a baby ruin it for you, brilliant guitar makers can be a lil crazy lol,look at Paul!

[@fredericadda]

I just bought a CE24 semi-hollow and I’m very happy with it. Makes me want to play it every day. Or watch it every day.

[@gersongomez1876]

elevenAD definitely. I don’t really like how he presents himself on the internet, but I still love both my Kiesels

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

PRS is a quality company that cares about its product and employees. If you haven't played one, you owe it to yourself- they are wonderful instruments.

[@zaz4667]

When operating a CNC machine that makes guitars you can make a mirror image of the guitar When a certain settings is ON, axis motion will be mirrored (reversed) around the work zero point. Meaning a left hand version should not cost more with today's technology.

[@allenmitchell09]

Good point. I’m not a machinist but I am a cad draftsman and I can see where this would be easily doable. Btw I play lefty guitars so this one point hits home for me.

[@OtherTheDave]

If they haven’t switched to CNC though, it can be an issue. Although for the life of me I don’t see what the big deal would be making all lefties every other Monday or something. You’ve gotta “shut it all down” for the weekend anyway. Might as well take the opportunity to switch over production.

[@00eddie0]

Does that not mean they'd have to make an equal amount of left/right handed guitars, or can the tooling paths be complex enough to make say 20 right handed per 1 lefty?

[@vtatai]

According to Cort, their CNC needs to be re-setup for left hand (no idea if true): leftyfretz.com/cost-versus-demand-lefty-guitars-and-the-production-line/

[@OtherTheDave]

First Name Last Name The tooling paths can be as complex as they want. That’s at _least_ half the fun of CNC 😁

[@AndruJorj]

The dirt beneath your feet doesn't determine the quality of your workmanship. Nothing worse than when someone thinks being made in the USA makes *anything* better than something made elsewhere.

[@michaelcarey9359]

On the face of your argument, you are absolutely right... but, when you factor into the cost the environmental regulations concerning industrial production and waste, sustainable sourcing of raw materials, energy production, and the whole worker's rights and safety issues, these are things that do count in the end. This is something that you end up paying for when you buy products from north america and the EU. When you buy something foreign at some "cheap" price, you have to understand that some significant corner was seriously cut, and unless that was marketing alone, you've just passed it on to someone else to have to deal with.

[@danh5150]

@@michaelcarey9359 Bingo. Watch a video tour of the Fender factory in Ensenada, Mexico. Very high quality instruments coming out of there, especially for the price point. But you can see how bad the air quality is in the plant, many of the machines aren't guarded correctly, and the workers are absolutely busting their asses to keep up with the volume flow of production. Which was kind of sad to see. I have friends who own guitars from there, and they play and sound great. To be honest, I'm considering buying an EVH myself, but I still try to buy American when I can. I just simply couldn't afford to buy one of the artist series USA Charvels when they were putting out VH guitars.

[@michaelware3970]

Keisel/Carvin, I could have gone with an overpriced Strat, instead, I got a Carvin, getting a far better guitar for a lot lower price.Case closed. ( guitar inside!)

[@beefnacos6258]

I hate to sound like a fanboy but it's true. I currently own 2 Kiesels and 1 Carvin and they blow my American strats out the water.

[@dangreving1094]

Love my carvin guitars and amps!! I also put there pickups in my other guitars.

[@rembertoquintanilla5007]

Exactly!!!!!! I'm a lefty!! And I'm still waiting for my left handed Silversky which probably never will come out😑😑

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

That literally is just a Fender with a PRS neck, so you could just buy a Fender. Same thing.

[@jlcigm]

I always have loved Japan made guitars!! They are really good!

[@CL8ON6]

Japanese made fenders are 👍👍👍

[@linleechiun]

since i know most of them also order/import parts from china i track down the same source, order parts, then have my tech build for me

[@andrewk1445]

Couldn't agree more! my fender Richie kotzen tele is the best sounding guitar i own!

[@sinisterfame622]

I have 2 Jackson MIJ rr v's same model different colors. They are from the same year and same factory. The necks however are very different. But they both play like melted butter.

[@jameswallbank1883]

Just got an Ibanez AZ prestige. The guitar is great, but the setup and quality control is shockingly bad, the Low E string doesn't even fit in the nut! Big tuning errors, and the tremolo bar scratches. I'm having it replaced because the guitar is great, but the quality control... Smh

[@lukebelay6995]

If they ever stop the prices of old USA models will shoot through the roof and everyone will suddenly want them again

[@shaunw9270]

I'm English, have owned & played American guitars for 35 years . Only Americans disrespect their own manufacturers guitars . American guitars are what most normal players aspire to in the rest of the world, otherwise all the Chinese and wotnot wouldn't be copying them in the first place. Madness.

[@Mr.Goldbar]

@@shaunw9270 I'll respectfully disagree about some things you said. I'm an Israeli, not an American, and I almost never aspired to own American made guitars. I did in fact own a few Gibsons but they were worse instruments than my Korean, Japanese and even Indonesian guitars I've tried. what guitars do I aspire to have? Japanese and Indonesian Ibanez guitars

[@shaunw9270]

@@Mr.Goldbar That's interesting. Most of my guitars are either American; Les Paul, Tele, Rickenbacker or Mexican; two Mexican Strats . I have also owned an early 70's Japanese Epiphone which was very nice. I do also own and have owned guitars from China , Korea and Indonesia which a couple of I may have got to like more ,had I not already gotten used to the feel of the American instruments. In England we also have Gordon Smith Guitars ,in business since 1974, which are exceptional value handmade guitars .

[@pdp977]

@@shaunw9270 I'd much rather spend my cash on a Gordon Smith guitar, or a Korean made one. I have about 30 (ish) guitars, most of which are Korean made, some Fenders, and one Gibson. The trouble is that if I try out a Fender at GuitarGuitar, inevitably it is not intonated, the nut is cut wrong and there are manufacturing defects. I'm not even going to talk about Gibson. If I have to do a lot of work on them, I may as well build my own. I rate Cort and Godin - especially Godin - as better guitars than both 'major' names - the Cort FAT290 is an amazing guitar and you can pick up a Godin Session (a better Strat) for as low as £449. www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/200227356510008--godin-session-ht-trans-cream-rn-ex-demo

[@daveduffy2823]

Yeah, but there are lots of them. They will need to become scarce to gain real value.

