The Problem with Import Guitars
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Import guitars have dramatically improved in quality over the years. Despite that there are still some challenges that every manufacturer must face when building and importing guitars. In this video Chris McKee dives into the details of challenges that each company faces and how those challenges can affect the final guitar.
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Eastman dominates in their price point. No one can touch them. They make musical instruments that rival or surpass guitars thousands more. Sire is another one. The neck, fretwork and build rivals guitars twice the cost. DEalers who do not carry them and rely on the overpriced American brands like to bash the imports. Independent reviewers rave about Eastman and Sire
For years, my main guitar was an Alvarez Yairi dreadnaught, based on on a D28. It didn’t need a setup when I bought it in 1973; it was perfectly setup and remained that way. It never needed a setup or any other service for 50 years to the day I sold it in 2022. That must have been some well-seasoned wood!
That's a rad guitar.
Yairi Guitars are not your common run of the mill mass produced units. They are top tier from the get go.
Well, the climate where you keep it can make a big difference too. But as a luthier for over 4 decades, I have had many Alvarez's come through and the older ones (Made in Japan) rarely had any significant problems. There have even been a few that sounded much better than any martin or other high end brands, and really acoustics are already hit or miss in that regard to begin with. Alvarez/Yairi seamed to have paid good attention to detail. Not so much anymore, on their lower priced ones, but the higher priced ones are still great, partially because the company took a dive when it was bought, but either the guy who started it bought it back, or the owner commissioned him and his crew to take over production and setup... of the high end instruments again, and sure enough they are back on the map.
if a blind hog roots long enough he'll find an acorn.
Yairi was well known for having collected wood all his career as a luthier and then a company owner. To this day there is a stockpile of his being cherry picked for their made in japan Alvarez Yairi line.
Do a report on the problems with expensive American made guitars. Mine has had 3 set ups done and 2 loose binding repairs in 5 yrs. Now it has a crack in the side. No such problems with the 4 imports I have owned. There are some guitar snobs out there. I meet them when I'm dropping off my "good one" at the repair shop.
Simple solution. Dont buy overpriced american garbage. Buy from quality companies like Yamaha etc. Some of the top line Yamahas, made in Japan, are virtuaĺy unbeatable for tone feel and finish.
Japanese craftsmanship is better than usa. Sorry folks
Comments on buying from China: I listened to my Dad and bought American, supporting American workers. Until Dana Bourgeois did a deal with Eastman, and brought out the Touchstone Series of Bourgeois guitars . It caused me to look at Eastman guitars. As Chris mentioned, I'm not looking at the lower cost instruments. I have seen some nice Eastman guitars and bought one with a varnish finish.
My east ac122 1ce is all solid wood and is not made in America bought it for 300.00 bucks used like new and it was worth twice that. I love the sound of my Eastman
@@bens3767 I have an Eastman AC222CE that has been amazing. I'll never sell it. Recently I changed the setup to match the Ernie Ball Earthwood light strings and it's now it is the easiest and most natural feel I have ever played.
Mexico has become less expensive (labor, real estate), and products can get into the USA almost overnight. I'm praying Fender and others will pull out of China and move to Mexico
Fender Player and Vintera guitars are made in Mexio. The acoustics are imported from Asia. The Squier solid bodies as well.
I love watching your videos but you are so wrong here man this is a snobbery sales pitch for overpriced American guitars.
How is it wrong? There are great companies that do a good job and still face the logistics issues that can cause problems and others that do a very bad job. The logistics issues are the biggest problem and as a dealer we have seen the effect first hand. Even a well made guitar can suffer from the effects of lack of humidity and high heat in a metal shipping container for six months. - Chris
Did you watch the video? When Chris says to buy higher end Yamaha over lower end Yamaha where possible and to use a reputable dealer, how is that a sales pitch for American guitars?
I wish Martin would sort out the action on their guitars - even the high-end ones. Taylor and PRS guitars play perfectly out of the box, yet I've had to pay a luthier to set up my D-35 and 000-28 deluxe - that's $100 on top of a $4000 guitar. Why? And why doesn't Martin offer the same guarantee to European owners it grants to North Americans? If a Martin has a problem in the USA, the factory will fix it, if that happens in Europe you gotta go talk nicely to the shop you bought it from - if you're lucky, some guitar tech called Sid who works out of his garage will fix it (bleeech!)
Strange. “Import guitar” is a concept that is relative to where you are geographically. All USA made guitars are imports if you live outside of the US, like here in the EU. So all of the discussed topics apply universally. Interesting vid nonetheless. Very useful.
You could say he’s speaking as a member of a western nation as you are. The import market discussed here is the Eastern Asian supply of guitars. Don’t buy Chinese.
Just think Martin guitars use to be an import guitar to the Europeans. ❤
You’re correct sir‼️In the strictest definition, all guitar manufacturers ship worldwide and so, yes Martin Guitars are imports from the USA.
I have a China manufactured Yamaha A1R.. Great guitar and has held up nicely. Sounds better than the 214 Taylor I owned (by a mile).
