re: Guitar Players: How much importance do you put in where a guitar is made Re Asia Vs US/mex

Is Auggie an Astros fan and tipsy and angry?

Eastmans are awesome. I agree with buying used. But they are awesome.

OP. Buy used. If it sounds good and is solid wood (that’s what you’re after) buy it. The range you listed (700-1000) has nothing American made that is any good. Not really. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. I always NEED a new guitar.

I own a BlueRidge I’ve played side by side with an HD28 Martin. Sure the Martin sounded better, but not “extra zero” better.

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I own a BlueRidge I’ve played side by side with an HD28 Martin. Sure the Martin sounded better, but not “extra zero” better.

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The Blueridge models I've played seem a little overbuilt and the finish seems really thick although I admittedly haven't played many.

I do know several people who love them though.

To OP, obviously from my comments, I don't really care about country of orgin but both of my go to guitars currently happen to be American made.

I have a Martin D18 Custom Shop in ambertone and a herringbone D28 style guitar that was built about 30 miles from my house by a local luthier.

Yeah dude unless you own nothing whatsoever made in China you should probably STFU

If I was so ignorant and so pathetically arrogant to buy a fretted instrument based solely on the geographic location of the factory from which the instrument came to fruition, the factory would be located in Japan.

Auggie, all Epiphone acoustic electrics - including "inspired by Gibson" Bozeman-labeled Masterbilts - feature Fishman electronics that are manufactured in China. So are you asking $100 or $25 for yours? Or does it/you get an exemption because you bought yours used?

I have a Mexican Fender Stratocaster that is better made and plays better than any American Stratocaster I have ever played. I have a G&L S500 made in Indonesia that is fantastic, too. It depends on the guitar. All of them are different, and all of us players are different. Different guitars feel and play differently to each person.

I have two Korean Epiphone Dots (335 style guitars) that do me just fine. No issues. A fraction of the price of a Gibson 335, and if something happens to either of them at a gig I wouldn't be completely devastated. Maybe slightly devasatated, but not completely devasted...Well, ok, mostly devastated, but not all the way devastated.

But I'm thinking of getting a nice Eastman...

I would be completely devastated if I lost my Korean LP. I have never been able to find a guitar with a better neck pickup, and that was the stock one.

I place zero importance on where it's made or the name on the headstock.

That said, I played my buddy's MIM Fender and OMG! what a dream. Great-great action and ease of playability.

Auggie, all Epiphone acoustic electrics - including "inspired by Gibson" Bozeman-labeled Masterbilts - feature Fishman electronics that are manufactured in China. So are you asking $100 or $25 for yours? Or does it/you get an exemption because you bought yours used?

I did buy it used, got it at a huge discount, and it's not for sale.
The Chinese already got their money on it, from whoever bought it new. That's Water already gone under the bridge. I didn't put any money in CCP pockets.
I'll buy a used chinese hammer or can opener at a yard sale too if it's cheap enough. You won't see me buying a new one from China though.
In no way am I putting down the quality of what they are doing these days.
It's a purely political thing, and probably doesn't belong on this board.
I just think it's better if we manufacture more of our own stuff and not buy from an enemy, put the American worker more in demand, which raises wages across the board, then any American worker with a decent job, can afford a quality U.S. Made guitar.
The American buyer has the power in his hands. He can change everything, just in the way he spends his money.

Just today, I had to replace our microwave, it gave up the ghost yesterday. It was over 40 years old, Kenmore, bought at Sears, built in the U.S., Probably the Amana Factory in Fayetteville Tn. That is closed now.
I bought a Magic Chef one down at the thrift store for 30 bucks. It's made in China, but I didn't buy it new., it sure as hell won't last 40 years.

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Which reminds me, does anyone have auggie’s email? I need to send him the dimensions for my pick guard so he can make me one for said tele.

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Hey man, give me that dummy email again, I've been dealing with some serious stuff the last few weeks.
It's over now. Time to get back to work.
I've got a perfect piece of cedar to make that from. I can just make a standard telly pickguard in that color, infused then sanded and aged, and you can drill the holes?

I’m old by millennial standards, so I’ll quickly explain my view. Good quality reasonable priced instruments are important as you start your journey. MIM Strats is where I started when really getting serious. I later migrated to US Strats that were more expensive, but had higher quality …that I was actually able to measure/determine after playing for a long time (craftsmanship, sound, components, etc.). Resell value was very important because trade-in value was important to upgrade along the journey.

At this point, I’ve pieced together 2 Strats from 1980’s MIM bodies, custom made necks, and boutique components. The pickups have more resell value than the guitars are worth assembled. However, after playing for a really long time I know specifically what I want. I’ll never have a signature series guitar and can’t afford a Fender Custom Shop build. So, my “Parts Casters” are my chosen guitars. I also have a MIM Tele that I rarely play but feel like it’s mandatory to have one.

With that said, brand and manufacturing location should not influence your view of a guitar. If a specific guitar inspires you to play and learn more, then that’s the one you should purchase.