Alex Chase Guitars - Too Good To Be True?

[SupDude]

http://www.alexchaseguitars.com/servlet/StoreFront

These are some gorgeous looking guitars, but are they actually good guitars? They look very good on the site, but the site doesn't look too professional.
It says they use the finest materials, and either EMG pickups or SJK Boutiques. (never heard of these, any good)

There's a few Harmony Central reviews of SJK Pickups, and AC Guitars, and all sound very good. But I'd like to hear directly from someone who owns them or has played them.

They look exactly like PRS' and for that price? Either it's the best deal ever, or something fishy is going on. Thanks

http://www.alexchaseguitars.com/catalog/ac450stcha.JPG
http://www.alexchaseguitars.com/catalog/ac350stcha.JPG

[jetcity]

I will give you my take one these after looking at the site. These look like they are nothing but an overseas produced guitar. For example, anybody can commision an overseas manufacturer to produce hundreds of guitars for about $150 dollars a piece , slap there name on it while in production and bingo ! Those quilt tops are paper thin veneers for sure. You can't produce that guitar in the U.S. for that kind of money, no way. This method of production and marketing has become popular. I personally am totally against it, because it undermines U.S. builders and the whole market. It is not that I am against a nice introductory guitar......It is just the enormity of these in the market now. It just like the fact that we are sending our jobs over seas for years, eventually it rears it's ugly head, like it is right now. Imagine if we had all of those jobs and products here in the states right now, we would not be having a recession at all !!!! Secondly as a builder I can tell you that as long as people are buying these overseas " boutique " guitars, the companies that supply them ( Korean buyers ) with maple will still come over here and out bid the local buyers on the nicest maple trees, ship them back on a container and peel them into tissue thin veneers just to sell it back to the U.S. buyer .....When those really nice trees should be used on higher quality instruments here in the U. S instead of being burned up on a guitar that is $150. I think people need to be educated and they would change their mind !! So in twenty years when people are asking themselves where did all our nice maple go to ? I can't find anymore...or it is so expensive...... They can look back and say I warned them !

[ManliusGuitar]

I am not so sure that it is proper to put the blame on the chinese manufacturers for the products, quality, and availability of these guitars. I think it is an easy cop-out to do so, but really they are only being made because people buy them.... so perhaps be angry at the consumer. Consumers drive production.

I also think your statement on the recessionary effects of higher production in the US is off base, as in this recession you are seeing more of a tightening to consumer spending as a response to limited availability to credit, and general fear of employment. In this situation, you most probably would notice an even higher level of job loss, as consumer spending falls. In addition to this, currently your lower level mass-produced american made guitars generally are in the $800-$1000 price range, which would easily serve to close the market to a wide span of this industrywho actively seek lower cost import models. This would certainly hurt producers in this market, as a new customer base over the next 20 years would not grow as rapidly. So perhaps with the dying demand, your maple prices will remain flat?

I dunno, I just don't agree with much of what you said. But I certainly wouldn't look at these import "boutique-wanna-be" guitars as competition for your stuff, which is pretty stellar! I would think of them as necessary to the further growth of the guitar industry, and yours and mine businesses.

FWIW

[crosse79]

I've got to agree with Manlius. No way someone who is looking for serious gigging guitar would consider cheap imports. That said - I have not looked at the site - and I cannot assume that they are imported guitars.

[narad]

It's a shame because some of those are flat-out stunning. If a good boutique builder would make a few like that I'd easily pay 6x those prices

[jhc]

I think it's fair to assume these are imports with cheap electronics ("designed by" EMGs and SKJs which sell for $26 a pair) Still, they look very nice, and if the body and necks are at all playable, these might be a decent option for the budget minded (which includes me). I hope someone has played these, because I'd still love a report.

[SupDude]

I think it's fair to assume these are imports with cheap electronics ("designed by" EMGs and SKJs which sell for $26 a pair) Still, they look very nice, and if the body and necks are at all playable, these might be a decent option for the budget minded (which includes me). I hope someone has played these, because I'd still love a report.

Yeah I'm a broke college student looking for a cheap decent guitar. I'd love to hear from someone who has actually played one.

I think I'll just go with one of the Ibanez Artcores. At least it's a trusted name

[wbgilland]

great guitar for the money! not a PRS or a Les Pual, but still great playability and good electronics! all dirt cheap. good action, nice STRAIGHT neck. Can beat the hell out of it, and your out no money. Worth 3 times asking price!

[wbgilland]

BTW great figure in molten mango finish! Two complaints; plastic knob on pickup selector lasted less than a month, can't keep nut on input jack tight for more than 3 weeks.

[spitz1987]

It's only my opinion, but...They make high end exotic cars for those that can afford them. They have crazy performance specs far beyond anybody's normal everyday needs. But, people buy them, anyway...Not because they NEED it. But, because it's impresive to say they have one. Yet, there are far more of us driving Chevys and Fords because we can afford them and we don't need racing statistics to get from A to B. My point is, not everyone can afford or can see the added value in a Gibson, Fender or PRS. If the guitar is made from quality materials, assembled with care and given the attention to fit and finish, who cares where it was made? Most of us won't be making a living playing music. It's a hobby...a love for music or just a way to enjoy music on a different level. But, I have to ask... Why are Gibsons and such so damned expensive? The materials used in an inexpensive guitarmay be the same or similar as the expesive ones. And, let's be realistic...The electronics may be better but, thousands of dollars better? I don't think so. So, again I ask...Why so much? Just an opinion. And, by the way... I drive a Ford.

[palmera]

Thanks for the information spitz1987..... keep on posting....

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[BluZen]

Most may have a attitude about Alex Chase Guitars thats OK, i invested in and play one and there tone is exquisite nevertheless ! Some also note that it' is;nt US made so it can't be good yet nevertheless its much like a Les Paul Standard experience with an extra exotic oneness that Paul does'nt cater .. I believe in aboard Artistisans not just USA Artisans..!

[narad]

Seems the proportion of of 1-2 post posters in this thread is unusual. Just sayin'. And it seems I posted here a year ago? So young, so naive... :P

At any rate, the domain is down, and ownership looks suspicious.

[jetcity]

Seems the proportion of of 1-2 post posters in this thread is unusual. Just sayin'. And it seems I posted here a year ago? So young, so naive... :P

At any rate, the domain is down, and ownership looks suspicious.
Oh the site is down now !...................... boy I am surprised !!! :D

[jetcity]

It's a shame because some of those are flat-out stunning. If a good boutique builder would make a few like that I'd easily pay 6x those prices
I am right here. :wave We have a bunch of new stuff coming up. Solid of a guitar as it gets. All USA built. They are not $150-300 though.