Finally tried a Epi Classic Pro Thunderbird!

[Pilgrim]

I see that one of those videos is titled "Japanese whiskey found to be best in the world"...

Wars have been fought over less.  There are some lads in Scotland and Kentucky who would take great exception.

[TBird1958]

"If it's not Scottish, it's crap!"

[4stringer77]

The story is from a Scottish news station and the designation "best in the world" is only in regards to a couple competitions in which Japanese Whiskies have won. The conclusion of the story was that while Japanese whisky is a great niche product, it still would need more marketing and have more aggressive pricing to be considered a threat to more traditional whisky making regions. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. 

[Pilgrim]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  

That would be a pretty consistent comment in terms of Japanese product development over the years.

But I think that may have passed to the Chinese at this point.

[Highlander]

I'm aware that they have even gone to the extent of shipping out Scottish water to try and replicate the production...

Of my own preferred dram, 90% goes there...

[rofl] The thought of Japanese whisky becoming popular in Scotland... [still, illicit, rofl]

[dadagoboi]

Just about every market the Japanese have tried to conquer they have.  Cars, motorcycles, electronics, musical instruments for a few.  What makes you think they'll fail at producing what is basically an exercise in chemistry?

It ain't where you start that matters.  Those crappy guitars of the 60s have turned into a made in Japan product most of you can't or won't afford in preference for their cheaper Asian competitors.  My Japanese made basses, from Fender to Ibanez to Yamaha take no back seat when it comes to quality and innovation.  Which is a lot more than you can say for Gibson.

[Dave W]

Gibson's bigger problem is that many of them take a back seat to older Gibsons.

[dadagoboi]

Gibson's bigger problem is that many of them take a back seat to older Gibsons.

They work the heritage angle to death.  Too bad they don't live up to it, let alone actually innovating in a meaningful way.  Instead they come up with crap like the Fireturd or automatic tuning.  They must think those will compensate for their laughable quality to price ratio.

[Pilgrim]

They work the heritage angle to death.  Too bad they don't live up to it, let alone actually innovating in a meaningful way.  Instead they come up with crap like the Fireturd or automatic tuning.  They must think those will compensate for their laughable quality to price ratio.

The thing that gets me is that people WILL pay for quality if they GET quality.  They just need to deliver.

[TBird1958]

I deal with people everyday that come into Seattle Lighting with a straight face and tell me that they want to purchase a U.S. made product, I usually show them this mfg's book  http://www.hubbardtonforge.com/

It's very nice lighting, not even the most expensive out there, you'd be surprised tho, most folks are a whole lot of talk, and not much spending!
My Single Malt Scotch will always come from Scotland   

[Lightyear]

I will pay for quality - regardless of where it's from.  I rarely if ever find anything from China to be the best in quality but quite often the product will suffice or is the only option available.  I am prone to make a concerted effort to buy American if the quality is there - one company I like is Round House jeans:  http://www.round-house.com/   Not fancy but well made jeans and such at a very fair and competitive price - cheaper than the D*ckies you can buy at Wallyworld - that are made anywhere but here.

The idgits that wouldn't spend $50 or $100 more on a light fixture probably drove up to Mark's shop in a $60K car and the missus probably is wearing 20 grand worth of jewelry 

[gweimer]

Thanks for the links, guys.  I may actually be looking for a floor lamp, and there is a place about 10 min. away that has that line of lamps.

[the mojo hobo]

My Single Malt Scotch will always come from Scotland   

And my 9 year old bourbon will always come from Kentucky

[Lightyear]

Gary, if you find something you like send the info to Mark - he can probably fix you up and save you some serious $$

My wife has fallen in love with a hand made copper chandelier from a well known company out west - Mark quoted us a killer price that beat any price we found anywhere - unfortunately we have to wait for our daughter to finish grad school before we can afford it 

[the mojo hobo]

I have always been a follower of brands, but after belt loops coming off my Levi's jeans and looking at the tags to discover they are made in places I have never heard of, I starting buying American from: http://www.allusaclothing.com/

Specifically http://www.allusaclothing.com/Denim-Jeans-p/25305.htm and note the price is less than you would pay for Levi's brand jeans, with shipping about the same, but these are much better jeans.