What does "Made in China" mean for Mandolin Players and Buyers?

Often the subject of Chinese made mandolins is often discussed among players and occupies quite a bit of space on the Mandolin Cafe (www.mandolincafe.com). Some are buyers and supporters of mandolins and other instruments made in China. Others voice strong opinions and pose pointed questions about the quality of Chinese-made mandolins as well as the manufacturing methods. I suppose most are somewhere in the middle.

I live in Guangdong Province in southern China and produce Jade Mandolins here. I miss good BBQ, Mexican food, cornbread, buttermilk, and hundreds of other things from home. However, there are some things from here that I would miss equally if I were to go home. This is not my home. Not a day passes that I don't think about Texas. I am not an expert on China but I offer a few observations and opinions on this touchy subject, not to inflame but explain. Even though I have a monetary interest in this topic, I will try to be objective.

There is a lot of trash being made in China. America and other nations have been awash with inferior products. However, do not think that all Chinese made products are like this. Generally, what is exported is what is ordered by the buyer. The buyer is contracting with the factories to make products to a set of specs. The buyer asks for cheaply made products and the seller delivers.

You can go to THE auction site and buy a violin with bow and case for $99.00. What do you get? You get what you pay for. Do you really think you are going to get a violin that is set up, made with quality tonewoods, fitted with quality strings, and assembled with the care and skill of an old Italian fiddle? China makes millions of these kinds of violins each year. However, there is another extreme to the violin story. In February I attended a violin show at an exclusive art gallery in Guangzhou. The building was in a posh area and would rival any art gallery in Dallas, Houston or Chicago. There were not any $99 specials here. There were some $2000, $5000, $10,000 and higher world class violins being shown. The exhibitors were there by invitation only. Some of the makers had even gone to violin making schools in Italy. If you look at Chinese violins you can find the worst and the best.

If you look at guitars that were made in the USA in the 1930's you could find the worst and the best. Gibson and Martin were making their now coveted prewar guitars. However, Sears and Roebuck and Montgomery Ward were selling some junk guitars at the same time. Their guitars were made to order. These mail order houses were ordering cheap instruments. They were selling them and customers were buying them. Can we say if we bought one of these guitars in 1934 that all guitars made in the USA were of similar inferior quality?

There are factories in China making $4.00 guitars to order. They are not making them and then trying to sell them. These are what the customer ordered. I do not really blame the factory for these shoddy guitars. Someone in the USA ordered them and is selling them to you. At the same time there are some Chinese made guitars that have American companies taking notice.

Labor is cheaper here. However, did you know that most factories provide dormitories for the workers to live in, uniforms to wear, and two meals a day? The modest salary the worker receives is saved. Skilled workers will make $20 or more per day. I will guarantee that the 25 year old factory worker has at least $5000 to $10,000 in the bank. How many 25 year old workers in the USA can match that? Think of what your hourly wages would in be in America if you had your house and 2/3 of your food provided by your company.

I had my good friend, Ed Dye from Abilene, Texas, visit me in February. He had many experiences in China and enjoyed his trip. One comment was, "This is not what I expected."

Violins, guitars, and mandolins...they come in all price ranges and quality. Caveat emptor!

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Bob McRee
www.jademandolins.com
Jade Mandolins~Hand Made for Hand Pickin'