I wanted to make a video talking about some issues viewers have brought up about made in US guitars over the last few years. these are my thoughts, I'm interested to hear yours.

@chrisggoodwin777

3 жыл бұрын

I generally prefer to buy American to support jobs and businesses of my countrymen, but I will not buy an inferior product simply because it's American made. I also try to support businesses whose leadership teams seem to actually care about the end product, not just a profit line. I don't mind paying for quality, but I do mind just paying for a name or country of origin without the quality and value being adequately represented in the product. Thanks Phil for always being a straight shooter!

@gringogreen4719

3 жыл бұрын

Phil, I guess it depends on era. I've not been impressed with vintage gear all that much. I can see why things moved on and parts got better. I think you are correct that the future is going to be questionable. I think that major manufacturing will go similar to tech where parts are made and sourced all over the world and very little will be a single country. So long as features get better I'm fine with that. By the way, you are correct about becoming a luthier. Despite the knowledge and experience, the pay isn't that great. It's a big part of why I pumped the breaks to go to Roberto-Venn. Great school, great people. Just the other side of that looks rough if that's all I do.

@williamliew5444

3 жыл бұрын

@bigvegan I recently picked up an made in Japan Ibanez talman and i love that thing

@carlosegtrs5308

3 жыл бұрын

Wait to we'll see the New Fender's coming very soon

@gringogreen4719

3 жыл бұрын

@@dougdeeper2537 Play gear that inspires you. Don't worry where it comes from. A guitar that demands that you play it will pull you through to a guitar you bought for another arbitrary reason. You will love it for its strengths and it's flaws.😉👍✨

Made In Japan guitars for the win... The Quality Control on any MIJ guitar I've played has always been top notch.

@kenkovar2647

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree I bought an MIJ Fender Precision Bass and a Strat and they are very nice finish wise and in playability

@blakjack3053

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I have an Xplorer copy made by a Japanese company called Tokai, and it looks, sounds and plays every bit as good as my real Gibson Xplorer.

@xp0079

Жыл бұрын

I wish there are more nitro finished MIJ, poly are durable but nitro often sound better.

@caiusmadison2996

Жыл бұрын

Japanese culture is why, they refuse to show inferior work off. It's so ridiculous how bad the last 4 USA guitars where off from the moment I received them, either damaged, or string trees misdrilled and thus, misaligned. Nut work used to be excellent on USA, now, it's unfinished and or only set to work with 9's. Who the hell plays 9's after 6 months? 😆, virtually nobody who goes on to keep playing, is using 9's. Only metal needs 9's. Yet they always throw those baby strings on. 😒

@ramencurry6672

Ай бұрын

In my opinion it doesn’t matter. If the guitar has bad frets and the wrong nut, etc….I can just take it to my repair man and have everything straightened out

If my guitar doesn't have a top carved out by bullets, paint applied by eagle's feathers, and wood sourced from the mayflower, I won't buy it.

@michaelware3970

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not about to sell it, after all I had to go through to get it!

@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy

3 жыл бұрын

"wood sourced from the mayflower" Out of curiosity, where do you find guitars exclusively-made of American woods? As far as I am aware, most production guitars have mahogany, ebony, rosewood-substitutes, and other woods from Africa and India. I would love to have an American-made guitar made exclusively from American woods. For example, Florida swamp ash, New England maple, Cascades walnut, Arizona purple heart, all woods from America. However, the only way I know to get that is from custom orders. So, are there any production guitars exclusively-made from American woods? (Genuine question. I genuinely want to know.)

@mreyes8519

3 жыл бұрын

Guitar Nerd I’ve straight up never seen that available (affordable to commoners as myself) with the exception of limited runs like those government Gibsons (those were returned foreign woods though?) or the fender reclaimed series. There might be a handful of dealers that do that but they aren’t big shops.

@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy

3 жыл бұрын

@@mreyes8519 So when you mentioned "sourced from the Mayflower," you were referring to custom ordering something to have all American woods?

@mreyes8519

3 жыл бұрын

Guitar Nerd yeah, but I’ve never seen a guitar carved out of bullets either :-/

All I have to say is that I really love this channel. The passion and the knowledge are amazing, ya gotta love Phil

This is so true. I’ve collected guitars and specifically gone after US made instruments. Yet my PRS SE feels and looks great and is finished immaculately and requires only small upgrades to put it on par with the US guitars in my collection and I prefer playing the SE’s. I find so much of the music industry Is driven by this “50’s Tone” and USA made snobbery that it’s hard to get away from. That said it’s awesome to be reassured that import guitars are great and OK to be seen playing by guys like yourself, Darrel Braun, Andertons, Intheblues etc that will honestly say “ this guitar sounds and feels great and forget about the headstock label” Well done for saying it.

Recently, I bought a 2020 made in China Epiphone LP Studio from an online music store. I wasn't looking for or expecting much from it, I just wanted something to sit on a stand in my home office that I could pick up and hit a few licks on when the desire struck. I was really surprised at the quality of the instrument when I received it! Flawless gloss finish, Grover tuners, plays well and sounds great when I play it through an amp. And it was about 30% of the cost of a 2020 Gibson LP Studio. I'm very happy with it.

Another great video from Phil. The most interesting KZread guitar channel ever. Thank you sir!

I love the honesty in your videos. I can tell you really try to be unbiased in your reviews & opinions✊🏻👌🏻

I buy USA guitars for the same reason I try to buy other USA made products, it's my home and I want to support jobs here at home.

@GuitarJeff

3 жыл бұрын

It's kind of like Phil said, a lot of the parts on guitars are made overseas. Fret wire, China. Wood to make the guitar, Africa usually except alder, ash, and maple. Pickups might me wound here, but wire magnet bobbins all made overseas. Even the equipment inside the factories, machinery, saws, saw blades, sandpaper etc. So the made in USA might keep a couple jobs in the US, but really keeps a lot more jobs overseas. Auto industry is the same way. Do what you like, buy what you like but don't do it under false pretense. Two best guitars I own as far as quality and playability, Music Man Monarch Majesty USA and Ibanez J Custom made in Japan. Quality, Price, stability are the same and both I think the highest quality guitar you can get. I own more expensive American made, they have issues. I own a few PRS 10 top and a couple limited runs. Beautiful guitars, sound good. But to sit down and play for more that half hour or so, the no forearm carve starts digging in. I also am in Michigan and all my PRS need setups and truss rod adjustments every season change. Buy a guitar for comfort, quality, stability and for what you want. Rather than where it is made.

@Justafeller

3 жыл бұрын

Me too and none of the parts on my PRS core models have import parts. I spend more to buy them. Not because of some superiority complex, but because I want to support American made and Paul's passionate about building them. Even if it had an import part, it wouldn't be a big deal. I know the guitar itself is made here and the majority of the parts are American made. I'm not opposed to Japanese built guitars. I love them, but I try to support American companies.