@@advantagehealth5030
If price is an important consideration for you, then buying a Made in China Yamaha is one way to do that. But in light of their horrible human rights failures and the pollution they’ve created , among many more damaging costs of doing business. I owned an Epiphone D100. It had an all laminate body and soundboard top and bottom purfling and along the fingerboard . It sounded good and was a perfect campfire guitar. I paid about $150. Canadian for it and compared to other markets I just couldn’t understand how they could do that. Assuming a typical 100 percent mark up, that must mean it cost them $75. shipping included from Hong Kong or some other port across the Pacific Ocean to N. America. Like I said it was a decent guitar and would cost much much more if built by Gibson in Bozeman, Montana⁉️🤔 Even if they built a perfect replica of the D-100 using Epiphone parts. But it comes at a cost for somebody who won’t enjoy the lifestyle that a Gibson employee would.
In my experience, as an end consumer, much of this is caught by reputable dealers. I've had a Dean acoustic, made in Korea, for over 20 yrs and have never had an issue with it. I also own a Fender Paramount and it's a great guitar, albeit without the refinement of more expensive guitars. The common thread is that I bought them both from well-regarded dealers.
Not fair to group the different Asian manufacturers into one Entity . Japanese craftsmanship is every bit as good as it is here in the US or Europe . I would also say close to the same for South Korean manufacturing .
...and Indonesia guitars are getting really good.
You mispronounced "plandemic" :)
Eastman (they even use Nitro for finishing). Yairi. Yamaha, Masterbuilt Epiphones. all good. Yes, most import guitars are value junk (I hate the term "beginner grade", as these sort of guitars don't give the student the playing experience they need to apricate the instrument). You really shouldn't even sell an acoustic of less quality than than a Yamaha FG800 or a Squire Affinity. This is your entry level... But American labor is very expensive. If we built more here it would be less, but we don't.
Two things: the Chinese guitars in particular, and I’m citing both Guild and especially Eastman have a superior quality and attention to detail than most of the traditional American brands for less than HALF the price!! For example: Last year I bought two Gibson vintage reproductions of old models for $4000 apiece and they couldn’t even match up the sides at the back and the pick guards are ALREADY coming up!!!Then I look at my $$1600 Eastmans and the quality is almost as superior as a custom built guitar. As a matter of fact, a few years ago, I sold a $5000 custom-made Bourgeois OM and replaced it with a $900 Chinese Guild OM where the sound and playability were as good or better than the custom made guitar. I’m an old Gibson guy and basically I’m ashamed of their lack of commitment to quality, and their endless trading on their old name and reputation. Quality and value are KING! Within the last year I’ve purchased FIVE Eastmans and the quality on each is exceptional. American makers need to step up their game or end up losing long term customers like me. There’s a new game in town and the old school American brands better get with it or be left behind in the dust. Taylor and Martin are still holding up…Gibson (acoustics) not so much…
Agree, I must add Cort Gold series that are amazing and very reliable, reinforced neck and wonderful woods selection. My Gold O6 sounds great, owned it for a couple of years and only plays and sounds better.
Every Martin Guitar I've owned eventually became unplayable over time. So much for quality and expensive neck-resets. My response? Buy less expensive acoustics -- PRS SEs, Yamahas, etc, -- and just throw 'em away when they fail.
How?
It's probably due to humidity, no guitar should become unplayable unless the wood is exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity
Sorry Chris, I do not agree with your assessments in this video. All the comments you made about imported asian guitars can also be attributed to USA built guitars.
The woods not dried properly and neck twisting etc; can mostly be attributed to the cost price of the guitars. Cheap guitars no matter where they are from, will not get the same attention as the more expensive line and will be inferior - full stop.
I live in Australia, so nearly all name branded guitars are imported from overseas, including the US built guitars. They too may have been left in the shipping yard for too long and not been cured properly during the pandemic. Such statements from you are universal and not specific to imported guitars.
Perhaps you have forgotten the 70's and early 80's when imported Asian guitars were far superior than their American counterparts. Perhaps you have forgotten that in the early 70's Fender (USA) produced a Stratocaster with a 3 bolt neck, that moved when playing?
Poor quality American products and workmanship is what lead buyers to the Asian market in the first place. That's why Fender and Gibson started manufacturing in Asia and created the Squire & Epiphone brands ie; to try and stop the bleeding from customers buying Asian guitars.
I think that we owe gratitude to the Asian guitar manufacturers for, in most part, producing high quality affordable guitars that many of us have had the pleasure of playing and owning.
Once again the great lie about the woods... imported guitars are not a danger for consumers but for USA factories that are reducing their operations day by day. Manufacturing in the USA is unsustainable due to the tremendous cost disadvantages compared to Asian countries. Let's end the big lie! You are not paying for better woods or for more seasoned woods... you are paying for much higher wages, much higher taxes, much higher logistics and operating costs, higher marketing costs, higher profit margins and for a much more regulated and unionized workforce
When will you make a video about quality issues of USA made guitars? Would be great to hear how lifting Pickguards, nitro laquer coming off, battery compartments not fitting or not coming out and tuning keys not moving can be solved. Not to speak of huge differences between pickup output with pickups from the same manufacturer.
