It used to be that a Guitar made anywhere but in the USA was basicly a piece of junk. Nowadays it seems that guitar companys have changed how they make them. Plywood was the wood of choice in the 60s 70s and 80s for chepo guitars. The Parts and electronics were awful too. Some companys tried setting in the necks to make them look more expensive like Cort,Hondo ect. Now in the 2000's everything has changed, on the outside new Guitars made in Korea or China or Indonisea look pretty good and play Ok. BUT, when you go to spend 400.00 bucks consider this, a new Hamer with a quilt top that looks like a 2000.00 guitar but cost only 350.00 you should ask yourself why? Well Labor for one reason other reasons include cheaper electronics, solder, pots , pickups, truss rod chambers, wood, glue, frets, ect. Consider a older American guitar like a Peavey Nitro or Robin, or Carvin these can cost you just as much and be a better guitar hands down. When I recently went into a Major Retail Guitar Store, I was blown away at all the guitars, my brain was overloaded, I thought, I will never get to play all these guitars and see what they are like. There was a 1100.00 ltd Randy Rhodes looking guitar and When I picked it up I was very disapointed because of the way it looked up close. 1 the binding looked cheap and mass produced, 2 the finish was unsatisfactory and looked very heavy and thick, 3 it played awful. After handling several guitars it accured to me that they basicly all played the same and had no diffrences. They had a Carvin in the store that someone had traded in and it was all solid KOA quilt. It played better than all the cookie cutter guitars in the place. This of course is my opinion but I have played and owned every major guitar brand out there. I just got off of Ebay a Peavey Nitro III for 150.00 and has a Kahler Spyder Trem and is near mint condition and it is a speed machine and all the parts are usa made. So just consider, is it the shape of a guitar or how it plays that matter. A older usa made jackson is going to out play any new japan jackson and some can be less than the Japan made ones. Again this is my opinion only but hope it helps someone in their decision. Now if you like haveing several guitars in a collection or you just want a New guitar dont be afraid to get one they play fine and some very well but when you are ready to move up, USA is the only way to go. You dont see very many pros playing copies, they play the real thing. Remember Paul Reed Smith makes the PRS line so more guitarists can afford a Paul Reid Smith, But is it a Real Paul Reed Smith? No, and that, if you are a serious guitar player will always stand in your mind.  Ive been in this situation, you show up ready to jam and youve got your guitar, a Jay turser, and the other guitar player has a Paul Reed that he paid 2500 for, at that moment you realize that it matters what you play because like it or not ,other guitar players consider your seriousness by what you bring unless your just begining to play. A korean Warlock will not carry the weight a USA made BC rich Warlock can. Hope this guide helps some fellow guitarists out there.