Was the move to a Japanese production ever explained?

[sully]

Holy s**t, dg! Dude, I just snorted soda out my nostrils.

That was epic funny.

Agreed. Cordoba with its "fine corinthian leather" FTW!

[Jacksonite]

aren't the fender era charvel san dimas and so cal necks, and post-2006 fender usa production models' necks (with the exception of fender custom shop) all made in mexico?

The Charvel Pro Mods, and the Hiway Ones are american...

They are made on a machine in the corona factory (as far as I have been told)

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I kind of doubt, after the shit-storm that Kramer got themselves into, that Charvel and Fender would be putting MIM necks on guitars and calling them "made in USA." :think:

[veniculum]

The Charvel Pro Mods, and the Hiway Ones are american...

They are made on a machine in the corona factory (as far as I have been told)

I don't think the Hiway Ones are American...I think you're thinking of the American Specials. Highway ones are imports....I think. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Rich#6]

I don't think the Hiway Ones are American...I think you're thinking of the American Specials. Highway ones are imports....I think. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The highway one are said to be 85% made in the usa. pickups are made in mexico. it's cheaper a becuase of things like a thinner finish(I read that).

[veniculum]

I kind of doubt, after the shit-storm that Kramer got themselves into, that Charvel and Fender would be putting MIM necks on guitars and calling them "made in USA." :think:

Curious that you mentioned Kramer. Anyone who was around in the 80s will remember Kramer was one of the biggest name in the guitar business. I, personally, owned a Nightswan...which I wish to this day that I never got rid of it.
In any event, I've always been curious as to why Kramer went away...and went away fast they did. Was what you are mentioning part of the reason for their demise? (i.e. did they dupe their customers by releasing guitars that claimed they were made in USA with parts/necks that weren't?)
Like I said...Kramer was an extremely popular brand. I never understood why they disappeared so quickly.
Thanks.

[Rich#6]

I think Eddie found out about the japanese necks on the "american made guitars" and dropped they like a hot potato. ESP also stole lynch away I believe.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Yeah Rich, I'm no expert aside from being alive then & playing guitar but I remember

- "Ed found something better..."
- "Those jerks ripped us off!"
- ESP selling "directly" and getting guys like Lynch on their endorsement team

I'm pretty sure that the legal battles are what really killed Kramer but they tried to bring the name back twice and it's not been a huge success either time, mostly because I think people look at them and go "Yeah, I remember how these jackasses re-defined 'Made in USA' and ripped off a lot of people in the 80's so to hell with them."

At least, that's how *I* feel about Kramer anyway. And their guitars weren't as good as Charvels/Jacksons anyway.

[shreddermon]

Not true. My understanding is that Kramer went under because of simple financial troubles. They essentially went bankrupt - and quickly - because of fiscal ineptitude. Despite their popularity (very popular here on the east cost), which was waning at the time, their financial management was a total mess. So, eventually, the banks just cut them off.

[Grawnday]

About Kramer...too many endorsees ? And check out the Kramer Gorky Park...http://www.vintagekramer.com/company48.htm

[DHardmanJr]

Interestingly, Gibson now owns the Kramer brand and makes mostly cheap imports. And Gary Kramer is now making guitars under the GKG brand. The russian roulette looks interesting: http://www.garykramerguitar.com/roulette.html

Here's his version of history: http://www.garykramerguitar.com/history.html

[Scooter]

Don't know if it's true either, but I heard a story that Floyd Rose was a big part of their demise also.

[veniculum]

Don't know if it's true either, but I heard a story that Floyd Rose was a big part of their demise also.

I wouldn't say you were right or wrong...but perhaps you could explain that. Floye Rose and Kramer were like peas and carrots...abbot and costello...bert and ernie...you get the point. I still have the card that came with my old Nightswan....there's a picture of Gary Kramer, Floyd Rose, Eddie Van Halen...and somebody else..president of Kramer USA I think..
I know for sure that Floyd Rose trems were the official trems of (quality) Kramers at the time.

[Scooter]

I know Floyd Rose trems were nearly exclusive to Kramer, the only way to get one was from them. (It was the only way I could get one) The story I was told was they were not paying Floyd for various things regarding the trems, I don't know what, but he sued, won, and then everyone had a Floyd of some type, and Kramer seemingly died out soon after. Just a story I was told by a cool older guy who had a small shop, and couldn't give a shred of proof to it. Actually wondering if there is truth to it, or if he was full.

[toejam]

I think Eddie found out about the japanese necks on the "american made guitars" and dropped they like a hot potato. ESP also stole lynch away I believe.

Lynch was supposed to make a deal with some guy from Kramer at an airport or something, but the guy didn't show up or was late, Lynch took off and eventually went with ESP.