Personally, I cannot bring myself to buy even a high end guitar, such as an Eastman, for the reason you have brought out. Cheap labor. They may be great guitars, but they are overpriced, because of the cheap labor.
It really depends on a case-by-case basis. For me, I import Tokai Premium Series guitars that are manufactured in Japan, as well as Navigator guitars ( ESP's custom shop for the Japanese market ). The quality of these guitars is consistently exceptional, which is why I choose to import them.
I'm not saying this to denigrate anyone, but I find that not only they are of much better quality, but also cheaper than all those American brands
I have a modern MIJ Gretsch 6128T and a vintage 1972 Aria Pro II TA-70.
Both are superior to anything except the best USA made top end instruments in fit and finish as well as sound.
My other Asia made stuff is almost as good but are all higher end products. D'Angelico and Eastwood mostly.
My only beef with some is the finish materieals are sometimes pretty thick and heavy.
Guitar shops in Tokyo and Osaka are awesome! Stuff you will never see here.
The biggest problem with guitars made in China or Indonesia is what none of the TH-cam guitar guys want to talk about: the condition under which the guitars are made. Not only are the employees at those factories in China and Indonesia paid far less, none of us know the conditions they're working under. Granted, this is probably the case all over Asia, however in this case, we do have options. The Mexican Martins and Taylors, for example, are made under far better conditions by companies who are transparent about the working conditions in their plants. I just wish somebody on TH-cam would have the guts to make a video about this.
Really sorry to say this but I am from the UK and have had a few issues with brand new US Gibson and Martin guitars over the years !!
I own 3 Yamahas; AC5R, FGX5 and FG300C. No issues whatsoever.
So the "living wage" at Gibson is how much? I love my Guild Westerly can't afford an American made one because I work and live in America.
Thanks for the video and advice. We’ve always been happy with Yamaha as a maker of good trumpets and excellent digital pianos at an attractive good value for money price. This went on for our kids first guitars. After hearing your similar good experience of their guitars we got one an A3R direct from Yamahas London place over the phone. It made a beautiful Christmas present and performs great, so although made in a ccp factory, the high standards of Japan came through.
I have several electrics but just one acoustic. The acoustic was made in Canada in the Godin factory and it's high quality and was a nice price. Haven't felt any need to look for another model.
I feel the same way about my Art & Lutherie Americana acoustic. I quit looking after I bought one.
In 1985 I bought a Yamaha FG 460S, a higher end model at the time, that was made in Taiwan. Within a few weeks the neck (nato wood) warped, so I exchanged it. The replacement guitar was better, but over the next few years its neck warped, so I had a guitar tech flatten it with a heat treatment. That was about 27 years ago, and it has been fine ever since.
I have bought three guitars in my short time playing. Two were from China ( a Breedlove and a PRS SE series) and one was made in Mexico (Fender Stat). All were medium priced guitars. I have found the quality and the setup to be great. The import guitars can be quite good. I'd love to buy American, but can't justify the expense as a novice guitarist.
What are peoples thoughts on Eastman guitars? Looking to purchase an Ac 422 solid spruce top with solid Indian Rosewoood back and sides?
Just bought my second yesterday ..DoubleTop..Incredible sustain..workmanship 2nd to none..the Romero also is amazing..recommend highly
Nice video and though I agree that these things may be issues, they were more common in the past. Quality control overseas has gotten much much better. If you guys get A chance you should check out some Eastman guitars. To me they are completely changing the game of what import guitars can be. I own two of them along with a few small shop luthier built acoustics. Yes the small shop guitars are better, but the Eastmans really punch way above their price point. Amazing fret work/tuning stability/tone Of course it goes without saying you get what you pay for if you’re buying a guitar from Amazon, first act or the like. Some companies definitely have not stepped it up when it comes to import acoustic guitars, but Yamaha and Eastman, just to name a couple certainly have in a huge way.
I agree. I went to a small dealer in high end acoustics, aiming for a European handbuilt, Furch or Dowina, and he had a range of Eastmans from 500 to 2000 dollars. Amazing, to hear the sound get better the more expensive they got. Got a topnotch D28 copy and could not be happier. Still, time will tell if it holds up in quality to my precious Lowden O12, which is just incredible. Super light, and indestructible.
The real problem with import guitars is that they are not made in the U.S.A. By American workers holding American jobs.
Shipping and humidity and possibility of slave or unskilled labor.
However it depended on the manufacture and those they contract to etc.
Got me an Eastman D28 copy recently...2000 dollars...curious how long it will last...it sounds fabulous.
I just sold me Eastman E20d "d28 copy" after 10 years of trouble free ownership, great guitar and now i've ordered a new Eastman.