[@fullclipaudio]

My 2019 Gibson SG Modern was so poorly done that I had to send it back to Gibson for repairs. One pickup just didn't work and it had very sharp fret ends. Gibson sent it back to me in slightly better shape but I still have high frets and I'll probably have to have a fret leveling which is something I shouldn't have to do on a USA Made Guitar. A C&C machine doesn't know what country it is in so what I'm actually paying for is fit and finish and in that regard Gibson failed.

[@elevenAD]

I like the way they sound but whenever I have an issue with a US guitar its a Gibson.

[@jwc00789]

My Les Paul Standard has been a disaster like your SG, but my Les Paul Custom has been great. Quality from Gibson has been inconsistent at best.

[@visje1996]

It almost sounds like you only pay for the brand and factory location, and not quality

[@daveduffy2823]

What do you expect from poorly paid workers who work for a company that is coming out of bankruptcy and is cutting costs to appear profitable?

[@fullclipaudio]

@@daveduffy2823 I guess I expect too much. You know, I've owned 40 or more guitars over the years and it always frustrated me that my import guitars just didn't keep their value like an American made guitar even though they played just as well if not better. I've reached a stage in life where I look at a guitar as both an instrument and an investment. After all, several times in my life the fact that I had quality audio gear that I could sell saved me from being homeless. Going forward, I'm just going to have my guitars custom built.

[@williamleith8430]

I've been surprised by the quality of the intermediate level guitars coming out of Indonesia not perfect but vastly improved since the 1980s.

[@bimscutney1242]

I’m 6’6”, a large man, and have long arms. All I want to know is when are they gonna build a “big and tall” model guitar? 😁

[@aaronboothe283]

Check out the Greg Koch reverend signature

[@tdunster2011]

Reverend Gristlemaster is your guitar.

[@tedfloyd4203]

Or, get a Gibson Firebird or Explorer. Especially if you find a used one, the price is somewhat reasonable and those necks stretch way out there!

[@HalfDeadGeezers]

Stew Mac guitar stretcher.

[@williamthomas4125]

It's called a bass 😂

[@jgmopar]

American companies seem to want top dollar for their product built by underpaid people. I have worked in manufacturing for 30 years and i have seen it. So Moral is usually low and the product suffers. I have gone to a couple of Music manufacturers and you see the ones who are loyal and happy( The office types ) and the ones who are just a body going through the motions and low moral ( the guy on the production floor ). The way she goes i guess. The left hand guitar makes no sense with CNC equipment should be exactly the same as a right hand build. Set up from one to another isnt hard.

[@jonathanzieziula250]

Couldn't agree with you more!

[@Mamo878]

Indeed. And I have seen first-hand how manufacturing workers in Asian countries take tremendous pride in their craftsmanship. They also think of their job as more than just another way to buy a 12-pack at the end of the day. So there is that.

[@waynepurcell6058]

Morale is low in virtually all areas of US manufacturing. Capitalism is great but we've gotten to the point where NOTHING matters but the returns to investors. Quality doesn't matter, employees don't matter, nothing but the bottom line matters. It's hard to be motivated to do quality work when you know that you could drop dead on the work floor and management will more concerned about the half hour of lost productivity while waiting for your replacement to arrive rather than the loss of a 20 year employee. Makes it kind of hard to give a shit about the company and the product. I loved my job until the original owners, who valued longevity, company pride, and quality decided to sell off the business to "investors". A 100 year old company went from great workplace with happy employees to shithole where nobody gives a rats ass within a couple years. When I tell the young people that come in to our facility how it used to be compared to today (I have 36 years in) they just shake their heads and think I'm joking around.

[@MrRoberacer]

The CNC thing is exactly my thought too and I don't think any major manufacturer now is not using CNC.

[@michaelsmith2017]

@@MrRoberacer Kiesel guitars (in San Diego, CA) is 100% CNC for cutting and all finish work is done by hand. No up-charge for left handed models. In fact, there are only a handful of models that are not available lefty. Only due to parts not being available. All of their guitars are semi-custom and their quality is off the charts. I say semi-custom because they have set model lines but you can option them a million different ways within a set of boundaries. Much better than Gibson or Fender who says you can only get guitar X, in these 6 colors and only with an Ebony fretboard and a fixed bridge. If you like one of those six you're in luck if not you're settling. Because they only sell factory direct, their price is usually 1/3 -1/2 what similar Gibson or Fender Custom Shop guitars cost.

[@baritonecult622]

With the internet we have access to so many talented builders and small hungry guitar companies. Some of the USA companies are still stuck in the past, doing the same old same old. The era of classic rock is about done, gas cars are now electric . Some business's haven't adapted. I would say PRS is the #1 USA brand in my opinion. My last 3 instrument purchases are from Poland and Amsterdam Your content is awesome , great subject.

[@Triggerman9097]

I know what you mean... I would love a Charvel 7 string guitar that is not a signature from Angel Vivaldi. Charvel has no current plans to release one...

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

Martin will always be the best US made brand. They understand that making guitars by hand is also necessary, rather than just slapping quality parts on.

[@JPIndustrie]

This industry is too dominated by a ‘2 party system’, its even judged by them... so many other really great USA brands... Taylor and Collings to name a few... why should they all be lumped in?

[@DasRightfortyforfo]

@@ebaybasuki I would love to see a $720 guitar that can hold up to a USA core PRS.

[@DasRightfortyforfo]

@@ebaybasuki hahaha I am saying I don't think it is possible. I have a USA PRS and think it is worth every penny. I don't think you could find someone just to spend the time on the fit/finish for 720 total.

[@rosieotis]

I’ve had upwards of 75 ish guits over the years. They’ve come and gone. They’ve been from all over and from all the big brands. What’s left here now.....1988 LP Studio. 1995 J-30 Montana. 2018 Wildwood Spec ‘64 Tele. 2013 (ish) PRS Stripped ‘58 Single Cut with a Tremonti in the back position. Odd mix, but those are the ones that made the cut. Turns out they are all US made. However, I’ve had many others from all those brands and...well, they’ve moved on to another owner. 🤔😏. In this case it seems to say US is all good, and that the big brands also put out garbage. Both in the same breath. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@learguitarist]

There's a lot of snobism and circlejerking that needs to die in the guitar world in order to save it from being constantly conditioned to obey marketing stunts by every-single-big-brand out there. Here in Mexico it's even worse than there in the USA, at least there I have seen people saying "just get a mexican strat, there's no reason to expose an expensive instrument out there when the imported version from down below the border plays and sounds just as good" [sic] but here people really look down on beginners who can afford an Ibanez Gio at the most and it really gets on my nerves.

