What happened to the world of guitars?

[RedVenom48]

I was recently in Guitar Center because Ive had an itch to play guitar again. Havent played in a long time, but was fairly active when I was younger. Couldnt solo to save my life, but I loved playing Thrash, Speed and Death Metal rhythm guitar. All the guitars and amps are gone except my first. in 96 my Mom and my Uncle bought me a Fender American Standard Stratocaster.

USA made guitars will always be the top shelf of any guitar player's desire. I remember when a Japanese guitar was a good mid-level option. Mexican and Korean made guitars were the norm but still good if you bought a name brand. Chinese made guitars are what you found in the starter packs with the shitty 15w amps, cheap gig bags and cable.

I walked into Guitar Center today and what I saw was sad... 95% of all guitars for new sale were made in China. Light weight, toneless slabs of wood. Frets felt like garbage, terrible hardware. Fender, Jackson, Epiphone, Dean.... all made in China. There were a handful of "nice" guitars, a few Gibson USA's but they were all on the top level and locked to their hanger.

Gone were the stacks of Marshals, Fenders and Mesa amps. Replaced by line 6, Mass produced Marshall models and Fenders of questionable quality. Hell, the Bass players pretty much only had Mark Bass amplifiers to choose from...

Did I miss something? Did the industry take a nosedive into cheep, lookalike versions of the name brands? Is guitar playing not as popular among the youth?

What the hell happened?

 

[Revvv]

You walked into the wrong Guitar Center.

...and today's youth are lazy.

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[RedVenom48]

You walked into the wrong Guitar Center.

...and today's youth are lazy.

Sent from my [trashcan S5] using the svtperformance.com mobile app

Shit, I hope so. I usually prefer mom and pop musical stores, but I happened to be by this one.

Just seemed really sad. Not like in my heyday of the late 90's at least.

 

[Revvv]

Shit, I hope so. I usually prefer mom and pop musical stores, but I happened to be by this one.

Just seemed really sad. Not like in my heyday of the late 90's at least.

Let me know what you're after and I will give you all of the help I can.

I walk through music stores when I have to go on the road. I prefer Sweetwater.com and musiciansfriend.com though.

I still like to try equipment out. For that, local stores and friends are the best resource.

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[08mojo]

Big box stores are the problem. It's the same with almost any industry. For example: REI. Years ago (many years), you could walk into an REI and get a quality, purpose-built piece of equipment. REI was the place to go, and you'd travel out of your way, for niche gear. Now, you go to REI to buy your kid trendy 'outdoor' clothes and other outdoor gear that's marginally better than what you can get at Walmart.

It's the reason big box stores are failing: lure people in with quality...slowly turn to mass-produced Chinese made junk to drive profits through the roof... wonder what happened when customers slowly disappear. Over time, the whole store is 98% mass-produced junk and the clients looking for quality are long-gone. Then, the big box start to complain about internet sales making them obsolete when the answer stares them right in the face: if you carry junk, true enthusiasts go away and find somewhere to buy quality. It's hard to sustain a 'specialty' store without the enthusiasts.

 

[CV355]

American manufacturing is a fickle subject. Some "Made in the USA" manufacturers still utilize foreign components and materials (often times the wood has to be foreign). Some resort to "Set up in the USA" and made in SE Asia, or Mexico. Are these still good guitars? Absolutely. Manufacturing has come a long way.

Though it is a subjective opinion, most would agree that the best guitars come from custom shop luthiers from around the world. I've played several custom shop guitars and own two. The playability difference isn't just a myth- you can literally feel it. However, you can set up a cheap guitar to play almost as well.

I've been to a good number of Guitar Centers. One, in RI, was massive and had an extensive high-end guitar selection. The local one to me, Greenville SC, has an extensive beginner/mid-tier collection and not so many high-end.

Check out Reverb for the rarities.

I picked up a Mayones on there last year for about $2k less than I could find anywhere else. My dream is to get a custom Mayones 8 string, antique black oil finish.

And whatever you do, avoid "Vampire Guitars" by Eric DeVries. Google it for a good laugh.

 

[Sonic 03 Cobra]

American manufacturing is a fickle subject. Some "Made in the USA" manufacturers still utilize foreign components and materials (often times the wood has to be foreign). Some resort to "Set up in the USA" and made in SE Asia, or Mexico. Are these still good guitars? Absolutely. Manufacturing has come a long way.

“Made in America” has a specific meaning which historically has been assembled in the USA with a domestic component percentage above some threshold, which is informally 75%. It’s potentially misleading for sure if you expect only domestic components.

