Most of the well know brands like Fender, PRS, G & L, Gibson, Ibanez, Peavey, have USA built products that we all know and respect for high quality and an understanding of what players are looking for. But what else is out there?

Factories like Cort and Samick make a lot of instruments for these big brands, but what is their own product under their own logo like. Is it the same as the big logo brand, but just lacking the badge?

When I was 17 a guitar like my first decent Ricknbacker cost me 20 weeks wages. Why have guitars become so much cheaper? Have we given up on quality or has something else happened?

Can you get an inexpensive quality instrument or should we still think ourselves lucky we don't play the cello where a good instrument costs at least $10,000. Is a good guitar one that inevitably costs $5000+ ?

The market is filled with instruments manufactured in Asian countries, and sticking apples to apples, they are world's better than they used to be let's say 20 years ago. In the 1980's, I remember guitars made abroad (from the US) that were just awful. In those days, you could pick up an American Strat or Les Paul for just under $1000 US.

Today, there are QUALITY differences between entry level and high end guitars for sure, but for the money, many of the inexpensive guitars are not a bad deal for starting players. Ibanez has some inexpensive jazz boxes that are quite decent for the money. Are they in the Hofner league? There's no way. But in 1978, I would have bought something that sounded that good and looked that nice that was easy on the wallet.

Now the flip side to that I think that some of the American instruments are way ridiculously overpriced. I love Gibson, Fender, Jackson and Paul Reed Smith as much as anyone, but their main lines are NOT handmade. I know I may be running the risk of getting lampooned here, but it's the truth.

I even overheard a salesperson (I won't say where, but you've heard of the store) tell someone that a Paul Reed Smith was handmade and I was quick to point out that they're not and haven't been since the late 1970's/early 1980's.

I guess it's better to have a Les Paul or any nice guitar if you can afford it. They way I figure, if you've played a while and paid your dues in that respect. You deserve to treat yourself to at least one nice instrument.

Last Edited on 16-Jul-2008 1:57 AM

--Eric E

I'm getting a J45 style acoustic made right now for £1400, thats about $3000. I know this will play extremely well and probably a lot better than a Martin for the same price. The main reason for that is the maker doesn't have to build in all the strength a Martin needs to be sent to anywhere in the World and put up with temrature and humidity issues. It's quite mild here in the UK. Also there isn't a supply chain to be paid - no distrbutors, shops, shop staff - just me and the maker.