An example of progressive thinking.

I would have to say, I'm more partial to Korean craftsmanship than Chinese. The electronics and hardware can be suspect at times, but the craftsmanship of the bodies and necks can be top notch at the same time.

I'm the kind of person who loves to customize and upgrade my electronics and pickups to what I want. That being said, my favorite guitars to customize are almost all Korean built guitars. I've done it to quite a few over the last few years.

Schecter Tempest Custom (stock): Korea
Cort MGM-1: Korea
Squier Esprit Masterbuilt: Korea
Squier Stagemaster: Korea
Hamer Slammer (90's.. A big difference to today's Slammers): Korea
Samick Valley Arts: Korea
DeArmond M-70 (stock): Korea

I can line all of these guitars up, take a look at them, play them all, and honestly say that I love every one of them. Not once have I had to level the frets on any of them. My 2-attempts at the Squier CV series both needed fret leveling.
I would also choose any of these models over Fender MIM. Every single time I walk into a GC and pick up a MIM strat, the edges of the frets are sharp and feel like they're going to cut into my hands.

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+100000000000

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GUITAR: Fender USA JazzMaster.
BASS: Fender USA 58'AVRI
AMP: Fender USA SuperSonicTwin - Blonde.

After you show them the door what do you do with all the employees that just lost their job?

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

I have the same experience with Rondo musics Korean made instruments.

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...I for one, sure would appreciate the return of intelligent conversation, spirit of assistance and the simple yet effective ignoring of those who can't seem to hang with that...
Best regards,
rob

A profoundly astute understanding of International Commerce and Corporations.....

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Nothing wrong with a chinese made Fender. Boycott all you will, even your household goods, clothing, mobile phone, computer, car parts and what else you have thats made in China.. you will be surprised as to what you will have left.

They may be communist, but they are an economic powerhouse. So they must be doing something right. Among many, one reason is the ever increasing demand for lower prices in the west. For fender, it's largely an untapped market & they would be silly not to.

Ultimately, If you don't like 'em, don't buy 'em -It's that simple.

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I know all the economic arguments and rationale, and you guys seem to cover a lot of the bases, thanks, and I am not unmoved by such conversation typically.

However, In this case, for me its a little more emotional and reflexive. Logical consistancy is not always possible when dealing with the gut. As the saying goes, I may not be able to perfectly define pornographic, but I know it when I see it.

The thought of an American Series Statocaster made in China still makes me want to vomit. Thats all!

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I remember when we were free!

oneal lane, I think people jumped on you a little because....


You're either making your stand or you're not. It's always possible.

Like Mr. Miyagi said, "Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later get squish just like grape"

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Then it would not be an American Series Strat! It would then be false advertising.
At the end of the day, does it matter where it was built if it is what you want or can afford?
It's like all the charity adverts I see on the TV.
For example... Help restore the eyesight of someone for $10.00 in India or help teach a child in Africa for 6 mnths for $5.00 etc etc....
WELL, WHY CAN"T THEY DO THE SAME THING HERE IN AUSTRALIA?
Local labour costs, cost of living etc etc is why.
I live with it, I buy things because I want it, I don't really care where it is from as long as it does what it says on the box and ,more so, if I can afford it.
Keith

I'm confused, was it a Stratocaster or a Telecaster? The 'Modern Player' model does not appear to be an "American Series" and MSRP is $559.99. The American Standard Telecaster has an MSRP of $1500+.

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And I'm sure it may be. I've said it before that I think any country or manufacturer CAN make a good product. Making a guitar isn't like building a Jet. But mainly, for me, it's about consistencies within the mid levels of guitars. Epiphone, Squier, Ibanez, etc., all have their levels of guitars that are more than just beginner Specials, Affinities, and so on. Then mid level and higher end stuff.

I've checked out a Few of the Fender China guitars, and they weren't bad. But there's something about the necks I just don't like the feel of. Maybe it's the sticky tinted high gloss I don't know. They're pouring it on rather thick these days. I remember one having the strings very close to the edge of the neck, so I was running the High E off the side of the neck when I tried to vibrato a little.

I do have a Squier CV 60's made in China, and it's not bad either. But both of my CV necks had leveling problems. The frets may come to you all shiny and polished and smooth feeling on the edges, but it doesn't seem to me like they're taking the extra care to send guitars out properly leveled. If you take it to a GC tech, they'll just tell you to add relief. What a CROCK!! I have plenty of guitars with very straight necks that don't buzz. That's the way I expect a new one to be. Never had that problem with Korean made guitars. Not even the ones I bought used.

That's one of the consistencies I've come to know and trust from Korean made stuff.

For the record, I'd still consider a Chinese made Fender over a MIM as far as these days go. I was never impressed with MIMs. Until they figure out how to file the edges of the frets, I won't touch or consider one. If the Chinese ones start to develop leveling problems, I won't consider them either. I'd rather stick to Japanese or US at that point. I trust their quality control far better anyway.

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"For the record, I'd still consider a Chinese made Fender over a MIM as far as these days go. I was never impressed with MIMs. Until they figure out how to file the edges of the frets, I won't touch or consider one. If the Chinese ones start to develop leveling problems, I won't consider them either. I'd rather stick to Japanese or US at that point. I trust their quality control far better anyway."

That may well be, but I have a MIM telecaster and there is nothing wrong with the frets or any other aspect of it.
cheers,
Alex

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

Personally, my experience with guitars is that they are not 100% fully set up to be put on the rack when the go on sale. basic set-up is something you just don't get with the majority of stores.. larger retail chains tend not to have a luthier on hand to do this. Instead a guitar just gets unboxed, tuned and then put on a stand.. basic intonation and neck relief adjustments are sometimes badly needed.

Hence I feel that America and Mexico pay more attention to that than the rest of the factories, but that doesn't mean that they are any better or worse. Quality guitars do come from the east, however a poorly set up guitar will put some people off buying an eastern guitar, if they cannot look beyond that. If they were properly setup from the beginning, they would most certainly be a contender for anything made in the west.

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I wonder if hypocrisy brings on the same sick feelings? Both our nations were founded on mass exploitation, slavery and genocide. The garbage you read about in the bill of rights is just a front to keep you deluded. Which is why it's changed at will. If they were rights, (which aint a good thing. I don't seek permission for anything) then no one has any business altering them. If one person objects yet is forced to comply with such a change then freedom is curtailed. Yet we'll all keep believing we're free eh?

Makes the Chinese look like pansies in comparison. At least they don't lie about not really giving a toss about their population.
Oh and as for funding communism. It's no worse than funding the corporatism we live under today. It's certainly not a capitalist society we live in where small business is encouraged and the entrepreneurial spirit is welcomed. The mighty corporations of Starbucks, Wallmart, Fender, Gibson and plenty of others put paid to that.
Communism and corporatism are just different cheeks of the same arse. What you going to do when it's all bought out by Chinese billionaires? Boycott everything? Cos that's the way the world is going, you won't change it. Welcome to the third world.
The only countries in history that have ever succeeded have been run by bastards. If you want something done, get a dictator on the case. It certainly won't happen whilst we pansy around caring about what the rest of the world think about our foreign policies.

Or is it just a case of sour grapes?

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No no and no