Over the weekend I went into a well know classical shop in Illinois, to talk to the luthier about making my 1979 Guild Mark IV play more in tune with itself (making a new saddle) Most of the guitars he sells ate 5,000+, a little too rich for my budget.
He had a Kenny Hill flamanco guitar (the New World Series) imported from China for about 1,600. It blew away the Guild I hate to admit, tone playability ect. I heard that the American Classicals Guild Gibson and MARTIN are overbuilt which is why they have a more "clunky" sound.
Wanted all your opinions about Chinese imports- supposedly this was made in a small shop in China, where the workers are well trained and the guitar is mostly made by hand- the quality IMO is as good as the American new Taylor, Martin, National I've seen which is very suprizing for me. If this was am American made guitar I would have bought it, but I am hesitant because of the origin. I know I should not be (I can't believe it's as good a guitar as it looks/crafted and sounds), and judge a guitar solely on it's merits, but in this case I want all the facts before I buy.
Has anyone else had experience with the quality of Chinese made instruments?
He had a Kenny Hill flamanco guitar (the New World Series) imported from China for about 1,600. It blew away the Guild I hate to admit, tone playability ect. I heard that the American Classicals Guild Gibson and MARTIN are overbuilt which is why they have a more "clunky" sound.
Wanted all your opinions about Chinese imports- supposedly this was made in a small shop in China, where the workers are well trained and the guitar is mostly made by hand- the quality IMO is as good as the American new Taylor, Martin, National I've seen which is very suprizing for me. If this was am American made guitar I would have bought it, but I am hesitant because of the origin. I know I should not be (I can't believe it's as good a guitar as it looks/crafted and sounds), and judge a guitar solely on it's merits, but in this case I want all the facts before I buy.
Has anyone else had experience with the quality of Chinese made instruments?