So I have been determined to spend my money on American products. I knew that a Gibson Les Paul guitar was an American made guitar. I also knew that buying a Gibson Les Paul guitar would take a great deal of money. I went instead for a used Epiphone guitar. It plays well, sounds good and feels good. It was a whole lot cheaper than a Gibson Les Paul although I know that it was originally made in China. I bought it from an American here in the states.

I still feel somewhat guilty not buying an "American" product however, I couldn't justify spending the money when I don't play professionally, don't earn my living with a guitar and have never earned my living playing guitar.

I am posting this only to help others who are in the same predicament and who have the same convictions. 

In this day-n-age, look at the company's values. Any company who supports BLM should not get our business.

I've been drumming in various rock bands for decades.  I can't think of any piece of equipment that I own that is actually made in the US except for one drum throne.

Pearl drums:  Japan
Yamaha hardware:  Japan
Sabian cymbals:  Canada
Zildjian cymbals:  Turkey

Don't feel guilty about having to buy foreign equipment.  You didn't force US manufacturers to close and move overseas.  My Pearl MCX solid maple drums and my numerous metal Pearl snare drums are beautiful things and sound like angels singing (as long as another drummer is playing them!). :)

Quote from: Sick Of Silence on October 11, 2020, 01:18:36 PM
In this day-n-age, look at the company's values. Any company who supports BLM should not get our business.

I agree with you to a point but, feel that China should also be avoided as they gave us this lovely virus.

Quote from: AJ on October 11, 2020, 05:34:15 PM
I've been drumming in various rock bands for decades.  I can't think of any piece of equipment that I own that is actually made in the US except for one drum throne.

Pearl drums:  Japan
Yamaha hardware:  Japan
Sabian cymbals:  Canada
Zildjian cymbals:  Turkey

Don't feel guilty about having to buy foreign equipment.  You didn't force US manufacturers to close and move overseas.  My Pearl MCX solid maple drums and my numerous metal Pearl snare drums are beautiful things and sound like angels singing (as long as another drummer is playing them!). :)

I have two Japanese guitars I bought in the 60s, both have a beautiful sound, I just can't seem to make them do what they were built to do.

Quote from: Solar on October 12, 2020, 06:30:31 AM

I have two Japanese guitars I bought in the 60s, both have a beautiful sound, I just can't seem to make them do what they were built to do.

I'm a pretty decent drummer but I'm not "great".  When a "great" drummer plays, I can immediately hear the difference. 

When I'm playing a challenging song with a live band, I KNOW how the fill is supposed to sound, but my hands and feet just can't quite do it.  No even close.  Since I'm aware of my limitations I have become quite good at using fairly simple rudiments to replicate more complex drum parts.  Fortunately for me, the average drunk person in a bar at 11 PM can't tell the difference between my drumming and Buddy Rich's.

Quote from: AJ on October 12, 2020, 06:43:52 AM
I'm a pretty decent drummer but I'm not "great".  When a "great" drummer plays, I can immediately hear the difference. 

When I'm playing a challenging song with a live band, I KNOW how the fill is supposed to sound, but my hands and feet just can't quite do it.  No even close.  Since I'm aware of my limitations I have become quite good at using fairly simple rudiments to replicate more complex drum parts.  Fortunately for me, the average drunk person in a bar at 11 PM can't tell the difference between my drumming and Buddy Rich's.

I gave up on being "great" at anything a long time ago. Now I just play for my own enjoyment and occasionally, someone else's at church. I played in bars and dives years ago in my wilder days and I would agree with you that the average person cannot tell the difference. The ear has to be developed just as the palate does for tasting and most people never developed their ear nor palate. Alcohol (i.e. liquid courage), doesn't help at all.

Quote from: AJ on October 12, 2020, 06:43:52 AM
I'm a pretty decent drummer but I'm not "great".  When a "great" drummer plays, I can immediately hear the difference. 

When I'm playing a challenging song with a live band, I KNOW how the fill is supposed to sound, but my hands and feet just can't quite do it.  No even close.  Since I'm aware of my limitations I have become quite good at using fairly simple rudiments to replicate more complex drum parts.  Fortunately for me, the average drunk person in a bar at 11 PM can't tell the difference between my drumming and Buddy Rich's.

Same here, so much so, I mastered the radio back in the 60s, no one can crank the volume, or button punch a new station faster than I.

It really sucks, if I could play, I'd probably have amounted to something in the arts, I can sing extremely well, but without the added accompaniment of an instrument in my hands, my talent is no more needed than someone singing in the shower.
Even did musical theater, and one question always held me back, "Can you play an instrument"?  Uh, no, oh, "that's too bad." slowly walks away...

Quote from: Sick Of Silence on October 11, 2020, 01:18:36 PM
In this day-n-age, look at the company's values. Any company who supports BLM should not get our business.