I currently own a Yamaha A5R that was hand made in Japan. I also have a Fender T-Bucket 300CE that was made in China. Neither guitar had any issues. Having said that, I used to own a Martin 000-17e that had nothing but issues (bracing becoming unglued, belly bulge, cracked bridge and some fret sprout) and that guitar was expensive. It also paled in sound and playability compared to the Yamaha A5R. After owning the A5R, it’s doubtful that anyone could ever talk me into buying another Martin - period. The Fender is an inexpensive laminate guitar that sounds like pure crap compared to the Yamaha but it has a really nice neck so I keep it for camping and fishing trips as well as messing around with alternate tunings. I live in Canada and all my guitars are stored in a constant 45% humidity year round.
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Always enjoy your insights and opinions, Chris, because it’s obvious that you take the time to inform yourself. I miss your podcasts, and hope you and Cooper can put together some new ones soon.
Try an EASTMAN solid top back and sides guitar, ANY EASTMAN solid top, back, and sides guitar, and you will realize what you said does NOT apply to all "overseas" guitars.
Agree totally have 2 of them
Is there a problem with country of origin, it all comes down to quality control
Fender USA guitars are made by Mexicans
Fender Mexican guitars are made by Mexicans
No difference
I bought a Martin D-10E at the beginning of the year, and within a few weeks (I live in Salt Lake) the neck had warped. Had to take it back unfortunately. I picked up a Yamaha A3R to replace it. I was a bit concerned because it was built in China, but it's been a fantastic guitar so far! This video is very helpful in understanding why some of these defects come up. Thanks!
Yeah I have the same Yamaha great guitar
I've heard similar stories about the D10-E.
Which is weird since the DRS1 and DRS2 models did not have these same issues....and they're meant to be Essentially the Exact same guitar, just with upgraded electronics and esthetics.
What happened?
Martins and warped necks go hand in hand..my USA 00-18 has one, too.
This is a great episode full of very relevant info for us guitar buyers out there. Thanks Chris! Have you guys ever demo-reviewed the Harley Benton Custom Line Dreadnoughts? Their prices at Thomann are crazy affordable.
I just picked up a Amazon $100 Linden Wood / Basswood P guitar for $30… with the expectations just to learn more on a guitar I can physically change unlike the Lyle cedar C-650 I picked up for $20
They both sound Really good but the P guitar has the metal strings and I’m thinking of switching to nylon.. The neck is really strait but I’d like to keep it that way as long as possible.
I got it mainly for my 5yo granddaughter so if she bangs on it then it doesn’t matter.. It makes sound when you bang on it too.
Good video Chris. Reading some of the comments below I would caution against viewing all factory's and workshops in Asia as one and the same. Samick, Cort and WMIC certainly produce huge volumes of guitars under outsource arrangements but there are more than 40 independent guitar workshops' in China and Indonesia. Quality and business culture differs widely and Eastman are a shining example of quality hand crafted guitars, made in China and available across various price points (ask Dana Bourgeois).
Interesting point about the pandemic and production pressures - but who was exerting the pressure on the outsourced builders to up production?
We, the market consumers, were applying pressure on production because of 2 reasons: There were lots of people spending lots more time than usual at home who wanted to play more than usual, and this increased demand for products occurred at precise the same time that supply chain workers were not only overburdened with more work, moving more guitars and other products than usual through the supply chain, but also were overwhelmed with such a huge uptick in activity when any coworkers catching the latest highly communicable virus meant had to stay home a minimum of 10 days.
Chris, over the years your channel has been extremely helpful. This is another great video. I've had so many of the experiences you detail in my 60 years of guitar playing. From my experience, there are well made imports, like the Yamaha you hold, or others like Breedlove, Eastman, and Alvarez. But your generally spending $400 to $800 for decent quality. Not Martin or Taylor quality, but something that plays well and holds up. Great video. Thank you
As a collector, I bought an Elgava Unika-2, made in the U.S.S.R. (yes, the old republic) in Bulgaria, to be exact. Under Communist rule, there were only two state-authorized guitar plants. One was the Plovdiv Furniture Plant in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where my Orfeus (sic) Hebros was born. A FURNITURE FACTORY! Finish the batch of kitchen tables, then move on to guitars, I guess! Anyways, they both look like they came from the table factory. Not unattractive, mind you, styled after photos of American and German guitars. Perhaps they acquired and reverse engineered a couple. "Boris", as the Elgava has come to be known, needed a little fret work; sprouting; hammer them back in; replace the mangled one used for a saddle. The top of the Orfeus looks like a sheet of plywood with red and black paint on it. Because it is. Bottom line is, because they've been around for 50 years, they've proven themselves survivors. Whatever was done with these guitars was done well enough for a few to last 5 decades and require nothing more than routine maintenance. They play well, and sound really good.
I bought a brand new Zager acoustic dread. Absolutely beautiful, and just the entry level (ZAD20, I think it's called) was $995, but included a case worth $250, with a built-in hygrometer. Zager talks like they're an American company because they're in Nebraska, and I'm not certain but presume they employ an overseas fab. I kinda thought I was getting an American-built guitar, but didn't find "made in USA" on it. Anyways, right out of the box it has a B string that buzzes OPEN. All their talk was quality, and how Denny Zager personally checked every guitar before it shipped. (Though the package came from "Zager International" in Nevada.) I wrote to request a return authorization, and the respondent actually told me outright that "...sometimes a new guitar will do things like that because the WOOD IS STILL SEASONING!" She directed me to the website for instructions on how to correct it (using solely the truss rod). I replied that the action was already 2.5 mm (too high for me) and I would have to start shaving the saddle, which I wasn't about to do on $1,000 worth of new guitar. After playing for 45 years, I knew a thing or two.
