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Originally Posted by Spook410
Marx himself (in Capital, though not in earlier more explicitly activist writing) thought regulated markets would be the main mechanism of the economy under his vision of socialism. Lenin took steps in that direction under NEP, which Stalin un-did once he consolidated power.
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04-11-2024 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Palehorseo
My bias has always been American > Japanese > Korean > Indonesian > Chinese, but let's face it the Chinese have caught up in quality at least to Korea. Same thing happened with power tools and any number of consumer electronics, and is well on the way with cars. (I just got a Volvo S60 PHEV--absolutely love the car. Made in South Carolina, but the research going into their EVs and PHEVs due to Chinese ownership is eye-opening.)
I got my first Japanese guitar recently (Gretsch) which is the highest quality. I have had 2 Epis--Korean and Indonesian, both very good. Korean Peerless--very good. I just got my first Chinese guitar (well except for a cheap Harmony flattop I gave to my son)--the Cordoba Stage--and I am VERY impressed with the quality.
Gibson has done what it has had to do to survive. It is nice that they are still making quality guitars at all price points, even if some are made overseas and sold under the Epiphone name. One hopes they will make quality archtops again in America, but I think the chance of me buying a new Gibson at this point is remote. Glad I've got the vintage 175 and 135 in my stable.
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Originally Posted by John A.
And fine.. time to give in as others struggle to steer us back to guitars..
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Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
People are so hung up on that branding, it's a powerful psychological ploy which is why "iT's NoT a ReAl GiBsuN" has to be spun over and over, manipulating people's mind for them to maintain sales in a market flooded with cheaper alternatives. You see the greats playing Gibson and associate your own greatness with owning a Gibson so you must have that or you cannot be on that level when the reality is if you worked your chops more than your wallet a whole bunch of instruments would take you where you want to be. I guess that's why I'm excited about these.
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There’s a used Broadway at the LMS. Plays and sounds great. A little poly-heavy but otherwise a nice guitar. I was tempted but I’ve got too many guitars.
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Originally Posted by Stringswinger
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Originally Posted by blackcat
I have had many guitars, and auditioned many many more. Gibsons and Fenders mostly.
I compare them to a Gibson L5 CES that I own. (I have auditioned those too).
Result: the L5 stays and so do the Chinese Epiphones
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Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack
Listening with your ears (and hands) instead of your eyes- bravo!!
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I'm just back from Japan and we flew part of our journey with a Chinese airline. I was impressed with how nice and professional the Chinese crew were. I still wouldn't live in China (though maybe for a time if I were younger) but I believe it's safe to say that country of today has little to do with Mao's China. The West should be under no illusions though - we're not going to boss them around and China is always going to be China. As to Japan, the country simply wowed me. I haven't visited a more impressive country. They've expertly kept just the right of protectionism so as to never lose their souls - and their shirts. They're one smart people. I had no plans to buy a guitar but managed a few quick store visits (not the Walkin' store in Tokyo unfortunately), especially to see more Japanese guitars from up close. Fender Japan, Momose, Bacchus, Ibanez, Yamaha and others do a very impressive job for reasonable prices.
Last edited by m_d; 04-14-2024 at 10:01 AM.
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Originally Posted by DawgBone
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Originally Posted by supersoul
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Originally Posted by DawgBone
So I’m hesitant towards Epiphone. But a thinline hollowbody is something I might be interested in eventually. If something crossed my path I would consider it. It would have to sound unique to my other couple of guitars.
Although honestly I would choose an Epiphone over a Gibson any day. That “play authentic” campaign really annoyed me!
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Originally Posted by supersoul
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Some people just can't stand a brand - Epiphone and Jensen, for example, seem to evoke strong feelings. IIRC, a family feud and the untimely death of a key family member led to the demise of Epiphone in just a few years, marked by declining product quality. Under Gibson, it has had its ups and downs, often in parallel depending on product line and factory. I can't say much about the first decades under Gibson, but at least the Emperor Regents and Broadways made in Korea in the 1990s are extremely well made. Overall, the brand is a good example of how difficult it is to restore a reputation after decades of playing a distant second fiddle. On the European car arena, Skoda shares platforms and technology with Audi and VW, consistently beating the latter in comparison tests. Yet, for older people in particular, Czech cars still bring echoes of the Socialist era. How Gibson has managed to retain a more or less pristine image despite continuing turbulence and quality issues is a mystery.
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Originally Posted by DawgBone
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Originally Posted by m_d
Originally Posted by Gitterbug
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Originally Posted by Stringswinger
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Originally Posted by RJVB
Last edited by Gitterbug; 04-16-2024 at 05:23 AM.
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Originally Posted by RJVB
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Originally Posted by DawgBone
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Originally Posted by ruger9
Originally Posted by Gitterbug
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Originally Posted by RJVB
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Originally Posted by RJVB
Speaking about poor men's Mercedes, in Japan, riding in the old Toyota Crown taxis was a guilty pleasure of mine (not necessarily shared by other family members). They are such a smooth ride.
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Originally Posted by ruger9
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Originally Posted by RJVB
Arrangements of Furniture
Yesterday, 09:59 PM in Improvisation