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Made in the USA

#141
Being an American and growing up in the 70s, most overseas manufactured items came from Japan. This was before China or the other Pacific Rim countries had developed mass manufacturing.

In the US, back then I remember you'd turn over any items you were contemplating purchasing to see if it had the 'made in Japan' stamp. If it did, it was generally considered inferior to US manufactured products.

So..., in this day of world commerce and import/export efficiencies, do the folks in Japan and China turn over a product and if they see a 'made in USA' stamp, utter to themselves... piece of crap!!??
 
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#142
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#144
Mustang Surly said:
There's one country that has zero respect for our patents and trademarks, a practice which amounts to downright theft. I won't buy instruments made in that country until and unless that changes.
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Same here. I liked some of the Squier Classic Vibe basses and thought they were surprisingly well made considering their price point. However, their country of manufacture is a non-starter.
 
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#145
A basic economic point that seems to have been missed so far...

If you buy 'local' the money stays in your local economy and eventually back to you in one form or another - in principle. Hense, supporting "Made in <anywhere>" is a long term move that prioritizes supporting your community/region/state/country above just making a transactional decision based on what's good for you in the immediate transaction. Many corporate executives and many politicians would prefer that you don't connect the dots when they outsource internationally.
 
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#147
bulldean said:
Do you ever feel any pangs of guilt when you buy a bass (or amp) that was not made in the United States?
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Yes. Out of the 4 bass instruments I own now, two were made in USA. Prior, I've owned several basses made in US, and very few imports. Bass gear such as amps, cabs, etc? All made in US.. PA equipment? All but my QSC RMX1850hd and a couple of small Behringer mixers were made in US.

I try to support local business and American labor, but you can't always get what you want, for a price you can afford. I won't stop trying though.
 
#148
I like to buy gear made in the USA, but it has no weight on my final decision. If a bass plays good, sounds good, and feel good in your hands it doesn’t matter where it was made just that it feels like it was made for you. I feel the same about amps. If it is the sound you’re looking for and checks off other boxes such as not being to heavy or whatever then it’s all good.
 
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#150
My two favorite amps were made in Canada and England. Traynor and Marshall. At least I think the Marshall was British.

The only guilt I have was selling the Marshall. The Traynor is here to stay.
 
#155
tshapiro said:
A basic economic point that seems to have been missed so far...

If you buy 'local' the money stays in your local economy and eventually back to you in one form or another - in principle. Hense, supporting "Made in <anywhere>" is a long term move that prioritizes supporting your community/region/state/country above just making a transactional decision based on what's good for you in the immediate transaction. Many corporate executives and many politicians would prefer that you don't connect the dots when they outsource internationally.
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I can see supporting something made by local workers, that may be a consideration for some when making a decision. Where the profit actually goes, is too exhausting to try and work out. Is Fender still 26% owned by non US companies?. I'm too lazy to research.
 
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#156
pappabass said:
I would like to buy American made but can't justify additional cost. Hate to say this, unless its a $3-5000 bass there is not a lot of difference. Cover up the headstock on a MIM & MIA fender, probably could not tell them apart.
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As I elaborated on in post #128 I can't (won't) afford the cost of buying a NON American made Fender. It's irrelevant whether one can or can't "tell them apart" from MIM, a new non-US Fender or other brand knock off of a P or J purchase is actually a poor choice in the big picture.
 
#157
Altitude said:
This is a slightly more interesting conversation when applied to cars.

Toyota Camery 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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Aside from the location of the plant and the supply chain, there is another important thing to consider: Toyota’s (where ever they are made), are assembled using Japanese management style and corporate culture. I’ll take an import over a Detroit company everyday, even though both may be made here by the same folks with the same supply chain.
 
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#158
James Collins said:
Suppose your Fender is all made in American shop. If the wood comes from Canada, is it made in America? If the pots are made of metal imported from England or China, are they made in America?
Almost all of my basses are German. I find them to be superior to my American basses.
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Are you sure your basses are REALLY German???
My opinion is that the only thing we can (kinda) be sure of the the place of assembly!
 

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