After offering me a free upgrade to the next model (to what purpose, I thought, a more expensive poorly-made guitar?), my purchase was cheerfully refunded.
p.s.: "Boris", even with shipping from the Ukraine to the US, was under $300. I still have it. Moral is: a good guitar is where you find it, not necessarily where it's made.
I have mostly Yamaha guitars I live in South Korea not Japan . The customer service is excellent. They have customer service shops in all major cities here. On he other hand I have a Martin guitar and this is what I say shitty customer service, Martin customer service in Korea sucks like hell . The deep part of hell. Martin in the US perhaps is wonderful and wonderful service but not here. So you always make sure the guitar you buy has good customer service.
My brother and I tried out the new Gibson G series ...1600 Canadian..crap
He ended up buying a Yamaha Red Label for 400 less..Wow
These are not expensive guitars. So I'm confused.
Interesting and thoughtful analysis / overview. No real argument with anything here but a few thoughts. Clearly well sought out seasoned wood is critical. Eastman & K. Yairi (Japan) know a thing or two about this and their acoustics are testament to their approach - I'm sure there are others. Similarly, for electrics I think Japan, Korea and SOME companies in the PRC are making this a priority - the recent Epiphones & Gretsch guitars strike me as having 'bones'. That said, my gripe with both PRC and Indonesian guitars comes down to the electronics - the pick-ups are sub par and even switching between pick-ups can leave you with a deafening silence. I have a few Epis and the pick-ups are the first thing to go, usually followed by a 50s wiring rig, switchcraft toggle and a bone nut. In each cae this has left me with an instrument that is a fraction of the cost of a Gibson and often of a higher standard (i spend a lot of time at the Epi / Gibson flagship here in HK). I would point out one thing, though that works both ways - the journey across the pacific (or Atlantic) by ship is equally risky for made in USA guitars. When I worked in a leading music shop in NZ in the 70s I used to get first look at any new Gibsons coming in at the importers warehouse and the odd banana neck would appear and I'd recommend they send it straight back to Kalamazoo.
Are sales down at Alamo.? Other video a short time ago. You were ripping at big music stores and online stores like Sweetwater. Shop at the local dealer. Now your telling people to buy the more expensive guitars. Are you closing down soon? I agree with one thing. What could you get for even $500. But someone most likely would want it for their child. Or someone who doesn’t know if they would continue with guitar. Just a fad. There are many reasons. But to say how they are put in containers and wood conditions. Please ! I recently purchased am Ibanez Prestige AZ2204N HSS from Japan for $2000. Compared to the Fender Ultra HSS Strat. I would buy the Ibanez over and over compared to the Ultra. Flawless including the wood. Also far more stable. You seem to be on a rant lately. Your pitch won’t work. People are smarter and Fender should hire back it’s knowledgeable workers after their second big layoff. PRS and Suhr are probably the two better USA guitar makers left.
Love Alamo videos. If I lived in the States....Anyway, great video. Very informative. Don't forget the human cost of cheap, cheap guitars. People making them are probably not having a particularly good time. Of course there are great, quality guitars made in China - Auden, Eastman etc
You literally just described my two newest Fender NON import guitars - a $2K Cory Wong bought in 2021 the week they were released and a MIM Robert Cray strat from 2022 - over $1K. Seasoned wood? Both horrible fret sprout within weeks.
It will be funny in a couple years when pawn shops will be jam packed with banana necked Harley Bentons and Glarry's.
Surprisingly, I've never had a problem with import acoustics. My 20 year old, $125 Ibanez acoustic, which I treat it like a $125 guitar, is still in great playing shape. The soundboard has no cracks or bellies, neck is straight, and the action is good with plenty of room to take it down more. The only problem I ever had was a broken saddle, which was my fault, and a few fret ends popping up, which is an easy fix.
Import electrics on the otherhand.... I never owned one that didnt end up with a twisted neck or some other problem like having the wood split through the routing of the tremolo (especially with the 80's japanese squier strats).
Friends don't let friends buy Aple.
I have a Kyocera phone made in Korea by free people. MUCH tougher than an iJunk. DuraPro II. Great phone.
I have a bunch of MIJ, Korean and Indonesian guitars. All excellent from multiple different quality makers. There are a number of those.
I also have a number of USA made guitars.
I enjoy playing them all and play a couple of the imports more than some of the USA made ones.
I don't care where it comes from if free people make it.
Is this more of a cheap guitar made overseas video or does it cover expensive guitars built overseas too? My A5R, imported from Japan, is miles better than my American Gibson J45 50s reissue..
A lot of great info, but do not forget the money exchange rate, with your $100 guitar comparison, if they profit $50 US then that may translate to 100 or much more in their currency. At the time of this comment $50 US dollars = 1,565.8054 Taiwan Dollars.
