Eisboch wrote:

Fender is marketing a "Jay Turner" model "Strat" in the US. I looked at
them yesterday at the local music shop I frequent.
Guitar and little Peavey practice amp is $199 dollars.

Richard, I think you're talking about "Jay Turser" which is a seperate
company that produces under license from Fender. The Turser quality is
a lot better than it used to be. They make some really good knock-
off's.

Interesting about "name brands" like:

Jay Turser
Carlo Robelli
J.D. Player

FAIK, those are all distributor brands and there are no such designer/
luthier-like people associated with the product names.

Now the cheap J. Reynolds brands. I Do know J. Reynolds. He worked
for Samuel Music/ Midco Int'l, in Effingham IL. for years. Midco Int'l
owns the Lotus Brand, was partners with Washburn for a while, Owns the
Arbor trademark, was the sole distributor of Hohner harmonicas in the
US, also introduced Yamaha band instruments back in the late 60's etc.
For a small office in a small mid-west town, they had warehouses all
across the US.

Reynolds just retired about 5 years ago after about 30+ years of
service, Dean Samuelthe owner, had Midco produce a guitar in his
honor. It's an inexpensive "Strat" copy, but plays pretty well.

cool, eh?