@phililpb

3 жыл бұрын

The USA is not a charity

@grayaj23

3 жыл бұрын

@philipb right? I feel like we had this conversation in the mid-80's when Chrysler was making the K-car in the US. Buying a piece of junk from a USA manufacturer isn't patriotic. It's being an "enabler". The USA-made guitar industry isn't as bad as the late 80's auto industry, but my choices for my next guitar are going to be between a new MIM or MIJ guitar vs a used MIU. I can't pay a premium price without knowing that what I buy is objectively worth it.

@seanbailey8545

3 жыл бұрын

I understand your reasoning but, why would you pay considerably more for a worse product. The QA on American guitars is such a wide range, you get a perfect guitar or a guitar that's worse than a $100 Chinese guitar.

A good guitar is a good guitar, regardless of where it's from. It's how it's built, not where it's built!

@jameswilkins4motion

3 жыл бұрын

This is probably the most sensible KZread comment of all time

@FRANKSNAKE71

3 жыл бұрын

Agree 100%. Refreshing to see an intelligent comment. Well said!

@pablo9364

3 жыл бұрын

That’s part of the fun finding the good guitars. It’s a good feeling when you pick up THAT guitar you think ‘never ever sell this one, it’s a keeper’

@kingZactheMerciless

3 жыл бұрын

Yes that’s true, but some factories just do a better job than others. I’m fond of Japanese built guitars personally.

So happy to see a new video!

Great video, all meat and no filler. Please continue this style of speedy substance. Well done. Thank you

I really appreciate guitar companies that keep us southpaws in mind. Am grateful to own a lefty Taylor, kiesel, and Gibson. As compared to 10+ years ago, feel there are more options for lefty players. Better yet, manufactures, like kiesel and fender, even offer online shops where u can customize your dream southpaw guitar :)

A good guitar is a good guitar regardless where it’s made. I have an Gibson LP Studio that feels incredible but have played a ton that I didn’t care for, also loved a Cort mgm1 Matt Murphy signature guitar I owned a while back made in Korea, incredible quality

@rockdaddy2168

3 жыл бұрын

I just bought Cort Matt Murphy. Caught my eye in a used shop, beautiful excellent condition, it had been setup and played great. Got a killer deal. Now one of my go to guitars.

@truckercowboyed2638

3 жыл бұрын

I just got a great Studio for $1500....i love it, my first real usa Gibson......

@rockdaddy2168

3 жыл бұрын

@@bradt.3555 Might want to hang on to that Brad. There were only 82 ever sold. Happy fiddling.

@fretgod321

3 жыл бұрын

@@rockdaddy2168 Really? i've got one too; had it for the past 14 years or so

@thenightstalker8095

2 жыл бұрын

The factories of the Korean made Corts illegally exploit their employees. I'm boycotting them, at least the Korean ones.

Wow! This video hits it out of the park! Excellent forecast of many things happening today. Thank you.

This is perhaps the most instructional video I’ve ever watched in my entire life kudos from Canada

The best Les Paul I ever played was an Ibanez hahaha

@joeb3590

3 жыл бұрын

Fam! My 335 is the same way

@alexandrebozier4703

3 жыл бұрын

Ibanez rulls, im a huge fan of rg model, even the Indonesia made guitars are awesome now

@ak47dragunov

3 жыл бұрын

Yep. I own an 87 Greco LP Custom and it slaughters any Gibby I've ever tried

@carmineredd1198

3 жыл бұрын

@@ak47dragunov 1987 Gibson LP Custom Silverburst $700

@glennlilley8608

3 жыл бұрын

Hear hear, as a bass player starting out in the 70s ,pretty much everything regarded as a "proper " instrument, was little more than a roughly hewn dead sounding plank , Japanese copies of all persuasions were just made better, That said, if you searched long and hard enough? A gem could be found among the wood pile !

There used to be a WIDE margin of quality between USA made vs import guitars/basses. Not so much anymore.

@jts3339

2 жыл бұрын

The improvements in quality are due to the USA companies teaching foreign manufacturers about US Manufacturing and Quality techniques. People associate Japanese products with high quality, but it’s because we taught our US military designed Quality Systems to the Japanese manufacturers after World War II. Likewise with companies based around the world. Everyone has benefited from US Quality techniques except for the USA because they can emulate our manufacturing quality at wages that would be below the poverty level in this country, the cost of raw materials is lower, and government requirements for safety are less than in the US. We moved our factories overseas, we taught the world our manufacturing and Quality techniques, and we put our factories and workers out of business while CEO salaries exploded.

@chnacr2

2 жыл бұрын

@@jts3339 Someone should teach those things again to Gibson today

@carlandjennifersilva

2 жыл бұрын

@@jts3339 that may be true, maybe foreign companies have benefited from our systems but also American companies have been lazy, cheap, and slow to improve themselves.

@feddomeijerwiersma6955

Жыл бұрын

@@jts3339 This is entirely true and historically accurate. And entirely irrelevant, as that was nearly 80 years ago, so means nothing as to why USA made products are (generally) inferior or of lesser quality, in terms of QC. Flame on, bros…

@jts3339

Жыл бұрын

@@feddomeijerwiersma6955 I accurately described Part One of this situation. Most working people alive today are aware of the reasons why the quality of Made In USA goods has declined over the years. The reasons may vary somewhat by company, culture, and region, but when profits became more important than the workers, the workers took less interest in the quality of their work.

This is very intelligent and long overdue commentary on this topic. I appreciate as well that you named some exceptions such as Kiesel and Rickenbacker

I love the brilliance, and objectivity in all your guitar reviews,hence i watch all your videos ,keep it up.

When operating a CNC machine that makes guitars you can make a mirror image of the guitar When a certain settings is ON, axis motion will be mirrored (reversed) around the work zero point. Meaning a left hand version should not cost more with today's technology.

@allenmitchell09

3 жыл бұрын

Good point. I’m not a machinist but I am a cad draftsman and I can see where this would be easily doable. Btw I play lefty guitars so this one point hits home for me.

@OtherTheDave

3 жыл бұрын

If they haven’t switched to CNC though, it can be an issue. Although for the life of me I don’t see what the big deal would be making all lefties every other Monday or something. You’ve gotta “shut it all down” for the weekend anyway. Might as well take the opportunity to switch over production.

@00eddie0

3 жыл бұрын

Does that not mean they'd have to make an equal amount of left/right handed guitars, or can the tooling paths be complex enough to make say 20 right handed per 1 lefty?

@vtatai

3 жыл бұрын

According to Cort, their CNC needs to be re-setup for left hand (no idea if true): leftyfretz.com/cost-versus-demand-lefty-guitars-and-the-production-line/

@OtherTheDave

3 жыл бұрын

First Name Last Name The tooling paths can be as complex as they want. That’s at _least_ half the fun of CNC 😁

I went to Guitar center last year...they had 2 2019 gibson sg standards....the first 1 tried was complete garbage....the 2nd one I bought and love it. So inconsistent

@tonymarinelli7304

3 жыл бұрын

So disappointing, especially for the price they command.

@aparise1

3 жыл бұрын

@@tonymarinelli7304 Exactly

@SombraPiloto

3 жыл бұрын

Fender can at least put out relatively consistent USA-made guitars, Gibson QC is crap in comparison.

