Interesting article

[Doc B.]

I follow the Made in America website since our gear is, uh, made in America. Here is an article that may be a bit propaganda-ish but which I found interesting in light of our own sales growth this year:

http://www.themadeinamericamovement.com/2/post/2012/08/china-confronts-mounting-piles-of-unsold-goods.html

[earwaxxer]

I believe it! The US has made a comeback baby! I know that in the audio bis there has been a very competitive response. All the Chinese can do is copy what we do.

[Doc B.]

My intention is not to disparage the Chinese products. They are making some very nice tubes, and there are in fact some Chinese tube amps that are very well built as well as nice amps made in China for American companies.

I was looking at the article more from the viewpoint that the same thing happens in any country when you inflate and overproduce at the same time. The bubble bursts, just like it did here. I was in China in the early 80's when things were just starting to change economically. Life over there was pretty grim and I think it's great that their quality of life has improved.  Maybe at some point things will level out and everyone can get a piece of a more equally sliced pie.

[John Roman]

I will pay closer attention to that site from now on.
A few years back during the Xmas holidays I had the notion of buying nothing but products with a label that stated "Made in the USA". It used to be ubiquitous. I could only find one place in a mall the size of a small city that actually carried any US made clothing. I'm heartened to read it may be turning around.
best regards,
John

[earwaxxer]

I agree with Doc, the Chinese make some fantastic kit, and they are big time into tubes, as they have been in continuous production of them as well. I also have taken advantage of their 'cheep labor', and scored some fantastic value in components. If anything their quality control is very good these days. They dont tend to innovate nearly to the level that we do. IMO, the US manufacturing has had to up their game to compete. All good for the consumer. I do believe that the situation will soon change due to increasing wages. Workers over there are starting to smartin up.