Alvesang
Member
Good point indeed. Purchasing an OLP made me order my EBMM (only a couple of weeks later... now the OLP is merely decoration
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- Thread starter Astrofreq
- Start date
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I know I'm treading on foreign ground here - so I'll do my best to tread carefully. First of all: I really love Ernie Ball products, they are indeed of very high quality. I support the company and spread the word wherever and whenever I get the chance, as I really believe in both the products and the ethos the Ball family has brought to the industry. Yet, I'm sure that even BP will have a hard time saying that his guitars are of higher quality than... say, Vigier guitars or the Ibanez J-Customs - he'll probably say what I'd say: they're all great, but are simply different beasts. Quality remains quality, regardless of where it is produced!
As a matter of fact, (sadly) it is my experience that most American products are of decidedly poor quality, compared to European or Japanese products in the same price bracket. One very big reason why the American economy is in trouble, is because you simply can't sell your products abroad. Even with the extremely weak dollar (making US made products affordable in other countries), Europeans simply won't buy e.g. the piss poor American cars (and we've only seen a fraction of the acronyms out there). Why? Well, the quality simply isn't there! I still think Fender's QC stinks compared to Ibanez'... and Gibson makes Fender seem like... well, MusicMan
In conclusion I'd like to thank the SLO dwellers - not for what you are (Americans), but for what you continue to do... Produce great products and giving the best cusomer service I've ever encountered.
Cheers
Eske
I think this is more a matter of how these businesses are run, than it is a question of our ability to produce a product. It is unfortunate that many vehicles made by US companies contain vital components, such as the engine, transmission, etc. from China or Mexico... That, my friend, is why the quality isn't there, and that can also explain why my old 1968 Ford pickup (isn't mine anymore) is still running strong; it was US made and built to last. Still looks great too
I know this isn't the forum for this, but the US also produces the finest firearms in the world, mostly from US companies like Springfield and Colt, and some not, such as Heckler & Koch of Germany. Any firearm made in China is a big no-no...
Back on topic though, this is one of many reasons that I feel good giving my money to EB. It's nice to know you are doing business with a company that has a strong moral compass, and would treat you well if there was a problem
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beej
Moderator
Can't understand the American preoccupation with guns (though I did have a fun time at a firing range on my last trip to Dallas. Yee-haw.)
That said ... I personally don't care where EBMMs are made. For me, the headline reads "Thanks BP for making a QUALITY product". But being a family run company, the factory is close to home and I'm sure that's a big part of what makes it all work.
That said ... I personally don't care where EBMMs are made. For me, the headline reads "Thanks BP for making a QUALITY product". But being a family run company, the factory is close to home and I'm sure that's a big part of what makes it all work.
Alvesang
Member
Yeah, like that's something to be proud of.
A guitar (especially produced by EBMM) brings joy. What do guns have to offer?
Astrofreq
Well-known member
I knew in the back of my mind that cars would definitely come up in this thread.
I just like seeing Americans get the jobs since it's an American company. That's all. Nothing against anyone else. Eske, I totally understand that the quality of many (most) American products blow, and that sucks. However, MM is consistently good stuff and I'm glad to say they are built here.
I just like seeing Americans get the jobs since it's an American company. That's all. Nothing against anyone else. Eske, I totally understand that the quality of many (most) American products blow, and that sucks. However, MM is consistently good stuff and I'm glad to say they are built here.
Astrofreq
Well-known member
Just curious. Would you feel the same way were they built in Canadia?
roburado
Well-known member
I think it's possible that you are overly optimistic. I don't think that this country can ignore the rising cost of healthcare. I think that some of the problems faced by the auto industry with their benefits issues are, perhaps, a sentinel event. It's possible that their problems funding their worker's healthcare benefits should serve as a wake-up call to other U.S. industries. When those costs start spiralling out of control for everyone else, we're going to have a huge problem competing with other countries' industries that don't have that handicap. We'll see. At least, politicians are starting to talk about it again. Hopefully, something will be done to fix the system. Hopefully, the cure won't be worse than the disease.
roburado
Well-known member
Personally, I prefer some Austrian-made stuff, but that's just me.
morsecode
Well-known member
This is going to turn into a pissing match that's going to go nowhere.
To suggest the USA made products "blow" across the board is absurd. As well, just because they're 'made in the USA' doesn't mean that they're necessarily better. Sub1Zero is bang on...it mostly comes down to the management, the organization and how they run their business. Another thing, the measurement of quality is also highly subjective.