@tonymarinelli7304

3 жыл бұрын

Frank Bama I am also very disappointed in Fender as well. I received a brand new fender ultra series guitar, took it home and the damn thing wouldn’t stay in tune so I brought it back to the tech at Guitar Center, this is before the pandemic started thank God . He started checking it out, the bolts connecting the neck to the body were loose as hell as well as the tuning machines screws.Everyone at the Guitar Center are friends of mine, however, they pulled the old well things come loose in shipping which is complete bullshit I can’t tell you how many guitars I’ve bought in my lifetime never had that happen before.

@Wolf_K

3 жыл бұрын

Frank Bama I bought a American Original 60s Jazzmaster recently and it’s flawless, highly resonant and just a brilliant guitar all round. High end Fender never seems to disappoint me.

Brilliant analysis, especially points number 2 and 1, excellent ! Thanks.

Great video and great points as always! Keep it up!

Loved this vid Phil. Excellent observations and insights. And thanks for the lefty love 💘 🔥🤘😘

@aristotle5698

3 жыл бұрын

Become The Knight “we are the 11%!”

@itisaporsche

3 жыл бұрын

That's what I loved too! Lefties are discriminated against! lol

@ethanbarclay6292

3 жыл бұрын

yeah Im racist, if lefties were a race!

@asdf9890

3 жыл бұрын

The lefty bit is absolutely true. I own 5, all pawn shop finds but well known brands, and only one is a US made. Not because of the price, it's because I have only ever seen one second hand USA made lefty, and I know own that one!

@BeardMan01

3 жыл бұрын

@@asdf9890 The pawn shop by me has a USA made SG lefty.......

I’ve decided that the only way I’m going to get a nice USA made guitar is to build it myself

@GregPentecost

3 жыл бұрын

That's what I am working on... Thinking of a headstock something akin to a violin headstock... LOL

@BeardMan01

3 жыл бұрын

I'm about to start making a Tele shaped acoustic out of carbon fiber. I'll probably be using a Warmouth neck.

@sorrenblitz805

3 жыл бұрын

Plenty of kits and parts online.

@kenkovar2647

2 жыл бұрын

apparently that might be true

@kenkovar2647

2 жыл бұрын

@@BeardMan01 I don't care if that ain't for realz but I love it 😂

Honest and telling it like it is. I appreciate that.

You hit the nail right on the head! Thank you

I want a USA made PRS custom 24. I think they're beautiful, play & feel great & Paul is passionate about it. His factory (which we've seen in video's) seems to do it right. They're customer service is known to be outstanding. Gibson? Fender? I have no desire for. They are just a company making money. After Jeff Keisel's temper tantrum on Instagram because a customer had issue's; makes me NEVER to want a Kiesel. It doesn't matter where it's made. What matters is 1. Is it made well? 2. Is it made with pride? 3. Never buy it to sell it. Buy it to play & love it.

@DasRightfortyforfo

3 жыл бұрын

you won't regret getting it either! My PRS stands up on craftsmanship at an equal level to my custom shop Jackson that was displayed at NAMM. Paul runs a tight shop over there and you get a true work of art at a high, but reasonable price.

@elevenAD

3 жыл бұрын

Jeff made good with the guy,and he sort of apologized lol, but in all honesty the only guitars I like more than my Cus24 are my Kiesel Vaders,they get nearly twice the playing time,try a guitar from both brands before you buy, don't let Jeff being a baby ruin it for you, brilliant guitar makers can be a lil crazy lol,look at Paul!

@fredericadda

3 жыл бұрын

I just bought a CE24 semi-hollow and I’m very happy with it. Makes me want to play it every day. Or watch it every day.

@gersongomez1876

3 жыл бұрын

elevenAD definitely. I don’t really like how he presents himself on the internet, but I still love both my Kiesels

@rosewoodsteel6656

3 жыл бұрын

PRS is a quality company that cares about its product and employees. If you haven't played one, you owe it to yourself- they are wonderful instruments.

From my experience Japanese and Korean made guitars have always been the best

@JohnSmith-wd9rc

3 жыл бұрын

True. I had a 5 string Korean banjo. Less than $500 back in 2004, and it was on the level of a Gibson Master tone. The Asian builders have improved so much.

@pablo9364

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I have a Japanese Ibanez RG550 build quality is unbelievable

@daveduffy2823

3 жыл бұрын

I have an Eastman 335 clone and it sounds amazing. And $1000 cheaper.

@nickyounger1368

3 жыл бұрын

Esp eii! Absolutely incredible.

@Rattersar15

3 жыл бұрын

I couldn't imagine my Japanese made ESP being any better. Plus I love the picture of Sal in your avatar.

Hey Phillip!! I love your videos man, keep it up. Your guitar collection is amazing man!!

Awesome video, spot on. All about that cheddar mang! I love my Carvin and my PRS, but my US made Tele needed more upgrading, sanding of frets and setting up than my Squier did. It ain't right.

The $800-$1200 "high end import" instruments seem to be the absolute sweet spot in the market. High quality (sometimes better than the USA made ones) and the CORRECT pricing. I love the idea of supporting our domestic economy vs foreign, but paying $2000+ for guitars/basses gets a little ridiculous....My G&L L1000 bass is fantastic, for example, but I don't know that it's $1700 fantastic in reality, compared to plenty of $800 instruments I've played.

@manuedwards6959

3 жыл бұрын

I agree, with so many artist starting their own lines of instruments that price point is the sweet spot.

My favorite guitar is a Mexican Nashville telecaster. Purely amazing. My next favorite guitar is a D’angelico deluxe DC (made in Korea). Very nice. My next favorite is an EBMM artisan Majesty. I already sent it to EBMM in the first year to have it fixed (under warranty thankfully). My 400 dollar fender kicks the butt out of a guitar that is 7.5 times more expensive. Play all the guitars you can touch without bias and just pick what feels right. Price tags are misleading.

@sergioalvarez5949

2 жыл бұрын

I have a MIM nashvile tele, not that good, JMO. But both my MIM Player and my tele CV are very good.

@erikl6988

Жыл бұрын

Hmmmm sometimes going by feel alone isn't enough. Something may feel great but after a few months it could fall apart due to cheap parts.

Well thought out, organized and communicated. Can't find anything you said that wandered from reality.

Very powerful video. Thank you for the great content.

With the internet we have access to so many talented builders and small hungry guitar companies. Some of the USA companies are still stuck in the past, doing the same old same old. The era of classic rock is about done, gas cars are now electric . Some business's haven't adapted. I would say PRS is the #1 USA brand in my opinion. My last 3 instrument purchases are from Poland and Amsterdam Your content is awesome , great subject.

@Triggerman9097

3 жыл бұрын

I know what you mean... I would love a Charvel 7 string guitar that is not a signature from Angel Vivaldi. Charvel has no current plans to release one...

@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer

3 жыл бұрын

Martin will always be the best US made brand. They understand that making guitars by hand is also necessary, rather than just slapping quality parts on.

@JPIndustrie

3 жыл бұрын

This industry is too dominated by a ‘2 party system’, its even judged by them... so many other really great USA brands... Taylor and Collings to name a few... why should they all be lumped in?

