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American made basses

#81
All of my USA basses and guitars have been better than all of my Asian ones. Is that okay to say? Mods please delete if I have broken a rule. Probably just a coincidence anyway.

It would appear, however, that a small number of Chinese and Indonesian instruments just about equal Korean instruments in quality. Oops! Did I say that? Hope nobody gets bent. Have a nice day.
 
#82
sleepytime said:
All of my USA basses and guitars have been better than all of my Asian ones. Is that okay to say? Mods please delete if I have broken a rule. Probably just a coincidence anyway.

It would appear, however, that a small number of Chinese and Indonesian instruments just about equal Korean instruments in quality. Oops! Did I say that? Hope nobody gets bent. Have a nice day.
Click to expand...

No reason to get bent. Just like there is no reason to panic if I say that I think instruments made in Indonesia are way better value than many American instruments. Some of them are even better when compared to a similarly priced american instruments. Aren't lakland skylines built in Indonesia? I'd be willing to pay a lot more for one of the 02 models compared to MIA standard fender.

But it sort of makes sense. As an example: There are two basses that both cost one grand. The labour for the first bass built in US/Europe cost 200 and the labour for the "overseas" one cost 100, the difference can come in form of better parts for the overseas bass making it better value. I know this is usually not the case since many instrument built in Asia are built as cheaply as possible which gives all instruments bad image, mostly because our ignorance, but could theoretically happen. And every time I compare a lakland skyline to a MIA standard fender I get the feeling it's not just a theoretical situation.

But back to the subject, I'd go with a american vintage RI fender or a used spector if I could find one..
 
#83
I would not consider Lakland Skylines to be a good example for this thread. Made in Asia, but completely designed in the US. Upon arrival at Lakland, they are given a thorough inspection and setup including touch up filing on the nut and fretboard PLEKing, and have US electronics installed. Hardly a textbook example of Asian production.

Sadowsky Metros are completely done in Japan IIRC. Japanese manufacturing has a bit better quality than elsewhere in Asia? Can I say that? PC police? I hope it's cool.
 
#84
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool jazz bass player and have two, the Korean Skyline JO5, which is a fine bass, but the newest addition is a MADE IN AMERICA Valenti P/J 5.

As I am a Valenti schill, I would encourage you to look at these custom basses which are indeed in your price range. Once I throw some Hawaiian-made pickups in my made in Brooklyn Valenti ( or Staten Island or Garden City), I'll be in bliss.

Not being jingoistic, but its nice to support local craftsmen like Larry Pollack at Aero (HI) and Anthony Valenti here in New Yawk. Plus, the workmasnship/care/customer support is also top notch!!

You say you're looking for a US P/J? Call Nino and spec one out. I prefer the phatter Aero Type I pickups to the usual Nordstand pickups in a passive axe, but thats me. Old skool till death.

My first gig axe was a Peavy T40. If you want something other than a Fenderesque vibe, look to Peavy. Great instruments imho. G&L's as well.

But if you want a super P/J, call the man in New Yawk! or mail to nino AT valentibasses.com
 
#87
rather than being intoxicated and picking fights like some people here that i wont mention ill give you some good advice......
check out the lakland skylines. I FULLY understand your reasoning for not wanting a "farmed out" asian bass. I however have personally visited the lakland factory and can tell you that the skylines are completely different from most brands.
The reason alot of the asian basses you mentioned are subpar is because thats all the parent companies are willing to pay for. Lakland Skylines are really only half made in indonesia and actually are tended to right here in chicago before going out. Look it up on their website to get the full details. I owned a lakland skyline and it was a beautiful instrument that was VERY well crafted.
 
#88
E R N I E B A L L M U S I C M A N ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

PERIOD! The best basses in the under $2,000 range period...I used to say that about Laklands until I was told that since they started using the INDONESIAN factory they can no longer meet my quality standards....I was floored when I was told that but I SWEAR on my daughter's life I was told "they could no longer meet my quality standards" after I returned 3 basses that were built in the newer INDONESIAN factory...I LOVED Lakland prior to the switch. I had a LOT of Skylines and quite a few US Models...Read my past posts and you will see I have always supported them...

HOW do you say that to a customer that has owned more than 60 of your instruments? The craziest part...it seemed so easy for them to tell me that....I would LOVE to own a USA 44-94 but I SERIOUSLY doubt it will happen after what they did to me...

I currently have a Fiesta Red SR4 and a Natural SR5 HH and THAT IS IT! I no longer own ANY other brand of bass....Anyone who knows me KNOWS that is a BIG deal for me....The coolest part is you can buy them at Guitar Center and try it for 30 days...Don't like it? RETURN IT...NO QUESTIONS ASKED...

Then buy the MIA Fender if you like....OR get a Sadowsky METRO if you want a Jazz bass...Oh Yeah, MADE IN JAPAN at the SADOWSKY JAPAN shop...

TRUST ME! Either is as good or MUCH better than ANYTHING else being made in the USA for the money...

