Made in the USA

[glocke1]

I'm genuinely curious. Why is the same thing worth a different amount to you according to where it's made?

A few reasons, but the gist of it is I think it's safe to say we all know what the labor costs are for items manufactured overseas. I'm simply not interested in spending that much money on an Asian made, mass produced instrument.

If I am already getting ready to fork out 2k, Id rather put that money towards a U.S. made bass or some custom bass.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Do you ever feel any pangs of guilt when you buy a bass (or amp) that was not made in the United States?

No.

 

[equill]

I think it's safe to say we all know what the labor costs are for items manufactured overseas.

Sure do. My custom EUB is being made "overseas" in Italy, and I can assure you the labour cost is high.

 

[Basstigator]

The more people employed the better. I respect the trade of guitar building. When my neighbor builds a good instrument, it does the neighborhood good in many ways. I'll buy that one (as long as it's priced decent).

 

[glocke1]

Sure do. My custom EUB is being made "overseas" in Italy, and I can assure you the labour cost is high.

That’s Italy. Not Asia. And it’s a custom.

 

[ELG60]

Many of the woods used are not grown in America or things like fret material are imported. That is why most companies now put something like "Assembled in the USA" or "Cleveland Proud" on their products. I believe it may be illegal for them to list things as "Made in America" in a lot of instances. Unless I'm mistaken, nothing with Rosewood was made in America since it was grown somewhere else, processed, then imported, and assembled.

I personally am proud that we've come so far as a world civilization that products involve people all over the world to produce high quality goods at relatively low cost.

Just to correct the record, the Crackercaster, made here in Tampa, uses locally sourced rosewood. As one of the principals related to me, a friend was driving around on Davis Island and saw some guys cutting down a tree. It looked interesting and he brought the logs to the guitar builder. It seems that Indian rosewood was widely planted on golf courses in Florida during the 30's and 40's and thus, there is rosewood grown in the U.S., albeit in limited quantities.

 

[cnltb]

That’s Italy. Not Asia. And it’s a custom.

Nothing wrong with Japan either, I recon.

 

[lfmn16]

They? Who are "they"? Can you see them? Can we see them? Are they from this planet?

You know, THEM!!!!!!!

Now quit asking questions and strap on your aluminum foil hat.

If American companies want me to buy American, they should build the best product. I do always buy American whenever possible, but I'm not going to reward corporate greed just because it is a greedy AMERICAN company.

 

[Spidey2112]

are they made in America?

Sounds way better than "Assembled in the USA"... I'm thinking someone in marketing came up with the slogan to boost sales... then, the lawyers got involved with a product disclaimer stating the origin/percentage of materials which make up the product... after that, the dinosaurs came, died, turned into oil, and Jerry Jones became rich off it...

 

[equill]

That’s Italy. Not Asia. And it’s a custom.

I know. But it's "overseas." Or is that code for "Asia"?

But sure, I'll work with you on this.
One of my guitars and my favourite bass were made in Indonesia. Mass-produced to a good-enough standard, and the price reflects that.
So... why should I pay a premium to have the same thing made to the same standard, "overseas" in the USA?

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

No guilt here. It doesn’t enter into my decision making process at all. Though I do consider the how the country of origin potentially might affect resale. That said, I avoid thngs that are flat out theft, when I’m aware of it.

 

[mongo2]

Do you ever feel any pangs of guilt when you buy a bass (or amp) that was not made in the United States?

No. Never even thought about it. Why should I feel any guilt? I buy what I need, I don't care where it comes from.

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Hope this does not get political...…..

I remember a similar thread from 10 years ago. I think the communist regime and nazis Germany was mentioned in the last few posts.

 

[gln1955]

Which do you all think is better?

American company built in china/abroad (eg Apple),

Or foreign company but built in the US (eg the Toyota factory example)?

It's good for the USA to have Americans employed in decent manufacturing jobs. The Honda plant in Marysville employs one of my family members and is a huge boost to the OH economy. Who owns the factory is not really important. Who owns Apple? A bunch of investors all over the world.

 

[equill]

I remember a similar thread from 10 years ago. I think the communist regime and nazis Germany was mentioned in the last few posts.

Dang. Then again, Godwin himself retracted his own law, so that much has changed.

I'm still puzzled by how it might get political, given that the OP started it that way.

 

[baileyboy]

Ask me after you check the labels on your clothes, shoes, appliances, tv...why would basses or amps be different?

resale

 

[GBBSbassist]

No.

 

[Tommyc]

Since everybody here came from someplace else, no.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

No, not really. I care more about instruments made in the country of origin of the corporate marquis/Master Luthiers.
EBMM- USA.
Ibanez- Japan.
...but if one must own another instrument...
Warwick- Germany.
Fender- USA.
...and so on.
Although Toyota, Nissan, BMW, and maybe one more auto company seem to have the market cornered in manufacturing excellent vehicles stateside as opposed to "American" companies have in say somewhere like China (GM) or Mexico (Ford). Just sayin'.

 

[Maxdusty]

We have many TB members NOT from the US and this is a global site so the question is not applicable to all the way it's worded. Perhaps "home country" is a better terminology.
I think you have to look at it in this way, sure it's great to buy basses from your country if it's of good quality and reasonable cost but I think a bigger issue is we need to get affordable quality instruments into the hands of our musicians and also to encourage our youth to get into music. Give them crappy instruments to make it affordable and you'll have a lot of kids giving up music.