Author Topic: American guitars V Far Eastern guitars!!! (Read 11249 times)

fatbob · « **on:** January 11, 2006, 09:15:26 PM »

Hello fellow BKPers, just after a hand count on my options.
Right, I've got a Parker "Nightfly" which i just don't seem to pick up any more (especially since fitting Blackdogs to my Ibanez SZ). I have been thinking about BKPing the "fly", but I am also toying with the idea of selling it and buying an Epi Sheraton/335 or Ibanez equivalent, and BKPing that.
Something is telling me not to sell it 'cos it's the last of my "quality american" guitars. (used to own USA Strats, Les Pauls, BC Rich's, Jacko's) as well as a couple of Eggle's.
Should I expand my Korean collection of Ibanez' at the expense of having something that holds it's value?

dave_mc · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2006, 09:52:11 PM »

I've never tried parker, but my MIJ ibanez rg470 is noticeably better quality (in workmanship etc.) than the current korean ibanezes (EDIT: that i've tried: sz320, rg321mh, s470), and my rg was only £400 (5 years ago, to be fair)!

I'd hang onto the parker, and BKP it, unless you hate how it plays or something.

I know i'd rather have fewer quality guitars, than loads of average ones.

I haven't tried that many korean guitars, though, so i may just have tried "bad" ones.

Floyd Pepper · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2006, 11:40:31 PM »

I've got an Epi Sheraton. Think it was made in Korea in 93. Production moves around from year to year so you most likely can't assume the quality stays the same.

I put Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers in my Sheraton and it sounds great. It plays good but sounds great.

I agree with dave_mc, I'd rather have a few great guitar rather than lots of average ones. I got the Sheraton as as it was cheap second hand. One day I'll try a real 335 and if it's better I'll dump the Sheraton but 1st I need to get a Martin 000-28 and a PRS and...

tewboss · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2006, 03:27:06 AM »

I think you can assume that the higher priced Korean made guitars will wipe the floor with the cheap US ones (i.e. SG Special).

dave_mc · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:51:14 PM »

Quote from: tewboss

I think you can assume that the higher priced Korean made guitars will wipe the floor with the cheap US ones (i.e. SG Special).

probably, but i wouldn't call a parker nightfly "cheap US".

Floyd Pepper · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2006, 01:44:20 PM »

Quote

I think you can assume that the higher priced Korean made guitars will wipe the floor with the cheap US ones (i.e. SG Special).

Don't agree with you there. My son has a Gibson SG Special and it's ace. I had A Gordon Smith GS-2. I sold it when he got the SG as it was so much better than the GS. But then I've not tried a high price Korean guitar....

Dakine · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2006, 02:33:13 PM »

I would say (in my limited experience, although more with basses) it depends on the individual guitar.
I have picked up some US made products which SUCK (quality control, especially with vehicles!!!!!!!! grrrrrrrrr) can be non existant in the US.
I just bought a Japanese Jackson Soloist SL4, and (apart from last owner misuse) it is gorgeous, wonderfully made and sings!
Just like buying a Les Paul really, every guitar is different and sweeping statements cannot be made. Really have to play it. Snobbery is silly silly. Sure pro.s use the best stuff but it is usually hand picked and FREE! Us average joes need to play an instrument and if it talks to us and plays well, who cares who made it :)

Nick

Cattivo Ragazzo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2006, 03:40:43 PM »

Quote from: Floyd Pepper

Quote
I think you can assume that the higher priced Korean made guitars will wipe the floor with the cheap US ones (i.e. SG Special).

Don't agree with you there. My son has a Gibson SG Special and it's ace. I had A Gordon Smith GS-2. I sold it when he got the SG as it was so much better than the GS. But then I've not tried a high price Korean guitar....

since you haven't played a higher priced korean, you can't really disagree, yet :)

fatbob · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:28:38 PM »

Well I can say for certain that MY Nightfly is made to the highest standards. But my Korean Ibanez 320mh is as well. But if your not playing a guitar, is it really worth keeping it, no matter of it's quality? I cant put my SZ320 down (think it might be the oil finish, I dont like glossy necks, thats the main reason the LP went) And with my Rush obsession, a 335/sheraton feels like a good idea.

dave_mc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:53:16 PM »

^it sounds like you've already made up your mind, and it's not for us to say anything, but...

I'd slap th black dogs into the parker, and see how that makes you feel about it. If that doesn't make you want to keep it/play it, i doubt anything will...

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2006, 07:24:11 PM »

Quote from: fatbob

Well I can say for certain that MY Nightfly is made to the highest standards. But my Korean Ibanez 320mh is as well. But if your not playing a guitar, is it really worth keeping it, no matter of it's quality? I cant put my SZ320 down (think it might be the oil finish, I dont like glossy necks, thats the main reason the LP went) And with my Rush obsession, a 335/sheraton feels like a good idea.

Personaly I'd have just shaved or refinished (in satin) the neck on that LP.

At the end of the day though, as long as you play a lot of guitars, you'll find some good eastern ones. Not all of them will be good mind, but some will, it's worth sniffing them out too. Conversely, some American guitars really don't quite cut it for what they cost, which is part of the reason I put a Fender style guitar together on my own with parts souced from various companies.

MDV · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:20:55 PM »

I agree almost completely with dakine. Its all about the individual guitars.

With the exception of frets. Frets are something of a concern for me, with playing hard and bending a lot, I like hard frets, and the soft wire (used because its easier to machine) on even many high end japanese models shows wear within a year or two. My jackson DX1, which comparing to many other MIJ and MIA jacksons I think I lucked out on in terms of wood tone and build quality forced me to learn to fret dress in about 2 years! And I've given it one more since (6 years old now, less wear because I now have more guitars and play it less).

I've refretted a cheaper guitar of mine with 18% nickel (the hardest wire you can get short of stainless steel) and the wire was much tougher: it hasnt been long since I did it (about 2 yaears ago) but I'd guess it has about twice the longevity from how much tougher it was to crown the frets. That guitars shown no noticable wear since I did the refret, but I dont play it that much.

The 18% nickel is used in US and british stuff is quite a lot harder, and you end up doing less fret dresses and will probably never refret. To me, thats quite a big deal. A guitar with uneven frets just doesnt setup well: you're always fighting buzz.

tewboss · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:03:31 PM »

Don't the Parker's already come with stainless steel frets? I thought they were the first mass market guitars with them. I certainly didn't mean you could easily compare the Parker with a Korean guitar - the construction is very difficult which means it probably couldn't be churned out.

What I meant about the SG Special is the quality of the lacquer etc. The Special doesn't have the same quality of finish that the higher end models have.

MDV · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2006, 07:02:50 PM »

Yeah, I think the top end parkers have SS frets. Dunno about the cheaper ones.

Spook Fish · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2006, 03:27:17 PM »

The only thing about buying Korean or Jap is that you're lining other countrys pockets - that pay 12 year old kids 20p a week. Buy British or American, hand made if you can. i aint giving my money to those people.

Look at PRS - they used to be hand made, the trouble now is they are ALL machine made (unless you pay silly £ for custom) but charge hand made prices. they are shite. they just look flashy with there maple caps, but seriously, they are no better than some £400 Ibanez. i dont see how they can charge £4-5000 grand up for that piece of shitee. its only made of wood. they stopped making good giutars after 95. If you like Ibanez fine but think about where you're money is going. i also dont see how some cheap inport can warrant £999.00 price tags???? Sorry - rants.

I fully support people like Tim and his crew who make quality products on our own soil.

Another interesting point is: would you buy an Ibinhad or whatever if Satriani or some other cool indorsee didnt use it?

Buy British or buy American.