@DasRightfortyforfo

3 жыл бұрын

@@ebaybasuki I would love to see a $720 guitar that can hold up to a USA core PRS.

@DasRightfortyforfo

3 жыл бұрын

@@ebaybasuki hahaha I am saying I don't think it is possible. I have a USA PRS and think it is worth every penny. I don't think you could find someone just to spend the time on the fit/finish for 720 total.

My Japan Charvel/Jacksons (neck throughs) are my favorite guitars ever. I've had 5 from various years from the 80's and they all play and sound incredible. Amazing quality control. Every one I've seen or played over the years is great. I still can't figure out why a bolt on strat costs more than $1200. I've built better ones from Warmoth for less.

Great list. Very insightful. And all very true.

Really like this analysis!

Not sure if I've commented here before as I've watched several videos, but this one really resonated with me. Love your matter of fact take on US manufacturing and labor issues in general in today's world. As with so many thing it boils down to corporatization, the insistence on rewarding the shareholders/owners at all costs. Innovation can't really happen when everything's constantly being scrutinized to save a few cents. All the best stuff has been invented/made by weird guys/gals with a dream. Today that guy/gal works at Wendy's and probably Uber on the side.

I've been surprised by the quality of the intermediate level guitars coming out of Indonesia not perfect but vastly improved since the 1980s.

great video loved it.

I had my Carvin made in the mid 90's, best thing I ever did guitar wise. All KOA from Hawaii , made in the USA and had it made for $2k. A piece of art.

@lisaayers1975

2 жыл бұрын

I still have my Carvin CM130 from 1984 and a SC90..Best feeling and playing necks I have ever played.

Everybody: guitar manufacturers shouldn't be stuck in the past, they need to make new products Gibson: Ok we'll do that. (creates lp robot series) Everyone: boo nobody likes change. Gibson: ):

@speelbergo

3 жыл бұрын

I really liked what Gibson was trying to do. It was the execution that lacked, not the innovation

@Xero6969

3 жыл бұрын

The robot tuners sucked pretty much. If it was really good then it could have been successful.

@speelbergo

3 жыл бұрын

It wasn't the tuners themselves, it was everything else in that $8000 monstrosity

@Xero6969

3 жыл бұрын

speelbergo for 8000$ it felt like trash and was trash honestly

@nomadenview

3 жыл бұрын

"G" = Lawsuit is my hobby

So on point! And thanx for giving us Lefties some love!

Keep Listin', lovin it!

I picked up a fender USA telecaster from 1996, my Korean telecaster which is more like a les Paul than anything goes toe to toe with it and does more.

I am a lefty. Imports in lefty are just as rare as U.S. made guitars. I n fact I own more U.S. made left handed guitars than imports.

@trulsolsen683

3 жыл бұрын

Yup, we just need more lefty guitars, period. Unless this guy is talking about the sort of guitars you buy from AliExpress, even the Asian made lefties are scarce at best

@InfamouslyCantankerous

3 жыл бұрын

Check out schecter. They give the lefties love.

@Skibble5150

3 жыл бұрын

Disagree. There are tons of both. Not like in 1986 when i first started playing.

@michaelsguitars3079

3 жыл бұрын

This is the case for where I live. Finding a good left handed guitar, let alone a US made lefty, is next to impossible. Thanks to Sweetwater though, I can get most of what I need. They have a pretty good offering. Downside is ordering online can be a gamble.

@drdrums1

3 жыл бұрын

The problem is, fundamentally, demand. Not all companies have CNC machines that they use to create the shapes, where you can hit a button and mirror everything. For companies that are using templates, that creates the additional expense of creating mirrored templates (and not just the bodies, but also headstocks, side dot markers, etc.). These are fixed expenses that have to be amortized over the cost of doing a production run. Moreover, even for companies that have CNC machines where mirroring is simple, companies still have to think about volume and inventory. How much stock are they willing to keep on hand? What about less popular models? Lefty guitars simply will never approach the demand of right-handed guitars. There are way more right-handed folks than left-handed, and even those who are left handed, not everyone plays a lefty. Case in point - me. I'm left handed, but only play right handed instruments. I feel your pain, but this is not a problem that will ever go away. (As an aside, I've never fully understood why left handed guitars are a thing - consider classical string instruments, like the violin, viola, cello, double bass, etc. Ever seen an orchestra with players holding a bow in their left hand? Almost certainly not. Virtually nobody plays those strung in reverse - in my life, I've seen exactly one classical player with a reverse strung instrument, and my understanding is it was to accommodate an injury. I guarantee that there are left-handed classical musicians; they just learn to play a right handed instrument.)

Thank you so much for making the video!

Great informative video!

I just buy inexpensive guitars and set them up the way I like. Any of my guitars that I've put $300 in will match or be better than a $2,000 guitar.

@michaelware3970

3 жыл бұрын

Just out of curiosity,some examples?

@guitargirl6323

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelware3970 I personally have bought an ibanez rg 470 for 400, put a new paintjob on it new bridge new neck and new tuners and it's still less than a grand and honestly its one of the best playing guitars i've owned. Second to an mij scalloped olympic white strat.

@michaelware3970

3 жыл бұрын

@@guitargirl6323 Glad to hear about your Ibanez, the first good guitar I had was an Ibanez Musician, made when they stopped making copies, and came out with their original stuff, in the late 70's, unfortunately was stolen, I miss it!

@Dokkensound

3 жыл бұрын

Squire or MIM Fender, Epiphone. Have the frets dressed and setup adjusted. They really cut corners on electronics so replace the p/u's. Wiring , switches and pots replace with sets from StewMac, Mojotone, 920D etc...Last maybe replace the tuners. You can have a sweet almost custom guitar and you don't have to do it all at once. Even a $200 Affinity can become a solid gig guitar with some tlc and parts upgrades.

@LarryHovis

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelware3970 A Firefly Les Paul Style $179, put in a real bridge pickup (Alnico 2) $37, fantastic guitar. Jackson Kelly $242 and $44 or so to replace pickups. Epiphone Les Paul SL $132 and I'll probably need to give that better single coil pickups as well. I have others, but these are good examples.

I spent 18 months working in Shanghai back in 2006-2007. While there, I wanted a knock around acoustic to noodle with in my apartment at night. I found a new Johnson, an import brand that can still easily be bought here in the USA. I paid about $60 US for it new, in a music store in Shanghai. I was informed that it was made by Shanghai Instrument Company #1, which is located near the old section of Shanghai. While I was there, that factory had a celebration - they had been in production of stringed instruments for 1000 years. I understood why my lowly Johnson played so well, and was probably worth three times as much in the US. The instrument was exactly who owned Johnson Guitars wanted at the time, a good beginner instrument. I learned that the Chinese will make exactly what you want, point for point, but leave them to their own to manufacture for overseas, they drop into a mediocrity, mainly due to their oppressive government. But it is interesting to note: The Chinese were building stringed instruments for their people and the Emperors when our ancestors were either grubbing for potatoes in Europe somewhere, or hunting with spears and arrows in South America and Africa just to stay alive. When you do something for over 1000 years, you get pretty good at it. Imagine how good they would be if they didn't have the communist/socialist government they live under...

