Why is it USA guitars....

SlopeSoarer

... are generally seen top of the tree? 

Kittyfrisk

Having lit the fuse, retire to a safe distance & await the reaction 

SlopeSoarer

Kittyfrisk said:

Having lit the fuse, retire to a safe distance & await the reaction 

To be fair I have had a glass of wine and should know better: )

Kittyfrisk

Cheers. I'd look for something a little stronger 

SouthpawMark

Popcorn ready. 

meltedbuzzbox

SlopeSoarer said:

... are generally seen top of the tree? 

Because guitarists can't see past 1959?

chris78

They get the best wood because they don’t care how many trees they chop down

DeeTee

I think it's because the big two started in the US and wanted to protect that brand. So when they farmed out production to other countries, they made sure that the only models being constructed there were the lower end offerings. I don't think they workmanship in the US is inherently better, it's that the US is where they chose to put the higher end things.

That gave "Made in the US" a certain cache that has carried over to other brands, rightly or wrongly.

Teyeplayer

Because they are more expensive and everyone knows: more expensive means better right?

GoldenEraGuitars

American companies are behind the iconic designs that most other luthiers/builders make. And the top 3 mainstream brands (Gibson, fender and PRS) are American companies.

SlopeSoarer

DeeTee said:

I think it's because the big two started in the US and wanted to protect that brand. So when they farmed out production to other countries, they made sure that the only models being constructed there were the lower end offerings. I don't think they workmanship in the US is inherently better, it's that the US is where they chose to put the higher end things.

That gave "Made in the US" a certain cache that has carried over to other brands, rightly or wrongly.

I suppose, that lines up with my thinking. 

If I think about there cars they are usually unreliable, very heavy and poorly finished.

Modulus_Amps

because

a.) you have bought into the "made in the USA hype"

b.) because they charge more as they have to pay their staff more

c.) because the majority of english speaking guitar forums are dominated by Americans who believe A above

d.) because the bean counters didn't start the the sales process with "we want to sell this guitar for less than $500"

e.) all of above

Schnozz

I think that they were.

They aren't now, but still rest heavily upon their laurels.

Plus you guys blow your load over the marketing bollox - You fuckin' love it you do. "FLEECE ME!!", "No, no FLEECE MEEE!!".

This was my personal favourite...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2ZRWzEBIzE
Brown paint and two pickup covers snapped and taped together. Genius - That'll be an extra £800, a thank you very much, mugs.

Kittyfrisk

GoldenEraGuitars said:

American companies are behind the iconic designs that most other luthiers/builders make. And the top 3 mainstream brands (Gibson, fender and PRS) are American companies.

A Mr. John C.Hall is on the other line for you...
Edit: my mistake, it's his legal team 

TonyR

Because Rickenbackers are only made in the US

SlopeSoarer

GoldenEraGuitars said:

American companies are behind the iconic designs that most other luthiers/builders make. And the top 3 mainstream brands (Gibson, fender and PRS) are American companies.

Can't argue with that... they are iconic designs!!!

Schnozz

This is the best marketing video of a quality guitar that I've seen and they're from Tel Aviv in Israel. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5BSokD9h70

guitars4you

The history and roots of popular music as we know it today is from the USA - Jazz, blues, gospel, rock n roll - Most guitars supplied for such a market came from a local source, hence the USA - Be it Martin, Gibson, Gretsch etc etc and it has just evolved this way into where we are today - Why import any guitar when you already had it available within your own country 

European steel strung guitars from the 40s, 50's and 60's were hardly anything special and the Jap invasion had barely started

By the time we got to the birth of The Beatles and The Stones, the USA influence could not be stopped 

Granted today many fine guitars are produced from many corners of the globe - But the USA owned companies got in there first and the domination, popularity, hype, desire etc has stayed with us ever since - Just about all the classic formats came from USA designed guitars

SlopeSoarer

guitars4you said:

The history and roots of popular music as we know it today is from the USA - Jazz, blues, gospel, rock n roll - Most guitars supplied for such a market came from a local source, hence the USA - Be it Martin, Gibson, Gretsch etc etc and it has just evolved this way into where we are today - Why import any guitar when you already had it available within your own country 

European steel strung guitars from the 40s, 50's and 60's were hardly anything special and the Jap invasion had barely started

By the time we got to the birth of The Beatles and The Stones, the USA influence could not be stopped 

Granted today many fine guitars are produced from many corners of the globe - But the USA owned companies got in there first and the domination, popularity, hype, desire etc has stayed with us ever since - Just about all the classic formats came from USA designed guitars

Great answer IMO. 

Kittyfrisk

guitars4you said:

The history and roots of popular music as we know it today is from the USA - Jazz, blues, gospel, rock n roll - Most guitars supplied for such a market came from a local source, hence the USA - Be it Martin, Gibson, Gretsch etc etc and it has just evolved this way into where we are today - Why import any guitar when you already had it available within your own country 

European steel strung guitars from the 40s, 50's and 60's were hardly anything special and the Jap invasion had barely started

By the time we got to the birth of The Beatles and The Stones, the USA influence could not be stopped 

Granted today many fine guitars are produced from many corners of the globe - But the USA owned companies got in there first and the domination, popularity, hype, desire etc has stayed with us ever since - Just about all the classic formats came from USA designed guitars

"... the Jap invasion had barely started"

Ooh errr. Teeny bit insensitive? (although I'm sure not meant as such).

guitars4you

SlopeSoarer said:

guitars4you said:

The history and roots of popular music as we know it today is from the USA - Jazz, blues, gospel, rock n roll - Most guitars supplied for such a market came from a local source, hence the USA - Be it Martin, Gibson, Gretsch etc etc and it has just evolved this way into where we are today - Why import any guitar when you already had it available within your own country 

European steel strung guitars from the 40s, 50's and 60's were hardly anything special and the Jap invasion had barely started

By the time we got to the birth of The Beatles and The Stones, the USA influence could not be stopped 

Granted today many fine guitars are produced from many corners of the globe - But the USA owned companies got in there first and the domination, popularity, hype, desire etc has stayed with us ever since - Just about all the classic formats came from USA designed guitars

Great answer IMO. 

Thanks

But don't forget the influence many of the immigrants took with them as they left Europe to go to the USA - Companies/families like  Martin had been woodworkers in Europe with connections in the violin industry and/or the cabinet makers guild - Whilst Gibson started of with mandolins influenced by violin designs