Back on topic, I could care less where or who makes the guitars. The bottom line is quality and what I like. And to me EBMM knows how to deliver like no other. The fact that they're made in the USA is a bonus for me personally because it saves me about 7.5% on the $$$ in terms of duties that I do not have to pay if they came from Asia or Europe.
To suggest the USA made products "blow" across the board is absurd. As well, just because they're 'made in the USA' doesn't mean that they're necessarily better. Sub1Zero is bang on...it mostly comes down to the management, the organization and how they run their business. Another thing, the measurement of quality is also highly subjective.
Back on topic, I could care less where or who makes the guitars. The bottom line is quality and what I like. And to me EBMM knows how to deliver like no other. The fact that they're made in the USA is a bonus for me personally because it saves me about 7.5% on the $$$ in terms of duties that I do not have to pay if they came from Asia or Europe.
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roburado
Well-known member
The answer to this question depends on one's point of view, which includes estimation of the police's ability to protect and serve (believe it or not, the police--as a matter of U.S. case law--do not have an obligation to protect someone from violent crime), estimation of perceived dangers, perceived risks and benefits associated with private ownership of firearms. People have differing views on these questions, and contentious arguments will arise. This is probably not the place to discuss something like this.
Yeah, like that's something to be proud of.
One of the safest sports available, actually
beej
Moderator
Yeah ... I don't see a good way out of this one. It's like talking religion here. Gun enthusiasts and non-gun enthusiasts are going to have to agree to disagree so we can all play some geetar
(And talking about the superiority of guns made in America is like talking about the superiority of Canadian made hockey equipment.)Yeah, it wouldn't really make a difference to me. There are good guitars made in Canada and I don't buy them, preferring MMs instead.
It's cool if your favorite item and your country line up, but not necessary. If you were to try and buy all of your various goods from one country you'd quickly be SOL. From your toothpaste to your tainted pet food, the world is one big open market.
(That said, I try to buy locally produced meat & vegies. Different kettle o' fish.)
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Pablo
Well-known member
I know there's quite a bit of national pride going on here and I didn't intend this to be a "pissing match" of any kind. However, this is a very international forum and hence, American nationalism doesn't really mean too much to many of us - we simply can't relate to it. Would I feel the same, had EBMM been a Danish company? Yes I would! To me nationality isn't very important, or I wouldn't be supporting EBMM in the first place! What matters to me is quality of product and service - both of which EBMM delivers in spades.
Nomatter which way you look at it, even with a historically weak dollar, American products in general simply don't sell abroad (musical instrument is an exception) and the American trade deficit is absolutely massive because of this.
I live in a country with a very healthy economy. We have a sizable trade surplus, virtually no unemployment, high wages, extremely high taxes and heavy industry all but gone. In essence, what we have here is education, R&D and administration.
I don't claim to be particularly clever, but I'm sure Big Poppa could tell a story or two about how dificult it is to run a sound production line in the States... In the bigger picture, I think most economists would agree that American production is part of the problem, not the solution.
Cheers
Eske
Nomatter which way you look at it, even with a historically weak dollar, American products in general simply don't sell abroad (musical instrument is an exception) and the American trade deficit is absolutely massive because of this.
I live in a country with a very healthy economy. We have a sizable trade surplus, virtually no unemployment, high wages, extremely high taxes and heavy industry all but gone. In essence, what we have here is education, R&D and administration.
I don't claim to be particularly clever, but I'm sure Big Poppa could tell a story or two about how dificult it is to run a sound production line in the States... In the bigger picture, I think most economists would agree that American production is part of the problem, not the solution.
Cheers
Eske
There was no nationalism in my post... I was only trying to say that it isn't a question of our ability to produce, but how the businesses are run, and I showed an example. We are all humans in the end, let's not allow this to become a country vs. country debate...
No hard feelings, right?
No hard feelings, right?
Pablo
Well-known member
No hard feelings at all man! I agree with you completely.
Cheers
Eske
Cheers
Eske
BigTony
Well-known member
Good for you Sub1. Pride in your own country and what its people achieve, is something that we need a little more of.
Good for you Bro. If I see an Englishman that achieves something and invests back into his country, then I applaud him, and bollocks to anyone that doesn't like it.
Good for you Bro. If I see an Englishman that achieves something and invests back into his country, then I applaud him, and bollocks to anyone that doesn't like it.
kompressaur
Well-known member
you do build 'em good
for me theres an aura to californian guitars rather than american guitars per se
KOmp
for me theres an aura to californian guitars rather than american guitars per se
KOmp
Astrofreq
Well-known member
It's all good! Believe me, I want to visit every country represented in this thread before I die.
