Question: Are the USAs worth the extra $ over Imports?

[RockinJim]

I'm just curious. Let's say, for the sake of argument, you are comparing a DK1 to a DKMG with 81/85s, and you are talking roughly twice the cost.

This is NOT to say the USA's aren't better quality, the question is about paying 2-3X the price of the imports.

Is it worth it?

[Rich#6]

Some think it's worth it, some don't. If you got the money buy usa if not the MIJ imports are great guitars!

[neilli]

It's the law of dimishing returns - is the DK1 twice as good? Nope. Is it better? Yup.

[dg]

It's the age-old question. The answer is different for each person, and it can change for each person over time & with changes in finances. For me, I think I've settled on used USA as the way to go, except for a few rare or super high-quality import models.

[diablomozart]

the main reason i have always gone for the usa models is because they can really take a pounding on stage...great quality stuff that will still feel great years from now...so i always liked the toughness of the usa's...that being said i havent had much experience with any of the imports...d.m.

[charvel750]

Exactly, the USA will be there with you for a lifetime. If you are regularly gigging and playing seriously, you want a guitar that will deliver night after night. The USA will do it the best. The import won't be able to take the abuse. If you're just playing in your bedroom or the occasional garage band, no problem, the import will work.

[Sukkoi19]

I guess I don't understand how the Import won't take abuse? I get the better attention to detail and such that is going to be found on a USA guitar as well as the more desirable materials like Ebony, Mother of Pearl and such but what exactly is more rugged about the USAs? My Import Soloists are made of the same materials minus those mentioned above so don't see much difference as far as durability. I could see the argument for the bridge maybe but I have both made in Deutschland and Korea OFR and the quality and durability is very close. I am not trying to bag on the USAs as I intend to buy one eventually.

[wilkinsi]

What about 90's-built imports? Weren't they on par with USA models?

[shreddermon]

Is it worth it? Absolutely not. Unless it is. Then it's totally worth it.

Hope that clears this up.

[Twitch]

Exactly, the USA will be there with you for a lifetime. If you are regularly gigging and playing seriously, you want a guitar that will deliver night after night. The USA will do it the best. The import won't be able to take the abuse. If you're just playing in your bedroom or the occasional garage band, no problem, the import will work.

I disagree, my DKMGTFF has seen roughly 70-80 gigs and aside from a broken string here and there the only thing to have not lasted on it is Ive had to replace one volume pot and one output jack, and thats just due to electronic components being electronic components.

I asked the same question about Import vs. USA and the main thing is that the USA models are hand crafted (no assembly line) by the custom shop employees who have a muuuuch higher salaries than the little kiddies in asia who work for a fish head and a bowl of rice. Thats not to say the USAs arent better quality, being hand crafted, higher quality goes hand in hand with hand crafted. The majority of the higher end Jackson imports are just as reliable as the USA models. Its all about how much the individual buyer is willing/ able to spend.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Yes, and there isn't even necessarily better attention to detail on the USA's.

The only thing I can think of that's "flimsy" on the Imports is the tremolo, which can be replaced with an OFR (bridge). Some guys say the import lock nut is fine, but if it were a "lifetime keeper" I'd replace that with the Floyd unit, too.

Most of the reasons I buy USA's are cosmetic. If I just wanted a really kick-ass Jackson guitar I'd probably get a DK2M and put an OFR on it, and have the lock nut shelf cut down/re-drilled for an R3 Floyd nut, and play it for a lifetime, on stage or anywhere else, without worrying about anything more than I would a USA Jackson. :dunno:

[stevoc]

I agree with jazz....for an import, my DK2M would be the best bet with a OFR upgrade, and maybe some EMG's. The biggest plus for me in the USA model though is the ebony fret board....love that ebony. IMO, rosewood just doesn't compare, but the maple is pretty close to the same type of bright sound I like.

[j2379]

yeah i cant agree. my model6 the only import i still own, i bought new in 87. back when i was gigging that guitar has survived more abuse than any guitar ive ever owned. i dont think my USA soloist is that much better than the Mod6. that said i wouldnt subject my soloist to the type of abuse i gave the model 6, that guitar was bounched off floors, set on fire, thrown at drummers, and other band members who pissed me off, broke at least one audience members nose, was covered in libral amounts of beer and soco. its still a great guitar, & a killer conversation peice. WTF happened to that thing is the question most asked when people see it.....well let me tell ya....

[jcm800x]

Used USA's are right in the range of the higher end imports now, I'd go that route.

[RacerX]

What about 90's-built imports? Weren't they on par with USA models?

Only the higher end models from 1990 - 1995.