Forums

The first fret isn't supposed to have an inlay otherwise, it'd have one

on the 13th as well and quite frankly, that looks odd IMO.

 

Mine would be the manufacturers who choose to only release a guitar in one or two colors…or maybe it's the release dates that get continually pushed back.

nght5tlkr said:

Another gripe:

 

Regional products–the rest of the world may want them too. ESP has so many more models in Japan (not to mention their artist series) whereas the US only gets but a small handful to choose from. The same goes for music, videos, games, cars, etc. About time they release the Ford Fiesta in the US.

 

I'm looking at you, VOX けいおん！amPlug.

---

 

That's a good one … regional products.  ESP (I think) is the only one who does this.  On a separate, but maybe related note … I read on Yahoo News (my source for news lately) that many Chinese factories are on strike, b/c they want in on some of the profits (I guess they caught on that they are wildly underpaid, and that most big businesses are making a killing on their labor wages) … which is making companies look to move shop further inland, or perhaps withdraw, and bring business back to the place of origin.  IMO – if the above is true … if I had a crystal ball, I think this is evolution in the making.  Perhaps the imported gear out there NOW is and will be better than what's to come.  Anyway – back to your original note … what other brands have domestic series, that aren't available here?

 

Oh – and I should add this to the gripe list … companies that tout highly their place of origin (e.g., 'Made in the USA'), LOADED chock-full of imported parts … and I'm not just talking about the capacitors, I'm talking speakers, pickups, etc.  Since you mentioned cars above … I don't recall specifics, but legislation was passed not too long ago, that forced car dealers to sticker the various breakdown (origin of build, percentage of imported parts, where they came from, etc.).  I'm seeing a need for that in our industry, b/c the way consumers are making their decisions (e.g., Made in the USA), versus what's really in there – are 2 very different things.  Nuff said on that topic!

Thoughts?

 

---

 Hey nght – I agree with what you noted.  I feel the same.  I don't care where it was made, so long as it's good build quality, and meets my expectations, I'm all for it.   I am not sure I made my point above … it's not about me, or you, it's about the average consumer, and the marketing that gets pushed from the manufacturer, which intentionally confuses the consumer, by mixed marketing messages.  On the topic of gripes … as we know, consumers not only get caught up in name brands, but place of origin, which is why it comes up.  The average consumer things USA is better (whether it is, or is not is irrevelant … we're talking strictly perception) … and MFRs know this, and leverage it in their marketing.  Example … there's an amp company out there (not going to mention any names :-) … who boasts 100% UK, UK, UK, UK, UK – meanwhile their amps are made in Korea.  I'm tired of marketing messages of 'inspected in US, engineered in UK, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah).  Why is KOREA not anywhere in their marketing message?  Because (perception) it's considered less than a UK made amp, or a US made widget.  That's the gripe.  See, you and I are smart enough to know this, understand the dilema, and look past it for our own purchasing decisions, but the greater good of consumers out there see UK (which paints a pretty picture for them), and they pull the trigger to find out later that 'holy sh*t', … it's made in Korea.  Here's another gripe (which again, I can't stress enough, that it's a gripe for the greater good of how people make their purchasing decisions, and has nothing to do w/ how I make my decisions) … The gripe gets worse … So, manufacturer X gives a fantastic marketing message of place of origin, b/c it's meaningful to the consumer.  Consumer pays DOUBLE what it's really worth, b/c of the name!!  So, they not only lure them in w/ their (debatable untruthful) marketing, but make consumers dig deeper in their pockets because of it!  As a true 'for the viewer' guy – these are the things I wish most folks were a bit more educated about – only problem is (as you noted) … everyone does it, which makes it that much more frustrating.  If marketing had less of a spin, was a bit more honest, and retail was truly associated w/ cost, versus perception in the name – consumers would win, though profits would likely be down.

 

Anyway – neither here nor there … again, I agree w/ all that you noted.  In fact – most of what I own (probably 75%-ish) is imported.  In fact -I love imported stuff, b/c it means I can buy that much more of it :-).  And – if you haven't seen the Behringer factory video on YouTube – check it out.  Tremendously clean, and very modern.  It was very impressive.  Apparently, there is a waiting list a mile long of people wanting to work at Behringer City, b/c the conditions are REALLY good, the workers are very happy, and this is a classic case in point that there is a manufacturer that truly does price things according to cost (which explains why their products are so affordable)!

 

About Japan, etc. … once again, can't agree with you more.  I will say this … having owned many Japanese Fender Strats, and american ones – what is being produced today is tremendous.  When I was growing up – there was a massive gap between what was good and what wasn't.  Today, you can pick up a Squier Vibe series, which is EXCELLENT!!  Hats off to Fender for making a fantastic product, that's priced appropriately, isn't over marketed w/ bs, and truly has construction and value in mind!  And you're right – perhaps it just keeps getting better and better.  For me, I often look at whats available today, and ask myself – 'how can it get better'?  Maybe better components (tuners, pickups, etc.), but wood, fit, finish, details – even on inexpensive guitars – it's pretty darn close to perfect.  Heck, I've seen some USA Custom Shop models that have more flaws and same symptoms (like wood shrinkage) than their $300 counterparts.

 

Anway – good dialogue :-).  You and I really do think alike – it's a pleasure chatting about this stuff w/ you :-)

 

Completely separate note … I have vintage Carvin gear on my mind … I want a XT112 or XV112.  I have the X100B head, but it just ain't as sweet as the combo version :-)  And … I was in Guitar Center, and saw an Eric Johnson guitar with a BOUND neck!!  That was the first time I saw a Fender gutiar w/ a bound neck.  I did a bit of googling / ebaying, and didn't see any other EJ w/ a bound neck, which is making me wonder if that was a one-off, or a modified guitar?  Know of any Fender guitars that have a bound neck?  I would have bought the one from GC – but didn't feel like (or have) laying out 2k for it. 

 

Have a good night nght.  Tal ksoon!

And now Epiphone releases a Japan-only Double-Cut After the release of Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto's "Take Your Pick" album, you'd think they would perhaps expand their market to include other countries as well. Especially since the Elitist Signature Les Paul did so well…

 

Here's another one: Where did all my picks go?! You'd figure with a bare wooden floor, it wouldn't be hard to find coloured picks…

The Tone King said:

nght5tlkr said:

Here's another one: Where did all my picks go?! You'd figure with a bare wooden floor, it wouldn't be hard to find coloured picks…

---

Nice … same here.  When I need a pick, I can't find one.  However, when I'm walking around my house … I see them laying everywhere.  Just not by my guitar.  Heck – I have guitar picks in my cup holder in the car!! What gives?  On a separate, but related note … I liked my TTK picks so much (via ClaytonCustom) … I just ordered some more.  The white picks were made of Delrin material, which is a flat white.  I like them better then the typical high gloss tortuise (is that how you spell it :-)?) picks.
 

Oh – here's a pet peeve … James Hetfield signature series guitar picks?  Really?  What's next?  A signature series mojo bag of sand?

---

Funny you should say that. TBS sells K-ON! decorated bags of rice. If I were in Japan and had money, I'd probably get suckered into buying it too tbqh

 

Besides, Dunlop already sells the Eric Johnson signature picks. Then there's Dean who continues to release Dimebag gear periodically…