I think there is merit in buying things from their original root country. However, it is not due to nationalism, patriotism or the like. More about who has the better experience in building that said product. Japan was once laughed at as a land of inferior products not too long ago. Even in wristwatches, Swisswatches are a mark of quality today. But is that the truth? A Seiko mechanical watch is by NO MEANS inferior to that of a swiss product, and in some ways, might even be superior. Today, some american guitars are still top notch (Suhrs, Grosh, Detemples, EBMMs, Andersons). So, fine. I'll still look at those to buy. But when the Japanese and the Chinese become of age, then these companies need to surge forward to remain relevant.
Japanese guitars were mocked back then. Look at the cult following for Ibanez and ESP guitars today! There are strangely, still some americans who think that ESP is an american company. We know the truth. There are Japanese guitars that wipe the floor with american made ones. There alre also crappy made japanese guitars for sure. China and the rest of Asia are now where the Japanese were 25-30 years ago. Where will China made guitars be in 10 years? No one knows.
There are an influx of chinese made products today that we know are on par if not superior to american made ones. Kent Armstrong, GFS and Tonerider pups all have chinese components. One try and you know that they kill many "MIA" models.
And all these claims about human rights issues and what not are bullshit. If the americans belived what they spouted, they would have taken up Deng Xiao Ping's offer to open the flood gates for them in the 80s.