[@teemusid]

When I went Strat shopping 5 years ago, I tried several low to mid price, new US models and if someone told me they were actually the cheapest knock-off on the market, I would have believed them. I walked out with a used MIM and I feel no desire to trade up.

[@pablo9364]

Good points. We just need to assess each guitar individually for what it is , not to what we are marketed to believe . The guitar makers/sellers know how we buyer generally think and their objective is ultimately to make a specific profit. The buyers question should be 1/ is this guitar great and then 2/ is it worth the money or is it overpriced for what it is . Too many buyers think with their hearts and will pay almost anything to get what they want which is ok but be aware the sellers know you think this way and take advantage BIG TIME !! 💰 💴 💵

[@TheM4chine]

Tbh Ibanez Gio guitars are pretty well made especially for the price. I still own my GRG170dx I got 8 years ago and I still love playing it. The neck feels super smooth, the knobs and switches do not get loose or make any sounds (I own a much more expensive Epiphone LP Costum which definetly has issues with that...) Additionally the guitar nearly never detunes, unless you heavily abuse the tremolo system but this rarely happens. In fact you cannot expect much more from an 250 bucks instrument.

[@Cyclobomber]

Which is beyond stupid, Jimi may have played a American Strat, but I'll bet he could play just as good on a Harley Benton, it's not the instrument that makes you the musician, it's the other way around. If you can only afford a Gio, then play and play around with effects, who cares really? I'd say snobs being sniffy about you not having a premium US-Made guitar should make sure they shred like Vai before running their mouths. Counter-example: Tom Morello, he refuses any endorsment and said in an interview something along these lines: "my guitars wrre stolen or lost, I had to retake from scratch, so I'm not endorsed, I have my guitar, I've modded it, and what matters is the music, not the gear". Then again there is a Morello signature strat, but still, I think he's right.

[@Bartockamus]

I absolutely loved my Ibanez gax70.from the only company I know of that has one name on budget to high end guitars. Ibanez. I lost it and all of my other axes to the pawnshop, for bills.but out of 9,my gax70,is the only one my wife was excited about, and knew which one I was playing, when she was in a different room than I was playing in. We couldn't hardly believe this 15 year old pawnshop find, could sound sooo damn good, with no effects, or with many effects. When life gets better, a gax 70 is first on my list of new/used guitars for me.

[@drkaplin98]

My Japan Charvel/Jacksons (neck throughs) are my favorite guitars ever. I've had 5 from various years from the 80's and they all play and sound incredible. Amazing quality control. Every one I've seen or played over the years is great. I still can't figure out why a bolt on strat costs more than $1200. I've built better ones from Warmoth for less.

[@thewalkingdunning-krugeref9664]

TYPO AT 2:59! UNSUBSCRIBED.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

If you want a job as a editor you're hired

[@thewalkingdunning-krugeref9664]

@@PhillipMcKnight Resubscribed.

[@nomadenview]

Ahahahaha

[@semimental7896]

Speaking as a lefty (but certainly not for all lefties) it is annoying to have so few options in the market, the amount of variation in guitars from big manufacturers these days is pretty wide, body shapes, neck profiles, finishes etc. but the idea that offering one or two of those as left-handed would suddenly ramp the price 30% doesn't stack up, especially when you add your own point about import manufacturers needing to build in volume. And I absolutely would not be satisfied paying 30% more for a guitar than its right-handed counterpart.

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Schecter seems to have a selection of lefty's. Schecter makes awesome guitars really good quality control. Hope this helps.

[@semimental7896]

@@ThunderFalcon333 They certainly do, I'm a regular browser of what they have on offer, though I haven't owned one yet I do like the look of the Nick Johnson signature. Thank you!

[@autoneurotic]

Another lefty here. Agree 100%.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

I will say Gibson and Fender need to improve their products. Stainless frets should be available on Gibson and Fender. Even with all the lawsuit crap with Gibson if they make a Les Paul with Stainless Frets and fix the damn string angle with a new headstock design I’ll be the first in line to buy one.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

Ola Olson I’ve had many a Les Paul and what I have found is you either get a good one or a pos that you want to smash. Got two now one good one that I have played hundreds of gigs with and one that has about got broken several times. The last guitars I’ve bought were a PRS Artist pack and a Suhr classic pro and wish I’d bought them a long time ago. So much more reliable. I just wish PRS would offer Stainless frets. Gibson should make their regular headstock for the standard and custom but the modern should be just that. Modern.

[@averydeadhorse]

Gibson used Cryogenically treated frets instead of stainless because they do basically the same thing but didn’t destroy the tools. They dropped them when they switched to their new business model but it would have been the one improvement most people would have kept

[@sevenity2677]

I agree no future in the US industry. Politics and groups mind set go against environmental stuff. Wage for the workers is a downfall and not all can make a future for it because they all want to be the next Henry Ford but this industry needs is more PRS hands

[@bobwreck3775]

I think America is going away and these businesses know it. We're going to be the nation that completely crumbles causing a new world order.

[@Spectralhyena]

I picked up a fender USA telecaster from 1996, my Korean telecaster which is more like a les Paul than anything goes toe to toe with it and does more.

[@GraphiteandCigars]

I had my Carvin made in the mid 90's, best thing I ever did guitar wise. All KOA from Hawaii , made in the USA and had it made for $2k. A piece of art.

[@lisaayers1975]

I still have my Carvin CM130 from 1984 and a SC90..Best feeling and playing necks I have ever played.

[@Michael-xp6jt]

My $600 Mexican Strat is one of the best Strats I've ever played it's my main guitar and my Lonestar Strat I got in a pawn shop in 2000 like new for $600

[@TheTeddydog1]

Another thumbs up for the MIM strat. Have had mine for years, and love it.

[@kilhattrick]

Had this conversation earlier today. I can blindfolded pick out a strat made in Indonesia, but MIM or USA, I can't quickly tell a difference.

[@gustavomrezende]

A have 2 Teles: a MIM and a USA Deluxe. The mexican one is my favorite, and it was about half the price.

