What is your price ceiling for M.I.C. guitars?

[skouri1]

Why bother with the LL16 if you have a FG5?
at 800 it's getting close enough to the territory of an FG5 that I would probably spring for that, personally.
I had an LL16M and it left me quickly. Construction was fine, just sounded thin. FG5 sounds materially better to my ears in demos.

[FLRon]

The knock on MIC guitars reminds me of when I was a kid in the 50’s and 60’s and anything coming out of Japan then was considered junk. It took just a couple of decades and they completely reversed that. Pretty sure the current MIC guitars are following that same path.

[Dwight]

I paid more for my Eastman SB59V than for my previous Gibson Les Paul.

[Charmed Life Picks]

You know, between Eastman and Blueridge, for me this is not an issue.

I just bought a brand-new D-18 from Maury, but I don't look at guitars so much anymore from where they're built. I have two Eastmans that are not "good for the money"; they are flat-out great guitars, at any price.

I don't play or even own an electric, but I've heard from knowledgeable people that Asian Les Pauls, for example, are superb guitars. And Yamaha's entry-level models are not made in Japan, and there as good as it gets at $500 and below.

my two cents,
scott memmer

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by Matt82

I recently ordered a Yamaha FG5, and as part of a promo got a discount on an LL16. The LL is of course solid wood, but made in China. I’m left wondering if 800 is too much to put on a Chinese built guitar. I know they’ve done better in recent years, and I’ve heard great things about the LL, but my old rule was nothing over 300 for MIC.

Just wondering what everyone else’s thoughts are, as well as any input on the LL16.

Your limit is arbitrary and set by yourself, making it meaningful to you only. I’m sure others have their own limit as well for most things.

That said, you could be missing out.

The reality is that China is a manufacturing powerhouse that has the ability to deliver both crappy and higher end well executed goods in pretty much every industry…Guitars included…

The assertion seems to be that a Chinese made guitar is inferior. I don’t understand. China, in reality, is as capable as any other nation to deliver products at varying quality levels.

This iPad I’m typing on is pretty nice. It was made in China.

In any case, best of luck in your search.

Cheers

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by Rosewood99

I thought the Yamaha’s were made in Japan not China.

Correction, they are made in China.

Some are made in China and some are NOT. Their higher end units are made by hand in Japan. The prices are reflected in that reality as well.

[rokdog49]

I would only limit the amount by my normal budget for any guitar I purchase…not where it was built.
As an aside, I was an Eastman apologist on here long before it was fashionable.
You can look it up.

[SingingSparrow]

these veenered discussions are getting pretty old.

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Matt82

...but my old rule was nothing over 300 for MIC.

This makes me want to ask what your price ceiling is for guitars made in the USA.

[L20A]

For me, the price of an Eastman E20D is the cap.

[Dotneck]

Originally Posted by zmf

This makes me want to ask what your price ceiling is for guitars made in the USA.

$6500 is my limit

[Bluenose]

Originally Posted by FLRon

The knock on MIC guitars reminds me of when I was a kid in the 50’s and 60’s and anything coming out of Japan then was considered junk. It took just a couple of decades and they completely reversed that. Pretty sure the current MIC guitars are following that same path.

I too remember that in the 60's everything from Japan was regarded as junk. Regarding MIC guitars as being somehow less than standard is just as foolish IMO. The build quality of my Eastman E10SS is superb, the delicate hand carved scalloped bracing is equal to anything I've seen produced in the States or anywhere else and I paid just over $1K CDN for it back in 2014.

[Stonehauler]

Guild F1512 is MIC and is very impressive. It's $1,000 US, but it's well made and plays very well.

That said, the F2512 is MIC, 500 bucks, and I would say it's a waste of money.

[Matt82]

About 10 years ago I bought a few cheap Chinese guitars(Epiphones, fenders, Ibanez, etc.), and they were just junk. That’s where I picked up the distaste for Chinese made stuff. Then I got a couple of seagulls and they were great, though lately it seems like seagull has fallen back a step, but still good.

Never seen an Eastman, or a Blueridge in the wild so I can’t speak for them, but I know Chinese manufacturers are definitely stepping up now. Also I’ve learned that companies like Epiphone have multiple suppliers for their low end guitars(or so I’ve heard)

Maybe it’s just some brands and low end stuff that sucks. Who knows

[D41Fan]

I really want a 12 string, and have been eyeing the Guild D1212. I like everything about it and would not hesitate to buy it. Just trying to save a few more pennies.