I think the last time the majority of consumers regarded ‘Made in USA’ a selling point was the 1970’s.
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Made in the USA
- Thread starter bulldean
- Start date
Oops
I can see how that was closer to the spirit of your actual question. Honestly, that would probably have just delayed this. It's a question with immediate political implications, so there's no way of asking it without copping this. Sorry.
My answer is still the same, though.
It is not "programming", and there is nothing wrong, with preferring an instrument made in your own country. This is completely natural and normal.
And there is nothing wrong with being critical of countries that do not respect patents, and furthermore flood the market with counterfeit goods.
What IS propaganda is the self-loathing that Western nation citizens, particularly in the USA, are supposed to feel about themselves.
And there is nothing wrong with being critical of countries that do not respect patents, and furthermore flood the market with counterfeit goods.
What IS propaganda is the self-loathing that Western nation citizens, particularly in the USA, are supposed to feel about themselves.
No. Last year I sold a MIA Gibson Thunderbird and purchased an Indonesian made Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage PRO. The Epiphone was superior the the Gibson in every way.
I will buy "Made in USA" for all those items listed, if available and when possible. Yes, most my cloths are "Made in USA". As are most of my appliances.
My Amp was made in California. My main bass was made in the USA.
My Truck, when purchased, was the most american made vehicle that year. with 97% of all parts sourced in the USA and built in a US plant.
it is important to support the local businesses. Only way folks will have a job.
Edit: Although I’m considering ordering a Maruszczyk bass. If Fender made a 7 lb P bass with a Jazz neck in my choice of color I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
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Not sure if this has been said, but... I dont mind if something is made outside of the US, but I do mind if something is farmed out.
Like ESP, I would want MIJ because theyre japanese, Warwick is german so MIG is what I'd want and so on. Aside from my pair of beaters that I use for live black metal, I want my instruments to be made by the people on the headstock. Not contracted to a foreign nation by them.
And I'll be honest, it kills me these days how much money a farmed out bass or guitar can go for. Schecter, LTD, Jackson, Ibanez.... all of them have guitars in the $1200ish range that are contracted to indonesia or korea for construction.
I'm sorry but that kind of money, I'm not down with that.
The only real exception is the late 80's-mid90's MIJ stuff since it was really superb. For whatever reason, they just made amazing guitars and the price was great. I have a 95' Jackson JPB8 bass (marleaux lawsuit) and the sound/feel is just unreal considering I paid $600 brand new.
Like ESP, I would want MIJ because theyre japanese, Warwick is german so MIG is what I'd want and so on. Aside from my pair of beaters that I use for live black metal, I want my instruments to be made by the people on the headstock. Not contracted to a foreign nation by them.
And I'll be honest, it kills me these days how much money a farmed out bass or guitar can go for. Schecter, LTD, Jackson, Ibanez.... all of them have guitars in the $1200ish range that are contracted to indonesia or korea for construction.
I'm sorry but that kind of money, I'm not down with that.
The only real exception is the late 80's-mid90's MIJ stuff since it was really superb. For whatever reason, they just made amazing guitars and the price was great. I have a 95' Jackson JPB8 bass (marleaux lawsuit) and the sound/feel is just unreal considering I paid $600 brand new.
Without getting into patriotic or human rights issues,
Much of this is a hold over from post WWII when made in USA truly meant something in terms of quality.
US was the only industrial base that was not decimated by the war.
It has often been brought out we older ones on the board remember when it was a given that most overseas stuff was junk.
By the 70's the rest of the world was catching up. By the 80's "dang furrin cars" became the benchmark for quality. So did Japanese electronics.
It took a long time for peoples attitudes to catch up and many greatest genners never did. Understandable.
Move into the new millennium and musical instruments have caught up big time.
I won't fault anyone for their choices or reasons for buying or not buying instruments made wherever, but quality is no longer an arguable point. Like it or not we are in a world economy.
As to the decline of the USA industrial base, put the blame at the feet of those who facilitated it, not at the feet of consumers who are just trying to get the best bang for their buck.
Much of this is a hold over from post WWII when made in USA truly meant something in terms of quality.
US was the only industrial base that was not decimated by the war.
It has often been brought out we older ones on the board remember when it was a given that most overseas stuff was junk.
By the 70's the rest of the world was catching up. By the 80's "dang furrin cars" became the benchmark for quality. So did Japanese electronics.
It took a long time for peoples attitudes to catch up and many greatest genners never did. Understandable.
Move into the new millennium and musical instruments have caught up big time.
I won't fault anyone for their choices or reasons for buying or not buying instruments made wherever, but quality is no longer an arguable point. Like it or not we are in a world economy.
As to the decline of the USA industrial base, put the blame at the feet of those who facilitated it, not at the feet of consumers who are just trying to get the best bang for their buck.
I completely agree with you. And yea, although I always try to support local and mom/pop... I also realize that sometimes those are the ones that treat their workers the worst. Its hard to always do the right thing with your cash but I feel like as long as we all try... its worth it.
This is a slightly more interesting conversation when applied to cars.
Toyota Camry sedans are assembled in Kentucky by American workers, using parts produced globally.
Chevrolet Equinox SUVs are assembled in Ontario, Canada by Canadian workers, using parts produced globally.
Both companies are publicly traded; safely assume shareholders of each are scattered across the globe.
From a "Buy USA" perspective, which is the American car?
Toyota Camry sedans are assembled in Kentucky by American workers, using parts produced globally.
Chevrolet Equinox SUVs are assembled in Ontario, Canada by Canadian workers, using parts produced globally.
Both companies are publicly traded; safely assume shareholders of each are scattered across the globe.
From a "Buy USA" perspective, which is the American car?
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- Jul 7, 2010
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Only slightly...but if it is built well, plays well and sounds well...I don't mind if it's from Japan. Other locations it just needs to be double checked for the quality of build.
( I actually have a parts bass w/ an Jazz Indonesia neck (awesome neck feel), Japan body and US bridge, PU's and hardware. It's probably one of the best playing basses I own)
US would be nice if funds available and built to my liking, of course.
( I actually have a parts bass w/ an Jazz Indonesia neck (awesome neck feel), Japan body and US bridge, PU's and hardware. It's probably one of the best playing basses I own)
US would be nice if funds available and built to my liking, of course.
There’s a great big world outside of the USA, so not at all.
My point wasnt "Why buy US?" It was "Why just basses and amps?" There are a lot of possible reasons for wanting to buy domestic vs import. We sell tshirts and sweats as a fundraiser for my animal shelter, for example, and I not only buy US, but union made. The economic and ethical ins and outs can get real tricky when you start looking at what "US made" really means, though. For example, research "USA made" items that are produced on Guam.
I try to buy American made with everything I purchase, though I wasn't able to find a toaster or microwave for my new apartment. Not everything I get ends up Made in the USA, but I would say 95% of my purchases, including all clothing, are. Stuff that isn't American made is usually from smaller companies that offer high end products, like my Barefaced cab.
I like it, but would never push it on someone or blame them for buying something else. I do enjoy supporting American companies though, especially if they are local companies.
I like it, but would never push it on someone or blame them for buying something else. I do enjoy supporting American companies though, especially if they are local companies.
Buy what you like regardless of where it was built. It's your money. It's a big world out there.
Better yet, support your LOCAL economy and buy used equipment from your fellow musicians.
Better yet, support your LOCAL economy and buy used equipment from your fellow musicians.
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