[@Toypainter1]

I have US and MIM both play great and sound terrific.

[@pablo9364]

Mexican strats are good for two reasons 1/ they are great and 2/ they are priced correctly

[@Tsunamiguitars]

I spent 18 months working in Shanghai back in 2006-2007. While there, I wanted a knock around acoustic to noodle with in my apartment at night. I found a new Johnson, an import brand that can still easily be bought here in the USA. I paid about $60 US for it new, in a music store in Shanghai. I was informed that it was made by Shanghai Instrument Company #1, which is located near the old section of Shanghai. While I was there, that factory had a celebration - they had been in production of stringed instruments for 1000 years. I understood why my lowly Johnson played so well, and was probably worth three times as much in the US. The instrument was exactly who owned Johnson Guitars wanted at the time, a good beginner instrument. I learned that the Chinese will make exactly what you want, point for point, but leave them to their own to manufacture for overseas, they drop into a mediocrity, mainly due to their oppressive government. But it is interesting to note: The Chinese were building stringed instruments for their people and the Emperors when our ancestors were either grubbing for potatoes in Europe somewhere, or hunting with spears and arrows in South America and Africa just to stay alive. When you do something for over 1000 years, you get pretty good at it. Imagine how good they would be if they didn't have the communist/socialist government they live under...

[@turamvar]

I won't argue your overall point ("When you do something for over 1000 years, you get pretty good at it.") but dude, in Europe and Middle East (can't speak for other regions), harps, lutes and lyres have been going on for quite a while...

[@evanserrano1940]

For me Japan is #1

[@DoodlesGaming]

Speaking about resale value, I agree with what you said. a MIA Schecter still only commands about a 40-50% resale value, much like their imports. Just because its American it doesn't guarantee great resale value

[@andy_182]

Which is why buying used is the way to go. Let some other sucker bite the bullet of lost value 🤣🤣🤣

[@gringogreen4719]

Yeah. Rare does not equal popular does not equal desirable. Its tough to know what will be top dollar later. I just look for sleepers.

[@noire1991]

Exactly. Just look at Kiesel. Some of us are not all about specs, I for one think that Kiesel guitars are ugly, so of course they have awesome attributes but I wouldn’t take one even as a gift so of course made in America means nothing to me.

[@tdunster2011]

The texas made USA Schecters maybe but the Sun Valley and Van Nuys ones are highly sought after and hold their value very well. Finding Van Nuys Schecters is the hard part - people don't want to let them go.

[@mattnelson8325]

ESP USA has a 2 year wait on their "custom configurator" models, yet everything except picking your paint job and pickup combo is the same as the Indonesia versions. USA =4000. Indo=1100. Both stainless w/multiple pickup brands and versions. I don't get it either. I shouldn't have to wait 2 frickin years for a paint job and X series EMGs.

[@tylerdavies9260]

It’s a world economy. Products come from everywhere to make 1 item.

[@otaviofenderstrat4220]

I had 6 Fender American made guitars...1 Special , 3 Standards, 1 Deluxe and 1 Vintage....The Special and 2 Standard ( 1 Shawbucker 2015 and other 2012) completely horribles with serious issues on the neck....my Fender Mexican Plus Top has a perfect neck ,much better than these American made ...but the best guitars that i had and loved were the Fender American Deluxe and the American Vintage FSR ...perfections on Earth.

[@DimIsHigh]

All I have to say is that I really love this channel. The passion and the knowledge are amazing, ya gotta love Phil

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

I agree!! In 2011 I shelled out $800 for a USA strat. I was disappointed in the sound from pickups. Had to spend another $350 for pups that fenders should have sounded like. Then I find clear finish on the metal frets and were crumbling and causing issues. That was a ton of work to clean up and level frets. Last year I got a firefly 338 for $139. I knew I'd need to replace stuff. Turns out pups and tuners. Leveled a couple of frets, fixed nut slots and chose a roller saddle. $150 later, it is a great playing guitar. I play with it more than that strat, even though the strat has been rendered perfect. Who knew things would go like this when I started. There are some import guitars as good or better than the presumed USA superiority but there is a whack of import crap also. My experience is Japanese, korean, some Indonesian and vietnamese guitars are really good imports.

[@Claimjumper55]

I currently have 34 guitars and 'Made in the USA' guitars take up the top 5 spots. They're made by EBMM, PRS and Suhr. I have some imports that I really love but if I had to downsize to only 5 guitars my collection would end up being exclusively made in the USA.

[@vettebodee]

@@witchell8976 You keep your USA guitars, and i'll keep my Made in Mexico and Japan Basses.

[@tevieray123]

EBMM, PRS and Suhr the best guitars made period!

[@grayaj23]

TIL mexico and japan are in China.

[@saunds59]

Agreed, the only interloper that would make it into my top 5 would be a Nik Huber

[@pablo9364]

You have 34 guitars because you are a collector

[@egoandy1188]

I completely agree . I bought 2 Fender American ultra Stratocasters , both completely different , no consistency at all . Eventually after a couple weeks I traded in both for a Fender Custom Shop 1959 reissue , the best move I ever made in my life . The value I got for 2,000 $ was a joke , the value at 4,600$ custom shop , I don’t have words for you , amazing value , but very disappointed in America production value ! Moral of story , get a made in Japan strat or custom shop strat lol

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

No but they’re the most expensive! A guitar is only as good as the player!

[@AGore88]

Is this video made in the USA? Because there's a minor finish issue at 2:58 with the words saying "Were Are Talking Production Guitars". Haha I had to make a small joke, hope you dont mind! Fantastic video as always, I'm a longtime fan! :)

[@jeromepeters9842]

Hey Phil could you do a fender vs g & l vs music man video? Would love your opinion.

[@sorrenblitz805]

I know Darrel Braun's got a Vs of those two on his channel, but a strat is a strat is a strat is a silver sky is a strat man.

[@jdj62464]

Your number two on the list is partially correct, while some U.S. workers might be living paycheck to paycheck as a whole they are being paid 10 times the amount of Asian, Mexican workers and as a former business owner you should know this. It's not just the hourly pay rate which is night and day different than Asian, Mexican pay you need to factor in Health Insurance, Workman's Comp. Warehouse space and Manufacturing cost, Local, State and Federal Tax, etc, etc, etc that doesn't exist or is at a much much lower rate than it is in the U. S.. Don't ever think for one second that ANY company is just going to absorb that cost and sell their products anywhere near the price of Asian made products, WE as the consumer ARE going to pay for that. People in the U.S. need to realize that the USA can not and will never again be the manufacturing leader-giant is was 60 plus years ago, what USA based companies fail to understand is you can't build mediocre crap and charge a premium price and expect people to keep buying it just because it say Made in USA on it.

