Money always makes things complicated.  DOH!

eph221
Money always makes things complicated.  DOH!

Then why was my life so complicated when I didn't have any??? 

Moshkito
 
I have no issues with ... for example ... Fender and Gibson having a Mexican brand that costs less ... and surprisingly enough, not even many folks talk bad about those instruments. I might even ask the question if the guitar would last 25 years like the original, and in most cases it seems to ... and each and every time I stop by the Pawn shop (once in a decade!), I still see a lot of worn down guitars, which means they were played! Practice or not!
ll come around sooner or later! Ask Volkswagen ... or Barclays ... and another big bank is next!

Mosh, i can back that up.
In 1991 I bought a MIM Telecaster.  I only replaced the pickups.
25 years later, it's still the best guitar (for me) that i've ever played.  Other musicians also seem to really like it too.  I've had a dozen other guitars in this time, some fancy high-end Gibsons & Fenders, as well as some lesser ones.  I've played dozens (at least) of others' guitars.  And none have the "magic" that's in that '91 MIM Tele.
 
I don't know whether it's the wood, the pickups, or the familiarity of knowing every inch of it.  Probably all...

The consistency and the build quality of the instruments that are coming out right now, in my opinion, are incredible.  I love my MIM Strat as well, built in the early 90's.  I loved the neck so much, I was afraid to purchase and put a new neck on it.  I finally bought a new neck 6 months ago, rather than do a refret....its even nicer than the original that was on that Strat.
 
People have knocked Gibson's for ever.  I have owned 3 Les Paul's.  The 2013 Les Paul Studio I traded for just recently, is probably the best made Gibson Les Paul that I have owned.  Better built by far than the first LP Standard that I bought new in 1982.  

Both of my LPs are very well built.  So is my Indonesian PRS SE.
My '99 '57 Beauty Historic is absolute perfection.  It's a shame it's so darn heavy.
 
IMO we're in a grande time for guitar quality all across the price spectrum.

Slugbaby

Moshkito
 
I have no issues with ... for example ... Fender and Gibson having a Mexican brand that costs less ... and surprisingly enough, not even many folks talk bad about those instruments. I might even ask the question if the guitar would last 25 years like the original, and in most cases it seems to ... and each and every time I stop by the Pawn shop (once in a decade!), I still see a lot of worn down guitars, which means they were played! Practice or not!
ll come around sooner or later! Ask Volkswagen ... or Barclays ... and another big bank is next!

Mosh, i can back that up.
In 1991 I bought a MIM Telecaster.  I only replaced the pickups.
25 years later, it's still the best guitar (for me) that i've ever played.  Other musicians also seem to really like it too.  I've had a dozen other guitars in this time, some fancy high-end Gibsons & Fenders, as well as some lesser ones.  I've played dozens (at least) of others' guitars.  And none have the "magic" that's in that '91 MIM Tele.
 
I don't know whether it's the wood, the pickups, or the familiarity of knowing every inch of it.  Probably all...

And I wish, in retrospect, that I had NEVER swapped my Gibson EB-0 for a Fender Jazz ... the Gibbie, with the pegs downwards, had a nice and comfy feel to it, and I did not recognize that at the time. The Fender was nice, but it felt like a school guitar rather than something that you get attached to and comfy with. That Fender, though, stayed with me for 25 years ... go figure, however, I wish I had gotten me a 2nd bass, instead of getting rid of it. I wanted an EB again, perhaps in getting that feel, and the EB-3 is a Long Scale, and I have never really gotten a good feel for that thing at all, yet!

craigb

eph221
Money always makes things complicated.  DOH!

Then why was my life so complicated when I didn't have any??? 

That's how either/or works...*two sides of the same coin*.  The opposite implies it's own opposite.  Both co-exist in the same logical space.   Did everyone hear my new single, Black Hole?  It's short and sweet! https://soundcloud.com/da...-76324214/black-hole-1

eph221

craigb

eph221
Money always makes things complicated.  DOH!

Then why was my life so complicated when I didn't have any??? 

That's how either/or works...*two sides of the same coin*.  The opposite implies it's own opposite.  Both co-exist in the same logical space.   Did everyone hear my new single, Black Hole?  It's short and sweet! https://soundcloud.com/da...-76324214/black-hole-1

Ah, yes, just like Democrats & Republicans.  But those are TOS-violation bait and two reasons why I can't stand politics.
 
(Nice shameless plug though!)

michaelhanson
The consistency and the build quality of the instruments that are coming out right now, in my opinion, are incredible.  I love my MIM Strat as well, built in the early 90's.  I loved the neck so much, I was afraid to purchase and put a new neck on it.  I finally bought a new neck 6 months ago, rather than do a refret....its even nicer than the original that was on that Strat.
 
People have knocked Gibson's for ever.  I have owned 3 Les Paul's.  The 2013 Les Paul Studio I traded for just recently, is probably the best made Gibson Les Paul that I have owned.  Better built by far than the first LP Standard that I bought new in 1982.  

Things have changed big time in our lifetime.
 
When I was starting out nobody I knew ever worked on a guitar. Nobody ever changed anything except the strings.
IMO the internet made a big change for people. The opportunity to get parts, tools, ideas and learn opened the door.
Selection and competition boomed.
Competition now includes independents to these large companies. Everyone is forced into creating a quality product if they want to continue making them.
Quality control and "magic" still allows for products that will satisfy a large percent for those that haven't acquired the experience and knowledge to recognize details and for those that know quality and "magic" when they play it.
Yes the quality and magic can be found in all price ranges and that is why, IMO, people recommend playing it before you buy. Of course one can hassle with returning/exchanging in the search if they choose.
 
When I read, "American made .....are better than ........made" I think they don't realize how things are or may have had a bad experience and just generalize...which doesn't help them find the truth. (if they're looking for it)
 
 

The only thing I really wish would change in modern guitars is the finish. I hate poly finishes, particularly on necks. I recently picked up a 60th anniversary Am Std strat and it's one of the best I've ever owned. It has a combination of old and new tech that really works for me. The only problem is the thick finish on the neck.
 
I've read that environmental concerns are the reason lacquer was abandoned, but I don't buy it. Gibson still uses lacquer, as do most of the boutique builders. Poly finishes are the main reason I've never bonded with a PRS, arguably one of the best brands out there. With Fender I can slap on a new neck, not so for a set neck instrument.
 
I suspect the real reason behind Poly is simply cost and the ability of machines to do finishing. IF you've ever tried to strip a Poly finish you know how difficult it is. The stuff is indestructible.