@turamvar

2 жыл бұрын

I won't argue your overall point ("When you do something for over 1000 years, you get pretty good at it.") but dude, in Europe and Middle East (can't speak for other regions), harps, lutes and lyres have been going on for quite a while...

Great episode Phil. Tellin' it like it is!

Great video. I spend a lot of time looking at high end USA made guitars that are waaaaay beyond any price range I’ll ever be in reach of, often more than ten times the price of any guitar I currently own. This makes me feel slightly better about this and reinforces something I already know deep down; it doesn’t matter how much it cost, if it plays well and sounds great, just play it! 👍

Amongst this talk of US manufacturing and wages, jobs leaving the US, don't forget: While the standard of living, benefits, and wages stagnate for ordinary workers, the ownership and executives of these companies (corporate parents, as well) are recording record high profits, productivity numbers, salaries, and bonuses. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. All while the poor work harder to stay poor, and further enrich the wealthy. This is purely a policy failure within the US government, now an oligarchy* as a matter of fact. As a function of greed, there are few owners who will sacrifice the lion's share of the profits in order to fight for a shrinking share in an ever-shrinking mid-high-end market. There are plenty of boutique high-end builders out there servicing the whims of the super-wealthy. What's missing are builders like PRS or Suhr. PRS making assembly-line US guitars for around $2-3K, and Suhr slimming down the line model, and pushing $4-5K (keeping in mind that most everyone has a custom shop for when Richie Rich wants another $8-14K custom guitar, even Fender and Gibson). As go the union jobs, so goes the standard of living. Where the unions won, the rich packed up and went overseas with the jobs. The legislators let them, because they were/are bought-and-paid-for. The US has been an oligarchy* since the early 1970s, and in an oligarchy the rich make the rules. Democracy is a sham; an illusion. You get to "choose" between two preordained choices funded by the super-wealthy. (See: Sheldon Adelson, George Soros, Koch Bros., and many more) THEY are the rulers, and a living wage for you isn't of any concern to them. It's an impediment to whether their great-great-great-great-grandchildren will have to work, or whether their 7th vacation home can also have a yacht along with the other six. * www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27074746

@kgr6438

3 жыл бұрын

Critical Mindset and it’s visibly collapsing before our very eyes, we go the way of all empires

@smasica

3 жыл бұрын

Couple what you wrote with companies maximizing profits for the almighty shareholders. How? Cut labor and materials costs. The CEOs and board members care only about pleasing shareholders and generating dividends. They do this by paying workers in Mexico or Indonesia $2.00/hr. and no benefits [health, vacation, sick leave] instead of a U.S. worker $12.00/hr. plus benefits. Labor costs go down, profits go up, but the price of the product stays the same. Good old predatory capitalism.

@vinlander8484

3 жыл бұрын

Adelson, Soros, Koch...I am noticing some patterns here...

@kgr6438

3 жыл бұрын

Nick Markos you gonna go full Jewish Question on us there, Nicky

@danh5150

3 жыл бұрын

@@kgr6438 I had no idea where he was going with that, but for what it's worth regarding any anti-Semitic overtones, the Koch family isn't Jewish. They are Protestants of Dutch descent who made their way to Texas and made their fortune in the oil industry. Their father was pretty much the political and ideological opposite of George Soros. I don't know too much about Adelson. I was wondering if he was referring to the growing wealth divide between the ultra wealthy and typical blue collar workers. * shrugs *

I’m 6’6”, a large man, and have long arms. All I want to know is when are they gonna build a “big and tall” model guitar? 😁

@aaronboothe283

3 жыл бұрын

Check out the Greg Koch reverend signature

@tdunster2011

3 жыл бұрын

Reverend Gristlemaster is your guitar.

@tedfloyd4203

3 жыл бұрын

Or, get a Gibson Firebird or Explorer. Especially if you find a used one, the price is somewhat reasonable and those necks stretch way out there!

@HalfDeadGeezers

3 жыл бұрын

Stew Mac guitar stretcher.

@williamthomas4125

3 жыл бұрын

It's called a bass 😂

Great video, Phillip. I've been waiting on a video that touched on this. Who better to do it, too?

Hi Phil, I have been watching/listening to your youtube vids for a few years now, all good and very informative. I've been playing now for well over forty years and been in possession of many guitars. Gibson, Fender,PRS Yamaha, etc. 25 years back I purchased a cheap £60 second hand cherry red Vintage SG copy, all I can say was the neck profile fitted me perfectly, better than anything before or since. For me it will never be for sale, the next person may well hate it. Forget big brand names, when you pick up a guitar with the perfect profile for your fretting hand you will know it.

Hey Phillip, While I can see some of your points, I have not found these to be the case in my experience. I started playing professionally in 61 and played all American made guitars through to the 90s. Had all the vintage Strats, Teles, 335s, SGs, Martin's, etc, etc. By the mid 90s I couldn't afford any vintage guitars and built a parts caster which I played for years and wore the frets out. Rather than an expensive refret, I opted for an Epiphone Les Paul, then a PRS SE Singlecut, Squier CV 50s Strat, MIM Tele and Strat. These were all fine for the price but playing 4 hours a night, several nights a week was too hard on the little boogers. Neck adjustment and tuning issues plagued them all. Finally, a couple years ago I traded the last of them and some cash for an American Original 50s Strat and US 56 RI Strat in roasted ash with roasted maple neck. Problems solved. These necks never move and they stay in tune and...they have the feel and tone of my old vintage guitars from my younger days. This is not to say I haven't seen and played some nice imports, notably one particular PRS SE Hollowbody. Still, I'm thinking my next purchase is likely to be a Gibson LP Special. I know this is all anecdotal evidence, but for my money, give me American made!

If they ever stop the prices of old USA models will shoot through the roof and everyone will suddenly want them again

@shaunw9270

3 жыл бұрын

I'm English, have owned & played American guitars for 35 years . Only Americans disrespect their own manufacturers guitars . American guitars are what most normal players aspire to in the rest of the world, otherwise all the Chinese and wotnot wouldn't be copying them in the first place. Madness.

@Mr.Goldbar

3 жыл бұрын

@@shaunw9270 I'll respectfully disagree about some things you said. I'm an Israeli, not an American, and I almost never aspired to own American made guitars. I did in fact own a few Gibsons but they were worse instruments than my Korean, Japanese and even Indonesian guitars I've tried. what guitars do I aspire to have? Japanese and Indonesian Ibanez guitars

@shaunw9270

3 жыл бұрын

@@Mr.Goldbar That's interesting. Most of my guitars are either American; Les Paul, Tele, Rickenbacker or Mexican; two Mexican Strats . I have also owned an early 70's Japanese Epiphone which was very nice. I do also own and have owned guitars from China , Korea and Indonesia which a couple of I may have got to like more ,had I not already gotten used to the feel of the American instruments. In England we also have Gordon Smith Guitars ,in business since 1974, which are exceptional value handmade guitars .

