Todays Idea of Quality...

[CharvelRocker]

I got to thinknig about this when I notice people seem to be saying "Oh Jackson/Ibanez/Gibson/Etc doesn't seem to build 'em like they used to" I got to thinking, do they really not build the same quality of instrument they did in the past, or is they are still building instruments that good, but they now cost more to get? I kinda figure it to be a combination of both, as stuff now costs more, meaning to produce that great guitar, its going to mean having more money put into it. But to counter that, what if they aren't using the same kind of stuff they were, say 5 years ago due to cost? Not trying to start a huge debate, just some food for thought.

[RacerX]

Yes

[chrisolson]

Another thing to consider -- some of the lower end stuff has gotten so much better, and can make the uber-expensive stuff seem a little much, especially if there is even a HINT of quality issues.

[Metaled1020]

Not only guitars,but alot of things were built better back in the day!

[zeegler]

Most products are designed and manufactured with obsolescence/replacement in mind. Nobody wants to sell a coffee maker that lasts 50 years. For a start, that means you've just lost a customer, because they'll probably be dead before it wears out. Then again, in 2 years, when everyone else is buying the new-fangled coffee maker with built in DVD player/digital video camera/metal detector, some poor slob is gonna be throwing it out anyway, even though it works like new, so why even bother making it last 2 years? Now, this doesn't necessarily apply to guitars, because in my mind, a guitar should be built as an heirloom, like furniture used to be. Everything is throw-away these days. Buy something from Ikea, and you'll know what I mean. We have an antique dresser that is 150 years old. Do you think there will be any Ikea furniture still in useable condition in 150 years? Hah.

I believe Fender are the ones responsible for cheapening the guitar market. They were the ones to introduce assembly line bolt-together guitars, and it's just gone downhill since then. I believe that if you want a guitar that's worthy of passing on to your kids, grandkids, etc, you need to have something custom made. I wouldn't even classify the current Gibby LPs as heirloom quality either.

[texasfury]

.

[j2379]

no but that why ppl drive hondas not chevys now.

[Robert Burns]

I got to thinknig about this when I notice people seem to be saying "Oh Jackson/Ibanez/Gibson/Etc doesn't seem to build 'em like they used to" I got to thinking, do they really not build the same quality of instrument they did in the past, or is they are still building instruments that good, but they now cost more to get? I kinda figure it to be a combination of both, as stuff now costs more, meaning to produce that great guitar, its going to mean having more money put into it. But to counter that, what if they aren't using the same kind of stuff they were, say 5 years ago due to cost? Not trying to start a huge debate, just some food for thought.

****************
We were just talking about this with Ibanez.. we have a mint 88' Floral
JEM to compare with... my RG20051 and the BRMR 77 Mirror Bad Horsie
and my Brother in Laws 20th lucite with lights... are about 30% BETTER
build quality with absolutely perfect attention to detail ! So i dont
agree....Ibanez is making a better product 20 years later...now Gibson?
Thats another direction entirely... imo

[RacerX]

no but that why ppl drive hondas not chevys now.

Er, you might wanna check just how many Chevrolets are sold in the US per year and then check how many Hondas are...you might be surprised.

[Mr Metal]

IMHO the higher end guitars are equal or better nowadays. In entry and mid level, to keep costs under control, most mainstream manufacturers use lower grade hardware and electronics AND spend less time prepping the final instrument (fret dress, neck prep, setup, etc.). For example take a Charvel Spaghetti-logo model series. German Schaller made JT-590 trem, Jackson USA pickups, real pearl inlays, long lasting pots and switches, all throughout the entire line up. The current Jacksons of same caliber use the JT-580 (for me not as nice as the J-590) and fake pearloid inlays. While some use SD pickups, less expensive models don't, and pots and switches on all imported Jacksons are nowhere as high quality and long lasting as the ones on the Spaghetti logo Charvels.

[texasfury]

The one guitar I bought brand new, my RG560 (w/case), cost $630 in 1990. That would equal $1025 in today's dollars. I seriously doubt any of you would pay that much for an RG quality axe today. Guitars are definitely better value now.

[RacerX]

the ones on the Spaghetti logo Charvels.

Toothpaste ya mean

[texasfury]

Maybe he means the Sergio Leone model Charvels built in Italy.

[Mr Metal]

Toothpaste ya mean

Yep!

[fred dons]

Er, you might wanna check just how many Chevrolets are sold in the US per year and then check how many Hondas are...you might be surprised.

I quite like the new chevys (although in Europe these are mostly ex Daewoo's)
but according to this site at least in in LA Honda outsold Chevy in 2005

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_34_27/ai_n15377828/pg_2

but as said I quite like them and I think they are making a sort of comeback