Ya know, would'nt it be a bloody marvelous world if we could all have our very own bespoke made guitars. When we got bored or fancied somthing else we could afford another one, just like that, woopee :)
What a loada cr@p!
I lose count of the musicians who are A.VERY VERY Famous and B.Who founded their careers on, 'off the shelf' guitars (many of which are now worth almost as much as their personal bank balance).
Sure, who would argue that a well made custom guitar is not the best option, but not all could afford it or would want to. :roll:
Many people change styles, tastes etc. or just want a change. Unless a very well known luthier has made the guitar (and even then it's still someone elses custom) it's worth little. Think of a Saville Row Bespoke Suit. Where would that end up if no longer desired/needed by the original purchaser? A charity shop.
I can find clips right this very minute recorded on a stock $99 squire strat and a $150 sears silvertone amp that are way and beyond excellent.
Being Elite is in the mind, being great is in the ears of the listener. 
I wasnt being Elitist & griping about the quality of ready made guitars in general.
I was simply making an observation of an error that crops up in way too many guitars and doesnt ever seem to get rectified so it would seem over time.
It is a quality control/R&D issue that could be fixed and got right in production - no matter where the guitars are made.
I have played £99 squiers or whatever that have knocked my socks off- and i dont hold any boutique snobbery about stuff.
I have played many Epiphones that out perform their Gibson cousins, and maybe just lack in quality in certain hardware areas.
What I spend my time doing at work is actually being a great leveller - most of our work is set up and fret dressing related (as well as fitting BKPs)
So we get to see high end stuff like Gibsons and cheapo beginners guitars and aim to make whatever brand of guitar play to its full potential.
I had an 82/83 Squier come inlast week that i wanted to buy off the customer - it was SOOOO nice (maybe the nicest strat I have ever played) . But sadly he wasnt selling