[@tedfloyd4203]

Hey Phillip, While I can see some of your points, I have not found these to be the case in my experience. I started playing professionally in 61 and played all American made guitars through to the 90s. Had all the vintage Strats, Teles, 335s, SGs, Martin's, etc, etc. By the mid 90s I couldn't afford any vintage guitars and built a parts caster which I played for years and wore the frets out. Rather than an expensive refret, I opted for an Epiphone Les Paul, then a PRS SE Singlecut, Squier CV 50s Strat, MIM Tele and Strat. These were all fine for the price but playing 4 hours a night, several nights a week was too hard on the little boogers. Neck adjustment and tuning issues plagued them all. Finally, a couple years ago I traded the last of them and some cash for an American Original 50s Strat and US 56 RI Strat in roasted ash with roasted maple neck. Problems solved. These necks never move and they stay in tune and...they have the feel and tone of my old vintage guitars from my younger days. This is not to say I haven't seen and played some nice imports, notably one particular PRS SE Hollowbody. Still, I'm thinking my next purchase is likely to be a Gibson LP Special. I know this is all anecdotal evidence, but for my money, give me American made!

[@swazifiction]

People have got this thing about 'cheap' overseas production. But there's nothing cheap about the workmanship. Cor-tek, for example, is a Korean company now with factories in China, who make guitars under licence for all the 'big boys' as well as their own Cort brand. They cost less but the quality is outstanding (at least on my PRS SEs)

[@jenbill]

American guitars are getting like the automotive company’s I was looking under the hood of my so called American made car Chevy, and didn’t find anything made in America had wiring made in India, Wiring harnessing made in Mexico, Plug wires made in Japan to many to list. Maybe assembled in America but not really made in America.

[@michaellange6598]

made a mandolin and guitar in my garage damn right american made holds a quarter on 12 fret mando holds a pick 9th fret and wont shake out

[@daveduffy2823]

It has been this way for a while. I have always been skeptical of made in the USA. My Gibson USA case says it’s made in Canada. Where did the Canadian company that made it get its materials? You guessed it, China or some other East Asian country. The Grez guitar I had built for me has parts made in China. Grez is a California builder, so it is made in the USA with foreign parts.

[@georgepapo9771]

9 and 10 speed AT gearbox instead of dual clutch transmission. Wth are they doing

[@hillie47]

Get the best of both worlds: Buy a half-decent imported guitar. Look at neck profile and straightness, body shape, general material/wood quality, etc. Ignore hardware and electronics. Save money on the initial purchase. Then pick your preferred pickups, preamps, electronics, strings, nuts, tuners, bridges, even fret wire and paint color if you want to have it refinished and spend some money on a local good luthier to change your guitar into your dream machine. Let's say you paid $500 for the base guitar and another $1000 on the upgrade (labor plus parts), then you have your custom guitar exactly set up as you wish and you had a domestic builder make some actual money on it. For less than some of the more "premier" imported models! The fact that one would pay premium builder prices and then have those folks be paid slightly over minimum wage is just weird.

[@quetzal996]

Fender could up and move the entire Custom Shop down to Ensenada if they wanted. Moving the plant 3 hours away isn't going to suddenly make the guitars less impressive. Who builds the guitar and to what standard is what matters. Where it's built is pretty much just an indication of how much you can expert to pay.

[@thewriteinpresident]

Make sure all your LOCAL RADIO - CB Radios - Ham Radio…., and 2-WAY Radios are charged and working proper... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmfYonqYmLaio5o Also go buy some stuff to make a Faraday Cages for these {EMP Blast} +=+ from these 5G WEAPONIZED CELL TOWERS……., and the eventual Nuclear Hydrogen War of 2020 C.E. when The Snake Blood Line of PENCE….. will kill The Eagle his [Blood Brother] /-\ known as Donald “Johnny Exodice” TRUMP on November 3rd, 2020 C.E.!!!! videos.utahgunexchange.com/watch/all-is-choice-there-is-no-good-or-evil-only-the-choice-to-make-evil-or-good-spirits-aka-thought_vA1BmrKbAeEDzlW.html Cause we see all..., and we know all……, and on [11-03-2020] #QANON /_\ the U.N. FLAGS of the U.S. Military will Drop Atom (Holocaust Bombs) of (COVID19) on Seattle Washington USA during ELECTION Night [the same moment] [{**}] PENCE will Stab his BLOOD Brother FREE MASON Knight of Malta TRUMP to bring in the NEW AGE of Demons.., and Devils culling all of mankind till we “all die out” in just under ONE GENERATION in the MUD FLOOD “Extinction” Cataclysm of 2094 C.E. where one of you…….., or you children will be the LAST PERSON “in the world” / * \ on that Dreadful Day as WAR IS MURDER even when Murder is against ALL The RULES and LAWS of this fucking SIMULATION GAME called the Nightmare “Waking” DREAM we keep waking up too’ after our Holographic [Virtual Reality] [{*}] DREAMS while we sleep in Stasis {down here} in our Celestial Sphere FLAT EARTH Home World of PURGATORY…. videos.utahgunexchange.com/watch/6OslgdNvNZPXI3I The Commander~ [///|||\\\] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[@michaelware3970]

I would expect to pay an expert!

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

To so kindly reference Jim Root, if the guitar was built by Mexicans in Mexico, or Mexicans in America, it is still being built by Mexicans. So, you might as well buy the Mexican version. It is exactly the same thing.

[@rajsundram5672]

Awesome video, spot on. All about that cheddar mang! I love my Carvin and my PRS, but my US made Tele needed more upgrading, sanding of frets and setting up than my Squier did. It ain't right.

