Can anyone comment on instruments made in Indonesia?

[Dr. Cheese]

I think Indonesian has fine luthiers and great facilities. That is why they make good basses at multiple price points.

 

[OnederTone]

It's annoying though how owners of older Korean ESP LTD, Lakland Skyline, etc. basses that moved production to Indonesia later will say "this is one of the better Korean built examples" when they try to sell it. I think it fuels the quality myth. I'm not saying you would do that, but it happens often.

I've sold a few Korean Skylines. I'll call it out, but never value them over the Indos.... the exception is with early Korean Joe Osbornes... and that has less to do with the country of manufacture and more to call out the factory stack knob control layout. Either way.... wholeheartedly agree with you. Because long ago there was a mistique to fenders made in xxxx that were better than the ones made in yyyy so now everyone thinks that mistque carries over to other brands.... it's not always the case

 

[tzohn]

Man working with wood and steel is something beyond ethnicity. Everything else is global economy and the need for mass production.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Never underestimate the power of networking...

This is the response I received from fellow TBer Anton Tanzil. I remember him as a sushi chef (!) here in the US before returning home to Indonesia and the times do change.

"Hi Riis...

That is so nice of you. I forgot did I told you I am now back in Indonesia. I am playing and teaching Bass again now. I also have a small retail music store. You can check it out at Invalid Link Removed

I will check that discussion about Indonesian MI manufacturers, I actually spent 3 years (2012-2015) working as a factory manager in one of those manufacturers.

How have you been doing? How are things in Virginia?"

Riis

 

[RyanKW]

It's a pretty good bass. I hardly touch my nice bass now. Too bad it says Squier. It would be worth more $$.

I'm actually glad. I like seeing confused faces of those not in the know.

 

[pappabass]

I'm actually glad. I like seeing confused faces of those not in the know.

Yeah, I get compliments on appearance & sound frequently. At my last gig I had the lead player/singer stop mid-sentence to compliment me on the Squier when I took it out of the case. I hate to admit this, I have played it at my last 3 gigs! It is a small more acoustic type venue but with great musicians. I mentioned this earlier, but I was going to swap for a Mex Fender Jazz. The jazz was only very slightly better than the Squier, so I kept the Squier & my $300. Plus the neck on the Squier was better.

 

[basspraiser]

And again, this is just me. But I will starve myself out and try to avoid being lured in by the better prices and get a 'real' Lakland. It may mean that I don't have another bass or three for awhile, but I will tend toward a long and detailed search in the Used category anyway. Not saying that your Indo Lackland is not a great bass. It probably is, I just don't want to settle. I have also found out that in the end, I'm getting almost all of my money back on the top line basses if I ever want to sell. It is a pattern that I have not fully binded with but I am getting there. The part about getting all your money back has some things that need to watched as well. If it is a 'super-boutique', you know the ones made by like one guy who puts out a few instruments a year.......that tends to go to the other end where you will take a loss.

I have BOTH skylines and US Lakies... And trust me.... they are all REAL Laklands....

Just played my " unreal" 5564 today in church... Feels great and sounds awesome....

 

[Lesfunk]

I own a SBMM Ray35 ca and I like it more than my USA Sterling 5H

 

[basspraiser]

View attachment 955889 View attachment 955890 View attachment 955891 View attachment 955892 View attachment 955893 A couple pics:

Great looking bass!!!

 

[Robert Sperling]

I have not been looking at the thread I started for about a half day now, not certain, but I don't think anyone used the term 'suck' in relation to the quality of indo instruments. I am just saying, perhaps after reading the thread and doing the research, that Yamaha is the only maker that 'build country' doesn't mean much. A lot of what I am saying is just MO. It has some backing that I am comfortable with tho.

I know, I didn't mean it as a direct quote.... My personal opinion is they can and do put out some decent product, and like anything else each example should be judged for it's own merits.
I also believe you are completely entitled to your opinion, but for anybody else curious about the answer to the question, I don't think they should be limited in their choices and available
selections bassed (pun intended) on a generalization. I'm not "THAT" guy so we can chill on this... my question to you after all this is would YOU buy an Indonesian made product or not?

 

[Velofixer]

It's called contract manufacturing; I work in a very Asia- dependent industry. Forty years ago, European product was state of the art in my field, now it's Japan and Taiwan at the top of the quality pyramid. Taiwan and to a lesser extent mainland China will make what you ask them to make and pay them to make. If there are any other cyclists on this board, you will notice that there are some very non-Taiwanese names (Bianchi, Colnago, Raleigh, Schwinn) selling anywhere from a token Asian-sourced bike to their whole lines. You get what the factory you are working with can make at your price point, and that is also affected by your company's rapport with that factory.

 

[Skybone]

"Made in Indonesia" is now, what "Made in Korea" was 10-15 years ago, and what "Made in Japan" was 20-25 years ago.

Well made gear, great Quality Control, and better still, affordable prices.

 

[Bassworship1]

I've owned many Ibanez Premium basses made in their Premium factory in Indonesia. Here is my latest being a Ibanez BTB1605DTF. Made as good as basses I've owned 2-3 times the price.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

My Squier CV 60s is a great bass. It was made in Indonesia. The only quality issue I found was the pots and the knobs. I replaced those and it is one of my favorite basses.

 

[Basehead]

I now own two basses made in Indonesia (Ibanez SR650PBAM and SRSC805DTF) and the quality is quite high, IMHO. To be honest, I used to poopoo basses made in Indonesia until I spent time with one. I should be purchasing my third MII bass soon.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

You get what the factory you are working with can make at your price point, and that is also affected by your company's rapport with that factory.

This is it, basically. If you buy a $150 bass or bicycle, you know what to expect and it's completely unfair to wash all items from the same country with the same brush, when they are entirely capable of making $500 and $1000 and $2000 level instruments that are worth every bit of the price tag, assuming the company buying these items (the BRAND) is one that you trust. The factory simply makes what the brand asks/pays for.
.

 

[Zodion]

yeah my ibanez premium basses are made there and these things are awesome. Best Basses ive ever played by far.

 

[Sav'nBass]

"Made in Indonesia" is now, what "Made in Korea" was 10-15 years ago, and what "Made in Japan" was 20-25 years ago.
Well made gear, great Quality Control, and better still, affordable prices.

Precisely... and remember .... 40-50 years ago... Made in Japan very often meant junk...

 

[phillybass101]

Cheaper parts, cheaper labor but the quality of the work and build are decent. I have two basses made there and would Gig either Bass anywhere, anyday.

 

[bizzybass]

I bought an Indonesian fender jazz about 15 yrs. The chrome was flaking off the machine heads I took it back. I recently picked up a used Epi Thunderbird from there. Apparently their QC issues are resolved. Its a great bass.