When did foreign pricing creep up?

[MordBass]

So despite playing bass for over 20 years, I also dabble in the dark side (guitar) and have been looking for a guitar for some home recording and a lil bit of live stuff. Was stoked for a Gibson Explorer that was on closeout at my local ScamAsh but couldnt get down with it going out of tune every song and the fact that the paint was checking on an instrument that hadn't even been sold yet.
So I start looking at other options from Jackson, Schecter, LTD etc..... WOAH!!!!! When on earth did Indonesian and S.Korean models start chillin at the $900-1200 price point?

Did I totally miss the memo? Am I justified in refusing to pay that amount to a parent company for a farmed out version of their product? Should I not worry because the quality is great from these places now? Do you have any ideas for me? Do you know the secrets of life????

 

[Nephilymbass]

So despite playing bass for over 20 years, I also dabble in the dark side (guitar) and have been looking for a guitar for some home recording and a lil bit of live stuff. Was stoked for a Gibson Explorer that was on closeout at my local ScamAsh but couldnt get down with it going out of tune every song and the fact that the paint was checking on an instrument that hadn't even been sold yet.
So I start looking at other options from Jackson, Schecter, LTD etc..... WOAH!!!!! When on earth did Indonesian and S.Korean models start chillin at the $900-1200 price point?

Did I totally miss the memo? Am I justified in refusing to pay that amount to a parent company for a farmed out version of their product? Should I not worry because the quality is great from these places now? Do you have any ideas for me? Do you know the secrets of life????

My guitarist has a bunch of ESP guitars (I want to say 7) several Stephan carpenter signatures in 6 and 7 string, several of the deluxe 1000 series eclipses, and also the thinline acoustic. Other than his super rare old school green SC-500 which he paid more for because he always wanted one and they were discontinued for many years he paid $400 or less used for each of them. But I do feel ya to a certain point. I was very interested in the newer AP-5 5 string p bass they are making, that is untili saw the price. It appears that their prices have been going just as wild as Musicman and everyone else’s. Their made in Japan instruments are stupid expensive these days. I think some of the confusion with ESP in particular is the way they’ve reorganized their range. It used to be like LTD was like their Squier, ESP was their fender. But now the LTD line covers a huge range from crappy beginner stuff to really good instruments, then the E2 line is basically what used to the ESP line. And the new ESP line is basically custom shop prices.

The dollar isn’t worth crap these days either. And that certainly doesn’t help.

 

[MordBass]

My guitarist has a bunch of ESP guitars (I want to say 7) several Stephan carpenter signatures in 6 and 7 string, several of the deluxe 1000 series eclipses, and also the thinline acoustic. Other than his super rare old school green SC-500 which he paid more for because he always wanted one and they were discontinued for many years he paid $400 or less used for each of them. But I do feel ya to a certain point. I was very interested in the newer AP-5 5 string p bass they are making, that is untili saw the price. It appears that their prices have been going just as wild as Musicman and everyone else’s. Their made in Japan instruments are stupid expensive these days. I think some of the confusion with ESP in particular is the way they’ve reorganized their range. It used to be like LTD was like their Squier, ESP was their fender. But now the LTD line covers a huge range from crappy beginner stuff to really good instruments, then the E2 line is basically what used to the ESP line. And the new ESP line is basically custom shop prices.

The dollar isn’t worth crap these days either. And that certainly doesn’t help.

Totally agreed! I looked into their structure and I think youre 100% correct on it. And yes... Im thinking that my money is much better spent on a used american or japanese guitar. What kills me about the gibson is that the neck and sound are perfect... but i cant bring myself to pay that for a guitar that was poorly made and then rushed out the door. Doesnt even stay in tune.

 

[ajkula66]

What kills me about the gibson is that the neck and sound are perfect... but i cant bring myself to pay that for a guitar that was poorly made and then rushed out the door. Doesnt even stay in tune.

When it comes to (fairly) recent Gibsons, consistency is not their strong point. Buy used after shopping around would be my piece of advice. Materials used are still head and shoulders above competition IMO, but one needs to find an instrument that someone had actually looked over before they shipped them out.

I bought two Gibbys ( a 2010 LP Special and a 2013 EB5) over the past six months, and almost bought a 2002 Explorer as well. There are good used pieces from this millennium to be found, but one absolutely must try before they buy IMO and IME.

