$1600 Chinese guitars

[fieldgrade]

I had posted another thread about shopping for another acoustic guitar. I’ve owned some nice Taylors, and a Breedlove, but was thinking about not spending as much and saw some Yamahas and Blue Ridge guitars that sell for $1600. I was kind of surprised at the prices for imported guitars. The Blue Ridge guitars are made in China. Not sure if the higher end Yamahas were made there as well. They also make some $8,000 guitars that are handmade, allegedly, but I’m not looking at those.

Anybody know these?

And to be honest, I probably would never pay that for an imported guitar. It’s more of a curiosity as to how they got that expensive.

 

[MrBitey]

I don't know anything about Chinese acoustic guitars, but they're the go-to for cellos and violins under, say, $10K. See for example this article

Where are violins, violas, and cellos made?

"Where are your instruments made?" This is a very common question we receive from customers, and, interestingly, the violin-family making regions have moved throughout time, based primarily on global economics and availability of skilled craftsmanship. Most recently, post-war Germany in the...

www.stringworks.com

China has emerged as the only country that can combine consistent craftsmanship, labor cost, and raw materials availability in our current market, though Romania still retains a small portion of the market, as well as Bulgaria and Hungary. Most of the instruments under $5000/$10,000 (violin/cello) are made in China now, as the craftsmanship and consistency is difficult to beat. While early attempts at larger workshops produced some lower quality instruments - some exceedingly low quality - demand and work with luthiers around the world has developed China's workshops into a world leader, and the vast majority of instruments produced by workshops (not single makers) is from China as a result.

To make a comparable instrument in the United States, with the same quality materials and workmanship, one would expect to pay 5-7 times the price

 

[jimmyjames8]

50 yrs ago I bought a Yamaha acoustic new for $125. Spanish style and was meant to be for a nylon strings. Had good tone and would stay in tune. Wish I still had it. Have no idea where it was made but probably Japan. Anything that is worth a (explicative deleted) these days is spendy. I ordered a pair of high end stereo speakers about 2 months ago. I assumed they were made in the US. Turns out they arent and the dealer doesnt know when he's going to get them. Ive asked for my prepayment back. I buy American when I can.

 

[beamernc]

If you are interested in a NC luthier, check out Chris Durgin at Durgin Originals in Sparta, NC. We were at his house and talked to him last weekend as he took part in the NC Mountain Arts Adventure, which continues this weekend. I don't play and don't know anything about guitars, but his looked nice.

https://durginoriginals.com/

NC Mountain Arts Adventure – We have something for you here!

 

[fieldgrade]

50 yrs ago I bought a Yamaha acoustic new for $125. Spanish style and was meant to be for a nylon strings. Had good tone and would stay in tune. Wish I still had it. Have no idea where it was made but probably Japan. Anything that is worth a (explicative deleted) these days is spendy. I ordered a pair of high end stereo speakers about 2 months ago. I assumed they were made in the US. Turns out they arent and the dealer doesnt know when he's going to get them. Ive asked for my prepayment back. I buy American when I can.

I too bought a Yamaha, around 1974. FG160. Paid $125, used. Played it till I handled a Taylor about 22 years ago.

The thing is, Yamaha sells a solid top chineseum FG830 for $350 today, all day long. (my FG160 was not a solid top). The fit and finish on this new 830 is excellent which I was surprised for the skinny money. That’s why I don’t know where these $1600 variants fit in.

 

[sixtysevensg]

I don't get it either. I have put hands on some Eastwood's, both electric and acoustic, and while they are alright, not $1600 good. $1000 tops. My shop carries AMI and they are really good for the $, but out most expensive one we had was $800.

 

[NKD]

Chinese are kinda at now where the Japanese were 30 years ago. They been building crap for a lot of years but many of them have learned quality skills and there’s a lot of smaller custom shops now.
Shijie Guitars is a good example of small independent shop making electrics. They are very good.
I’ve played a few Eastmans and thought they were nice but not as nice as Japanese.
I guess I’d have to play a particular guitar and if I liked it and price was fair, I don’t care where it’s made.
I’d prefer to buy American but prices are just plain out of my price range most of the time. And nice acoustics are wasted on my sorry skills.
Part of me like to support Chinese artisans who are capitalizing on their independant skills via internet selling etc. Anything to monkeywrench commies.
Subversive Capitalism if you will.

 

[lincen]

I have two of the solid wood BlueRidge guitars and am very pleased with both. Tone wise they are 90% of what my old Martin D-18 was but don’t have the punch or volume of the old Martin. Sierra Ferrell plays a BlueRidge and Junior Sisk has played one for years.