[@tomminet]

Interesting, and I agree with most of it. I’d say, though, that you are talking mostly about the big makers and not the boutique guys. Anything that’s mostly handmade is not going to have many of these issues. As far as the Fenders and the Gibsons of the world go, almost everything is about money. When they make something in the US, they are definitely trying to grab a premium for country of origin and then cutting as many corners as they can because of higher labor and sourcing costs (compared to Asia). The main problem with those guys is they’re way too big. They turned into behemoths when everybody wanted to be Jimmy Page and now they are selling into a very different market. Kids make music on their computers, imports ARE competitors and the used guitar market is much bigger than it ever was thanks to Reverb and eBay.

[@BeforeTheDarkAge]

Some issues with many USA guitars. 1 Legacy they are very tied into the legacy of the brand which is good in that it makes people aware of them but bad in that it crushes any desire for innovation. 2. Many are made in Southern California which is not a budget conscious choice They could have great savings by just moving manufacturing to say Ohio or Wisconsin. I got both but my USA models are older.

[@fotog04]

I don't mind paying a premium if made in Japan. For the most part, they are pretty meticulous when it comes to quality control and materials.

[@tommypity]

I have played a friend's LP custom several times at gigs, and once got to choose one from the wall at Gibson's own studio in London when I played there. Both nice guitars for sure. But my Epiphone LP standard has them both beat in my opinion. It both sounds and feels better, even though it was a fraction of the price and made in Korea. I'm lucky enough to have guitars from all over now, but my best was made in Mexico, and to date it's the best guitar I have ever played. I never could understand the attitudes of those who snub their nose at an instrument based on where it's manufactured; it might be a kind of helpful generalisation for buyers, particularly online, but if an instrument is good, it's good. And vice versa. My best acoustic was manufactured in China (I actually didn't find that out til last week), and it's an absolute beaut!!

[@FingerBob]

In other words; greed is the reason why U.S made guitars are declining

[@VmShpman82]

Yep.

[@leonthompson8988]

That's right

[@sicembuster]

Great video! I just wish American guitar manufacturers embraced veneer tops. People want cool looking guitars if shelling out a ton of money. And a veneer over a thick cap would even win over some guitar snobs. A plain or washed our top just seems cheap when compared to imports.

[@Mr.Goldbar]

you're so right, veneers are so underestimated. to believe the thickness of a top is important you have to believe in tonewood, and we all know that tonewood is mostly a myth. I could care less about the thickness of a top as long as it looks good

[@ourword3112]

Agree to disagree

[@harryebbeson]

One can't just compare wages and benefits. There are a lot of costs associated with manufacturing in the USA that imports don't have to deal with. Pollution laws, workplace laws and other similar "hidden" costs are baked into the cost of building in the USA. I worked for a manufacturer in the USA (not guitars) and those hidden costs impacted the price the goods had to be sold for a lot.

[@Little960]

I have 3 Gretsch and 6 Fender guitars and one Sterling bass. Only one is American made and if I had to vote, the American one would come roughly in 8th place. Made in America doesn't mean much anymore.

[@michaelschiessl8357]

PRS makes guitars in Maryland and Korea the quality of the Maryland high-end guitars is unparalleled but again you pay for that..the Korean PRS are again better quality then most guitars made here or elsewhere..Cheaper labor in Korea but the QC and training and computerized CLC machining thanks to Paul Reed Smith is top-notch.The company really cares about their product that's the difference. Alot of guitar company's just don't care they are in it for the money..

[@FlesHBoX]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Korean factories. They seem to be producing some amazing instruments that are just about at the top of the mass produced pile.

[@mdsveda]

PRS moved to Indonesia and China with Cor_tek

[@JPIndustrie]

Theres nothing wrong with overseas manufacturing , you can spec anything you want if youre willing to pay for the raw materials, setup and have the customer base. Foxconn makes cheap free android phones AND iPhone Pros in the same factory; its all about what the ordering people in USA specify...

[@HalfDeadGeezers]

Made in Mississippi 1978 Peavey T-60. Will never part with it. Their new stuff? Toss it in the campfire and stick a weenie on a clothes hanger.

[@jacksolomon451]

Building a partscaster opened my eyes to what goes into a guitar build and how completely irrelevant the country of origin is. Components and assembly quality will be how I make buying decisions in the future. I've happily paid the made in USA premium before but I doubt I ever will again.

[@MCBEEFALICIOUS]

$1100 into a warmoth build, and it is objectively better in every conceivable way to the fender with similar specs, costing $3k more

[@jacksolomon451]

@@MCBEEFALICIOUS awesome! Once I find a body with the right mojo I'm going to spec it out with one of their necks. They make amazing gear

[@MCBEEFALICIOUS]

@@jacksolomon451 Yeah, they really do! Resale value is the con of going the warmoth route, though

[@zingbasstube]

Some of the points are very good. But for the resell value I can't agree. You stay or live in US will feel you can easily find a US made guitar with a cheap price on used market. If you in Japan you are not that easy to find a US made used guitar in very good price, but their Japanese made guitar you can always find nice price in used market. I think the problem is not about where it made, is just where you buy / sell the used guitars.

[@rayschoch5882]

A certified old person (75), I started playing in 1969, and I've owned 16 guitars over the years. I still have 8 of them. All are low-end models, and none were made in the USA. They look fine (I take care of them), sound good, and are consistently playable. The faults are in the player, not the guitars. Six of the 8 were purchased new. Most have been modified to suit me (different tuners, or pickups, or pick guards, or…), which I could afford to do because none of them cost more than $700, and most cost less than $500. I've had only one "quality control" issue (a misaligned neck) over the course of 50 years, and the manufacturer sent me a new guitar as a replacement. Problem solved! At my age, I may never buy a "Made in USA" guitar.

[@johnharrison1126]

Your right when you say the fault is with the player, it took me years to find out why all my guitars sound crap haha.

[@josephbrewer7026]

I owned an American Standard Strat and was constantly having to correct issues from noisy pots, fret dressing, trem issues to buzzing frets just to name a few. I sold it and a year or so later bought a MIM SSH Strat and have loved everything about it for the last twenty years.

[@teddydavis3504]

I remember 30 years ago, the first thing you had to do with a Gibson, Fender, or Martin, is get a fret level and set up because the action was a 1/4” from the factory and the frets were horrid. When I picked up my first brand new Ibanez ($500, MIJ) it was set up perfect from the factory, out of the box. It’s no wonder the stores didn’t let you play the instruments.

