Lots of very interesting, and valid, points have been made in this thread. I am enjoying it.
On the count of owning imports, I am guilty on 3. Actually, 4 if I count the one SE CU24 I sold. That one was bought from a local dealer. Sold it to buy what? Another SE CU24. But not just
another SE CU24, a 30th Anniversary SE Custom 24. It, and my SE A10E Acoustic were bought from Sweetwater. Then, I succumbed to the lure of a S2 Vela, w/ birds! Also from Sweetwater. But, before all that, I managed to pickup (steal) a Paul's from MusicStoreLive. And it is a Limited Run Wood Library, probably one of a kind. The other is a SE CU22 semi hollow picked up on Ebay, but that one is going back on Ebay. Total count: 2 imports, 2 American-made.
And then I see this, from Jim:
Little different perspective on all this. Several months ago a friend and I took the factory tour at PRS. What was surprising was the stacks and stacks of SE boxes piled up everywhere. Each and every one is un-boxed and setup by a PRS employee who is there earning a living every day. I'm sure that many of you who were at the factory event last month saw this too! I really doubt that many other manufacturers that also have an imported line do this. Having an entry level product line is a great business strategy to develop a strong brand awareness and that encourages those customers to upgrade into Core products later on.
Another thought! PRS already has a large, world-wide customer base - their dealers. They are PRS's customers. They've figured out a way to sell their products, and make a profit, to their dealer base and then work to have the end consumers 'pull' product thru that pipeline. If selling direct to consumers pisses off 10% of their dealer base they would be in a world of hurt.
Jim
Heck, I did not know that PRS unboxes and sets up SE's in their factory! From that I would guess that they also unbox and setup Standards as well. Pretty d@mn good attention to the importance of PRS' emphasis on quality control, IMO. Not to mention the American jobs aspect. I think in the long run, the PRS instruments that are made overseas end up contributing to the overall American economy in more ways than one. I could not be happier with the 2 SE's that I'm keeping, not to mention the 2 American babies that I fondle every chance I get. Times will have to really get hard before I consider parting with any of them. Especially since the acoustic was a Valentine's Day gift from my wife. That one will be pried from my cold dead fingers.
I also want to thank Audie for that great post. Said what I felt in my heart, but did not know as actual facts. Very glad to hear it!
So, on to more reading, guys. Let's hear it.
