Could you tell the difference? (**** guitars vs good)

DAEDULUS

I'll be totallly honest here in saying that I do not know much about electric guitars at all.. but anyway, what I dont understand is why special woods can make much of a difference to the sound of an electric guitar.. and what else sets the Bacchus, Gibsons etc apart from some 200euro guitar with the same pickups? Besides technical quality(wiring, fretting, tuners etc)... If I stuck the same tuners, pickups and strings in an epiphone LP std, would there be a big difference between that and the gibson std? I really dont understand why there would be.. I understand woods have different tonalitys etc but its impact on an electric guitars sound cant be that big?

Thanks for any help.. reason im asking this is.. well im interested, but also because Im gonna be getting my first electric for chrimbo(was looking at PRS SE soapbar :] ), and Im not sure why I should have to fork out 400-500e odd for a guitar thats considered pretty good over just some higher end prs lookalike(granted its not made of chipboard ) which I really love the look of and stick some seymour duncan(probably better quality than the stock on the soapbar?) pups + decent tuners on

Parsley

It's not all about the sound. It's about quality of construction. Knowing that it won't fall apart when you're gigging. Being able to set it up just how you want it without having to replace parts. Having a good fret job, well aligned bridge, tuners. Lack of dead spots. Nicely finished neck, etc. etc....

CianRyan

Buying a cheap guitar and buying nice parts for it, is like buying a nican micra then trying to put an aston martin engine in it.
Sure it might work for a while, but it will fail, has a chance of costing more and probably wont be as nice as it is in theory.


There are exceptions to the rule, but in general, thats the most likely outcome.

Alanstrainor

As has been said, it's not all about the pickups, it's the whole package. Generally speaking, your bog standard 200euro guitar, will always play like a 200euro guitar, it might sound a bit better with amazing pickups, and stay in tune better with new machine heads, but the cheap body and neck will be the biggest things holding it back. That's not to say all "cheap" guitars play like crap, heck i'm in the market for a squire to add to my bacchus and fender strats!

Flesh Gorden

CianRyan wrote: »

like buying a nican micra then trying to put an aston martin engine in it .

Hahaha - exactly what i was going to say

the €1000 Punto + €750 Alloys syndrome

Gibsons are very overrated - Your paying for the name - Ive played a lot of them and the only one to live up to what I expected was a Custom shop Ace Frehley (€4k new - 3 DiMarzios - Lightning bolt fret markers and Ace of spades trussod cover and his signature at the 12th)



if you want something of real pro top quality - try and pick up an old Charvel/Jackson from the late 80's 90's

I Picked up a Charvel 475 Custom on ebay a few days ago for €300 from the uk - same quality as a new €2.5k USA Jackson - cheap cause there not the in thing anymore

you can do pretty much anything with them

Might aswell get something great second hand instead of something average brand new

oh yeah AVOID those PRS soapbars - unless you play blues and only blues you'll get tired of it very soon - they're a fair bit overpriced too -

Johnny Storm

DAEDULUS wrote: »

I'll be totallly honest here in saying that I do not know much about electric guitars at all.. but anyway, what I dont understand is why special woods can make much of a difference to the sound of an electric guitar.. and what else sets the Bacchus, Gibsons etc apart from some 200euro guitar with the same pickups? Besides technical quality(wiring, fretting, tuners etc)... If I stuck the same tuners, pickups and strings in an epiphone LP std, would there be a big difference between that and the gibson std? I really dont understand why there would be.. I understand woods have different tonalitys etc but its impact on an electric guitars sound cant be that big?

Thanks for any help.. reason im asking this is.. well im interested, but also because Im gonna be getting my first electric for chrimbo(was looking at PRS SE soapbar :] ), and Im not sure why I should have to fork out 400-500e odd for a guitar thats considered pretty good over just some higher end prs lookalike(granted its not made of chipboard ) which I really love the look of and stick some seymour duncan(probably better quality than the stock on the soapbar?) pups + decent tuners on

I would say that on a very cheap guitar they skimp on the expensive skilled labour in the areas of levelling and dressing the frets, setting up the guitar and general quality of the work. Also, naturally they are using cheaper components and woods.
Would you notice it? I think you probably would in most cases (but it might take a lot longer than 5 minutes twiddling away in a guitar shop )
The law of diminishing returns comes into play so in other words there's a fairly big difference between a €200 guit and a €500 guit but the difference between a €1000 guit and a €1500 is more subtle.