I generally like your videos, but I think you are mistaken in this analysis. I bought a guitar for £6.50 in 1971 and it was completely unplayable. That sum would be £120 today. Such a guitar isn't a work of art, but generally they are simply in a different class from mine, regardless of origin. In terms of price you are never going to get a US or UK guitar in anything like that price bracket. It's the price, not the origin. There are wonderful guitars made in China, Korea, Indonesia in the $500-1000 price range, and there are a good few that come in at $250 and are excellent for beginners. Finally, if you don't happen to live in the US, almost any factory made guitar is an import to us, and all the same issue surrounding shipping, comparative humidity, and so on exist. My only piece of advice to a beginner is to buy the most expensive guitar you can afford. You'll be more likely to play it and more likely to progress. If you don't continue, you'll be more likely to sell it.
My limited experience is with two made in China guitars; a $200 Yamaha FS700, and a $300 Cordoba C5. Both seem to be good, well made guitars, but are probably in need of a good set-up. I was at a guitar store looking at a Taylor 3 series (312?), and the Taylor is far superior in every way, well worth 10 times the price. The Taylor played better, sounded better, and looked better. I am considering a Taylor 322 12-fret, or Taylor AD22.
I own a beautiful Corona made 2016 Fender Skyburst Metallic Elite Strat. In 2018, I spent 2 weeks in a very dry room in barracks with the guitar and when I got home, the guitar had a very bad case of fret sprout. I was surprised at the caliber of guitar having such an issue after doing some research into the problem. Was a little disappointed that a guitar at that price point would use "green" wood.
as a beginner, i bought a yamaha ac1m for $500 and its playability (especially the action) and sound quality is so much better than my more expensive martin (gpc all solid) and taylors (2 gs minis and a 214ce). my yamaha ac1m is now my favorite.
I'd gladly pay 20-30 bucks for an (extra?) visual inspection of a low budget/affordable guitar to prevent buying a guitar with noticeable flaws (which is not the same as a set-up). I did buy a couple of affordable guitars that clearly were not checked in any way between arriving from the far East and shipping to me.
In other retail, when a shop gets a below par product they send it back. Why dont guitar shops do the same? The Guitar companies would soon up their game. I shouldnt have to buy a product then pay extra to get it to work properly, even if it is cheap it should be fit for purpose. By the way, I now have 2 Yamahas, one is 39 years old the other is a brand new FG830. I can only say, from my experience, they are excellent. In the 1970´s they only shipped Laminate guitars because of the problems with shipping as you pointed out. Some of those guitars sounded far better than their solid wood counterparts made in The USA.
Does Alamo carry Godin products (seagull, Simon & Patrick etc)? They’ve always seemed like the solution for a North American guitar at an Asian price but without the issues you’ve mentioned.
The Fenders Made in Mexico are import guitars for you in the USA too, for Canadians, Europeans... all my guitars right now are Made in Asia or Made in Spain guitars.
PS: your cell phone is an import product too -- probably
All valid points, but they don't apply universally, but I suppose you have to have an element of luck when buying cheap. I make guitars for a hobby. I bought the cheapest Acasia (like Koa) from Vietnam on ebay, for a top, back and sides - I bought an offcut of mahogany for the neck and end blocks. I bought a piece of ebony for a fretboard of ebay. From this random assortment I built an acoustic guitar - seven years ago. The guitar has been taken camping often and usually sits on a stand in my living room with no special care.
Its still straight and still plays well and often. Lucky??
"Import Guitar" is a matter of perspective. I live in Australia, so every American made guitar is an "import guitar" for me, same as every other manufacturer (except cole clark, Maton and a handful of others). Sorry to say it, but American made guitars are not special and I own several. To get to me, they still have to spend months on the ocean/in the docks. They're subject to the same temperature/humidity variations getting to me that a Chinese or Indonesian made guitar does, and as a result are subject to the same possible pitfalls pointed out in the video. Wood is organic; it moves, bends and changes shape with its environment as stated in the video.
"More Expensive" guitars MAY be less susceptible to these issues on the presumption that they're using better materials, but it's not guaranteed. There have been some truly shameful examples I've seen on the guitar store shelves from American guitar plants/factories (my own American Fender Telecaster's stamped bridge plate has factory tooling marks from the stamping, and overspray and absurd wad-solder under the pick guard, while my cheaper Indonesian Ibanez and Korean Ormsby are basically flawless). Some of the worst customer support I've ever experienced was in trying to get some help from an American manufacturer. It was very clear from the response I got that they had no interest in me because I was outside their core market of the USA. That's their business decision and so be it.
Buy American if you want to support an American manufacturer and American employees. That's fine and I understand why that is important to some people. Go ahead with it! But don't mistake an American made guitar for being "inherently better" because it was made in the USA. That is not necessarily the case (see the rise of Japanese made guitars over the years). But the truth is; a great guitar can come from just about anywhere in the world these days, and there's no grounds to discount an Asian or European made guitar because of that origin. You're just limiting your choices unnecessarily.