Looking at the companies "values" is a good idea however, just looking at the companies values does not go far enough. China gave us the Wuhan virus so, absolutely nothing the "values" of a company have would offset the pain, loss, grief or cost of what the Democrats have done with the manufactured virus. That is the reason that I say that not only was the virus manufactured in a Chinese lab but was released as an act of war and then covered up and lied about by Communist Chinese officials. Short of drastically changing the country and installing a Constitutional Republic, nothing they will ever do will make me want to buy anything foreign ever again.

The point I was getting is that (while thinking about it recently) I would buy a German or Japanese car.

Quote from: RV on October 12, 2020, 07:36:51 AM
I gave up on being "great" at anything a long time ago. Now I just play for my own enjoyment and occasionally, someone else's at church. I played in bars and dives years ago in my wilder days and I would agree with you that the average person cannot tell the difference. The ear has to be developed just as the palate does for tasting and most people never developed their ear nor palate. Alcohol (i.e. liquid courage), doesn't help at all.

I agree.  I am happy to be mediocre in many of my hobbies, not the least of which is drumming.  Someone once complimented my drumming and suggested I take it to the next level by taking advanced lessons and learning to read music.  Nope.  That would take all the fun away.  I'd much rather struggle through a song and learn it myself.  That's half the fun!

Quote from: Solar on October 12, 2020, 08:20:52 AM
Same here, so much so, I mastered the radio back in the 60s, no one can crank the volume, or button punch a new station faster than I.

It really sucks, if I could play, I'd probably have amounted to something in the arts, I can sing extremely well, but without the added accompaniment of an instrument in my hands, my talent is no more needed than someone singing in the shower.
Even did musical theater, and one question always held me back, "Can you play an instrument"?  Uh, no, oh, "that's too bad." slowly walks away...

Just the opposite problem here.  The last band I was in was looking for a lead singer and specifically asked respondents NOT to bring an instrument.  We wanted a full-time lead singer; not a wanna be lead guitar player who also sings. 

As luck would have it, we found an excellent singer who also played guitar.  After about 6 months he slowly worked his guitar on stage and was eventually playing most songs. 

Quote from: AJ on October 19, 2020, 05:58:16 PM
I agree.  I am happy to be mediocre in many of my hobbies, not the least of which is drumming.  Someone once complimented my drumming and suggested I take it to the next level by taking advanced lessons and learning to read music.  Nope.  That would take all the fun away.  I'd much rather struggle through a song and learn it myself.  That's half the fun!

Personally, I don't label myself as "mediocre" or anything. Like you, I enjoy playing and get a lot out of my guitars. I don't earn my living with a guitar and never have. I have no magical ideas of making it "big" and want no part of "fame" or "fortune". I like being an average citizen, I pride myself on being "average" and I wouldn't have it any other way. Being "average", I get to see my kids and Grandkids once or twice a week and wouldn't trade that for anything.

Yes, learning a new song is fun and enjoyable but, being forced to learn a new song for an upcoming engagement would take all of the fun out of it. I would MUCH rather live the life I have. Hang in there and keep on playing!

Quote from: RV on October 11, 2020, 12:51:36 PM So I have been determined to spend my money on American products. I knew that a Gibson Les Paul guitar was an American made guitar. I also knew that buying a Gibson Les Paul guitar would take a great deal of money. I went instead for a used Epiphone guitar. It plays well, sounds good and feels good. It was a whole lot cheaper than a Gibson Les Paul although I know that it was originally made in China. I bought it from an American here in the states.

I still feel somewhat guilty not buying an "American" product however, I couldn't justify spending the money when I don't play professionally, don't earn my living with a guitar and have never earned my living playing guitar.

I am posting this only to help others who are in the same predicament and who have the same convictions.

UPDATE! I bought a used Breedlove Acoustic guitar that was made in the USA! It sounds good, plays well and best of all, it's not from a Commie country!

One word of caution though. Like most manufacturers, Breedlove does have certain guitars that are made overseas to keep the costs down on certain guitars. Do your homework and KNOW where your guitar was made, what it was made of (i.e. wood type, construction methods, etc.) and make sure that the guitar plays and sounds like you want it to.

If you are buying used as I did, make certain that you inspect the guitar for blemishes, dings, twists, dents and other imperfections BEFORE you lay your hard earned money down. It doesn't pay to get in a hurry and know when to walk away and look another time. It's also important to know when to pull the trigger and make the purchase!

Quote from: AJ on October 19, 2020, 06:02:28 PMJust the opposite problem here.  The last band I was in was looking for a lead singer and specifically asked respondents NOT to bring an instrument.  We wanted a full-time lead singer; not a wanna be lead guitar player who also sings. 

As luck would have it, we found an excellent singer who also played guitar.  After about 6 months he slowly worked his guitar on stage and was eventually playing most songs.

As I play records in my room weeping.      

It just wasn't to be my life, and I'm good with that, because my life turned out to be far better than had I been famous.
They all seem to be miserable, at least those who lived a life without faith.