Also, although I don't own one I personally think the PRS SE soapbars are pretty good value for money (do shop around) and of course second hand is always going to be better value.

Wudyaquit

For a beginner palyer, the benefits of the more expensive guitar are likely to be lost in my opinion. Getting one of the bigger name, but cheaper brands is definitely the way to go unless you've money to burn. The Fender Strat Squire is a great, affordable guitar - the sound is pretty good (when I was a teenager, I was in a band with a guy who used one for years and it always sounded pretty good), they don't have any specific problem (some guitars consistently have a particular problem - e.g. neck bends, pegs break etc.) and tehy go on forever.
Spending huge amount of money when you're starting out is fairly wasteful and not very rock n'roll if you ask me. Lots of time to be a snob about the brand later..

Flesh Gorden

Wudyaquit wrote: »

The Fender Strat Squire is a great, affordable guitar - .

Have to agree - the one with the humbucker in the bridge are what id always convince someone to get

you can get some unique sounds from the too thru a good amp

and its well worth getting the standred series model for a little extra - lot better feel and no real tuning problems

fairly bullet proof - and better all round then the older mexican strats that used to cost close €600

Darkstrike

The idea, IMO, is to find a cheapie with a good body/neck, or at least a nice neck, good neck + hot upgrades = awesome axe.

SX are good for this, as they use alder/ash/maple etc. matching Fender standard models.

Flesh Gorden

Darkstrike wrote: »

SX are good for this, as they use alder/ash/maple etc. matching Fender standard models.

never played one - but I remember their drum kits where pretty poor

but everythings worth a shot at that price - once you don't resort to argos!

Darkstrike

Flesh Gorden wrote: »

but everythings worth a shot at that price - once you don't resort to argos!

Man, even I wouldn't do that.


But I can tell ya, SX are held in pretty good regard when it comes to guitars/basses.

sprinklesspanky

Yes, I can tell.

A well made guitar, setup properly by a luthier is easier to play, feels better, has better sustain, and the intonation is better.

I've owned several crap guitars, mid-range guitars, and high-end guitars and I have to say, yes you do pay more than you should for a high-end guitar but it will play better.

Also, with a few exceptions, American guitars are the best. Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Guild, Mosrite, these guitars are amazing... at least the ones made in America are.

That's not to say a Japanese guitar isn't good, just not great. Anyone can argue all day about body types and manufacturers but I have to say as a rule of thumb that all Korean, Indian, or Chinese guitars are not well made.

Most people can't just drop €1000 (or more, or much much more) on guitar without saving so this is where used comes into play. The problem is, in Ireland, most music shops aren't willing to sell used guitars due to some sort of law governing warranties on "antiques". Then you have owners as sellers who always think the guitar is worth more than it is. eBay is an option but you never know what you're gonna get, a guitar really needs to be played before bought. However, if you've already found one in a shop you like you can always buy online and get it setup when it arrives. Keep in mind though, no two guitars play exactly the same. They may be close but never exact. That's why Stevie Ray Vaughn played a beat 50s strat because he couldn't just pop down tot he shop and pick up an exact replica could he?

So, if I were you, I'd save my pennies play as many guitars as I could before I buy one and don't settle for a guitar that ticks most of the boxes, buy the guitar that ticks all of them.

If you buy cheap, you buy twice and keep an eye out for a bargain.

Parsley

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

That's not to say a Japanese guitar isn't good, just not great. Anyone can argue all day about body types and manufacturers but I have to say as a rule of thumb that all Korean, Indian, or Chinese guitars are not well made.

Oh no you dih-en't!!! :pac:

Darkstrike

Oh............. this ain't gonna end well...............

fguihen

Im gona get creamed for this but nevermind.

I was always of the opinion that American Std Strats couldnt be sooo much better than squire's to justify a 1000 euro hike in prices.

In xMusic a few days ago i had a chance to test this theory and I was shocked myself.

There IS a big difference between a Squire and an American Standard.

They are both grand guitars, but the feel of the neck, the finish, the weight of the American Strat, all small differences but the add up to a much nicer guitar.