@pdp977

3 жыл бұрын

@@shaunw9270 I'd much rather spend my cash on a Gordon Smith guitar, or a Korean made one. I have about 30 (ish) guitars, most of which are Korean made, some Fenders, and one Gibson. The trouble is that if I try out a Fender at GuitarGuitar, inevitably it is not intonated, the nut is cut wrong and there are manufacturing defects. I'm not even going to talk about Gibson. If I have to do a lot of work on them, I may as well build my own. I rate Cort and Godin - especially Godin - as better guitars than both 'major' names - the Cort FAT290 is an amazing guitar and you can pick up a Godin Session (a better Strat) for as low as £449. www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/200227356510008--godin-session-ht-trans-cream-rn-ex-demo

@daveduffy2823

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, but there are lots of them. They will need to become scarce to gain real value.

Great upload!

You make many valid points. I own 30 guitars, half are imports that I have upgraded the electronics. Aside from cheaper electronics the build difference itself is very close to usa. Keep in mind that imports also use and rely on automation. One big difference between the two is form and fit of the frets. Very easy to level and finish them. Another good video. Thanks

@nikola1352

3 жыл бұрын

What do you do with 30 guitars?!

@Tiburcio1950

3 жыл бұрын

@@nikola1352 I ask myself the same question. I play them at least once a month. I donate some to local schools, but then I turn around and build another. I guess I just love upgrading them. Just a retired old rocker I guess.

Exactly!!!!!! I'm a lefty!! And I'm still waiting for my left handed Silversky which probably never will come out😑😑

@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy

3 жыл бұрын

That literally is just a Fender with a PRS neck, so you could just buy a Fender. Same thing.

I always have loved Japan made guitars!! They are really good!

@CL8ON6

3 жыл бұрын

Japanese made fenders are 👍👍👍

@linleechiun

3 жыл бұрын

since i know most of them also order/import parts from china i track down the same source, order parts, then have my tech build for me

@andrewk1445

3 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more! my fender Richie kotzen tele is the best sounding guitar i own!

@sinisterfame622

3 жыл бұрын

I have 2 Jackson MIJ rr v's same model different colors. They are from the same year and same factory. The necks however are very different. But they both play like melted butter.

@jameswallbank1883

3 жыл бұрын

Just got an Ibanez AZ prestige. The guitar is great, but the setup and quality control is shockingly bad, the Low E string doesn't even fit in the nut! Big tuning errors, and the tremolo bar scratches. I'm having it replaced because the guitar is great, but the quality control... Smh

Excellent analysis

Speaking about resale value, I agree with what you said. a MIA Schecter still only commands about a 40-50% resale value, much like their imports. Just because its American it doesn't guarantee great resale value

@andy_182

3 жыл бұрын

Which is why buying used is the way to go. Let some other sucker bite the bullet of lost value 🤣🤣🤣

@gringogreen4719

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah. Rare does not equal popular does not equal desirable. Its tough to know what will be top dollar later. I just look for sleepers.

@noire1991

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Just look at Kiesel. Some of us are not all about specs, I for one think that Kiesel guitars are ugly, so of course they have awesome attributes but I wouldn’t take one even as a gift so of course made in America means nothing to me.

@tdunster2011

3 жыл бұрын

The texas made USA Schecters maybe but the Sun Valley and Van Nuys ones are highly sought after and hold their value very well. Finding Van Nuys Schecters is the hard part - people don't want to let them go.

Hey Phil could you do a fender vs g & l vs music man video? Would love your opinion.

@sorrenblitz805

3 жыл бұрын

I know Darrel Braun's got a Vs of those two on his channel, but a strat is a strat is a strat is a silver sky is a strat man.

My 2019 Gibson SG Modern was so poorly done that I had to send it back to Gibson for repairs. One pickup just didn't work and it had very sharp fret ends. Gibson sent it back to me in slightly better shape but I still have high frets and I'll probably have to have a fret leveling which is something I shouldn't have to do on a USA Made Guitar. A C&C machine doesn't know what country it is in so what I'm actually paying for is fit and finish and in that regard Gibson failed.

@elevenAD

3 жыл бұрын

I like the way they sound but whenever I have an issue with a US guitar its a Gibson.

@jwc00789

3 жыл бұрын

My Les Paul Standard has been a disaster like your SG, but my Les Paul Custom has been great. Quality from Gibson has been inconsistent at best.

@visje1996

3 жыл бұрын

It almost sounds like you only pay for the brand and factory location, and not quality

@daveduffy2823

3 жыл бұрын

What do you expect from poorly paid workers who work for a company that is coming out of bankruptcy and is cutting costs to appear profitable?

@fullclipaudio

3 жыл бұрын

@@daveduffy2823 I guess I expect too much. You know, I've owned 40 or more guitars over the years and it always frustrated me that my import guitars just didn't keep their value like an American made guitar even though they played just as well if not better. I've reached a stage in life where I look at a guitar as both an instrument and an investment. After all, several times in my life the fact that I had quality audio gear that I could sell saved me from being homeless. Going forward, I'm just going to have my guitars custom built.

Interesting stuff! Some thoughts on selected points. #9: I think this is intended to build brand loyalty that (hopefully) results in long-term sales. The kid with the affordable MIM Strat develops a taste for Strats, and starts aspiring to own the more premium version. Heck, it worked on me :) #6: Let's flip it: do we apply a different value to import guitars that use American-made parts? Like, maybe an Ibanez that comes stock with DiMarzio pickups or a Schecter with Seymour Duncans? I don't know if we do...I had never thought of that scenario until now. #3: This is definitely something of an influence in my buying decisions. I want to support U.S. guitar builders as much as I can. I will never turn my nose up at an import guitar that I dig just because it's an import (and I own a few imports) and I won't buy a guitar I don't like just because it's made in the U.S. But I count U.S. origin as a plus because I think our guitar-building industry has a very cool legacy behind it.

Ya gotta love this guy. Keep up the great work.

Great video as usual

My $600 Mexican Strat is one of the best Strats I've ever played it's my main guitar and my Lonestar Strat I got in a pawn shop in 2000 like new for $600

@TheTeddydog1

3 жыл бұрын

Another thumbs up for the MIM strat. Have had mine for years, and love it.

@kilhattrick

3 жыл бұрын

Had this conversation earlier today. I can blindfolded pick out a strat made in Indonesia, but MIM or USA, I can't quickly tell a difference.

@gustavomrezende

3 жыл бұрын

A have 2 Teles: a MIM and a USA Deluxe. The mexican one is my favorite, and it was about half the price.

@Toypainter1

3 жыл бұрын

I have US and MIM both play great and sound terrific.

@pablo9364

3 жыл бұрын

Mexican strats are good for two reasons 1/ they are great and 2/ they are priced correctly

There's a lot of snobism and circlejerking that needs to die in the guitar world in order to save it from being constantly conditioned to obey marketing stunts by every-single-big-brand out there. Here in Mexico it's even worse than there in the USA, at least there I have seen people saying "just get a mexican strat, there's no reason to expose an expensive instrument out there when the imported version from down below the border plays and sounds just as good" [sic] but here people really look down on beginners who can afford an Ibanez Gio at the most and it really gets on my nerves.