 

[RedVenom48]

American manufacturing is a fickle subject. Some "Made in the USA" manufacturers still utilize foreign components and materials (often times the wood has to be foreign). Some resort to "Set up in the USA" and made in SE Asia, or Mexico. Are these still good guitars? Absolutely. Manufacturing has come a long way.

Though it is a subjective opinion, most would agree that the best guitars come from custom shop luthiers from around the world. I've played several custom shop guitars and own two. The playability difference isn't just a myth- you can literally feel it. However, you can set up a cheap guitar to play almost as well.

I've been to a good number of Guitar Centers. One, in RI, was massive and had an extensive high-end guitar selection. The local one to me, Greenville SC, has an extensive beginner/mid-tier collection and not so many high-end.

Check out Reverb for the rarities.

I picked up a Mayones on there last year for about $2k less than I could find anywhere else. My dream is to get a custom Mayones 8 string, antique black oil finish.

And whatever you do, avoid "Vampire Guitars" by Eric DeVries. Google it for a good laugh.

My nearly vintage (****, Im getting old) 95 American Standard Strat is on another level compared to the average offerings from Fender. Chinese made Squiers used to be the bottom of the food chain. Now I see Fenders sporting he Made in China tag.

To see how far Jackson fell off is a little sad. I saw nothing of quality hanging from the walls. I squarely blame Fender for that. Though, its not surprising.

Lmao, Gibson is VERY proud of their product. Anything that had Gibson on the headstock that wasnt an SG was at least nearly $2k.

 

[RedVenom48]

sweet baby jesus in heaven, Gibson FINALLY listened to me:

Gibson Explorer B-2 2019

Whelp, looks like I need to find Gibson dealer now haha

 

[CV355]

My nearly vintage (****, Im getting old) 95 American Standard Strat is on another level compared to the average offerings from Fender. Chinese made Squiers used to be the bottom of the food chain. Now I see Fenders sporting he Made in China tag.

To see how far Jackson fell off is a little sad. I saw nothing of quality hanging from the walls. I squarely blame Fender for that. Though, its not surprising.

Lmao, Gibson is VERY proud of their product. Anything that had Gibson on the headstock that wasnt an SG was at least nearly $2k.

When I started playing the guitar 20 years ago, the Fender Strat still ruled. 10 years ago it seemed to gravitate towards super-strat platforms (ESP, Schecter, etc). Now, walking into GC I'm somewhat shocked at the offerings- nothing really "era-esque." Just a little peppering of everything, but nothing groundbreaking. Amp technology is all going solid state aside from boutique amps, and even more instruments are VSTs (including guitar).

A lot of musicians are feeling that guitar music is slowly obsoleting itself.

Hard to come up with something new and unique these days. Possible, but hard. I've been trying to do just that for the last 8 years, and as soon as I think I have some unique formula, I hear it.

“Made in America” has a specific meaning which historically has been assembled in the USA with a domestic component percentage above some threshold, which is informally 75%. It’s potentially misleading for sure if you expect only domestic components.

It used to be synonymous with quality. It isn't anymore, necessarily. You are correct though.

 

[DMassey]

youth interest in guitar-played music has been decreasing for years unfortunately. Showroom stocks will reflect that.

 

[_Satch_]

I believe the Industry diversified... You can now start out with a Japanese or Mexican Stratocaster, play it for a few years and decide whether or not you want to move upwards to a more expensive American made Stratocaster or even a Custom Shop. I have a Mexican Fender Telecaster Deluxe, South Korean Schecter Hellraiser C-1 with a Floyd Rose, Japanese Charvel Model 3 and an Indonesian Ibanez RG470. All sound and play differently and fit certain niche sounds. I like to customize my cheaper guitars to do what I want them to do. Tinker-itis! I also have a couple higher end Fender's and Gibson's that I leave stock.
-Satch

 

[SolarYellow]

Why do you think there's a big market (online) for actual M-I-A hand tools and such? Nowadays 99% of retail availability is cheap, Chinese plastic/steal craftsmanship. Replace "hand tools" with guitars, drills, knives, etc.., and it is all the same.

 

[CV355]

I believe the Industry diversified... You can now start out with a Japanese or Mexican Stratocaster, play it for a few years and decide whether or not you want to move upwards to a more expensive American made Stratocaster or even a Custom Shop. I have a Mexican Fender Telecaster Deluxe, South Korean Schecter Hellraiser C-1 with a Floyd Rose, Japanese Charvel Model 3 and an Indonesian Ibanez RG470. All sound and play differently and fit certain niche sounds. I like to customize my cheaper guitars to do what I want them to do. Tinker-itis! I also have a couple higher end Fender's and Gibson's that I leave stock.
-Satch

^ 1+. My Schecter C1HFR was my first "mid-tier" guitar. It is still impressive even sitting next to guitars worth 2-20x as much.

