Recent FB post from Dana Bourgeouis regarding Bourgeois + Eastman

[Rosewood99]

So let's game this out. Eastmans have a fine reputation for good guitars at a reasonable price. Bourgeouis has a great reputation at a premium price. The new models will most likely be of better quality than Eastman but cheaper than Bourgeouis.

I don't see the downside.

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

So let's game this out. Eastmans have a fine reputation for good guitars at a reasonable price. Bourgeouis has a great reputation at a premium price. The new models will most likely be of better quality than Eastman but cheaper than Bourgeouis.

I don't see the downside.

Neither do I. It sounds like win-win to me.

[bluesman62]

Thats funny i have been looking for an eastman parlor.I must admit my Bourgeois is my favorite

[Acoustic Wolf]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Neither do I. It sounds like win-win to me.

I guess it comes down to to extent Bourgeois is required to share its intellectual property by having manufacturing in China: https://money.cnn.com/2017/08/14/new...rty/index.html

Chinese rules require foreign firms who want to enter certain industries -- such as energy, telecommunications and autos -- to form joint ventures with local partners, which often results in the transfer of technology to the Chinese companies.

Although one could argue there is nothing wrong with the Chinese obtaining the intellectual property of American guitar makers, as ultimately, it doesn't matter what country or race of people build the guitars, as long as at the end of the day consumers get to play them.

[12barBill]

Originally Posted by Acoustic Wolf

I guess it comes down to to extent Bourgeois is required to share its intellectual property by having manufacturing in China: https://money.cnn.com/2017/08/14/new...rty/index.html



Although one could argue there is nothing wrong with the Chinese obtaining the intellectual property of American guitar makers, as ultimately, it doesn't matter what country or race of people build the guitars, as long as at the end of the day consumers get to play them.

Uh... what?

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by Bill Sims

Uh... what?

Yup. They have an interesting code of ethics.

[ALBD]

Seems to me they are trying to have their cake and eat it to. Might work, time will tell. Either way it was a good business move IMO.

[jklotz]

NAMM is going on right now. Eastman there? I wonder if there have been any announcements about this yet?

[JERZEY]

If they want to water down the brand by having guitars made over seas to make a fast buck its on them. I wish them the best of luck. At least its a reputable, imo the only currently reputable Chinese company making guitars. Dont think they are doing this because they "cant" produce these units in the states at the same or better price point. They are doing it because they are hiring a company that pays less then livable wages to employees.

[Pura Vida]

Oh, my... conjecture level is getting awfully high.

jklotz, The Acoustic Shoppe did a live stream, which is now on YouTube, where they briefly discussed the strategic alliance. Nothing new to report, except that the Maine luthiers visited Beijing, and the Beijing luthiers visited Maine.

[merlin666]

Originally Posted by jklotz

NAMM is going on right now. Eastman there? I wonder if there have been any announcements about this yet?

Indeed, I am checking up on NAMM news but have not seen anything Eastman or Bourgeois related. Someone please post some pics/news.

[Dwight]

Originally Posted by JERZEY

....... They are doing it because they are hiring a company that pays less then livable wages to employees.

Ummm, Eastman is likely the owner.

[robey]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

So let's game this out. Eastmans have a fine reputation for good guitars at a reasonable price. Bourgeouis has a great reputation at a premium price. The new models will most likely be of better quality than Eastman but cheaper than Bourgeouis.

I don't see the downside.

Yeah. Throw in job security post Dana and (probably) increased benefits for his employees, it sounds like a win.

Being a Bourgeois fanboy (have 2, have had 5 over the years. am looking at adding one more) this partnership doesn't faze me.

Best of luck to them.

[jklotz]

https://bourgeoisguitars.net/our-new...ration-update/

[Acoustic Wolf]

Originally Posted by JERZEY

If they want to water down the brand by having guitars made over seas to make a fast buck its on them. I wish them the best of luck. At least its a reputable, imo the only currently reputable Chinese company making guitars. Dont think they are doing this because they "cant" produce these units in the states at the same or better price point. They are doing it because they are hiring a company that pays less then livable wages to employees.

You say it is the only reputable Chinese company, so you are saying the Chinese company that manufactures Breedlove guitars, for example, who are doing the same thing as Bourgeois, are not reputable?