'Made in China' markings

[smdc66]

I wonder if any pa's made in china, have this marked on them

I have a theory they don't

Does anyone have any information to disprove my theory

I don't particulary want to open up the 'chinese v rest of the world quality debate' and I know some have some strong personal preferences inc myself but more a country of origin clarity debate

my brother who is a hohner music dealer (not accordion unfortunately) was convinced their pa's (still is probably) are made in germany based on dialogue with his supplier's support team :!:

 

[Soulsaver]

It didn't say made in China on my Bravo 11.. and it didn't say Germany either. All my other German boxes say made in Germany but they are all older 1955 - 1980ish. All my Italian boxes 1970's - 2008ish are Italian and say MADE IN ITALY on 'em.

 

[Adam-T]

I`ve yet to see a Chinese Hohner with "made in China" on it - my Vallenato melodeon hasn`t, the Pokerwork didn`t either and I`ve not seen it on a Nova or Bravo ...........

lets face it, it`s not the kind of thing a German company is likely to want to advertise is it . What if Merc started having the A class made there, I doubt they`d shout it from the rooftops either. What I`ve come to believe is that only if a Hohner has (or had) made in Germany on it was it in fact made in Germany ..

 

[Soulsaver]

Yes- my point is country of manufacture SHOULD be shown on items, particularly of this value to be allowed into the EU and/or UK.

 

[smdc66]

Yes- my point is country of manufacture SHOULD be shown on items, particularly of this value to be allowed into the EU and/or UK.

yes otherwise leads to mis-selling - eg a music dealer (aka my brother) being told by a uk hohner accordion trade supplier that the bravo is made in germany, him telling a customer and so on, when in fact chinese

in other industries this mis-selling has led to very hefty fines for the providers/suppliers of products to the consumer :!:

 

[ChrisH]

Yes- my point is country of manufacture SHOULD be shown on items, particularly of this value to be allowed into the EU and/or UK.

As far Im aware the EU directives for showing country of origin only apply to certain categories of goods eg foods, toys, electrical goods.

Chris

 

[JIM D.]

Here in the US a 1930's trade law requires the country of origin to be posted on all imports. If the country of origin is not on a product here you can be sure its been removed and from China. I'd like to give you an example of why this is done and its on Hohner imports. The Hohner Corona II with plastic keyboard Mod. 3500 is made in China - The Hohner Corona II Mod. 3522 with wooden keyboard is made in Germany and cost twice of what the Chinese Model does. $650 Chinese - $1200 German. They look identical to the novice accordionist and the unmarked China box is then passed of as German. Currently the Hohner International Line is made in the Hohner factory in China and includes - Bravo, Nova, Amica, Corona II, Corona III, Panther, Corso, and Erica. -- JIM D.

 

[jarvo]

Here in the US a 1930s trade law requires the country of origin to be posted on all imports. If the country of origin is not on a product here you can be sure its been removed and from China. Id like to give you an example of why this is done and its on Hohner imports. The Hohner Corona II with plastic keyboard Mod. 3500 is made in China - The Hohner Corona II Mod. 3522 with wooden keyboard is made in Germany and cost twice of what the Chinese Model does. $650 Chinese - $1200 German. They look identical to the novice accordionist and the unmarked China box is then passed of as German. Currently the Hohner International Line is made in the Hohner factory in China and includes - Bravo, Nova, Amica, Corona II, Corona III, Panther, Corso, and Erica. -- JIM D.

The same laws exist in UK JIM and I suppose Europe too.........if what you are saying is correct....and I have no reason to dis-believe it, then shame on Hohner and their retailers.......what you say is a scam, disgusting, immoral and illegal...or unlawful....whichever..

 

[JIM D.]

I to find it sad that a 100+ year old firm like Hohner marketing an inferior China product. If you find a local shop selling Hohners without a origin marking report them to Hohner. The shop will most likely lose their distributorship and justified as Hohner does not support this practice. JIM D.

 

[Soulsaver]

I to find it sad that a 100+ year old firm like Hohner marketing an inferior China product. If you find a local shop selling Hohners without a origin marking report them to Hohner. The shop will most likely lose their distributorship and justified as Hohner does not support this practice. JIM D.

I second that sentiment - but if it stops the business being uncompetitive.. keeps people employed etc is the argument.
And one can choose not to buy em.... assuming you knew.

 

[jarvo]

I to find it sad that a 100+ year old firm like Hohner marketing an inferior China product. If you find a local shop selling Hohners without a origin marking report them to Hohner. The shop will most likely lose their distributorship and justified as Hohner does not support this practice. JIM D.

I second that sentiment - but if it stops the business being uncompetitive.. keeps people employed etc is the arguemnt.
And one can choose not to buy em<HIGHLIGHT highlight=#ffff40>[highlight=#ffff40].... assuming you knew.</HIGHLIGHT>[/quote]<i>[/highlight]</i>



And theres the rub........




Im now going to glare at all my all Hohner harmonicas until they curl up with shame and embarrassment if not marked Made In Germany on them......

 

[Adam-T]

Here in the US a 1930s trade law requires the country of origin to be posted on all imports. If the country of The Hohner Corona II with plastic keyboard Mod. 3500 is made in China - The Hohner Corona II Mod. 3522 with wooden keyboard is made in Germany and cost twice of what the Chinese Model does. $650 Chinese - $1200 German. -- JIM D.

