Ive always liked Gibson guitars, mainly through heritage rather than quality. Like many big name US manufacturers, they rest on such laurels whilst the rest of the world get on with quality.

I bought an Epiphone J200 equivalent brand new for ?260.00 the other year to prove a point. Once I changed the saddle and nut for Tusq and shaved a bit of meat out of the bracing, (not easy but with the correct tools, I could be a gyneocologist yet,) it keeps up with its ?3500 stablemate on sound, volume and sustain.

My mate has a J45 and I love the sound and playability but its build quality is down there with ?150 Chinese copies. One of the best J45s Ive played recently? Had Tanglewood on the headstock.

Gibson could do much better than this. Today's acoustic buyers just know theres far better out there at a better price.

Martin may have saved themselves with cheap guitars made in Mexico but Gibson cant because of Epiphone.

Meanwhile, I look at my collection, which isnt small. Not a single US build in it, although I admit I would like to add a Collings at some point. I still borrow a dread' for recording.

Domestic markets dont save big companies any more. My son tells me its similar with electrics. Back in the day I had a Gibson SG, the only Gibson Ive owndd. Despite my son, I would say that US guitars still would fill my wish list. Not acoustics though...