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Even with the grown up HBs, there are compromises to get to the price point they have. They are not advertising high end components like CTS pots. There are complaints about the fret work on some of the reviews on Thomann. Doing frets well is very labour intensive, and they will do them to be "good enough". The wood will be bought in bulk at low prices by the pallet load. It's not going to have the same care in selecting it that a high end small builder will give it. You might get lucky and get a really nice piece of wood, but you might not.
There are savings from the direct distribution model, and you will pay extra for a "name" brand. That means a £200 HB will probably compare well to a £400 guitar from a name brand, possibly even with a £600 guitar. However, 90% of them are not going to compare well when up against a high end guitar, even if pickups and components are upgraded.
So there will be other factors: component cost, quality, labour cost, etc. but one of the line items in the final price is "will people pay an extra few quid because of the sticker".
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
and AFAIK glue on veneer for their cheaper versions
Thomann do a wide range of prices, the better ones are very impressive: SC550, Amarok, Fusion
I mean, obviously if you change the pickups as well ...
I've also played 335s that are distinctly underwhelming. The first semi I bought was as a Korean Tokai 335 copy, and it sounded better than the 335 I tried it against in the shop.
When Gibson get it right though, normally with the Custom Shop reissues, the results are spectacular. The one I have now is one of the best guitars I've ever played.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.