Chinese guitars

[tosh]

Ive been checking out some of the latest Gretsch offerings.I was bowled over by the quality for money ratio on their cheaper end guitars.The fretwork, rosewood(on the neck) and finish and sound were all superb.
We as guitarists, must be getting a lot more for our money nowadays.
What do you guys think of these new guitars?

[Andy R]

I haven't checked those out, but some of the other Chinese made guitars, like Blueridge and Eastman, have incredible bang for the buck!

[Colo Springs E]

.....haven't had a chance to check out the Gretschs, but man! Those Blueridges? One nice guitar!

-E

[bri]

a Barricuda Strat clone. The darn thing looks great, sounds great and plays great for $179.00 CDN. In my day,(here we go) a cheap guitar was almost unplayable, sounded like crap and looked cheap. I guess it's computerized milling machines that make the difference.
This the golden age of guitdom.
Brian

[tosh]

Indeed....As consumers we have such a huge choice of things nowadays.I wonder if this era in which we live will one day be considered a 'golden age'.

[Doug 54]

the Chinese/Indonesia CHEAP important issue is simple AND complex.

3 yrs ago looking for solid wood cello upgrade for our daughter---the Chinese stuff was the only one within our $$$ realm---BUT I was VERY suspicious.

I called a fine string shop and talked to their repairman at length (rather, he was willing to expound in great detail): He was of the experienced belief---as far as string/symphony instruments---Chinese stuff can be great--with more hand crafting than other country's instruments, not even close to their $ range.
But, sometimes there are inconsitnecies, or set-ups may run you $$ high enough, that it isn't worth it.
He said you have to eval it IN PERSON.

What I have seen w the guitars is some very good maching/alignment. On some, the fret level is great---others may need levelling. Fret polish is usually good.
Of course components are cheap---but easily replacable---no biggie.
Body wood: Hey, most are 3 piece ($900 Fender Am STDs are 3 piece) and usually light BUT the kind of wood is questionable. Alot I don't think are the traditional light basswood. A repairman friend thinks it the local/area wood they use, whatever is convenient.

So, the old test of playing in person too see thru how it will sound, esp after pup upgrade is the test!!!

I have a Chinese/ or Indonesian Strat copy w a GREAT neck--flat radius, lg frets. But it needed level/crown.
The body is 3 piece-whatever AND very light and acoustically resonant---BUT fair on elec sound.

That's OK. Was $85.oo used!!!!

Of course there is the moral issue of the potential of virtual slave Chinese labor ( a friend thinks alot of stuff might be made by prisoners). That's a Wal-Mart thing, right...??

[PSWoods]

Originally Posted by tosh

Indeed....As consumers we have such a huge choice of things nowadays.I wonder if this era in which we live will one day be considered a 'golden age'.

I'm already calling it a golden age. I have a Chinese (SX) strat with very little $$$ in aftermarket stuff on it that is totally gigable. The neck and body would be totally acceptable at 5x the price. Bridge must be mystery metal, but has steel bite and definition. Out of the box the frets need to be leveled, like almost any brand factory guitar.

And I am impressed with pretty much anything out of the (Korean) Samick factory. They have a lot of cheesy appointments on the low low end stuff with their own name on it - photo tops, glitter paint - but they seem to knock themselves out making every guitar playable and toneful.

Then there's Schecter. Korean made, inexpensive. Pro quality out of the box IMHO.

[e-merlin]

Peavey's Chinese stuff is absolutely fabulous for the $$$. I wouldn't hesitate to buy.

Originally Posted by Doug 54

Of course there is the moral issue of the potential of virtual slave Chinese labor ( a friend thinks alot of stuff might be made by prisoners). That's a Wal-Mart thing, right...??

Of course, we buy oil from the middle east, and we all know about their human rights record when it comes to women, right?

[moondoggie999]

and its a great stock guitar for 169.00




http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/515115/

I have one and its great bang for the buck.