[MF_Dearmond]

I was curious if all New Vox amp manufacturing has been outsourced? I don't mean chinese Celestion speakers which is out of Vox's hands, but the amps themselves?

What about New Fenders? Some people are saying the parts are made in Mexico and being sent to, and assembled in the USA. I hope this is just a myth, because IMO taking an essentially mexican made amp-kit and assembling said Amp in America isn't really what I'd call a "Made in USA" amp.

[TV the Wired Turtle]

Well man I'm 7 miles from Corona and the border is about 2 hrs southwest of me.. May as well be made in mexico! Infact all those hotrods types are..
ever see this photo tour..menu is on the left for the full effect
http://reviews.photoweborama.com/all...r/ampelec.html

Vox isnt building amp in England anymore, at least all production model stuff is made in china.. Celestion is china express too except for the heritage series speakers and the alnicos.

as far as I'm concerned if you want a real vox you must buy one from
JMI amplification http://www.jmiamplification.com/

and if you want a real fender amp you must purchase one from the custom shop in scottsdale arizona

http://www.fender.com/products/searc...&series=Custom

[workknot]

My new Vox Night Train has a badge on the backside that says it was made in Vietnam.
Pop's

[Sarah93003]

In reality, manufacturers import parts to be able to be competitive with their product. That's just the way it is. The more complex the product, then the more likely it will contain imported parts.

These days even a Harley Davidson is more than 50% imported parts, with Victory close behind. The irony is that the new Honda Goldwing contains more "American" made parts than either Harley or Victory since they are now being made by American Honda Motor Co.

When I think of "Made in USA" I think in terms of the jobs created for Americans.

[hojo199]

My AC15CC1 is made in China and my AV4TV is made in Vietnam. So what? They were both designed in GB and both sound wonderful. I come from the old school. I have played through "real" amps for more decades than most boutique players have been alive. These amps sound very good if one (a) has a decent instrument and (b) is actually playing -- not thinking about "hand-wiring" and other totally unmusical snobbery....

[catar]

hojo, could not have said it any better.

[hojo199]

Originally Posted by catar

hojo, could not have said it any better.

I thought it was rude -- but true and had to be said. Thanks for your support

[mugsy]

Originally Posted by TV the Wired Turtle

Vox isnt building amp in England anymore, at least all production model stuff is made in china.. Celestion is china express too except for the heritage series speakers and the alnicos.

The blues in the Vox amps are MIC. There have been a few posts about that on the Vox forums.

EDIT: here's a link...toward the bottom by Mitch

[Lizardkinged]

Originally Posted by hojo199

My AC15CC1 is made in China and my AV4TV is made in Vietnam. So what? They were both designed in GB and both sound wonderful. I come from the old school. I have played through "real" amps for more decades than most boutique players have been alive. These amps sound very good if one (a) has a decent instrument and (b) is actually playing -- not thinking about "hand-wiring" and other totally unmusical snobbery....

At the same time there is nothing better than the feeling of DIY... Plugging it in and hearing something else your hands have been busy with.

I dont care where its made as long as it sounds like I expect it too sound. Theres too many factors to think/care about when it comes to PERFECT tone... I dont have time to think about all of them, let alone list any of them... Just listen to what you like to hear, thats my only comment.

[hojo199]

Originally Posted by Lizardkinged

At the same time there is nothing better than the feeling of DIY... Plugging it in and hearing something else your hands have been busy with.

I dont care where its made as long as it sounds like I expect it too sound. Theres too many factors to think/care about when it comes to PERFECT tone... I dont have time to think about all of them, let alone list any of them... Just listen to what you like to hear, thats my only comment.

These are great points -- that I wholeheartedly agree with. The proof is, of course, recording these things and then listening when we aren't actually playing. Guess what? Vietnam and China sound like Liverpool and London. Not an issue....

[MF_Dearmond]

Originally Posted by hojo199

These are great points -- that I wholeheartedly agree with. The proof is, of course, recording these things and then listening when we aren't actually playing. Guess what? Vietnam and China sound like Liverpool and London. Not an issue....

I'm not doubting if they sound good/bad (mostly), I was just curious if any were still made in their respective countries of heritage. A new Chinese Vox AC-30 sounds pretty darn good, but let's not pretend that they will command the same collectors monetary value as a British Vox or American Fender if the time comes that you need to sell. Both a Mexican Fender and USA Fender will probably depreciate in value, but given all specs are equal it doesn't take a Harvard Scholar to know which of the two will be in higher demand down the road on the second hand market.

