Tigeralum2001
Well-known member
Is there a list of import brands that are made in the same factory? It would be interesting to see that Brand X is made by the same people that make brand Y.
Is there a list of import brands that are made in the same factory? It would be interesting to see that Brand X is made by the same people that make brand Y.
Just for fun go to alibaba.com and search for ukulele! An eye opener.
This a question that cannot have an answer.
The asian ukulele producer is part of the know how of each western brand. No one has interest that
People knows we're they made ukuleles. There are back business and marketing strategies.
As we are string producer, expecially for the Asian factory I can tell you a few of things safeguarding the privacy of the brands. Yes, in same cases the Same factory produce ukulele for different brands. The bigger brands make ukuleles with different factories. One, for the top quality, another one for entering levele and so on. Sometime the western brands change the Asian manufacturer because the quality is not ok, sometime because they were not honest or something else in matter of the quality of the instrument, prices etc
When the brands contact is for strings etc they put very clear that they're own Asian manufacturer informations must be keep assuring a great deal of safety. You see: it is not very welcome if a competitor discover were a certain very good instrument is done
Sorry for my bad English
Mimmo
The sister retail site for quantity one purchases is aliexpress.com . Sweet deals for a tablet or a uke.
Thanks for posting this. I am enjoying the English translations of the names. Might have to comparison shop, but I see that "girl beautiful wonderful time's store" has the bright yellow ukulele case I've been coveting.
All good points. So wouldn't more transparency be a good thing? We all know that the Chinese have little-to-no respect for Intellectual Property. I imagine if I were a using them to manufacture a product and I found another factory claiming they were manufacturing it, I would want to know. Judging by comments from those at NAMM, this information should not be hard to come by.We've had factories make false claims that they manufactured our ukes to try to get business. Other outfits farm out orders to whatever factory gives them the best deal at the time. Sometimes factories change hands and change workers, so quality either improves or declines. Seldom do companies tell you when they change suppliers.
Exactly. It was eye-opening to look around there. For slightly more I can obtain the real-deal from a trusted retailer. Precisely why I wouldn't buy a generic Mainland or Pono (or insert-brand-here) from said factory/factory outlet.And in regards to Alibaba, good luck and let the buyer beware.
And in regards to Alibaba, good luck and let the buyer beware.
All good points. So wouldn't more transparency be a good thing? We all know that the Chinese have little-to-no respect for Intellectual Property. I imagine if I were a using them to manufacture a product and I found another factory claiming they were manufacturing it, I would want to know. Judging by comments from those at NAMM, this information should not be hard to come by.
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When I said sweet deal, I meant you're also taking on the role of importer. You have to judge build quality and specs from long distance, deliver payment, pay the fees to get it through Customs and forwarding, and once you receive it you have to deal with intonation, fit and finish and setup. If not as advertised you'll have to find someone to send it back to for a replacement. I didn't say it was easy.
I've always told a beginner to patronize a dealer with a good reputation.