Who REALLY makes your bass?

[mbell75]

This only proves that Sterlings and Squiers are made in the same factory and that someone stuck the Squier's label on the wrong tag - it still says nothing about what goes into each.

Not sure if you're trolling, but no one ever said that each client had their own workers or footprint in the plant, just that they might have different requirements / tolerances. If by chance they have the exact same specs, tolerances and esthetic criteria, then what does it matter if the Sterling neck comes from the same factory as the Squier neck? If it passes the quality control of the client who contracted the work out, then you're still getting what Squier or Sterling is selling you at the price you agreed to pay for it.

Good points. We know that the Cort factory in Indonesia makes guitars and basses for around a dozen different companies. Squier, Epiphone, SBMM, Ibanez etc...Im not saying all the parts are interchangeable, because they clearly are not. Ive never been to the factory so I can't say for certain, but it seems pretty obvious that the same person who puts together a Squier is most likely the same person who also puts together SBMM, Epiphone, Ibanez etc...Most people would like to believe that either Fender or Squier had something to do with the building of their Squier instrument (especially since it says both their names on the headstock), but aside from the design, it doesn't appear they are involved at all.

I will say that I like what SBMM does though. The guitars and basses are shipped from Indonesia to Praxis over here in Orange, CA where they are inspected again and setup. So every SBMM I have ever owned or played in store has been consistent in its quality and setup, even on the entry level SUB series. Im not sure if any of the other companies do this, that might explain why Squier and Epiphone were either hit or miss from my experience.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...Gibson instruments ...

The new management seems to be on its way to getting things under control, although it's still too early to tell.

After their "protection money" video, we'll have to see how things shake out, first, I think.

 

[JimmyM]

Someone on a thread here once said "American Fenders are made by Mexicans in California and Mexican Fenders are made by Mexicans in Mexico."

And I wish people would quit saying it.

 

[ajkula66]

After their "protection money" video, we'll have to see how things shake out, first, I think.

I don't foresee one aspect affecting the other, but I've been wrong before...on some very rare occasions...

 

[Artman]

Who built my bass? Michael V. Pedulla.

 

[TreySonagras]

And I wish people would quit saying it.

It's deleted

 

[petrus61]

4 or 5 folks in a little shop in Woodstock (or Saugerties) NY.
View attachment 3455454
View attachment 3455455
Period.............

Conor Wenk @7:05 is a good dude and fantastic luthier in his own right, while the guy working on the green bass at the beginning is none other than local musical legend Jimmy Eppard, father of Josh Eppard (Coheed and Cambria). MTD, Veillette (shout out, Dew!) Citron and Martin Keith are all located a stones throw away. Lots of amazing luthiery happening in that little nook.

 

[mbell75]

So after 10 pages, how should we sum this thread up? Some will say it doesn't matter, I don't care where or who made my bass. My takeaway from it is that if you are buying a bass made somewhere in Asia, there is a really good chance that Cort or Samick has built your bass and not the name of the company on the headstock as many people believe and are lead to believe. Even worse, the company that makes the pickups or bridge or tuners for the bass may also be outsourcing to get a cheaper version of their product thats not even built by them. This makes a strong case for buying US made guitars and basses IMO, and Ive never been a US made guitar guy, only owned a few out of the 30 or so Ive had or currently have. This has changed my mind quite a bit.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Who REALLY made your Vigier?

 

[wintremute]

So after 10 pages, how should we sum this thread up? Some will say it doesn't matter, I don't care where or who made my bass. My takeaway from it is that if you are buying a bass made somewhere in Asia, there is a really good chance that Cort or Samick has built your bass and not the name of the company on the headstock as many people believe and are lead to believe. Even worse, the company that makes the pickups or bridge or tuners for the bass may also be outsourcing to get a cheaper version of their product thats not even built by them. This makes a strong case for buying US made guitars and basses IMO, and Ive never been a US made guitar guy, only owned a few out of the 30 or so Ive had or currently have. This has changed my mind quite a bit.

I don't understand how this is your "takeaway", when you started the whole thread to point out that you already believed this, and the video was just reinforcing your beliefs.

This was posted in another thread here but thought it deserved its own. Very informative video that had me thinking and just reinforcing my belief that you are mostly paying for the name on the headstock. Some of you may know this but there are a lot here who don't. Thoughts?

So I believe that we should sum it up with you made a lot of arguments based on false premises, and tried to change people's opinions, but didn't have much success.

 

[JimmyM]

I don't understand how this is your "takeaway", when you started the whole thread to point out that you already believed this, and the video was just reinforcing your beliefs.

So I believe that we should sum it up with you made a lot of arguments based on false premises, and tried to change people's opinions, but didn't have much success.

Right. He might as well have just posted his first post again OTOH, what I do care what he buys? I don't get commissions.

 

[jazzyvee]

Recognize this guy?

View attachment 3455046

Nope who is he?

 

[Jeff Scott]

Someone working on a neck, no idea who he was. Mica took us around on an informal tour of the place. She was very laid back, kind of let us roam around on our own, really. Mica requested that I not make photographs of certain specific instruments, otherwise no restrictions.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

Me.

 

[Lava]

The fine folks at Sadowsky in NYC.

 

[jshinal]

And I wish people would quit saying it.

Whoops - that sounds like something I said.

I think I originally wrote that Vintage American Fender instruments were made by a largely Mexican workforce in the old Fullerton factory and are much esteemed. My attempt was to emphasize the quality of today's workers, and not to tear anyone down.

