screambasses wrote: I feel like I have to jump in here, though it's been a great discussion IMO. What's going on isn't any country bashing. I, like probably ever other bassist out there, feel that there are tons of great builders out there, from South America, to Europe to Asia and beyond. I drool over Wal's, Sei's, J Drozd and I could go on. For me, and I think what the original poster was trying to emphasize, was that, like Rodent and many other builders, whether in the USA or any country, we choose not to use any substandard shortcuts when we build unlike many of the major manufacturers. I'm only following Dan Lakin, Roger Sadowsky, Jim Mouradian, Mike Lull and Mike Pedulla's lead. (FWIW I feel Pedulla is the best builder in the states.)
Dean, who is just down the street from me, has all of their guitars manufactured in Asia (except their "American Series".) The typical cost built, finished and shipped from Korea is $70. I use Schaller and Delano - two European companies - but I won't use Korean or Chinese parts because when I call Jason at Hipshot or Stew at Nordstrand and place an order I know that I'm helping to keep this country going - and that's what we need right about now.
Dan and I were just discussing this topic last week. I tested many, many suppliers and their wares INCLUDING Chinese because I wanted to see the difference in everything offered. It's taken me a while to narrow my suppliers but I feel I've chosen the best. FWIW, the Chinese factory sent me six bodies in ten days. The quality was pretty good, but not up to my standards. I can get CNC routed Jazz bodies, including shipping, for $65 and my customers wouldn't even know the difference - not after being painted. But that's not what I do.
I still own my first two basses (well, 2nd and 3rd) a Hondo II and an Ibanez. Hope this clears things up a bit.
pete
The thing is I agree that it's cool to have a company that supports your local economy. It is better imo, I'm not saying that's wrong.
But this discussion is off topic for a bass specific forum, and I should mention I also deleted/edited the OP's multiple/more ferverent americana posts from the board, so we're only left with a slice of that initial enthusiasm. Ultimately what matters is he bought a Scream bass and the instrument/experience treated him right and he was good enough to share that with us. 
As I said before, feel free to pick up this topic further in the Leftorium if anyone likes, I think what's being said is definitely interesting, it just needs to be said in the right place. Thanks!
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