 

[wvbass]

So despite playing bass for over 20 years, I also dabble in the dark side (guitar) and have been looking for a guitar for some home recording and a lil bit of live stuff. Was stoked for a Gibson Explorer that was on closeout at my local ScamAsh but couldnt get down with it going out of tune every song and the fact that the paint was checking on an instrument that hadn't even been sold yet.
So I start looking at other options from Jackson, Schecter, LTD etc..... WOAH!!!!! When on earth did Indonesian and S.Korean models start chillin at the $900-1200 price point?

Did I totally miss the memo? Am I justified in refusing to pay that amount to a parent company for a farmed out version of their product? Should I not worry because the quality is great from these places now? Do you have any ideas for me? Do you know the secrets of life????

IMO, Indonesian instruments have been excellent for quite a while now. Basses from South Korea are as good as those made anywhere. I've noticed prices climbing too, but I can't say they are overpriced in terms of quality.

 

[jd56hawk]

Prices go up...Fender raised their prices recently, Gibson did it in March.
Never heard of a company, American or otherwise that didn't raise prices every few years.
I recently paid S1,000 for a new bass, MIk, and it was worth every penny. Wouldn't trade it for a thousand-dollar MIM Fender, a USA-made Fender, a Ric, a Gibson, a Music Man, etc.
Price didn't enter into it for me in the slightest. I bought it for the incredible tone, the fantastic quality, and because it looks great.
Not to mention you can walk into 100 clubs, bars, or wherever and I doubt you'd see someone playing my bass.
Nothing against low-priced basses, I own a very nice VM Jazz and nothing against basses that cost twice as much as mine, but dollar for dollar my bass is a beast, and like I said, well worth what some people would think was too expensive for a non-USA-made bass.
Some people might refuse to shell out $1,000 for a foreign-made bass, but some people would be missing out big time.

 

[MordBass]

Prices go up...Fender raised their prices recently, Gibson did it in March.
Never heard of a company, American or otherwise that didn't raise prices every few years.
I recently paid S1,000 for a new bass, MIk, and it was worth every penny. Wouldn't trade it for a thousand-dollar MIM Fender, a USA-made Fender, a Ric, a Gibson, a Music Man, etc.
Price didn't enter into it for me in the slightest. I bought it for the incredible tone, the fantastic quality, and because it looks great.
Not to mention you can walk into 100 clubs, bars, or wherever and I doubt you'd see someone playing my bass.
Nothing against low-priced basses, I own a very nice VM Jazz and nothing against basses that cost twice as much as mine, but dollar for dollar my bass is a beast, and like I said, well worth what some people would think was too expensive for a non-USA-made bass.
Some people might refuse to shell out $1,000 for a foreign-made bass, but some people would be missing out big time.

Very fair points. I did notice that the feel and playability was on par with anything else I played

 

[jd56hawk]

Believe me, would've loved to get my bass for $200 less, but I would've gladly paid $200 more.

 

[pcake]

my husband has two recent jacksons - one was $550, one was er... more (can't remember how much). that doesn't mean that jackson doesn't make cheaper versions - they do.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/jackson-js-series-king-v-js32-electric-guitar

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LTD makes ESP, and they have a number of guitars at the $199.99 price point.

btw, i bought an $800 pacrim schetor more than 15 years ago, and you can find schectors for around $299 right now.

 

[sigterm]

Imports have certainly improved, but I find it hard to buy them new, the price tags are just too cringe. The price tags for MIA are also pretty bad. Deal shopping and buying used though has evened out my resale values so at least I know I'm pretty close to "worth it" at the wallet.

I also hate it when the neighbor kids walk on my lawn.

 

[pcake]

When it comes to (fairly) recent Gibsons, consistency is not their strong point. Buy used after shopping around would be my piece of advice. Materials used are still head and shoulders above competition IMO, but one needs to find an instrument that someone had actually looked over before they shipped them out.

I bought two Gibbys ( a 2010 LP Special and a 2013 EB5) over the past six months, and almost bought a 2002 Explorer as well. There are good used pieces from this millennium to be found, but one absolutely must try before they buy IMO and IME.

consistency has never been gibson's strong point - my husband owns a 1971 black beauty and a 1936 kalamazoo, and he used to own a 1971 J45 and a 1968 12 string. and we look at vintage ones in stores a lot. you'll always see things like the logo or side markers being off to the side or other such stuff. on the other hand, they sound glorious.

 

[MordBass]

my husband has two recent jacksons - one was $550, one was er... more (can't remember how much). that doesn't mean that jackson doesn't make cheaper versions - they do.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/jackson-js-series-king-v-js32-electric-guitar

Invalid Link Removed

LTD makes ESP, and they have a number of guitars at the $199.99 price point.

btw, i bought an $800 pacrim schetor more than 15 years ago, and you can find schectors for around $299 right now.

