"Made In USA" Trustability Label

[KingRazor]

Don't understand the fear here. If it's a new instrument that says "Made In the USA" you can guarantee that it's pretty much mostly made in the USA.

But as for it being 100% made in the USA, down to every little piece of hardware and every screw? Not sure there.

But I couldn't care less about the country of origin. My favorite instruments on the shelf are usually Indonesian made.

 

[P. Aaron]

Wanna know it's USA made? Buy a new one. If your limit is $1200, that should be easy to achieve. Especially with Fender.

That hard part is picking the color combo.

 

[bassplayer8953]

Want an American made Strat? That's easy:

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Check out the last line in their ad: Order an affordable USA-made Fender Stratocaster today!

As far as 100% American made? With Fender's Mexico plant in such close proximity, I would think that it's virtually impossible to guarantee that every component comes from this side of the border. Especially in the case of Fender, this would apply to any model you would choose...

 

[Teknoman]

Buy an Eric Johnson strat,like I have,no problem then....

 

[arsie]

You are 100% not going to get 100% Made in USA. At least parts of the smaller components will be made elsewhere. Definitely if it has a pre-amp.

 

[Hamerguy]

Components like screws, pickguards, output jack metal, even hardware like bridges and tuners may come from elsewhere finding their way on "Made in USA" Strats. It has been that way since the late 70's. Other manufacturers like Ernie Ball, G + L, Rickenbacker or Gibson also use parts manufactured elsewhere. Even Carvin used to use parts that were from german manufacture (necks and bodies from Hoefner, hardware from Schaller).
If you want be sure all components are US made, why don't you build a Strat yourself? Warmoth body and neck, Hipshot hardware etc... the resale value might be not that great though.

 

[Webtroll]

If you want a Les Paul you can check the MyLesPaul forums; sometimes nice deals show up there, but be for warned a lot of expensive guitars go through their forums as well. There's a 2011 Std with factory P90s for 1450 on there now, an '05 SG Std for $750, and a Gibson LP Tribute with humbuckers in a honeyburst for $750. With a $1200 budget you oughta be able to get one of each or one and a decent amp.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Way too much drama over a simple issue. Buy a new strat from a authorized dealer. Problem solved.

 

[WoodyG3]

No company could pay a living wage to a US worker to make small electronic parts, screws or similar items. Are some of you also worried that some of the wood used to build your bass might come from Brazil or Africa? Maybe when you are at the grocery store you had better make sure you aren't eating produce farmed in another part of the world, as well.

I think supporting local companies is great, I'm not against it at all, but there are practical limitations.