[@hotrodjones74]

Gibson still uses those classic Kluson tuners... No wonder Les Pauls never stay in tune. Even Page the guitar God put Grover tuners on his classic burst guitar. People obsess over classic guitars but I prefer parts that are reliable and more precise. The function is most important.

[@8evolutions]

Regarding your #1 issue, the manufacturing going overseas- that’s partly the reason we’re experiencing the economic situation with the pandemic. A lot of the manufacturing of products were outsourced due to cost and environmental regulations and we’re seeing the effects of not taking care of ourselves first- regardless of profit margins. The presumption of continued manufacturing outsourcing is not necessarily going to be the go-to way if import duties and international trade is adversely affected in the world by this pandemic. Each country will have to rely on its own people and be economically self-sufficient before relying on a neighbor (ie. extorting for financial gain).

[@Metalbass10000]

Manufacturing Engineer or Process Tech, or CNC programmer for 4 years, Manufacturing Engineering Manager for 5 years, Manufacturing Engineering Manager AND Production Manager for 4 years. I did high end Cabinetry, furniture making, and woodworking, for about 4 years a number of years ago. Been playing guitar and bass for about 30 years, and I've been building guitars and basses for about 25 years. Whoever told you it would cost 30% more to build a left-handed guitar compared to a right handed guitar, unless there is a 30% higher cost that comes just for buying specifically left-handed components from suppliers, then whoever told you that is lying to you. There is nothing inherently more expensive in making a left-handed version of something than making a right-handed version of something. I could arbitrarily call a left handed or right handed and the right-handed a left-handed and does one become more expensive than the other immediately? It sounds like a stupid question, but for the life of me I can't figure out why it would be 30% more expensive to build a left-handed guitar than a right handed guitar. No logical reason. My gauging and measuring instrumentation would stay the same. My tooling would stay the same. My work holding and fixturing would be the exact same thing just a mirror image. Am I putting left-handed threads on everything now? No. Somebody got an idea on this? And Phil, you are really painting with a very, very, extremely, broad brush. Aside from Gibson, what American builders have had years and years of massive quality problems? The quality problems with BC Rich guitars were the import guitars. The American made custom shop stuff was impeccable, from what I have seen. Fender American made and Mexican made you've always said about the same thing and are professional-quality instruments. Heritage instruments? I have no idea. PRS American made? We know they're good. Kiesel? I have no idea. But I had always heard good things about the Carvin stuff, so why would it be suddenly down the toilet now? Who else is there? G&L? Dean? Earnie Balls? Do you know I am dirty balls what are made good American-made instruments, and Dean I always hear about the import stuff being inconsistent but they're American made custom shop stuff being pretty good. Who else is there? Rickenbacker? Lakland? Gretsch? I don't know enough about any of them to say, all I know is that Lakland make Geezer Butler's basses and I can not imagine Geezer Butler is going to play a bass made by a company that doesn't make top quality s***. I'm at a loss. I don't know how many American-made Schecter's there are, but I know Schecter's have a reputation, in fact that's what allowed the company to grow over the past 30 to 40 years, is that they do make consistent high quality instrument. I'm at a loss here, Phil, help me out? Stainless steel frets? Limited color options? That's disappointing. We only use stainless steel Frets unless the customer is dead-set opposed and refuses to buy the instrument with stainless steel, but I don't want to have to have an instrument out there that needs a refret, so I'd turn down a build most likely rather then not include stainless steel frets. Nearest stainless steel Hardware in places where a lot of companies Steve aluminum her scrap steel. And Willow put any colors you want on cement anywhere you want it, and weave then in some cases put more color on to an instrument that our customers have either ask for or expected, and they've been blown away by it. S*** that sounded like bragging. F*** it, I'm going to brag, my wife is really good with colors as an artist oh, and we pride ourselves on putting our heart and soul and everything we have into making is beautiful an instrument as we can and that definitely goes for the colors we used and not settling, not stopping until the color is something that would make me stop in a store and I have to walk over and take a close look at it because of the color, and that goes for the grain and figuring, too. And as soon as we get up website builtl that does not crash the first time we test it, the second time I test it, and the third time we test it right before we fired a little shit, we'll have a website where people can go and look at colors that I'm talking about here. My apologies. American auto making companies have made the vast majority of their cars in other countries. American workers in EVERY sector of the economy, almost the entirety of us, earn wages that have us living paycheck to paycheck. Wages at almost every level, in every sector, every industry, have been stagnant, at best, since about 1980, in some industries, longer than that, and at some levels, in some industries, wages have decreased. And I'm not talking about just as adjusted for increase in the cost of living, inflation adjusted wages. I'm talking to real dollars. The only area of the American economy, the only group of people who have seen their wages grow since 1980, are those at the very top of the income scale. The people who seen their taxes decrease, the people who've seen there real dollars percentage of income paid in taxes, fees, cost of living, decrease, their wages have gone up since 1980. That's it. I've always done my best to teach the people working on my shop floor, if they were interested in learning, everything that I could teach them, so that they could get their numbers better in terms of efficiency and productivity, in terms of setup time versus expected set of time, scrap rate, quality, in terms of every measurable that we will use, I tried to help my people so that they can get paid better, buif I get everyone on the shop floor to produce better, screw up less know what the f*** they do any better, that helps me as their boss, also. They know what they're doing, I have fewer guys coming into my office, coming over to a machine I'm working on, coming in and taking me away from what I've got to do, so I can go show them how they should be doing it, so teaching everybody in the shop everything I can, again, helps me. And, God willing, my wife and I will be hiring people for building our guitars and basses by the end of this year, and I intend on paying our employees the healthiest salary we can afford to pay them.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

My best guitars are from Indo or Canada. Just can’t see paying so much more for less, uh hum... Fender \m/

[@nicholasgilson6745]

My best guitars are godin made in canada

[@zerostarinc]

Agreed, all my Indonesia made guitars play well, feel great and have the little details that Fender and Gibson QA are missing. Love my squire fsr and ltd 407, both Indonesian

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Nicholas Gilson - I’ve only had two, recently picked up a used beater with P90s at GC; broken knob, missing pots, but otherwise perfect... absolutely love it.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

zero stoneman - you nailed it with “feel great and have the little details” even as simple as a little cut off the neck joint!! I have a really old LTD mh100 while as a pretty basic guitar has all the comfort cuts, reliefs, carved top, quality electronics and great tuners. The darn thing just never goes out of tune and it’s my cheapest guitar, lol.