I get what youre saying but believe you're missing my point. Its not that I want something cheaper... its that I'm shocked that the instruments are farmed out to korea or indonesia at that pricepoint. I had a Jackson Kv2 and SL2H that were purchased used, in mint condition for about the same as schecter is currently wanting for a korean made guitar. For a Schecter or Jackson made in korea, i would expect to pay about $700 tops but it seems I am wrong

 

[pcake]

I get what youre saying but believe you're missing my point. Its not that I want something cheaper... its that I'm shocked that the instruments are farmed out to korea or indonesia at that pricepoint. I had a Jackson Kv2 and SL2H that were purchased used, in mint condition for about the same as schecter is currently wanting for a korean made guitar. For a Schecter or Jackson made in korea, i would expect to pay about $700 tops but it seems I am wrong

i did partly miss your point - sorry - but my pac rim schector from i think 2002 was $800, and add in inflation and it would be pretty pricy today, so i don't think of this as something new.

 

[MordBass]

i did partly miss your point - sorry - but my pac rim schector from i think 2002 was $800, and add in inflation and it would be pretty pricy today, so i don't think of this as something new.

Yea I suppose if you use the actual inflation rate it makes sense. I guess I never noticed them creeping up that high.

 

[ajkula66]

consistency has never been gibson's strong point - my husband owns a 1971 black beauty and a 1936 kalamazoo, and he used to own a 1971 J45 and a 1968 12 string. and we look at vintage ones in stores a lot. you'll always see things like the logo or side markers being off to the side or other such stuff. on the other hand, they sound glorious.

Maybe I should've worded my previous post a bit differently...

I've been playing Gibson guitars since 1980 and basses since 1983 and have gone through a fairly outrageous number of them, mainly 6-strings electrics. It may sound strange, but when I pick up a 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s Gibby, I have a pretty good idea what it's going to play and sound like, which is not something that I've experienced with their instruments built in this millennium. They are literally all over the map. Have I come across older pieces that should've never left the factory in the first place ? Absolutely. Was there a mind-blowing lack of attention to details - including some very important ones IMO - on some of the instruments from bygone eras ? Yes.

But...

The thing with the newer ones is that they are about as unpredictable as Fender was during the 70s, and that's not a good thing in my book. One has to look hard - or simply get lucky - in order to locate an instrument that ticks all the boxes. Unless, of course, they want to pay Custom Shop prices.

As for the Jacksons...I'll never forget playing the first Randy Rhoads that I've ever come across - back in '84 - that guitar could play jazzy tunes in the neck position on a clean channel, and rip one's eardrums out when distorted, while having the most amazing low action...these were killer instruments, and I'm usually not a fan of Vs and related designs...wouldn't mind owning one, even now in my old age. Korean versions...I'll take a pass.

My $0.02 only...

 

[TheGreatSealof]

While you were sleeping. Beware of Freddie!

 

[pcake]

Yea I suppose if you use the actual inflation rate it makes sense. I guess I never noticed them creeping up that high.

and the more expensive ones really are often better quality or have better electronics. it's like companies keep splitting things. i can actually explain what i mean better with canon DSLR cameras. there was entry level/ (rebel), ow pro (5D and pro level (1D). then they came out with a lower entry level. then a mid level. then entry level was split into 3 levels - the t5, t5i and t5s. so last gen canon had (each at a different price)

t6 (full on entry level)
sl2 (not as entry level but the smallest dslr - i have it's predecessor, the sl1)
t6i (better specs, sort of advanced entry level)
t6s (advanced entry level and a very useful second dial)
-
80d (bigger camera overall with bigger viewfinder and yet better specs)
7d (even bigger camera, really fast autofocus, some pros use this)
---
6d (full frame, which means bigger sensor, but autofocus and burst mode aren't speedy)
5d (full frame, a lot of pros use this for weddings and events)
1d (full frame, weighs a metric ton to carry around, really good camera, costs a lot)

and it all started with 3 levels of camera and 3 prices *LOL*

 

[Fender_Bender]

The price of wood that is even remotely suitable keeps skyrocketing and the labor force in south Asia are getting paid better now.

 

[Davbassdude]

I have an Emily the Strange Epiphone SG that was given to me by my nephew a couple of years ago. It plays (feels) better than most of the SG's I've ever played (It's the neck...it's awesome). I think he bought it for less than $250 and it was made in China or maybe Japan?

 

[popcat]

It seems the LTD and Mitchell's are starting to run the full gamut of price range, but I wouldn't trust to the higher price versions. However, the Epiphone SG doesn't seem too bad and the Fender Tele are about the same price.