If you want a custom build look no further than Valenti.....PERIOD! Nino makes killer instruments at a GREAT price and the finished product is on par with anything else you can buy!

of course all this is MY $.02 and YMMV

:cool:

Peace,

T
 
#89
There's one simple rule with mass produced instruments. Try before you buy. Simple as that! With all mass produced instruments, you're going to get some diamonds and some dogs. I bought an 09 Am.Std.Jazz last year after playing about ten of the things. Perhaps I am especially exacting, but it took me that long to find one I liked enough to buy it. Then again, I am spoiled with peerless quality from Status-Graphite. Go figure!

My favourites in the mass produced arena are...

MusicMan Stingray - Get a good one and it's one of the best basses around. I have a 2000 model piezo Ray and it's stunning.

Fender 08 (onwards) American Standard Jazz - Again, get a nice one and you're set for life. I use mine through a Sadowsky preamp. Wonderful focused sound.

Sterling by MusicMan Ray 34 - I had one of these Indonesian made Rays (made at the Cort factory) and the quality is stunning.

Squier Classic Vibe Jazz - Every one of these Chinese made basses I've seen has been stunning. Pure classic Jazz bass sound & amazing quality control.

So have a good play on a few basses in stores. You might be surprised that you don't end up buying American.
 
#90
I have tried just about all these basses suggested over the last 5 years, my current favorite bass is a 2001 USA Lakland Joe Osborn in traditional burst. I think new it was a $3500 bass. I got it used for about half.

I even compared it to NY Sadowsky, Metro, Fenders, real vintage 1960's fender jazz basses, Ken Smiths, Music Man, Rickenbacker (I do love Ricks I have 5 of them!) and I prefer that warm/woody/growly 60's Jazz bass tone of the Lakland.

But the bass I take to gig and record with is the Lakland JO.......Cheers,
 
#92
tommixx said:
I used to say that about Laklands until I was told that since they started using the INDONESIAN factory they can no longer meet my quality standards....I was floored when I was told that but I SWEAR on my daughter's life I was told "they could no longer meet my quality standards" after I returned 3 basses that were built in the newer INDONESIAN factory...I LOVED Lakland prior to the switch. I had a LOT of Skylines and quite a few US Models...Read my past posts and you will see I have always supported them...
Click to expand...

Uh, who told you that Lakland's Indonesian-made instruments couldn't match 'your' quality standards, whatever they might be? And what was the context? Is it possible that not being able to meet your quality requirements means something nebulous like 'breathes fire and bleeds pure musical magic.'

I'm only asking because there's a whole thread full of Lakland fanboys who'd likely trip over themselves to show you how great their Indo Skylines are. Ergo, your quality standards must be higher than the normal user's.

tommixx said:
I would LOVE to own a USA 44-94 but I SERIOUSLY doubt it will happen after what they did to me...
Click to expand...

Sorry, what did they do to you? If they Lakland buys did something to tick you off, that might be more useful to a prospective buyer.

tommixx said:
I currently have a Fiesta Red SR4 and a Natural SR5 HH and THAT IS IT! I no longer own ANY other brand of bass...The coolest part is you can buy them at Guitar Center and try it for 30 days...Don't like it? RETURN IT...NO QUESTIONS ASKED...
Click to expand...

Wait: the coolest part is a return policy? That's offered by a dealer?

I have also yet to find an MM that I can get around to liking, let alone loving. Most of them (that I've tried, mind you) have been heavy-a55ed and of a fine, but not fantastic fit and finish. In my personal experience, they're fine production-line basses but that's about it.

tommixx said:
Then buy the MIA Fender if you like
Click to expand...

I agree.

OutToPlayJazz said:
There's one simple rule with mass produced instruments. Try before you buy. Simple as that! With all mass produced instruments, you're going to get some diamonds and some dogs.

...

So have a good play on a few basses in stores. You might be surprised that you don't end up buying American.
Click to expand...

This is pure wisdom right here.

Op_of_Faith said:
Matt from FBB makes AMAZING basses within that price range-he was super busy last time we talked but I'd encourage you to check him out...

http://www.fbbcustom.com/
Click to expand...

Yes; I think that where the whole 'made in USA' thing makes sense is when you go to smaller custom guys like Nino or FBB. Or companies like Sadowsky or Lakland. And in these cases, the US location is purely incidental. You can put a Canadian-made F-bass up against any of them and it'll show the same high quality.

In terms of mass-produced axes, my personal experience is that there's no real quality advantage over a well-made Asian bass.
 
#94
Try as many basses as you can and make the choice based on that. I sent a friend of mine to Denmark Street in London to try all of the P-Basses there were. He tried about twenty and came away with a Classic 50's Mexico bass. This was my hot tip, but I didn't tell him at the time. They are great value and are virtually identical to my USA '57 reissue which is double the price.
 
#97
OutToPlayJazz said:
There's one simple rule with mass produced instruments. Try before you buy. Simple as that!
Click to expand...

That's pretty much a rule for both mass produced and hand crafted musical instruments. Not all boutique and high end gear is flawless and they do have some dogs slip out the door too. Play everything before you buy it this way you know without a doubt that you like the tone, playability, balance, see bad neck joints, fret work, etc.
 

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