Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
I had never played a bad Tribute model before I'd be curious to hear more on that. I always thought as far as bang for buck went the Tribute and PRS SE lines were far superior and far more consistent than anything Fender/Squier, Epiphone, etc.
Ibanez and Shecter aren't really my thing, the Ibanez Artcore isn't bad. I think the ESP LTD line is great.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
If Peavey still has a Korean line, I cast my pearls for that. My now OOP Peavey Rotor EXP LTD.was amazing right out the box LTD, but all I wanted from that was for it to play super and sound huge under high Modded marshall JCM type gain- wasn't looking for classic vintage tone.Originally Posted by Mr 9finger
I personally wouldnt go any lower than a Korean, as far as Asian, although I'm gonna contradict myself and say I dig my Squire 51, but its been heavily upgraded, and still plays much better than it sounds.
My Mexican JV body upgrade Strat sounds good too.
Last edited by MetalManiac; 07-04-2012 at 05:16 PM.
I'm Rich, I'm Beuatiful! <p>
...okay, I'm not rich.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
They only made those for a couple years in the late 90s. All total, there're around 5-600 in existence.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
I've only played a couple PRS SEs, but they were really good.
I can't say that I've had a bad experience with Epi recently. Very good quality (except for the electronics...must replace pups and pots).
The higher end Schecters are as good as any guitar made anywhere in the world. If I could only name one brand, it would have to be Schecter. But there really are many very good quality imports these days. Great bang for the buck.
Originally Posted by IanBallard
Rule of thumb... the more pot you have, the better your tone.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
My Cordoba Nylon String Classical was made in China but the thing plays and sounds amazing!! It's also $650 and that's not it's retail price. I haven't tried out the lectronics but I have heard some online demos on Sweetwaters web-site and if those are any indicator the electronics will sound phenominal!!!
Guitars;PRS JA-15, PRS Hollowbody II. Warmoth/USACG STRAT, USACG TELE(w/Don Mare set) MIA STRAT (w/ novaks). Carvin CS-6, Tacoma DM6 acou/elect. Cordoba GK-Studio, fender active deluxe 5 jazz bass. Amp;MESA roadking/ Dual rectifier. Effects; MXR stereo chorus, T.C. Elect. Flashback, Golden Cello.
"I am not ashamed of the good news of JESUS CHRIST"
CHRIST
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
No one ever gives Epi any props but I have several Epis and they are all very decent guitars and after customization are pretty comparable to any American made guitars, especially since American quality has gone down the toilet. Also, alot of these Chinese guitars are all made in the same factories and just stamped with different manufacturers. I have found that Korean made guitars are actually very well made given the materials they use.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
I've played a few of the PRS SE guitars and they felt great, but THEY WERE WAY LIGHT! Man, I felt like I was playing a toy guitar.
I agree on the comment about the MIK guitars feeling the same. With a few exceptions, almost every guitar just feels like it is coated in plastic. They play well, but all feel the same.
I like the late 90/early 2000 Hamer MIK guitars. I like the recent MIM guitars. I like the Squier "upstream" guitars like the classic vibe. I think the upper-end Epi guitars are pretty nice (like a Sheraton for example).
I've owned a few Washburn and ESP guitars and they were fine. Nothing special. Looked nice. Overall they were decent guitars, just nothing special.
-=The Dali
--== Unabashed Alex Lifeson Fan
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Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
The Tributes are killer guitars. Gonna go with G&L.
- Tom
Never did the Eagle lose so much time as the day he submitted to learn from the Crow.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
2 other companies with excellent imports are Brian Moore and Suhr...even though Suhr (wisely) uses a different name for their imports.
Gravity...its just a theory
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
I see PRS being brought up, and I definitely have to agree. I bought a used SE Custom, and it's almost on par with my Gibson. Not apples to apples, but the quality difference is not gigantic.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
For acoustics, the Epiphone Masterbilt line is pretty hard to beat. I own an AJ-500R, and would pick it over most of the 1960's and later Martin's I've played.
For electric, I 2nd the nod to Electromatic.
My Band, The Hasslers
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
Michael Kelly guitars shouldnt be overlooked.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
Not impressed with any except the Japanese Charvels.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
With ANY? Really!? Seems like kind of a broad statement.
-=The Dali
--== Unabashed Alex Lifeson Fan
Gilmour Strat Build Thread
Murray Strat Build Thread
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Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
Nope I have been playing for 20 years and have owned hundreds of guitars. I am not impressed with most "current" oversees offering "for the price (new)" Many imports have substandard parts, construction techniques and setups and are made by people that dont even play guitars. The issue is that most are sold by big box stores that dont even take the time to wipe down or change rusty strings on guitars. Hell, I dont even like alot of the USA made stuff, especially strats. Fender isn't even in my top 5 for strat makers.
I can debate all day, but quality guitars dont come from mass produced factories in china, indonesia. People used to hate Korean guitars, but Korean guitars are great compared to the new offereings. Dont fool yourself.
Last edited by scottosan; 07-20-2012 at 08:01 AM.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
The new line of Hamer imports seem to have worked out the issues their import line has had over the years. The Monaco and new Jr. models are pretty awesome.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
My Top 3: PRS SE, LTD & Squier (CV & VM)
Mayones Regius 6, Ibanez MIJ ATK bass, Peavey Revalver, Ibanez Promethean 500H
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
Suhr's Rasmus GG guitars are really amazing. I think they're as solid as a ibanez prestige RG. I would believe if they wrote "made in japan" behind the headstock.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
Mine (GAD-30R) is a phenomenal guitar. I had it in for a setup and the tech I use had to read the label for himself before believing it was made in China. Then he showed it to everyone who would look at it.
It's a beautiful guitar, nice thin poly finish, as shown by the little dents it seems to be gathering. They gave up some of the bling when they redid their numbering system, and no more antique burst finish. The flame maple binding on the old ones is really nice. Aside from a tiny bit of sloppiness from neck gluing the thing is perfect. It sounds wonderful, the mahogany neck is beautifully flamed...
And I have it because my budget won't allow me to get a "real" F-30R or an OOO-28. I don't have the best ears, but I haven't really heard any OOO sized guitar with rosewood back and sides that sounds much better, let alone $2000+ better.
And I love the tweed case with the "made to be played" badge. Guild has the best motto.
Re: Who parent company makes the best import brand
I own a LTD Viper 100 FM, so I'm pretty partial towards them but, Squier has been putting out some amazing product in the last few years.
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