Ever wonder why guitars cost so much?

[leftykingv2]

Exactly. I remember when Japanese guitars sucked. Then Japan got good and Korea built the junk. The only import guitars that I thought were ever built to USA Jackson quality were some Japanese Charvel/Jackson guitars from 87-91 and some BC Rich and DBZ models built by World Guitars Korea. UnSung Korea(Dean Korea "US" serial numbers) can build some high quality stuff but is less consistent than World Guitars. Special mention to Japan FugiGen Ibanez models, really good too, just not quite USA Jackson quality.

+1 The FujiGen Ibanez guitars were and still are great. I still have some really nice RG's from the mid 80's era that are top notch quality wise. My RG 550 and 570 come to mind in particular. I love both of them. Outstanding players.

[pianoguyy]

Remember, for every great guitar, there are cheap guitars.

Those Koreans make Samick.
Washburn and Oscar Schmidt are made in Korea.
Decent enough for the price, when new. But not made to last.

[leftykingv2]

Regardless of where they're made guitars "cost so much" because folks are willing to pay the asking price(s) ....if we all refused to buy new & only bought used the prices would come down markedly!!

+1 Bro big time! Did you ever notice when the price goes up on some popular models and people stop buying them they're either discontinued or the price drops? I've seen it happen quite a few times

[leftykingv2]

Remember, for every great guitar, there are cheap guitars.

Those Koreans make Samick.
Washburn and Oscar Schmidt are made in Korea.
Decent enough for the price, when new. But not made to last.

Oh they'll last but they just continue to get worse and worse until they finally do fall apart.

[xenophobe]

They don't have to pay for Obamacare in South Korea. I'll stick with what has been proven to me time and time again for over 10+ years, World Musical Instruments(World Guitar) Korea builds consistently very high quality guitars for a reasonable price. I don't get hung up with the name on the front of the headstock. I'm more interested in who is building it and quality control.

+1

My Korean BC Rich Stealth is amazing. If you told me it was built in the Jackson Custom Shop, I'd believe it. All the components are top notch, the workmanship is great. It sounds awesome. It was an absolute steal for $670 brand new.

[Chad]

That's exactly why I buy custom guitars... the chances of not getting a turd and getting something truly amazing is far greater. Usually, when extra time and care are given, your chances of getting "that one" are much greater. I've gone through all kinds of imports and standard production guitars... and I've owned and still do some fantastic guitars... but the ones that are the best always seem to be CS guitars of one kind or another. And it's not just a placebo thing. I've sold some incredible guitars that just didn't do it for me and I'm more likely to find a Jackson CS that has something extra about it. I know it's not just me... plenty of others will attest to this.

Are you talking about buying already finished Custom Shop guitars or ordering a Custom Shop guitar and waiting 6 months to 3 years? Big difference as the latter is a leap of faith. As you said very high chances of getting a true winner. But there is also the chance of getting 23 frets, crooked pickup routs, etc.

[PowerTube]

Are you talking about buying already finished Custom Shop guitars or ordering a Custom Shop guitar and waiting 6 months to 3 years? Big difference as the latter is a leap of faith. As you said very high chances of getting a true winner. But there is also the chance of getting 23 frets, crooked pickup routs, etc.

Absolutely. There are two reason why I've never ordered a Custom Shop:

1. Lack of patience

2. It might be a dud

I would love to try out a few Custom Shop guitars already in existence and see how they feel and play.

[Brandenburg]

Absolutely. There are two reason why I've never ordered a Custom Shop:

1. Lack of patience

2. It might be a dud

I would love to try out a few Custom Shop guitars already in existence and see how they feel and play.

the reason I would never order a jackson CS are the same yours with one added

My taste in what I think is kool might change from the time I order it to the time I receive it..if someone told me 2 years..id probably laugh in their face and probably tell em "You must have lost your mind if you think ill wait 2 years for a guitar" & "Good day sir"

On the subject of imports: My DK-2 plays well and the neck is phenomenal. She has decent frets but could stand to get a fret job atm.. once I change the POS SD designed pups.. Sounds so much better.. The guitar must have some hellafied wood in her too.. as she is quite heavy.. last statement made me think of a porn star.. LMAO

IMO.. alot of times.. what sets cheaper models from their more expensive brothers/sisters is the hardware and electronics.. this is not always the case of course

[artonsafari]

But there is also the chance of getting 23 frets

Better than 23 and a half frets.

[Codex]

how much are these hand-built guitars worth?

[PowerTube]

the reason I would never order a jackson CS are the same yours with one added

My taste in what I think is kool might change from the time I order it to the time I receive it..if someone told me 2 years..id probably laugh in their face and probably tell em "You must have lost your mind if you think ill wait 2 years for a guitar" & "Good day sir"

Same here, but I forgot to mention that one. Most of my guitar purchases aren't spur of the moment, but my tastes do change at times. I would hate to have $3000.00 or more obligated for a CS order and think, "Damn! I really wish I hadn't spent the money on that now that I've found ______." The day before it's supposed to arrive I might find something in a store I like even better.

[Chad]

the reason I would never order a jackson CS are the same yours with one added

My taste in what I think is kool might change from the time I order it to the time I receive it..if someone told me 2 years..id probably laugh in their face and probably tell em "You must have lost your mind if you think ill wait 2 years for a guitar" & "Good day sir"

+1. Tastes do change especially when talking in terms of years.

The J/C lead times are ridiculous. Really, anything over a year is ridiculous IMO. 6 to 9 months should be the goal. I guess longer wait times might be understandable for small output luthiers who are pretty much one man shows, but a company like FMIC/J&C, with the resources they have.....and the lead times they have...ridiculous.

[lepard]

+1 Bro big time! Did you ever notice when the price goes up on some popular models and people stop buying them they're either discontinued or the price drops? I've seen it happen quite a few times

Yep, remember when Chinese DFH ML's first came out and were $999 for a year or two ?

[xenophobe]

Are you talking about buying already finished Custom Shop guitars or ordering a Custom Shop guitar and waiting 6 months to 3 years? Big difference as the latter is a leap of faith. As you said very high chances of getting a true winner. But there is also the chance of getting 23 frets, crooked pickup routs, etc.

I meant buying used. My luck with the Jackson CS hasn't been all that great. I have one going into production soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 2 of my previous attempts didn't work out very well either. I agree ordering a new CS is a leap of faith.

I mostly buy used, so when I end up hating it, I can usually resell with minimal loss. I've had far better luck buying used CS guitars than used Selects or imports.

[leftykingv2]

Yep, remember when Chinese DFH ML's first came out and were $999 for a year or two ?

That's one example I forgot about. Man those things were pure shit in my opinion.