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Can anyone comment on instruments made in Indonesia?

A

alienstarguest

May 30, 2009
315
120
#1
My impression has always been there is one single gigantic factory in Indonesia that produces all or nearly most guitars and basses which sport the "Made in Indonesia" moniker.
True or False?

Another impression is that a dozen companies or more have some series made there. I see it also as a place/factory where entirely new brand names are setup for a few runs, then rarely seen again. Presumably with some bigger corporation behind the 'project'.
Anyone know for sure?

For me the "Made in Indonesia" stamp on an instrument foretells of the world's possibly lowest quality. This is a generalization, and I'm sure is not universally applicable to every single thing made there, yet IMO, there is some truth to it. Even surpassing China as a kind of "be careful of what you are getting" type of warning.

Just in case anyone might be thinking that I'm personally ragging on Indonesia or its populous, don't.
 
#2
Where something is from doesn't matter so much as how carefully it was constructed. I have several high quality basses that were made in Indonesia. On the other hand, I'm sure there are some lower quality ones made there as well - that's pretty much true everywhere. No country really has a lock on either craftspeople or CNC machines.
 
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#5
bholder said:
Where something is from doesn't matter so much as how carefully it was constructed. I have several high quality basses that were made in Indonesia. On the other hand, I'm sure there are some lower quality ones made there as well - that's pretty much true everywhere. No country really has a lock on either craftspeople or CNC machines.
Click to expand...

I guess I was saying it's more true there than other places. Only trying to dispel or validate my opinion.
 
#6
Again, I'd have to say it depends on the specifics of the manufacturer more than it does the country of origin. What brand of bass are you concerned about?
 
#7
bholder said:
Again, I'd have to say it depends on the specifics of the manufacturer more than it does the country of origin. What brand of bass are you concerned about?
Click to expand...

None. Not a single one. It's years of testing, playing, and visiting music stores, and always making mental notes of place of origin.

I've had a few Indonesian instruments myself, and one common thing I seemed to have noticed is that there is an uncanny cross-polinization of parts. Thus the "Gigantic Factory" theme. While I don't lose sleep over it, I'm not liking the aspects of getting these distinctly different brand names that share so many parts/craftsman (possibly), and manufacturing line.

While I think it best not to start a thread on worst USA made instruments, where Peavey might come to mind. I've had to many Peavey products that performed wonderfully. I can't say the same for some other country-of-origin type subjects. Price point usually wins out in the end I suppose, no matter where it comes from. I just have a bit of sceptical concerns regarding Indonesian music gear.
 
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#9
I own two Indonesian-made Yamahas. They are among the nicest instruments I own. Yamaha has a long history of maintaining excellent QC on their products, regardless of where they're manufactured.

As to whether or not multiple brands are produced under a single roof in Indonesia, I don't know, but I suspect it may be the case. For example, there are certain hard-to-put-my-finger-on commonalities between the Yamaha BBs and the Lakland Skylines that make me think they might have a common origin.
 
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#15
I've had several made in Indonesia and Korea. No real problems with any to speak of. I felt like I got what I paid for within the limits of the design and materials. The only foreign made bass I can say I did not like at all was a Squire Fretless Jazz made in China. Ski jump neck and it was totally lost in the mix.
 
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#17
bholder said:
Where something is from doesn't matter so much as how carefully it was constructed. I have several high quality basses that were made in Indonesia. On the other hand, I'm sure there are some lower quality ones made there as well - that's pretty much true everywhere. No country really has a lock on either craftspeople or CNC machines.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. Management and QC are the two biggest factors in whether quality instruments end up in your hand, regardless of what name is on it.
 
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