I always hated that when people say you can just "feel" the difference, but there is a tiny bit of truth in that, at least from my expirience.

Note though, for an absolute beginner ( im not expirienced by any stretch of the imagination, but ive been playing for a bit) the difference is irrelivant, but when you start to really get a feel for the instrument you will notice a difference. weather its worth the cost is then up to you.

Doctor J

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Also, with a few exceptions, American guitars are the best. Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Guild, Mosrite, these guitars are amazing... at least the ones made in America are.

That's not to say a Japanese guitar isn't good, just not great. Anyone can argue all day about body types and manufacturers but I have to say as a rule of thumb that all Korean, Indian, or Chinese guitars are not well made.

Sorry man but that's just garbage, it really is.

I've owned, not just played, owned over a period of time, made in the good ol' USA, Rickenbacker, Fender, PRS and Gibson and I tell you this, they are just not as well made as guitars I own now, some of which were made in Japan, which is why I sold them on. It's not that Japanese guitars are the best as a blanket statement, just that, after many years of playing, of buying and selling, I have some guitars which have exceeded the level of the ones which were sold on. You're saying guitars made in Japan aren't great? Tell me, why is that? What is it about a Japanese craftsman that he can't do just as good, if not a better job, than an American? Is it a race thing? What Japanese guitars have you played? What possible reason could there be that a Japanese company can't, don't or won't make great guitars?

There are some American companies making truly stellar class instruments, but not among the obvious mass-produced ones you've listed. You need to try a Sadowsky or their ilk, try an instrument whose design has improved as man has evolved, not some big names trading on designs made 60 years ago.

There is no geographic or cultural reason for one guitar to be better than the other just because of where it was built or who built it, the factor is the specification the guitar is built to. American Fenders and Gibsons are built to a spec which fits in with a particular budget. Korean guitars are the same, but usually lower budgets, Indonesian, Chinese, etc often lower again. There are guitars built to vastly higher specifications but they often come with a higher price tag to match. The mass-produced brands mentioned are far from being the greatest guitars around, that's for sure.

sprinklesspanky

Doctor J wrote: »

Sorry man but that's just garbage, it really is.

I've owned, not just played, owned over a period of time, made in the good ol' USA, Rickenbacker, Fender, PRS and Gibson and I tell you this, they are just not as well made as guitars I own now, some of which were made in Japan, which is why I sold them on. It's not that Japanese guitars are the best as a blanket statement, just that, after many years of playing, of buying and selling, I have some guitars which have exceeded the level of the ones which were sold on. You're saying guitars made in Japan aren't great? Tell me, why is that? What is it about a Japanese craftsman that he can't do just as good, if not a better job, than an American? Is it a race thing? What Japanese guitars have you played? What possible reason could there be that a Japanese company can't, don't or won't make great guitars?

There are some American companies making truly stellar class instruments, but not among the obvious mass-produced ones you've listed. You need to try a Sadowsky or their ilk, try an instrument whose design has improved as man has evolved, not some big names trading on designs made 60 years ago.

There is no geographic or cultural reason for one guitar to be better than the other just because of where it was built or who built it, the factor is the specification the guitar is built to. American Fenders and Gibsons are built to a spec which fits in with a particular budget. Korean guitars are the same, but usually lower budgets, Indonesian, Chinese, etc often lower again. There are guitars built to vastly higher specifications but they often come with a higher price tag to match. The mass-produced brands mentioned are far from being the greatest guitars around, that's for sure.

So you say I am talking garbage and then go on to agree with everything I say? What are you taking and where can I get some?!

I never said anything bad about Japanese guitars, I own several. They are good and the craftsmanship is usually of a high calibre. However, Chinese and Korean guitars are generally poorly made using inferior woods and components, fact... That's why they are cheaper. USA made guitars are the best and use high quality parts and woods that is why they demand the highest prices.

feylya

Hang you, you dismissed Japanese guitars as "not great". You should probably reread Doctor J's post again.

sprinklesspanky

Parsley wrote: »

Oh no you dih-en't!!! :pac:

True, sorry. Japanese guitars a very good, but they just are not great. I own two mid-1980s tokai lawsuit strats, a few Japanese fenders. I love them, play very well but only seem to touch the greatness of an American made guitar. They come close, just not the full whack. Put a Japanese Fender next to it's American counterpart and tell me they are the same.

sprinklesspanky

feylya wrote: »

Hang you, you dismissed Japanese guitars as "not great". You should probably reread Doctor J's post again.