[NWAttorney]

"Made in the USA" is a driving factor in me wanting a Mesa/Boogie amp. They're all made here, I believe every aspect as well...not just assembly.

[Drewgrass]

Originally Posted by NWAttorney

"Made in the USA" is a driving factor in me wanting a Mesa/Boogie amp. They're all made here, I believe every aspect as well...not just assembly.

Why would your driving factor be where the amp is made?
Surely the driving factor should be how the amp sounds.

[araT]

This is why I dig Orange, apart from their budget models they're all still made in the UK.

[MF_Dearmond]

Originally Posted by Drewgrass

Why would your driving factor be where the amp is made?
Surely the driving factor should be how the amp sounds.

It's gear snobbery. I can understand it.

I have some effects pedals from Thailand that sound great, but that's just small stuff.

Something like a guitar? USA only.
An Amp? well, I'd take a $50 USA no-name tube amp over a $30 Japan tube amp all day long, even if they sounded identical.

As far as new gear goes, our economy is a deciding factor as well. However, even If our economy wasn't bad I'd still shoot for the USA.

Pinkies up.


When I lived in Japan, I would always joke with my friends that if I started building custom guitars I would stamp them "Made in Japan by an American Craftsman" so people wouldn't mistake it for MIJ crap.

[Drewgrass]

Originally Posted by araT

This is why I dig Orange, apart from their budget models they're all still made in the UK.

You're not saying you wouldn't like the Orange if it was made somewhere else are you Tara?
You don't get the Orange vibe with another make so if you want it you got to have it, wherever it's made. No?

[Strummerson]

Originally Posted by MF_Dearmond

It's gear snobbery. I can understand it.

I have some effects pedals from Thailand that sound great, but that's just small stuff.

Something like a guitar? USA only.

So only custom shop or vintage GreTscHes cut it?

[araT]

Originally Posted by Drewgrass

You're not saying you wouldn't like the Orange if it was made somewhere else are you Tara?
You don't get the Orange vibe with another make so if you want it you got to have it, wherever it's made. No?

Not at all, I happen to have one of their "budget" amps - the Tiny Terrors & Dual Terrors are both made in China.

I just like that the higher end ones still have that great British mojo that comes from being made in the UK by the guys who have been doing it all along, and cost less than their Chinese-made VOX counterparts. They do have more soul. Even the Terrors have a healthy dose of that great British mojo that I find modern VOXs lack. I plan to expand & get one of the higher-end ones as soon as I get to Germany & my budget allows for it.

I also find them to be much more reliable & rugged than the modern VOXs.

[MF_Dearmond]

Originally Posted by Strummerson

So only custom shop or vintage GreTscHes cut it?

Unfortunately, for me, yes.
Although, a new Gretsch with TV Jones pups and a compton bridge bring things back up to snuff quite a bit.

You can't forget that there are some awesome vintage Gretsch models available at good prices. For the money, I'll take a beat up old American Gretsch over some fancy new outsourced model that I really like.

The Made in Japan aspect is more than enough to make me not want to invest a lot of hard earned cash. I already have admitted to snobbery, so not much else I can say other than bring up worse resale value for non USA Gretsch gear. I'm not some jerk because I want to buy USA gear, I just like it. I like the thought of it. Makes me feel like I'm kinda' buying what I would have bought 30-50+ years ago.

Do I like the New Gretsch guitars yes. Would I be happy owning one? Sure. But it would take a lot of drinks and a shaky hand to sign that check.

[hojo199]

Originally Posted by MF_Dearmond

but let's not pretend that they will command the same collectors monetary value as a British Vox or American Fender if the time comes that you need to sell. Both a Mexican Fender and USA Fender will probably depreciate in value, but given all specs are equal it doesn't take a Harvard Scholar to know which of the two will be in higher demand down the road on the second hand market.

The amp will hold its value though. I paid 350.00 on Ebay for the (used) AC15cc1, and will have no trouble getting that money back anytime in the future. I had a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for years -- paid four hundred used and sold it (in less than an hour) for the same price years later. I really don't see these amps we are discussing becoming worthless. They are tube amps, after all. I agree that they will not appreciate. They are not collectible. But, I believe, they will hold up well....