@teemusid

3 жыл бұрын

When I went Strat shopping 5 years ago, I tried several low to mid price, new US models and if someone told me they were actually the cheapest knock-off on the market, I would have believed them. I walked out with a used MIM and I feel no desire to trade up.

@pablo9364

3 жыл бұрын

Good points. We just need to assess each guitar individually for what it is , not to what we are marketed to believe . The guitar makers/sellers know how we buyer generally think and their objective is ultimately to make a specific profit. The buyers question should be 1/ is this guitar great and then 2/ is it worth the money or is it overpriced for what it is . Too many buyers think with their hearts and will pay almost anything to get what they want which is ok but be aware the sellers know you think this way and take advantage BIG TIME !! 💰 💴 💵

@G4m3r29

3 жыл бұрын

Tbh Ibanez Gio guitars are pretty well made especially for the price. I still own my GRG170dx I got 8 years ago and I still love playing it. The neck feels super smooth, the knobs and switches do not get loose or make any sounds (I own a much more expensive Epiphone LP Costum which definetly has issues with that...) Additionally the guitar nearly never detunes, unless you heavily abuse the tremolo system but this rarely happens. In fact you cannot expect much more from an 250 bucks instrument.

@Rafalgahr

3 жыл бұрын

Which is beyond stupid, Jimi may have played a American Strat, but I'll bet he could play just as good on a Harley Benton, it's not the instrument that makes you the musician, it's the other way around. If you can only afford a Gio, then play and play around with effects, who cares really? I'd say snobs being sniffy about you not having a premium US-Made guitar should make sure they shred like Vai before running their mouths. Counter-example: Tom Morello, he refuses any endorsment and said in an interview something along these lines: "my guitars wrre stolen or lost, I had to retake from scratch, so I'm not endorsed, I have my guitar, I've modded it, and what matters is the music, not the gear". Then again there is a Morello signature strat, but still, I think he's right.

@Bartockamus

3 жыл бұрын

I absolutely loved my Ibanez gax70.from the only company I know of that has one name on budget to high end guitars. Ibanez. I lost it and all of my other axes to the pawnshop, for bills.but out of 9,my gax70,is the only one my wife was excited about, and knew which one I was playing, when she was in a different room than I was playing in. We couldn't hardly believe this 15 year old pawnshop find, could sound sooo damn good, with no effects, or with many effects. When life gets better, a gax 70 is first on my list of new/used guitars for me.

Really interesting video. Would be great to see some more of your thoughts on guitars manufacturing - either in the US or elsewhere 👍

Well thought out and presented. Always like your insights Phillip. Even over my US guitars, is my import "go to". Plays and sounds better than anything I have ever played, bar none.

I remember 30 years ago, the first thing you had to do with a Gibson, Fender, or Martin, is get a fret level and set up because the action was a 1/4” from the factory and the frets were horrid. When I picked up my first brand new Ibanez ($500, MIJ) it was set up perfect from the factory, out of the box. It’s no wonder the stores didn’t let you play the instruments.

American companies seem to want top dollar for their product built by underpaid people. I have worked in manufacturing for 30 years and i have seen it. So Moral is usually low and the product suffers. I have gone to a couple of Music manufacturers and you see the ones who are loyal and happy( The office types ) and the ones who are just a body going through the motions and low moral ( the guy on the production floor ). The way she goes i guess. The left hand guitar makes no sense with CNC equipment should be exactly the same as a right hand build. Set up from one to another isnt hard.

@jonathanzieziula250

3 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree with you more!

@Mamo878

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed. And I have seen first-hand how manufacturing workers in Asian countries take tremendous pride in their craftsmanship. They also think of their job as more than just another way to buy a 12-pack at the end of the day. So there is that.

@waynepurcell6058

3 жыл бұрын

Morale is low in virtually all areas of US manufacturing. Capitalism is great but we've gotten to the point where NOTHING matters but the returns to investors. Quality doesn't matter, employees don't matter, nothing but the bottom line matters. It's hard to be motivated to do quality work when you know that you could drop dead on the work floor and management will more concerned about the half hour of lost productivity while waiting for your replacement to arrive rather than the loss of a 20 year employee. Makes it kind of hard to give a shit about the company and the product. I loved my job until the original owners, who valued longevity, company pride, and quality decided to sell off the business to "investors". A 100 year old company went from great workplace with happy employees to shithole where nobody gives a rats ass within a couple years. When I tell the young people that come in to our facility how it used to be compared to today (I have 36 years in) they just shake their heads and think I'm joking around.

@MrRoberacer

3 жыл бұрын

The CNC thing is exactly my thought too and I don't think any major manufacturer now is not using CNC.

@michaelsmith2017

3 жыл бұрын

@@MrRoberacer Kiesel guitars (in San Diego, CA) is 100% CNC for cutting and all finish work is done by hand. No up-charge for left handed models. In fact, there are only a handful of models that are not available lefty. Only due to parts not being available. All of their guitars are semi-custom and their quality is off the charts. I say semi-custom because they have set model lines but you can option them a million different ways within a set of boundaries. Much better than Gibson or Fender who says you can only get guitar X, in these 6 colors and only with an Ebony fretboard and a fixed bridge. If you like one of those six you're in luck if not you're settling. Because they only sell factory direct, their price is usually 1/3 -1/2 what similar Gibson or Fender Custom Shop guitars cost.

Nice to hear that Kiesel seems to be an exception to many of the problems listed in the video. I am a fan of what they are doing with direct to consumer sales and the customized options available are pretty broad.

@elevenAD

3 жыл бұрын

Kiesel and Suhr may be the last Men standing because of there business model a quality level

You hit all the key points I agree as an owner of many brands made all over the world. Great content thanks

I currently have 34 guitars and 'Made in the USA' guitars take up the top 5 spots. They're made by EBMM, PRS and Suhr. I have some imports that I really love but if I had to downsize to only 5 guitars my collection would end up being exclusively made in the USA.

@vettebodee

3 жыл бұрын

@@witchell8976 You keep your USA guitars, and i'll keep my Made in Mexico and Japan Basses.

@tevieray123

3 жыл бұрын

EBMM, PRS and Suhr the best guitars made period!

@grayaj23

3 жыл бұрын

TIL mexico and japan are in China.

@saunds59

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed, the only interloper that would make it into my top 5 would be a Nik Huber

@pablo9364

3 жыл бұрын

You have 34 guitars because you are a collector

One can't just compare wages and benefits. There are a lot of costs associated with manufacturing in the USA that imports don't have to deal with. Pollution laws, workplace laws and other similar "hidden" costs are baked into the cost of building in the USA. I worked for a manufacturer in the USA (not guitars) and those hidden costs impacted the price the goods had to be sold for a lot.

Phil, you are spot one on EVERY point!!

Cool vid! That’s an excellent bc rich yellow gunslinger in the background. Is it the retro from 2008-2011?

0:57 is absolute truth. Finding a left hand guitar is like that 'Needle in a Haystack' saying. And then companies want to charge more for what I believe is not that hard of a process.

@Kylora2112

3 жыл бұрын

Jackson and Gibson are the absolute worst for lefties. Jackson has a cheap hardtail Rhoads and a few different Super Strats (all with black finishes) in their product lineup, and Gibson doesn't have a single lefty listed on their site at all. Schecter is pretty good with models, colors, and options, but Kiesel is easily the best.

