If a company is out-sourcing production to another country, those aren't the "high end" products. The wood isn't as good nor is the hardware. Companies need downlines because their "high end" products have become too expensive for most players, and they want a more affordable line to increase sales.
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More high end basses being made offshore
- Thread starter MattF007
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Any time I've had a problem with a bass, it had nothing to do with where it was made.
If you can't do it on a roached out Squier, then you can't do it. Spending $5k on a bass isn't going to help either.
Most of the cheaper Indonesian and Chinese basses are perfectly serviceable and giggable instruments. And miles better than in decades past. But, if anyone honestly believes that an Indonesian MTD or Chinese Sadowsky are anywhere close to being the equal of their USA made counterparts, they are simply fooling themselves. Same goes for almost every high end builder with an import line.
In which case, I can buy a second in 5 years and STILL be financially ahead even adjusted for inflation.
Assuming of course that the import fees don't close the gap (which is the whole point) at which point used USA makes more sense in the long term.
Perspective as a US based consumer:
Elsewhere ELSE YKMV (your kilometers may vary)
If you don't live in the United States, US manufactured basses are "made offshore."
Best two basses I have (best I've ever had) were made in the Taiwan Yamaha plant in 1990 & 1991.
Yamaha Japan set up a plant in a cheaper place and implemented the same level of quality.
If the company that was the original manufacturer can convey what they want and pass along whatever knowledge or expertise to get it just right then they can make great instruments somewhere other than their "home" plant.
Yamaha Japan set up a plant in a cheaper place and implemented the same level of quality.
If the company that was the original manufacturer can convey what they want and pass along whatever knowledge or expertise to get it just right then they can make great instruments somewhere other than their "home" plant.
I had direct experience with the rot that crept into American car manufacturing in the 70's. My driving school teacher bought (2) new 1978 Camaros and had them modified to include a passenger side brake for the instructor. I drove in them several times. What a complete POS! Everything ratting and buzzing, big gaps between panels, etc. within months, both Camaros were intermittently off the road for repairs. At the same time, US Auto workers were making a very nice living, with excellent benefits, cranking out crap, which makes the connection between worker pay and delivered quality tenuous at best. His personal car was a Datsun 240z, a superb car he paid less for than the Camaros. US car makers have been playing catch-up ever since. All the tech in the world is useless without the will and attitude to produce good products. China could eat everyone's lunch in instrument manufacturing, but oddly they choose not to, too busy making iPhones, I guess.
The casual ethnocentrism in this thread is horrible.
Fenders were invented and built in California. As long as everyone keeps worshiping their past that ethnocentrism will continue.
I've never owned a Fender Bass. I didn't say that I was okay with ethnocentrism.
What I said was, if everyone keeps worshipping Fenders past, that ethnocentrism (about a Fender bass) will continue.
Some people who live in (or are from) various countries all over the world tend to be ethnocentric, not sure that will ever change.
Lighten up Francis.
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I can't afford to buy a bass from the guy building them right down the street but hey, as long as I can play Last Dance with Mary Jane I'm sure everything is fine!
I recently bought a bass SIRE U5 because i was needing a short scale bass to adapt my practice due to shoulder problem, and followed advices and test i saw on the internet.
This bass just blew me away. For 437 euros, i've a bass well made, with nice woods (alder body and flamed mapple top), high quality finition (even a binding), and a very good tone with stock pickups. So i can easily understand than a major builder trust these asian plants to not bring bad reputation on their brand and help to reach a lot more buyers than only with high-end price instruments.
I've also previously bought a Fender acoustic bass CB60-SCE, made in Indonesia (certainly by Cort) for less than 300 euros, and the finition was awesome. With a fishman preamp inboard, and a really nice natural sound. Do i need to spend more ? Nope.
So on one hand, this strategy is good to reach more buyers; but on the other hand it can prevent buyers to go for higher prices instruments. As a lot of brand has done the same move, it certainly should be more interesting to reach more buyers than only sell high prices instruments.
In my case, when i see the quality level of actual asian instruments, i would certainly no spend more than 1500 euros in a new bass. (Except if it's a small local luthier for a custom bass, but it would be a total different buying philosophy than a new "big brand" jazzbass (or cousin) made in US or Europe (any series)
My last one before the SIRE was a Markbass Kimandu made in Italy, that i paid 1300 euros for (+230 euros for Bartolini classic pickups); and is a high end quality bass with outstanding tone and playabilty.
This bass just blew me away. For 437 euros, i've a bass well made, with nice woods (alder body and flamed mapple top), high quality finition (even a binding), and a very good tone with stock pickups. So i can easily understand than a major builder trust these asian plants to not bring bad reputation on their brand and help to reach a lot more buyers than only with high-end price instruments.
I've also previously bought a Fender acoustic bass CB60-SCE, made in Indonesia (certainly by Cort) for less than 300 euros, and the finition was awesome. With a fishman preamp inboard, and a really nice natural sound. Do i need to spend more ? Nope.
So on one hand, this strategy is good to reach more buyers; but on the other hand it can prevent buyers to go for higher prices instruments. As a lot of brand has done the same move, it certainly should be more interesting to reach more buyers than only sell high prices instruments.
In my case, when i see the quality level of actual asian instruments, i would certainly no spend more than 1500 euros in a new bass. (Except if it's a small local luthier for a custom bass, but it would be a total different buying philosophy than a new "big brand" jazzbass (or cousin) made in US or Europe (any series)
My last one before the SIRE was a Markbass Kimandu made in Italy, that i paid 1300 euros for (+230 euros for Bartolini classic pickups); and is a high end quality bass with outstanding tone and playabilty.
Word on the street is that many of these 'offshore' locations even have some of the trappings of modern society. You know, indoor plumbing, microwave ovens, universal health care.....
I can't complain. I own basses made in USA, Mexico, Czech Republic, China, Indonesia and Korea.
I have to say... the Indonesian basses from G&L punch way above their weight class. I'm still in awe of the outstanding quality of the G&L Tribute series... BETTER than MIM Fenders which are very nice, IMHO. Likewise with Ibanez Talman.... but Talmans are on par with MIM Fenders.
I have to say... the Indonesian basses from G&L punch way above their weight class. I'm still in awe of the outstanding quality of the G&L Tribute series... BETTER than MIM Fenders which are very nice, IMHO. Likewise with Ibanez Talman.... but Talmans are on par with MIM Fenders.
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