[@ganazby]

Godin make superb guitars. I’ve just given my Godin Freeway a stainless steel refret, and it plays like a dream.

[@dakotaolson167]

The left handed point is so spot on! I’d love some American made guitars but the variety is so lacking it’s pitiful. Thank god for Schecter ESP/LTD and Ibanez

[@ashthecrash9509]

A good example is why do Fender guitars have potentiometers which do not work properly on their American made left handed guitars

[@danielruiz7131]

The thing with american guitars is mostly name and history. It's not that they are not any good, it's just that they are living on fame. There are a lot of imports that are better than american guitars, there are a lot that are equal. When you factor in the selling price, imports are frankly better. Also to think that american crafstmen are the best in the world and that they are the only ones capable of building a great guitar, besides being ludicrus, is just too arrogant.

[@David..]

3:14 I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that older buyers are more prone to purchasing higher end American made guitars and they tend to be fairly conservative in color choice. Also you’re more likely to be less adventurous with color if you’re dropping a lot of $$$ if you’re concerned about resale value. There is a reason Ferrari owners call it “resale red”.

[@MrJohnmarr]

Very true. I'm 62 years old and will only buy tobacco sunburst finished guitars, period. I would never consider any of the purple, blue, green, etc colors I see offered out there. Just plain hideous...

[@joea9257]

@@MrJohnmarr me too! I grew up when American made was the only choice, so I'll stick to what I grew up with and I prefer mostly the vintage colors.

[@musicauthority3516]

Ten issues, is that all there is? I have come to the decision to not have to own an American made guitar. with the exception of the ones I already have.

[@joshuac3058]

I use to work in a US guitar factory and you dont do it for the pay or health

[@tldnolan]

I'm in England. US guitars ARE import guitars! :-)

[@KimmeU]

This is so true. Today's best valued guitar's are released by Thomann's. I wouldn't look at any Fender and Gibson for value. Overpriced and inferior parts. Put an good mic on today's Harley Benton guitars and you get the best value.

[@rafaromero9514]

Ibanez Prestige

[@ollietodd4845]

Human hands are human hands. Doesn't matter where the guitar is made. The factory matters.

[@mondoseguendo6113]

@Ollie Todd I am a handless human; I find your comment very, very, very hurtful.

[@rumsfield78]

@Phillip McKnight nailed it on popularity and resale. You know how good G&Ls are. But trying to sell one for what its worth in the used market is a nightmare.

[@mercury4metal]

0:57 is absolute truth. Finding a left hand guitar is like that 'Needle in a Haystack' saying. And then companies want to charge more for what I believe is not that hard of a process.

[@Kylora2112]

Jackson and Gibson are the absolute worst for lefties. Jackson has a cheap hardtail Rhoads and a few different Super Strats (all with black finishes) in their product lineup, and Gibson doesn't have a single lefty listed on their site at all. Schecter is pretty good with models, colors, and options, but Kiesel is easily the best.

[@tomaslopez2940]

www.southpawguitars.com/ Y’all might wanna look into this Texas guitar shop

[@michaelsmith2017]

www.kieselguitars.com

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

imo Damn good vid. I did the advertising for Gibson in the early 70s, when the factory was in Kalamazoo. The people I worked with in the factory were all very dedicated to making the best guitars they could. The people I worked with in the Norlin office outside Chicago varied from caring about the quality to a total focus on profits. It was the beginning of the long, agonizing slide. I doubt that Gibson was/is unique in this trajectory, though they are certainly the worst or among the worst. imo

[@trushack]

Interesting stuff! Some thoughts on selected points. #9: I think this is intended to build brand loyalty that (hopefully) results in long-term sales. The kid with the affordable MIM Strat develops a taste for Strats, and starts aspiring to own the more premium version. Heck, it worked on me :) #6: Let's flip it: do we apply a different value to import guitars that use American-made parts? Like, maybe an Ibanez that comes stock with DiMarzio pickups or a Schecter with Seymour Duncans? I don't know if we do...I had never thought of that scenario until now. #3: This is definitely something of an influence in my buying decisions. I want to support U.S. guitar builders as much as I can. I will never turn my nose up at an import guitar that I dig just because it's an import (and I own a few imports) and I won't buy a guitar I don't like just because it's made in the U.S. But I count U.S. origin as a plus because I think our guitar-building industry has a very cool legacy behind it.

[@joshbarnes6759]

I have 5 Japanese ESPs. I bought a USA ESP Horizon last month. Now I’m planning to buy another next week. Nuff said.

[@tdunster2011]

They are great guitars.

[@HalfDeadGeezers]

Your wife and my wife are sooooo different.

[@ronimusala]

I think that when companies decide to move manufacturing out of the USA they should move to Mexico. Theres tons of skilled workforce along the north states bordering the US. Baja, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, all of them very industrial states. Also, Fender, Charvel, Jackson, Martin and Taylor already make pro grade instrumens in Mex. If US companies are moving production out at least they should keep it in North America and squeeze those trade agreements. And lastly, you can load a truck full of guitars early in the morining in north Mex and unload in the afternoon in major urban centers in Cali, AZ or Texas, no need to wait weeks for your stuff in container ships.

[@partsmutt]

You're right on the mark. There are some fine instruments that have come from Mexico. I think most of the comments here about the super-wonderful-never-better Indonesian stuff is just sour grapes because that's all they can afford. Mexican Fenders are head and shoulders above the Indo stuff.

[@noenunez8705]

I’m from Chihuahua , California USA has been my home for the last 28 years, now Chihuahua has become a paradise for American , German companies to build their factories and build/assemble their products using the chip local labor, most production line workers make less than 10 dlls a day. Heineken just built a brewery plant in the town of Delicias, Chihuahua to supply the US market , Dutch beer never tasted so Mexican, cheers 🍻

[@zolibxl]

I'm in Europe. I've craved US-made guitars for years and years. Then I made the money to buy some... and was more often disappointed than not. Mostly by finish and QC issues, neither of which is acceptable on $3k+ products. Today I play mostly dirt cheap Harley Bentons which I upgrade and love, my "serious" guitars are from Korea (PRS) and Indonesia (Ibanez), and the custom built ones from Switzerland (Relish) and Poland (Mayones). Now those are truly premium.

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

Try out a made in japan if you can, you know the japanese and their tools.