@tomaslopez2940

3 жыл бұрын

www.southpawguitars.com/ Y’all might wanna look into this Texas guitar shop

@michaelsmith2017

3 жыл бұрын

www.kieselguitars.com

Regarding your #1 issue, the manufacturing going overseas- that’s partly the reason we’re experiencing the economic situation with the pandemic. A lot of the manufacturing of products were outsourced due to cost and environmental regulations and we’re seeing the effects of not taking care of ourselves first- regardless of profit margins. The presumption of continued manufacturing outsourcing is not necessarily going to be the go-to way if import duties and international trade is adversely affected in the world by this pandemic. Each country will have to rely on its own people and be economically self-sufficient before relying on a neighbor (ie. extorting for financial gain).

#10: I would venture that the import left handed guitars made at high volumes would be able to dedicate a machine or several machines to just making left handed guitars because of the high volume, comparatively. They may even have staff that only assemble, set up, and inspect left handed guitars. I could see them having a CNC setup specifically for making left handed necks. Another for various left handed bodies. The CNC could hand several programs for different body shapes, and generally the actually cutting tools would be the same as the right handed guitars, but the fixturing would be different. Which can take a toll on QC and cutting time in terms of positioning. Repositioning a fixture to within 0.0005" in 3-axis', likely up to 5-axis can eat up cutting time. Just thought I would elaborate for anyone that cared to read it. Thanks for the great video Phil!

Lefty here, thank you so much for pointing out our struggle!!

As a left handed guitarist, I always cry when I walk into a guitar store. 200 right handers, and 2 crummy lefties. :(

@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy

3 жыл бұрын

What you are seeing is the result of supply and demand. Shops can sell 100+ right-handers in a week, but only 1 left-hander in that same week. Shops stocking a huge selection of lefties, or companies even producing lefties in large numbers does not make any financial sense. That lack of demand is also why producing lefties worth more than $500 makes no financial sense whatsoever. They simply don't sell. However, there is a way around that. Lefties having your dominant hands on the fretboard means you will have a significant advantage over us righties. Either hand can learn to strum and pick. BUT learning all the intricate fretboard stuff is what makes guitar so difficult. The fact us righties are doing all that with our off hand is quite a feat. You lefties with your dominant hands on the fretboard will be able to run laps around us. That is why when parents of lefties ask me what guitar to buy their kids, I always tell them to buy a right-handed guitar. Those kids will thank them later. Plus, when those lefties leave all their classmates in the dust, they will have the ability to buy those high-end guitars they have been wanting.

@paulny1560

3 жыл бұрын

When I first started taking lessons (age 12) I never mentioned to my teacher I was left handed. I didn't know it mattered. I was using my older brother's guitar. It was well over a year before he realized I was a lefty. He was very surprised and mentioned that it might be slowing my progress down somewhat. On the other hand, he said, it'll be much easier to buy guitars in the future. Every time I see a new guitar I'm interested I think how I dodged the bullet on this one.

@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy

3 жыл бұрын

The truth is it didn't slow down your progress. It sped up your progress.

@paulny1560

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy My progress was slow but it wasn't because I was playing right handed.

@PlaguePriest88

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy please stop with this bullshit, you don't have a clue what are you talking about. people who force lefties to play right-handed should be shot on the spot

I will say Gibson and Fender need to improve their products. Stainless frets should be available on Gibson and Fender. Even with all the lawsuit crap with Gibson if they make a Les Paul with Stainless Frets and fix the damn string angle with a new headstock design I’ll be the first in line to buy one.

@roscoepcoltrane23

3 жыл бұрын

Ola Olson I’ve had many a Les Paul and what I have found is you either get a good one or a pos that you want to smash. Got two now one good one that I have played hundreds of gigs with and one that has about got broken several times. The last guitars I’ve bought were a PRS Artist pack and a Suhr classic pro and wish I’d bought them a long time ago. So much more reliable. I just wish PRS would offer Stainless frets. Gibson should make their regular headstock for the standard and custom but the modern should be just that. Modern.

@averydeadhorse

3 жыл бұрын

Gibson used Cryogenically treated frets instead of stainless because they do basically the same thing but didn’t destroy the tools. They dropped them when they switched to their new business model but it would have been the one improvement most people would have kept

Phil, off the subject question, but what kind of guitar hangars are behind you...looking for a storage solution. Do you have multiple rooms of guitars, or do you simply change the set. Love your channel. Texas Tom

@aaronkram6744

3 жыл бұрын

Phil uses: String Swing guitar hangers exclusively. www.stringswing.com

You started a guitar list with a left handed guitar comment! I adore you!

The left handed point is so spot on! I’d love some American made guitars but the variety is so lacking it’s pitiful. Thank god for Schecter ESP/LTD and Ibanez

@ashthecrash9509

3 жыл бұрын

A good example is why do Fender guitars have potentiometers which do not work properly on their American made left handed guitars

I don't mind paying a premium if made in Japan. For the most part, they are pretty meticulous when it comes to quality control and materials.

Im so glad you made this video. Totally had to be said.

Hi Phill. I've been following your for a long time now and I love your channel's content. I have a question for you and I really hope you could answer. It happens that I have a fishman presys installed on my acoustic guitar but I really don't like the sound of it and I'm thinking about unsoldering the piezo pickup from the fishman preamp and replace it for a DiMarzio transducer pickup. My question is: will it work? Or even more, can I solder a single coil to that fishman preamp? I want keep the preamp because I cut a hole to install it to the guitar and I don't want to leave it like that.

I’ve had upwards of 75 ish guits over the years. They’ve come and gone. They’ve been from all over and from all the big brands. What’s left here now.....1988 LP Studio. 1995 J-30 Montana. 2018 Wildwood Spec ‘64 Tele. 2013 (ish) PRS Stripped ‘58 Single Cut with a Tremonti in the back position. Odd mix, but those are the ones that made the cut. Turns out they are all US made. However, I’ve had many others from all those brands and...well, they’ve moved on to another owner. 🤔😏. In this case it seems to say US is all good, and that the big brands also put out garbage. Both in the same breath. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Interesting, and I agree with most of it. I’d say, though, that you are talking mostly about the big makers and not the boutique guys. Anything that’s mostly handmade is not going to have many of these issues. As far as the Fenders and the Gibsons of the world go, almost everything is about money. When they make something in the US, they are definitely trying to grab a premium for country of origin and then cutting as many corners as they can because of higher labor and sourcing costs (compared to Asia). The main problem with those guys is they’re way too big. They turned into behemoths when everybody wanted to be Jimmy Page and now they are selling into a very different market. Kids make music on their computers, imports ARE competitors and the used guitar market is much bigger than it ever was thanks to Reverb and eBay.

Thank you. As always, on the mark.

As always, great video that’s not just another product review (although those are good too). By the way, when are you going to feature that purple PV Wolfgang on the wall? I’ve got the Trem version in the same color from the late 90’s. Great guitar and very versatile. How would it stack up to the US made EVH branded Wolfgangs of today?