BenMMusTech

The made in China thing is garbage now, almost eveything is made in china and I personally have no problem with this.

This is my first forum test with Google Chrome, so please forgive me if the formatting is all screwed up.

The only problem I have with anything made overseas is the quality of the materials. For example, the Jazz Bass I have is made in Indonesia. A month after I got it the pots started crackling. Yeah, I live on a gravel road and it gets dusty in here, but it doesn't seem to have affected my other guitars that range from 25 to 60 years old. In other words, the people who make them can only make them as good as the materials they are given to work with.

Most of the stuff that has been made in China is designed else where. 

Gretsch guitars are made overseas, Epiphone, some Martin's are made in Mexico, and so on. It kills me that Martin makes all their strings and some guitars in Mexico now. Mainly because several of my relatives worked there all their lives, but, well, it's an American company, still owned by the same family. It's just wrong.


What really tweaks me about Gretsch is, they still charge an arm and a leg for all of their guitars, while everyone else has drastically lowered their prices. That's why I'll never buy a Gretsch or a Gibson for that matter.

the funniest thing is Fender Guitars made in Mexico.

I have a Korean made Fender acoustic that I got for $275 bucks 20 years ago. Still plays great and I've beat the hell out of it. Just got new strings for it tonight. Damn, I just remembered why I didn't like Martin strings and that's what I got again. Grr. The tension is insane on those damn things. Scary tight. Anyway, I have a roofing nail I hammered in to it for a guitar strap peg. Works, and the strap has never slipped off. :)

I'm hearing you Bub and it's up to you but once again it's a good day thing and a bad day thing.

My Epiphone Hofner replica which I have had 5 years has had not one problem, cost $500, advertised price $700.

Now the downside is the knobs are a little on the cheap side or feel cheap because they are plastic but it has never put a foot wrong.  As I say 5 years old.

From what you are saying stay away from stuff made in indonesia and I would as well, look if you can afford an Epiphone Casino, then go for it, I think it is made for the music you are trying to do and I would trust it, I mean if you are going to put Lennons name to something, it has to do the job.  Yoko would never sully Johns name by putting out rubbish, brand Lennon=lots of money.  If she started to put out crap, well you get the point.  Same with my Hofner Replica.

Yea thanks for the info, Big Bunny (Mike) I remember the story now.

Neb

The only lefty that Epi makes in hollow/semi-hollow is the SII. I'd have to drastically customize anything else. 

My 92 PRS was made in the USA...

I thought I died and went to Heaven today ... I found a guitar shop with 7 left handed Martin's, and even more left handed Gibson's and Fenders.

It was a local guitar shop called http://www.promusicdm.com/.

I discovered something ... I physically can't play a Gibson hollow body. The necks are way too thick for my hands. It was like fretting the business end of a Louisville Slugger. So, scratch those.

Even though Gretsch's are made in China (IIRC), I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. What awesome guitars they make.

I picked up a new Squire Strat and darn near dropped it it was so heavy. Made my MIJ feel like a toy. :(

I also played an Epi LP Series II (IIRC). My God, what a wicked guitar. 

It seems the Epi's have slimmer necks and I can really rip it up on them. 

I was there for 3 hours playing in the middle of the day on a Friday. I basically had the whole place to myself.

I'm sure if I asked the guy to get one in, he'd order a lefty Sheraton II to try out. He got a lefty Martin in for me to try a few years back with no commitment to buy. I feel as though I owe him if you know what I mean.

Anyhoo ... the kid working the counter said they usually have a couple of lefty hollow and semi hollow bodies but they were out of stock at the moment. I can't wait to check back in a week or so.