Guitar thread.
Guy named "Satch" comments
Hmmm.

You wouldn't by any chance also have an Ibanez JS1CR, would you?

 

[_Satch_]

^ 1+. My Schecter C1HFR was my first "mid-tier" guitar. It is still impressive even sitting next to guitars worth 2-20x as much.

Guitar thread.
Guy named "Satch" comments
Hmmm.

You wouldn't by any chance also have an Ibanez JS1CR, would you?

Lol! I wish I had one. Satriani is the MAN! Spot on comment with the Schecter too. That guitar sometimes will sit on my rack for months on end... I'll pick it up to play, and it is still in tune! I did the 18 volt mod to that one, so it doesn't do clean stuff anymore!
-Satch

 

[Revvv]

When I started playing the guitar 20 years ago, the Fender Strat still ruled. 10 years ago it seemed to gravitate towards super-strat platforms (ESP, Schecter, etc). Now, walking into GC I'm somewhat shocked at the offerings- nothing really "era-esque." Just a little peppering of everything, but nothing groundbreaking. Amp technology is all going solid state aside from boutique amps, and even more instruments are VSTs (including guitar).

A lot of musicians are feeling that guitar music is slowly obsoleting itself.

Hard to come up with something new and unique these days. Possible, but hard. I've been trying to do just that for the last 8 years, and as soon as I think I have some unique formula, I hear it.



It used to be synonymous with quality. It isn't anymore, necessarily. You are correct though.

I have a vintage Strat. I constantly change things, but I love that guitar. One day I will have a Tele.

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[Revvv]

Most people think I'm nuts, but my go-to guitar is an Epiphone ES335. I've swapped out the pickups for vintage Gibson humbuckers, changed the pots, etc, but the guitar is the best playing tool in my arsenal. I love my Strat, and it gets a lot of playtime, but the Epi is set up to perfection.

I own a Gibson 335, and my daughter keeps in in her room. I never play it.

I also have a Music Man Axis. Great guitar, but I only need it for heavy, loud distortion. I really don't play much metal these days. I'm a Blues guy.

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[RedVenom48]

Ill never sell my Strat, ever. More than just a guitar if you know what I mean. But I never fell in love with the playability. I loved the Explorers with the slimmer neck, or the slim Jackson profile.

I just saw that Gibson released an Explorer B-2 for model year 2019... and the selector switch is NOT on the damned forward horn. ...very tempted lmao

 

[_Satch_]

Ill never sell my Strat, ever. More than just a guitar if you know what I mean. But I never fell in love with the playability. I loved the Explorers with the slimmer neck, or the slim Jackson profile.


I just saw that Gibson released an Explorer B-2 for model year 2019... and the selector switch is NOT on the damned forward horn. ...very tempted lmao

I've been eye-balling Gibson Explorer's as well. Like you, I prefer the slimmer neck profiles. I am primarily looking at the Explorer HP.

I have a Les Paul HP, and absolutely LOVE it. Thinner neck profile, axcess heel for playing the upper neck. Robo-tuning (some hate this, but I like it). It sounds great too! Push/pull pots for coil splitting each humbucker on the volume pots, and in series or parallel on both tone pots. Has dip switches in the control cavity if you would want In phase/out of phase instead of series/parallel. Very versatile guitar.

-Satch

 

[Blown 89]

Big box stores are the problem. It's the same with almost any industry. For example: REI. Years ago (many years), you could walk into an REI and get a quality, purpose-built piece of equipment. REI was the place to go, and you'd travel out of your way, for niche gear. Now, you go to REI to buy your kid trendy 'outdoor' clothes and other outdoor gear that's marginally better than what you can get at Walmart.

It's the reason big box stores are failing: lure people in with quality...slowly turn to mass-produced Chinese made junk to drive profits through the roof... wonder what happened when customers slowly disappear. Over time, the whole store is 98% mass-produced junk and the clients looking for quality are long-gone. Then, the big box start to complain about internet sales making them obsolete when the answer stares them right in the face: if you carry junk, true enthusiasts go away and find somewhere to buy quality. It's hard to sustain a 'specialty' store without the enthusiasts.

Our REI still sells quality gear although they've expanded and sell lower quality things now too.

Big box stores aren't failing because of low quality goods. If that were the case people would be snatching up high quality things rather than settling for same crap. Big box stores are failing because of predatory pricing, terrible selection, and inconvenience. The brick and mortar stores that changed their business strategies are the ones that are thriving.