Yep, good, not great. It's my opinion and an educated one at that. There is a reason they are significantly cheaper than their American counterparts. They use inferior woods and parts, it's a fact.

Also, I would never play let alone buy a Chinese or Korean made guitar. OP, don't buy a guitar from Argos or an SX it's a total waste of money.

feylya

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Yep, good, not great. It's my opinion and an educated one at that. There is a reason they are significantly cheaper than their American counterparts. They use inferior woods and parts, it's a fact.

Got anything to backup this "fact"?

Demeyes

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

True, sorry. Japanese guitars a very good, but they just are not great. I own two mid-1980s tokai lawsuit strats, a few Japanese fenders. I love them, play very well but only seem to touch the greatness of an American made guitar. They come close, just not the full whack. Put a Japanese Fender next to it's American counterpart and tell me they are the same.

Why don't you play a few more Japenese guitars to see the difference? The reason several companies stopped/lessened their import lines - Fender and Jackson to name 2, was because the quality was so high it was hurting sales of USA models.
Thing that people tend to forget is that Japan is a first world country, they think of it as another 3rd world Asian place.

Doctor J

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Yep, good, not great. It's my opinion and an educated one at that. There is a reason they are significantly cheaper than their American counterparts. They use inferior woods and parts, it's a fact.

You're basing your 'fact' on 20+ year old budget replicas? Again, you're just talking garbage, you have no idea of the true quality of contemporary Japanese instruments.

Try playing a contemporary Japanese guitar, a Bacchus, an Ibanez J Custom, an Atelier Z, a Navigator there are lots to choose from. They use as high quality woods as it's possible to get these days. Bear in mind, Fender have never used select woods, they used alder and maple because it was cheap.

sprinklesspanky

feylya wrote: »

Got anything to backup this "fact"?

Sure do!

Here we have a Fender American strat

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-American-Deluxe-Strat-VNeck-Electric-Guitar?sku=511389

Notice it has a nitrocellulose finish, solid alder body, and SVC pick ups. High quality stuff.

Here we have the Japanese made "50s Stratocaster"

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-50s-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=510136

Notice it has a select alder body (that means two or more pieces of wood) and polyurethane finish. A ploy finish is basically like dipping the body of the guitar in plastic.

American standard has a more substantial tone because of the weight and wood.

That's just one example. If wanted to do a side by side comparison say a Gibson Les Paul to Gibson Orville the differences would be immense.

It's pretty much common knowledge that Japanese guitars, although good, are inferior to their American counterparts. This is why they are sold for cheaper prices.

sprinklesspanky

Doctor J wrote: »

You're basing your 'fact' on 20+ year old budget replicas? Again, you're just talking garbage, you have no idea of the true quality of contemporary Japanese instruments.

Try playing a contemporary Japanese guitar, a Bacchus, an Ibanez J Custom, an Atelier Z, a Navigator there are lots to choose from. They use as high quality woods as it's possible to get these days. Bear in mind, Fender have never used select woods, they used alder and maple because it was cheap.

Hey I'm not "bashing" anything, why don't you chill out a bit. You're being a bit over sensitive. Tokais fromt eh 1980s are great and sought after, hell even Stevie Ray Vaughan played them! However, still not as good as an American strat.

Never played a Bacchus but I have owned MANY japanese made Ibanez guitars over the years, nowhere near as good a the Japanese fenders IMHO.

sprinklesspanky

Demeyes wrote: »

Why don't you play a few more Japenese guitars to see the difference? The reason several companies stopped/lessened their import lines - Fender and Jackson to name 2, was because the quality was so high it was hurting sales of USA models.
Thing that people tend to forget is that Japan is a first world country, they think of it as another 3rd world Asian place.

I don't at all I taught English there for 8 months in 1996. I did note however how many Japanese guitar enthusiasts bought U.S. vintage guitars at guitar shows in the U.S. in the 1990s and how most Japanese guitar shops sell American made guitars. They are also huge fans of Mosrites I might add.