I am sorry if that caused offense. I would never intentionally disparage someone based on ethnicity, and apologize if anyone took it that way.

 

[actionpig]

Apparently Lando on July 28th 2004 at the Dingwall factory in Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada.

 

[R Briere]

One of the things I find both Sad AND Entertaining about ALL business related Forums is that the "Consumer" is most-often a Dreamer....easily led down the path known as the "Yellow/Greenback Road". Having worked in Artist Relations, Media product placement and various Management positions for 9 or 12 "Manufacturers" ..... most being instantly recognizable names, and having been heavily "Involved" in the various aspects of this Dream Machine I learned pretty quickly (over a 50 year career) that the M.I. industry as a Whole is no different than most and far more deceptive than Many.....including Used Cars and Big Pharma.

As a Bass Player I keep my personal dreams alive by resisting all the facts I've learned first-hand and accepting that most truths are best left unsaid....RE: Lawyers SOME of the most popular "Manufacturers" are run by people who should be institutionalized cuz they're total lunatics. Am I joking? I'm not. SOME others, often the Geppetto Types, are Fabulous folks .....Truly Fabulous and Mega Talented. Support them as well as giving a shot to your "local" music store.....if you can still find one.

Many who post on forums about having "Artist Endorsements" enjoy giving the impression that an 18 wheeler backs a truck up to their house once a week and unloads FREE STUFF for their personal dancing and listening pleasure. In all my years in A.R., working with many of the biggest names in music, we (small builders in each case) "gave" 3, maybe 4 basses (one each) to 3 or four individual artists...cuz they were long-time, dedicated and loyal friends... great people as well as great players.....there's no free lunch in ANY aspect of the Music Industry.

I wrote this stuff after reading about the "Mexican Connection" above. Why? We now live in a World where it's REALLY popular to knock Mexico. Here's a Real World Fact. If it weren't for VERY TALENTED Mexican Craftspeople we'd be Walking, barefoot, to our "Tip Jar gigs".....and at those gigs you'd be playing an accordion....not a guitar or bass....if not for Mexican Talent.

For a fun time check the USA Laws regarding how much of ANY finished product needs to actually be "Made in the USA" for it to proudly wear a "Made in the USA Label".

How can you tell how well YOUR favorite "Bass/Amp Builder" is really doing? It's easy in most cases.....Are they now pushing their NEW line of "Foot/Effects Pedals" REALLY Heavily? Yup.....many are....and there's a long list of Reason$ for that. Survival in a truly weird Marketplace being #1.

Bottom Line: There are some Incredible M.I. Companies/Builders/Dealers out there.....I Love them Dearly.....Others? Not so much. Bassist Beware.

Basically Yours,
RB

 

[mongo2]

If it weren't for VERY TALENTED Mexican Craftspeople we'd be Walking, barefoot, to our "Tip Jar gigs".....and at those gigs you'd be playing an accordion....not a guitar or bass....if not for Mexican Talent.

I started on accordion in the early '60s (my parents loved Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren). It was made in Italy. I learned early on it doesn't matter who makes an instrument or where or when. Simple fact is there are good and not so good instruments made by every manufacturer.

 

[Relayer71]

One of the things I find both Sad AND Entertaining about ALL business related Forums is that the "Consumer" is most-often a Dreamer....easily led down the path known as the "Yellow/Greenback Road". Having worked in Artist Relations, Media product placement and various Management positions for 9 or 12 "Manufacturers" ..... most being instantly recognizable names, and having been heavily "Involved" in the various aspects of this Dream Machine I learned pretty quickly (over a 50 year career) that the M.I. industry as a Whole is no different than most and far more deceptive than Many.....including Used Cars and Big Pharma.

As a Bass Player I keep my personal dreams alive by resisting all the facts I've learned first-hand and accepting that most truths are best left unsaid....RE: Lawyers SOME of the most popular "Manufacturers" are run by people who should be institutionalized cuz they're total lunatics. Am I joking? I'm not. SOME others, often the Geppetto Types, are Fabulous folks .....Truly Fabulous and Mega Talented. Support them as well as giving a shot to your "local" music store.....if you can still find one.

Many who post on forums about having "Artist Endorsements" enjoy giving the impression that an 18 wheeler backs a truck up to their house once a week and unloads FREE STUFF for their personal dancing and listening pleasure. In all my years in A.R., working with many of the biggest names in music, we (small builders in each case) "gave" 3, maybe 4 basses to artists...cuz they were long-time, dedicated and loyal friends... great people as well as great players.....there's no free lunch in ANY aspect of the Music Industry.

I wrote this stuff after reading about the "Mexican Connection" above. Why? We now live in a World where it's REALLY popular to knock Mexico. Here's a Real World Fact. If it weren't for VERY TALENTED Mexican Craftspeople we'd be Walking, barefoot, to our "Tip Jar gigs".....and at those gigs you'd be playing an accordion....not a guitar or bass....if not for Mexican Talent.

For a fun time check the USA Laws regarding how much of ANY finished product needs to actually be "Made in the USA" for it to proudly wear a "Made in the USA Label".

How can you tell how well YOUR favorite "Bass/Amp Builder" is really doing? It's easy in most cases.....Are they now pushing their NEW line of "Foot/Effects Pedals" REALLY Heavily? Yup.....many are....and there's a long list of Reason$ for that. Survival in a truly weird Marketplace being #1.

Bottom Line: There are some Incredible M.I. Companies/Builders/Dealers out there.....I Love them Dearly.....Others? Not so much. Bassist Beware.

Basically Yours,
RB

What?