LOL please, so you think manufacturing of wood goods, that we have been doing for thousands of years is more complex than electronics? Get a grip.... If Asia can manufacture sofisticated electronic stuff, why wouldn't they do it with wood... they have been doing it for more years than americans, its not like the US is known for the quality woodworkers
All my Guitars are Import Guitars. Even my Gibson, my Ovation and my Taylors. What a pity.
I’ve tried Epiphone inspired by Gibson guitars twice and was let down twice for the reasons Chris mentioned with the neck shrinking with a very very dry fretboards
and even fret bar markers being tarnished. It’s a shame, because the guitar could/should be great. Unfortunately, it has such a long journey in the elements stored only in cardboard.
Because of this, I went to Taylor made guitars in Mexico such as the 214 series. I will only buy from North America when it comes to acoustic guitars. American made isn’t that crucial to me. It’s the time and travel that real wood has on acoustic guitars
The title of this video is very US centric. There is nothing per se wrong with import. The US economy is exporting a lot of goods and services which other countries import. It is important to its economy. Any person trying to teach you differently is wrong. The problem is importing because of cheap labour. The Bourgeois Touchstone series is a bizarre example. Wood work done in Maine‘s ‚magic’ workshop, then the parts get vacuum sealed and shipped to China for assembly and finishing. Copy cat producer Eastman is icing the cake with such a non-sense. Sending it back to the US and Europe while asking for a price just a tad lower than „the original“. The problem here is that they are in complicity with the dealer community. Margins must be great for producer and dealers. The latter are the reason that we see those guitars more and more often. Same is with the Harley Benton brand and there many other examples.
And they put way too much Poly on them
Overseas brands are getting good reputation these days.
Furch and Eastman guitars have been really popping up in the market as if late.
Orange wood has also found a place in the lower end market.
Their tone isn't the best, but the combined package of what you get, for the price...isn't bad at all.
Especially for beginners.
That said, Chris is right. Go with proven models from trusted makers.
For any beginner, I'd always recommend the Yamaha FS800 or FG800.
They will last you for years, no problem.
As he pointed out, European guitars usually come at a different price point. Furch produces great instruments, I own their 'Little Jane' travel guitar and it is a very well made and great sounding guitar. But at a much higher price point than any Asian low cost imports.
Own and play 19 guitars, 4 acoustics, 14 electrics and a bass, proudly not one of them made in America! Thank you China & Indonesia.
I bought a mid priced guitar (£850) AUDEN , I only found out after buying that although maker is in UK the guitar had been made in china to there specification , any how , over time I had issues "fret sprout" which went slowly worse , also the action "moved" frequently , I don`t think the wood had been aged correctly ? I ended up selling it as it needed constant adjustment to the bridge and truss rod , as well as constant filing down the fret ends , I have had much cheaper guitars without any of those issues !
I hear what you are saying and appreciate your perspective, but you are invested in the current system. If a small Chinese shop really can make a $7000 gibson for $1000, then that would put a lot of guitar shops out of business. They would just order direct. Would you be willing to honestly evaluate a guitar like that?
Chris, one thing I've noticed from a repair guy's standpoint is some of the real inexpensive guitars are made with weaker/inferior woods. This especially shows up in anything with a slant (Gibsonesque) headstock. If a company only offers $75 guitars in opaque color finishes, watch out! They're hiding something!
my 1st guitar was a 50 dollar something fromthe bargin rm at Wards..I no longer have it..sometimes wish I did..I action was high and my fingers bled red..lol 50 bucks back in the mid 70s
Bought a Guild 12 string with a hard shell case back in 1970 . The first guitar that the salesman brought me a Guild 12 string that was a warped neck and that was a new guitar.
There is not a person here that doesn't own a Chinese product :p ...I have some very good Chinese made guitars. I guess our weather here in S.A. is actually good for most guitars...I learned how to do fret dressing and crowning...gotta learn how to provide maintenance and setup...
I am just lucky I guess. I have a number of Ibanez, Gretsch and Yamaha acoustics, all made in Asia and never once have I had a problem with any of them, either in quality or reliability. I even have a couple of guitars from a local Australian brand 'Artist' which are made in China that are some of the best value for money instruments I have ever played. I know someone that has been burnt by Gibson QA failures twice, and you could not give him a Gibson Guitar. I realise my opinion will probably shift the moment I get a dud, but it shouldn't, because balance wise I am way out in front.
I think you were right 20 years ago but things have changed a lot. Not only with CNCs but also they do a lot of R&D in China factories like in any factories. I had a solid guitar Seagul made in Canada and i bought an Artist serie Alvarez with solid top but not the higher end. The Alvarez is way better. I can tell you that all the famous guitarists did not start with guitars as good as the guitar from China now. With a price range from 300 to 400 bucks you can buy a very nice guitar to start learning. below that, get a used one for 200 bucks. Many people buys guitar and give up after a couple of months. So you can get very nice guitar barely used for a bargain, just ask a musician to check it before you buy it.
While I don't disagree with the statements, a more appropriate title would have been "The Problem with Budget Guitars". The affordable segment of import guitars is ultimately a function of price point, not the other way around.
