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American made basses

#41
progrmr said:
And how could you take offense to the fact that quality control is higher where manufacturing costs are higher..?? DUH - there's a reason the bass costs more - higher costs!.
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That's not a fact, it's a belief. And no, higher cost is not the only reason a bass costs more (though it is one reason). That's a vastly oversimplified view. To a large extent, manufacturers charge what the market will bear, which doesn't directly correlate either with objective quality (however you define that) or their own costs. Assuming that more costly manufacturing necessarily means better quality, or that higher cost to the consumer is necessarily a direct reflection of more costly manufacturing processes and more careful QC, is a mistake.
 
#42
What I have offense with is how you lambaste any Asian made instrument (sans Japanese) as being just average while there is evidence to the contrary.

I'd recommend the MTD Kingston series, but no, it's Korean, and Korean=average. I recommend Lakland Skylines, but no, those are just average. I'd recommend Brubaker Brutes, but God forbid you get one of those because they are made in China. There is nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade but when you call all 13 cards of that suit one thing there is a big problem. Besides, you are only hurting yourself if you are limiting your options.

You want quality? Get an EBMM. There, I said it.
 
#43
Richard Lindsey said:
That's not a fact, it's a belief. And no, higher cost is not the only reason a bass costs more (though it is one reason). That's a vastly oversimplified view. To a large extent, manufacturers charge what the market will bear, which doesn't directly correlate either with objective quality (however you define that) or their own costs. Assuming that more costly manufacturing necessarily means better quality, or that higher cost to the consumer is necessarily a direct reflection of more costly manufacturing processes and more careful QC, is a mistake.
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The market won't bear a high price on a crap instrument - if an instrument costs more, it must be because there is value above and beyond other products in the same vertical. Not saying that some of Fender's costs on the MIA stuff isn't inflated, but they aren't dropping prices because there is value in their name and reputation for quality.

Same as a quality instrument manufactured in a country other than the US.
 
#46
Wow, this is getting heated fast.

For me, 'Made in the USA' is a meaningless phrase. For a long time guys who wanted the best *built* Fenders without going to the Custom Shop were better off buying CIJ models. These days, Fender's put a lot of work into the newer American Standards, possibly due to the fatigue resulting from constantly being bettered by Asian-made Laklands, Sadowskys, et al.

Where companies like Fender, Lakland and probably now MusicMan make their US products shine is by reserving the choicest woods and better hardware for them.

I'm not saying not to buy American-made. Hell, my next two planned purchases are both going to be US-built instruments, but that's just because they happen to be made there, not because I necessarily believe in the American assembly line or craftsman over that of any other country.

Now, an *excellent* reason to not want to buy Asian is the eco factor. I specifically bought UK build amp and cab relatively recently (even though it meant buying the amp second had) because the UK is doing a *lot* more to control the crap it spews than most Asian manufacturing centres *or* the US.

But that's an important fact for me; not necessarily for everyone on this forum.
 
#47
It's nice to see some of the people in this thread have avoided answering the initial question of the OP, and instead feel like instituting an arrogant, oppressive, chastising attitude towards why he asks the question. If I'm reading correctly, all that was asked in a nut-shell was: "what American basses can I get ahold of that will give me long-term satisfaction?"

Is that question really so hard to answer? It seems like people just go around trolling for threads that exhibit any pride toward a certain brand, make, model, country of manufacture, etc. and drill the person about why they think that way. Get over yourselves. God forbid anyone ever chooses to buy a head of lettuce because it came from Aunt Bertha's farm down the road instead of from another state or country. That would just be...arrogant, racist, prideful, and narrow-minded...all at the same time.
 
#50
michael_atw said:
It's nice to see some of the people in this thread have avoided answering the initial question of the OP, and instead feel like instituting an arrogant, oppressive, chastising attitude towards why he asks the question. If I'm reading correctly, all that was asked in a nut-shell was: "what American basses can I get ahold of that will give me long-term satisfaction?"

Is that question really so hard to answer? It seems like people just go around trolling for threads that exhibit any pride toward a certain brand, make, model, country of manufacture, etc. and drill the person about why they think that way. Get over yourselves. God forbid anyone ever chooses to buy a head of lettuce because it came from Aunt Bertha's farm down the road instead of from another state or country. That would just be...arrogant, racist, prideful, and narrow-minded...all at the same time.
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If you read the first few posts, it's pretty clear that the OP's reasoning apparently had nothing to do with "pride" or "buy local," as you're assuming. It had to do with the assumption that American basses would necessarily be of higher quality, by virtue of being American. Many people don't necessarily agree with that presumption and question the basis on which it was made. That's all it is.
 
#51
progrmr said:
because there is value in their name and reputation for quality.
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Yes, but this is different from what you were saying, because "value in their name" has nothing to do with manufacturing costs, and in fact nothing directly to do with actual quality, only with beliefs about that quality, which may or may not agree with reality.

And of course the market will support high prices for crap instruments ... if there is a perception that the instrument is good. It doesn't have to actually be good (though it may well be), it just has to be believed or assumed to be good.
 
#54
i knwo this isnt what your looking for, but if you're going for durability, do NOT go gibson...their CEO has a terrible approval rating (6%) among employees...that's why they really don't care anymore, and durability is wayyy down. they also almost never honor their warranty...after one year of owndership they automatically define any problem as "user abuse"
 
#55
Even though it was said earlier, I'm going to say Carvin.....Fender is just waaay to damn common. Also, Carvin lets you customize many many features on the bass model that you order. I own a custom B-5 and I must say that it is by far the best bass I have bought and I will NEVER sell it. And if you are worried with not being able to play the instrument before you buy it that is okay. Carvin has a 10 day trial period and you if don't like it or you find something wrong with it you can send it back and have them fix whatever problem it is you have with your bass. Also the quality and craftsmanship that goes into their instruments is unbelievable!!!


Some other basses that are American made are the Hill basses. The guy who makes them, Jon Hill, I believe is in Florida. In fact I just saw him last night at my bass teachers gig in Westlake, OH, a suburb of Cleveland. (he was born and raised in Cleveland, pretty sure about that.)

And of course the Ernie Ball Music Man basses, excellent quality instruments!
 
#59
"but I guess I'd like to go "anything NOT made in China, Korea, Mexico, or Inonesia". Every bass I've owned over the last year and half (~10 basses) have come from one of these countries - time to step it up a notch as I'm tired of dealing with inconsistencies these basses come with. I just want one sweet bass that is complete and polished." OP

"I don't see how suggesting not using race as a purchasing decision would get a thread closed unless it was from someone who wants to promote those decisions." Zebco

Where does the OP say he wouldn't buy a bass based on race? :eyebrow:

He didn't. He DID say that he has already bought 10 basses from the countries mentioned, over the last year.

It sounds like some are bending over backwards to be PC.
 
#60
I would look hard at the EB Music Man - they are amazing basses with a good amount of options and nice finishes. I've not owned one, but have played with them as backlines and they are superb. I also like the MIA Fenders - I think a good MIA jazz would be absolutely gig-worthy for a lifetime (and beyond). They fit well within virtually any musical setting as well.

IMO, though the best bass in that price range would be a used Sadowsky Metro (made in Japan).

Good luck on your search!
 

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