Alanstrainor

+1 doctor J. +1.
I think people forget where the likes of Fender came from. The whole idea behind the originals was mass production and cost effectiveness. The maple necks/finger boards, the 2 piece alder bodies were not chosen for their amazing tonal quality, they were a compromise between both cost and quality.

Voodu Child

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Sure do!

Here we have a Fender American strat

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-American-Deluxe-Strat-VNeck-Electric-Guitar?sku=511389

Notice it has a nitrocellulose finish, solid alder body, and SVC pick ups. High quality stuff.

Here we have the Japanese made "50s Stratocaster"

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-50s-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=510136

Notice it has a select alder body (that means two or more pieces of wood) and polyurethane finish. A ploy finish is basically like dipping the body of the guitar in plastic.

LOL.

The 'Japanese' guitar you've linked is Mexican made.

The American Deluxe you've linked has a Poly finish.

sprinklesspanky

Alanstrainor wrote: »

+1 doctor J. +1.
I think people forget where the likes of Fender came from. The whole idea behind the originals was mass production and cost effectiveness. The maple necks/finger boards, the 2 piece alder bodies were not chosen for their amazing tonal quality, they were a compromise between both cost and quality.

Leo Fender wasn't even a guitar player!

Then again, I prefer Gibsons and Rickenbackers to fender any day.

sprinklesspanky

voodoo_child wrote: »

LOL.

The 'Japanese' guitar you've linked is Mexican made.

The American Deluxe you've linked has a Poly finish.

Nope, incorrect on both counts. LOL

Johnny Storm

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Nope, incorrect on both counts. LOL

Nope.

Voodu Child

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Nope, incorrect on both counts. LOL

For a start, the list of American fenders using 'nitro' is a very small one, much smaller than you think obviously.

Secondly, using a Fender as an example of Nitro vs Poly....its daft. Fender have never been about Nitro finishes, most of the time even when they've used 'Nitro' it hasnt been actual nitro but a cheap hybrid, and/or applied over Poly anyway. Fender are not about pure nitro finishes, and talking about that as an example of 'high vs low' quality is stupid.

Dord

voodoo_child wrote: »

LOL.

The 'Japanese' guitar you've linked is Mexican made.

The American Deluxe you've linked has a Poly finish.

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Nope, incorrect on both counts. LOL

The American Deluxe's are Poly as are the Classic Series. The Classic Series are on the upper end of the Mexican line.

sprinklesspanky

voodoo_child wrote: »

For a start, the list of American fenders using 'nitro' is a very small one, much smaller than you think obviously.

Secondly, using a Fender as an example of Nitro vs Poly....its daft. Fender have never been about Nitro finishes, most of the time even when they've used 'Nitro' it hasnt been actual nitro but a cheap hybrid, and/or applied over Poly anyway. Fender are not about pure nitro finishes, and talking about that as an example of 'high vs low' quality is stupid.

I completely disagree, but alas opinions are like arse holes, everyone has one. It's also pretty stupid to be arguing on the internet.

Darkstrike

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

that means two or more pieces of wood

Eh, nearly every guitar has two or three piece bodys, even vintage USA Fenders, Sadowskys etc.

Select alder, IIRC is where they actually go to the bother of matching them up well, so its harder to notice.


On the poly vs nitro deal, only the Highway Ones, Custom shops, and the 08 Hot Rod Jazz are currently made in nitro.

I actually prefer poly anyway.:D

Darkstrike

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Nope, incorrect on both counts. LOL

Straight from Fender Spec sheets. I highlighted a little bit!:D

Model Name American Deluxe Stratocaster® “V” Neck Model Number 010-1302-(Color #) Series American Deluxe Series Colors (703) 2-Color Sunburst,
(706) Black,
(709) Candy Apple Red,
(767) Honey Blonde,
(Urethane Finish)

EDIT: OH yeah, the Classic Sereis is 100% Mexican.

Darkstrike

voodoo_child wrote: »

Fender are not about pure nitro finishes, and talking about that as an example of 'high vs low' quality is stupid.

Exactly, most private Luthiers won't even work with nitro anymore, IIRC, if it was higher quality, why would they not use it?

Johnny Storm

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

.... It's also pretty stupid to be arguing on the internet.

Good point

Voodu Child

Darkstrike wrote: »

Exactly, most private Luthiers won't even work with nitro anymore, IIRC, if it was higher quality, why would they not use it?