Every part of a guitar will be imported anyway. I worked 40 years in Asia wood industry. Indonesia factories are on a part with US factories these days. I very much doubt Fender or Gibson season their own wood they will buy it already seasoned in the country of origin. It is much cheaper to make a guitar where the wood is grown and where labor is cheap. Electric guitars are very simple and mass produced
The main thing is $$$. A factory in, say, Spain, will make incredibly awful guitars if the wholesalers price dictations are such that the materials and time put into the guitars are the bare minimum. A factory in China will make guitars which rival the best in the world if they're being paid sufficiently for the instruments to be able to use high quality materials and enough time is dedicated to their manufacture.
This goes for nearly all products. The reason that so much coming out of China is junk, and previously from China, etc. is that those were the terms and standards dictated by the purchaser.
My Blueridge Br280 was made it China and it's killer.
The average person buy the cheaper guitars made in other countries out of necessity not choice because they can’t afford the 2,3,4 and up thousands of dollars that Gibson charges. Even $500 to $2000 for some.☹️
Taylor supposedly makes 700 guitars a day, so high volume and the problems it can bring aren't exclusive to imports.
This is great and I’m glad I clicked. I don’t see enough “bad guy” perspectives on this forced-happiness site called TH-cam. I’m not heralding news to anyone when I say that the majority of videos are, “Hey guys! Cheese! I wuv this cheap product, click my link.” What ever happened to the critical eye and no-nonsense message? I’m withered by telegraphed happiness. Thank you for being straight about this.
I bought an Alvarez 5-6 months ago and it was a mid priced, dealer only cedar top. They did a set up right after I purchased the guitar. I looked at the neck and it was perfect to my eyes. I purchased this guitar from my original home town and then took it to another state. I noticed the guitar started sounding different and I looked down the neck and it had a hump where the fretboard met the body. I called that dealer and they told me to bring it in the next time I was in that town. I did go back a few weeks later and took that guitar and those guys told me there was nothing wrong with the guitar. There is.
I sent an email to Alvarez and they stated that the guitar just needs to be acclimated.
I know that wood is a living thing but I feel that both parties are ignoring the problem. The guitar sounds good still but I constantly have to adjust the truss rod… I loosen one adjustment then tighten on another adjustment a month or so later.. humidifiers are used and I check the hygrometer constantly. Strings have also been changed to lighter gauge 10’s.
This guitar probably sat on a ship like you stated and it’s a pain to have to always be messing with it. I love the sound of the cedar top but hope that someday it will stabilize
Martin is the kings new clothes, buy a Guild from the mid 70s and be done with it👌
I bought a Guild import Baritone guitar 2 years ago.
By the end of the first year, the bridge started to lift.
I sent it back and they replaced it under warranty.
I had that guitar for about a year and the bridge split across the pin holes.
Sent that one back and it was again replaced.
So far the new one shows no issues.
I agree that these guitars were possibly built too quickly and not seasoned correctly.
By the way, these guitars were sent to America without a case.
Moral of the story: Just don't be cheap. Buy a Martin, Gibson or boutique U.S luthier guitar.
My main concern is all manufactures have shot themselves in the foot by moving their factories to China so they could make more money . Training there workers that have taken the technology and improved it. Then manufacture guitars that are much better and cheaper than what you can buy made here . Excluding custom shop manufactures that are out of reach for most people. Go to any store and check out where they build stuff, hard to find your own country sad but true. Why is it for greed and profit?
I know the quality is getting better and better and comparable to Martin. Innovation is the best competitive strategy.
most import guitars come from the same factory, which is probably Cort. Their modern manufacturing process is very good and may even be better than the low end American made ones.
Good points. As someone who lives a long way from a music store, I have bought a lot of guitars through mail order. The price point didn't seem to matter much. Almost every guitar I've bought had QC issues, regardless of origin. They were sending out guitars with obvious problems. Doesn't seem to matter the U.S. store I ordered them from. They clearly weren't looking at the guitar before shipping it.
Over the years I've learned by necessity to correct a lot of QC problems on guitars. But it shouldn't have been necessary.
Really good advice and factual.... and more importantly a very honest view ... newbies take note, basically you get what you pay for (most times) unless you buy second hand. Chris knows his sh*t and we can all learn from him. One day I will buy a guitar from him (and I live in the UK!)
Out of 6 guitars I own 2 of them are made in China, 1 in Indonesia and 1 in Mexico. As a Aussie most guitars are import guitars for us besides the few Australian manufacturers.
And a reputable dealer like Alamo
Good information. Exceptions always exist, but economlcs rule in the long run, and it is good to know where the shortcuts, or supply chain factors come into play. Thanks!
Have the mid-level electric guitars with the dark roasted Maple necks been more stable than average? Or was that just a marketing theory?
One of the weirdest guitars I've ever seen or played is some strange Japanese 70s model. I think it's an electric guitar with a classical neck, which is already odd, but it has no sustain whatsoever. My uncle got it just because it was so bizarre I think.
Other than that, I've never really come across a lot of dodgy imports.