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What an interesting time.
I really do love my Martin acoustic guitar, but I hate leaving it around the house (outside of its case). So I started looking for a decent cheapie guitar that I can just leave lying around and beat rogue Greeks over the head with and strum whenever the inclination arises.
Many Japanese guitars were considered unbelievable value in the 70's and based on copies of Martins and Gibsons. They matured into desirable/sought after guitars in more recent times (with prices reacting accordingly).
Anyway, I have come across so many wonderfully made acoustic guitars made in China, Korea and Indonesia lately.
I have one guitar called a "Breedlove" which is a beautifully manufactured instrument that has its head office and manufacturing plant in USA but also a cheaper line manufactured in Korea. Engelmann spruce top, solid rosewood back and the most wonderful tone imaginable. I got it for hundreds of dollars.
I have another one from a manufacturer called "Recording King", these are so cheap but punch way above their weight. If you see one around, give it a strum and tell me what you think. I bought an all solid one of their dreadnoughts for about $350 and it sounds terrific.
Asians are people too.
They know how to work with wood. A number of these manufacturers are working under very strict supervision of master luthiers and it is showing.
People often like to romanticise the manufacturing process of their beloved products. I tell my wife about my Italian shoes being made by a couple of elderly craftsmen who go to the local piazza at lunch time and chase all the young girls.
I recall a (now famous) pickup winder at Fender guitars who is a Mexican woman. I suspect people wouldn't have been too excited to learn this 30 years ago. Either way, the end product is what counts.
So, anyway, if you are looking for a great guitar for a cheap price ... Look to the EAST! Mind you, not all of them are the same, but at least audition them.
I really do love my Martin acoustic guitar, but I hate leaving it around the house (outside of its case). So I started looking for a decent cheapie guitar that I can just leave lying around and beat rogue Greeks over the head with and strum whenever the inclination arises.
Many Japanese guitars were considered unbelievable value in the 70's and based on copies of Martins and Gibsons. They matured into desirable/sought after guitars in more recent times (with prices reacting accordingly).
Anyway, I have come across so many wonderfully made acoustic guitars made in China, Korea and Indonesia lately.
I have one guitar called a "Breedlove" which is a beautifully manufactured instrument that has its head office and manufacturing plant in USA but also a cheaper line manufactured in Korea. Engelmann spruce top, solid rosewood back and the most wonderful tone imaginable. I got it for hundreds of dollars.
I have another one from a manufacturer called "Recording King", these are so cheap but punch way above their weight. If you see one around, give it a strum and tell me what you think. I bought an all solid one of their dreadnoughts for about $350 and it sounds terrific.
Asians are people too.
They know how to work with wood. A number of these manufacturers are working under very strict supervision of master luthiers and it is showing. People often like to romanticise the manufacturing process of their beloved products. I tell my wife about my Italian shoes being made by a couple of elderly craftsmen who go to the local piazza at lunch time and chase all the young girls.
I recall a (now famous) pickup winder at Fender guitars who is a Mexican woman. I suspect people wouldn't have been too excited to learn this 30 years ago. Either way, the end product is what counts.
So, anyway, if you are looking for a great guitar for a cheap price ... Look to the EAST! Mind you, not all of them are the same, but at least audition them.
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