Fender don't care about whether a guitar is Nitro or not, they never have. They're a production line, they're interested in getting guitars out the door as quick as possible, with quick curing durable finishes. Google 'fullerplast' and see what comes up.

That's why I said it was stupid to use the Nitro vs Poly argument when you're specifically talking about Fender. They've no interest in it, never have. The only place you'll find talk of it is in (misleading) Custom Shop literature etc.

It's also pretty stupid to be arguing on the internet.

Thats what a discussion forum is for; discussing things.

Darkstrike

voodoo_child wrote: »

Thats what a discussion forum is for; discussing things.

Stop that!:mad:




Common sense on the internet.....tsk tsk..:rolleyes:

Dord

Darkstrike wrote: »

Exactly, most private Luthiers won't even work with nitro anymore, IIRC, if it was higher quality, why would they not use it?

The reason being is that there are a lot of rules and regulations with regards to Nitrocellulose paint because it isn't very stable.

It's illegal to spray it in California and also a few other states I believe. It's also illegal to ship it by air, it can only go by sea or road. Add to that the expense and the much longer drying time required.

Dord

Darkstrike wrote: »

Straight from Fender Spec sheets. I highlighted a little bit!:D



EDIT: OH yeah, the Classic Sereis is 100% Mexican.

*cough* not exactly 100% Mexican....

The necks are made in the US and shipped down for final finishing. :P

Darkstrike

Dord wrote: »

*cough* not exactly 100% Mexican....

The necks are made in the US and shipped down for final finishing. :P

Yup, made by Mexicans in the California factory.:D

Dord

Darkstrike wrote: »

Yup, made by Mexicans in the California factory.:D

Of course! and for the Japanese guitars they ship the Mexicans over there. It makes for better consistency in the product line. :pac:

fguihen

Alanstrainor wrote: »

+1 doctor J. +1.
I think people forget where the likes of Fender came from. The whole idea behind the originals was mass production and cost effectiveness. The maple necks/finger boards, the 2 piece alder bodies were not chosen for their amazing tonal quality, they were a compromise between both cost and quality.

so, if cost was no issue, what would a stratocaster be made from, just out of curosity?

do any fenders nowdays use high quality wood? As was my understanding, fenders use very select wood, and thats one of the facts that differentiated them from squires, which use much lower quality wood.

Please correct me if i have been given incorrect information here.

Dord

fguihen wrote: »

so, if cost was no issue, what would a stratocaster be made from, just out of curosity?

do any fenders nowdays use high quality wood? As was my understanding, fenders use very select wood, and thats one of the facts that differentiated them from squires, which use much lower quality wood.

Please correct me if i have been given incorrect information here.

The whole lot depends on budget. Each range would have its own budget and grade of wood. Obviously Squiers would be of a lower grade with custom shop being the highest... and going up in between.

Darkstrike

Dord wrote: »

Of course! and for the Japanese guitars they ship the Mexicans over there. It makes for better consistency in the product line. :pac:

Wouldn't be a Fender otherwise!:D

Quattroste

WTF :eek: this thread really took off. I'm only catching up now.

How someone can say that American Guitars are better than Asian guitars is beyond me. For a start Asian people are generally smaller in stature than Americans. This enables them to be closer to their work and therefore more precise with fittings and finish. This goes for both woods and electronics. Also from watching TV asians are always happy, and we all know that a happy worker is a better worker. Some people .

Darkstrike

And more than that, they have a huemongeous, fantastic work ethic.

boycey

Quattroste wrote: »

WTF :eek: this thread really took off. I'm only catching up now.

How someone can say that American Guitars are better than Asian guitars is beyond me. For a start Asian people are generally smaller in stature than Americans. This enables them to be closer to their work and therefore more precise with fittings and finish. This goes for both woods and electronics. Also from watching TV asians are always happy, and we all know that a happy worker is a better worker. Some people .

:D:D:D:D
Im gonna qoute that any time a MIJ guitar thread appears. Genius:pac:.

fguihen

Dord wrote: »

The whole lot depends on budget. Each range would have its own budget and grade of wood. Obviously Squiers would be of a lower grade with custom shop being the highest... and going up in between.

so where do the american deluxe stand in this , with regards quality of wood? I was contemplating purchasing one in the next few weeks, but would like all the facts first.