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Made in America???

Where was your (main) bass made?

  • Total voters
    441
#81
Illbay said:
No other country in the Western Hemisphere calls itself "America."

This is a specious argument.
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peterpalmieri said:
What planet are you on?

And why did you even bother asking for clarification in the 1st post, we all understand in this forum American made means USA not N and S America.

were you waiting to display worth of knowledge.
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Let me tell you, many people South of the USA kinda get pissed when we hog up the name "America" all to ourselves.

If you ever find yourself "overseas" and this topic comes up, it's best to respect the other opinion and then drop the topic as fast as possible.

================

To answer the question, I prefer "made in USA", whatever that means these days.
 
#82
+1 -- I am amazed at the craftsmanship on my $500 (Korean) SR500 -- 5 piece neck, active Barts, stained mahogany body, abalone markers -- it easily rivals +1000 MIA's...

TheDarkReaver said:
i'm fairly happy with my korean made basses, infact i've only ever owned korean. i'll play anything though, as long as it's half decent.

in fact i'm suprised you havn't got korea on your poll, as you get a lot from over there these days.
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#83
my first bass was a carlo robelli
it really WAS a total clone of a jbass with rosewood board and pearloid block inlay.
it was a real POS.

i bought a used 73 fender jazz within a year, which i 've now owned some 28 years.

when i was a teen the majority of japanese instruments were "lawsuit" instruments.
i therefore had a sense that all of these instrument were cheap imitations.

if you had told me THEN that i would buy and love not 1 but 2 CIJ fender 's
i would have laughed/sneered at you.

I have a geddy and a recently aquired a blue flower. both have "that" fender tone.
and i find it astounding...

the geddy is effectively a reissue of what i already own :) (if only it was sunburst )
I preferred the Geddy to the 75 reissue (microtilt schmicrotilt)
as well as a couple of more standard american J's
that were out at the time.

sterling was generally numero uno for shows, with geddy taking 1/3 lead.. 2/3 backup role.
choice is good :)
 
#84
While I would have preferred to have it made 100% in Chicago IL uSA ( being a BEARS fan and all), the folks outside Seoul (?) did a fine job in the rough finishing. Its becoming a small world. All thats good, but we have to "think" bigger than our communities, nation states, etc.

Btw the wood and materials of my bass dont know where they came from, other than this planet. I can still "effect" them with my vibes. But so can every craftmsan that touches it along the way. So I am very CONSCIOUS of where the instrument hails from, and who's been " breathing" on it. Hope someone "breathed" some love into it aloing the way. Queer? Whatever, prove me wrong.

The only place I'm "jinoistic" about is China. Quality? Naw. Repressive communist regimes can kiss my ...... $&^#*^%$# :angry: and I pray one they ( the institutions) one day perish
 
#85
lonestarwings said:
I only own one bass but I went out of my way to make sure it was made in the USA.

It may or may not be better than a bass made elsewhere but I prefer to support my country's economy when possible. I'm glad that all companies haven't totally outsourced their manufacturing overseas. I will pay more for a US made bass, amp, or cabinet, within reason. I try to apply the same principles to all my purchases.
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Well said! When it comes to other products we don't always have a choice!
 
#86
RandomHandle said:
my first bass was a carlo robelli
it really WAS a total clone of a jbass with rosewood board and pearloid block inlay.
it was a real POS.

i bought a used 73 fender jazz within a year, which i 've now owned some 28 years.

when i was a teen the majority of japanese instruments were "lawsuit" instruments.
i therefore had a sense that all of these instrument were cheap imitations.

if you had told me THEN that i would buy and love not 1 but 2 CIJ fender 's
i would have laughed/sneered at you.

I have a geddy and a recently aquired a blue flower. both have "that" fender tone.
and i find it astounding...

the geddy is effectively a reissue of what i already own :) (if only it was sunburst )
I preferred the Geddy to the 75 reissue (microtilt schmicrotilt)
as well as a couple of more standard american J's
that were out at the time.

sterling was generally numero uno for shows, with geddy taking 1/3 lead.. 2/3 backup role.
choice is good :)
Click to expand...

I had no idea Carlo Robelli basses had been around that long!

That said, I don't care where my basses come from, so long as the playability and tone are there.
 
#88
Like mentioned, there are many, many great bass builder here in the states and elsewhere.

I myself prefer a USA built bass just because I'm here. A great bass is a great bass regardless of where it is built but mine are built right here in the USA and are perfect for me. :D
 
#89
BuffaloBass said:
While I would have preferred to have it made 100% in Chicago IL uSA ( being a BEARS fan and all), the folks outside Seoul (?) did a fine job in the rough finishing. Its becoming a small world. All thats good, but we have to "think" bigger than our communities, nation states, etc.

Btw the wood and materials of my bass dont know where they came from, other than this planet. I can still "effect" them with my vibes. But so can every craftmsan that touches it along the way. So I am very CONSCIOUS of where the instrument hails from, and who's been " breathing" on it. Hope someone "breathed" some love into it aloing the way. Queer? Whatever, prove me wrong.

The only place I'm "jinoistic" about is China. Quality? Naw. Repressive communist regimes can kiss my ...... $&^#*^%$# :angry: and I pray one they ( the institutions) one day perish
Click to expand...

+1
 
#90
My last two cars were a Ford van and a Toyota Matrix.

US vs Japan?

Sorry. Canada vs Canada.

I like Fenders, but American-made Fenders are beyond my means. Buying a CIJ or MIM means I can have the ergonomics and sound I want without being at the mercy of some Chinese entrepreneur. For better or worse, these basses were made under the direction of Fender. The fact that our economic policies make it more expensive to produce them in the US is not something I'm prepared to reform through the occasional purchase of a new or used bass.
 
#92
"My last two cars were a Ford van and a Toyota Matrix.
US vs Japan?
Sorry. Canada vs Canada."



I think you are confusing assembled with manufactured. In Canada the cars are assembled with parts that are usually manufactured in China or Japan (moreso China these days).
 
#94
I currently own about a dozen basses. All of them are MIA. I have owned others - MIA & imported - that have come & gone. The 'keepers' all are MIA and not for that reason. They simply are the basses that I enjoy playing the most and that I will not part with unless something better to replace them appears. In my own case, the imports have not made permanent homes in my collection. Maybe someday, but not today and probably not tomorrow.
 
#95
JonathanD said:
If music man basses were made somewhere else but played the same I would probably not care...so long it was a fair wage for the workers.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I thought that's what the OLP basses are all about. Music Man basses built overseas with lean features, lower grade materials, extremely affordable price, and no dilution of the Music Man corporate image.
 
#99
I've never owned a USA made bass. (My guitar is though)...
It's just worked out that way, it wasn't a deliberate decision.
My next bass will be a Dingwall Super PJ if I can get one so I still won't have a USA made bass.
Family.jpg
 
#100
I've had basses made in the USA (old fenders) mexico (new fenders) japan (new fenders and Sadowsky metros)

the metros build and fit and finish was stunning. My main bass now is a Crafted in Japan '62 jazz reissue that has faithfully been through countless gigs in the last 3 years, a couple of tours, etc. Still plays and sounds great. That said, i really like the look of the new American Standard Fenders. But basically if it feels good and is well made, it doesn't bother me
 

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