What is the difference between US-made and Japanese-made electric guitars?

Question

I see a big distinction in the price when it comes to US-made and Japan- made. I wonder if there's any middle ground when is comes to quality. Do Japanese make premium quality guitars...like they do with cars now?

Answer 1

This is what I have heard.

The designs for, say, a Fender Squire Telecaster, are sent to Japan, along with enough wood to make 'x' number of guitars.  The hardware (tuners, bridges, pickups, controls, etc.) is also sent over and it is of a lower-grade.  The guitars are produced, but if there was any flaw in the wood, it will be passed on and the guitar still made from the flawed wood.

Contrast that with one made in the US, where the wood is more carefully inspected for quality, the hardware is of better quality, and more time is taken in inspecting the final product.

Now, whether Japan's production quality can rival the more hands-on approach in the US and make a difference in the sound of the guitar might be more subjective than objective.

I have a Japanese Ibanez bass, and other than the cheap pickups that hum too much, I am very happy with the feel, the action, and the overall sound.  It stays in-tune very well as long as the temperature doesn't change (which would affect even the best guitars).  I will be replacing the pickups soon enough.

.