Crusty wrote:
Most of the time it is mentioned to increase perceived value. Rule of thumb is until it is confirmed it is only hearsay. Only a claim.......You are probably correct Cadebryant. I will give Yamaha this: Their Japanese models are quality instruments. Not a big fan of their Chinese/Indonesian models.
Pretty much
all the Japanese manufacturers (Yamaha, Mat, Fujigen, Terada, Yamaki, etc.) were making exceptional guitars back in the mid-70s through the mid-80s. The companies that survived, and the new ones that came after (ESP, Caparison, Deviser, etc.) are
still making exceptional guitars today.
I agree with you that sellers throw around Mat's name to boost the perceived value/status of what they're selling. The ironic thing is that the manufacturing quality of many of Japan's other manufacturers at that time (especially Yamaha and Fujigen) was every bit as good as that of Mat. Quality variations between Japanese instruments of that era were more likely to occur between individual instruments, or between the cheapest and most expensive models of a given line, rather than between the factories themselves.
I agree as well that Indonesian and Chinese instruments of
any brand often leave a lot to be desired, in terms of build quality/sound/playability/durability.......although I've owned and played some newer
Korean guitars that amazed me.