Over here - even the non-classic Chinese made Corona-II is more than $1200 USD - the only Corona you can get over here for $600 USD is the Compadre (which is the same as the Chinese made Corona-II but with paint instead of celluloid, has a rotella bass strap and a different grille)

http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk/index.php?cPath=244_249_485&sort=&filter_id=11

Also the Hohner International line (China) covers the Pokerwork (Vienna), HA114 (Cajun 1 row), Ariette 1 Row, Compadre, Vallenato and I think the Morgane, Cap-Horn and Merlin - I`m pretty sure the ASA is made there too (Atlantic Styled Accordion) as I don `t remember seeing it mentioned under Hohner Germany ... I don `t know where the Corona Xtremes and Supreme are made - I`d hope Germany going by the prices

 

[smdc66]

If you find a local shop selling Hohners without a origin marking report them to Hohner. The shop will most likely lose their distributorship and justified as Hohner does not support this practice. JIM D.

fair comment, but in this case i witnessed I should report the distributor to hohner as the retailer (aka my brother) was blameless, how do you get the origin markers on there, is nt that what were debating, the fact it is not on there :!: :?

forgot to mention my other theory some hohner reps do support this

 

[ChrisH]

Here in the US a 1930s trade law requires the country of origin to be posted on all imports. If the country of origin is not on a product here you can be sure its been removed and from China. Id like to give you an example of why this is done and its on Hohner imports. The Hohner Corona II with plastic keyboard Mod. 3500 is made in China - The Hohner Corona II Mod. 3522 with wooden keyboard is made in Germany and cost twice of what the Chinese Model does. $650 Chinese - $1200 German. They look identical to the novice accordionist and the unmarked China box is then passed of as German. Currently the Hohner International Line is made in the Hohner factory in China and includes - Bravo, Nova, Amica, Corona II, Corona III, Panther, Corso, and Erica. -- JIM D.

[/quote]

In Hohners defence, they market these Coronas as two distinct models aimed at different markets. Quoting from their (US) website...

Corona II Classic

Hohner is pleased to announce the new upgraded Corona II Classic with a comfortable adjustable bass strap, noiseless fingerboard, and dynamic treble and bass mechanism action for a great tactile feel and response.

The Corona II Classic accordion is made with the professional in mind. It is ideal for the musician who demands great quality and the signature HOHNER sound. Using the workmanship of days past, each instrument is lovingly finished in great detail.

The wooden keyboard covered with celluloid in matching colour, gives the instrument a lavish appearance, and is its most striking detail.


Corona II

Many accordions have been developed throughout the years but never has there been an accordion to achieve iconic status like the Corona II. It was the Corona II that started it all in the three-row button accordion world. Its unique design, signature sound and quality has made this the preferred instrument a must for all styles of music around the world.

The Corona II gives the professional musician the ability to own a great accordion at an affordable price.

HOHNER upgraded the current line of accordions with new adjustable bass strap and logo. The Corona comes with a gigbag and updated straps as well.

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Chris: My comments here were of MARKETING OF A PRODUCT , Hohner accordions have always been made to serve the accordionist for whatever their venue and affordability. JIM D.

 

[dunlustin]

I wonder how long it will be before Made in China improves its reputation?
Post WWII, Japan was famous for making "Packer" pens. Not long after, they were making Stratocasters said to be as good as the US product.
Tokai guitars were looked down on for a bit but not now.
On the Freereed front, the Hohner Morgane (etc) melodeons have a good reputation.
In the UK, Allodi sells Moreschi which are said to be OK, the Black Diamond boxes are getting good reviews and in France Cavognolo have a student model assembled in the Far East.
It's got to be just a matter of time.

 

[smdc66]

yer my bro sells and recommends guitars from the far east

 

[Adam-T]

I wonder how long it will be before Made in China improves its reputation?
On the Freereed front, the Hohner Morgane (etc) melodeons have a good reputation.
In the UK, Allodi sells Moreschi which are said to be OK, the Black Diamond boxes are getting good reviews and in France Cavognolo have a student model assembled in the Far East.
Its got to be just a matter of time.

In the Generic factories It seems to be more a matter of QC - if a company like Black diamond, Concertina connection (Jackie/Rochelle) or The Music Room (Sandpipers) pays them for QC, keeps a constant vigil and makes sure decent components are used then they can be pretty good, the problem is when left to their own devices, they`ll cost cut as much as possible to make the most profit .......

Hohner use their own factories in China and use Hohner machines so are in total control over the quality of the product - there`s no reason why a chinese made box shouldn`t be as good as a German made one so long as the wood and steel is as good (these are what seem to be the issue with Chinese stuff in general) and that they have the same attention to detail and QC .. I guess its a balance between how much hohner want to make in profit and how discounted they want to sell the thing for .

 

[donn]

The shop will most likely lose their distributorship and justified as Hohner does not support this practice.

How easy is it, to remove the country of origin?

I recently took an interest in a big hollow body electric bass, and was scratching my head over the country of origin -- many people believe they were made in Korea (the new Japan, I reckon), and others that they were made in China. Maybe both, as the model was made for several years, and that would account for some of the confusion. But I found the main reason for the confusion in a detail photo of the instrument - the country of origin is a small, clear adhesive patch with Made in China on a transparent background. Not a decal, just a bit of rubbish that calls out to be removed when the thing comes out of the box.

Of course a dealer isnt supposed to remove that sticker, but I think the manufacturers do support that practice in a tangible way, when they make it trivially easy to remove country of origin labels. The instrument I bought (2nd hand) instead has made in Korea stenciled on it so youd have to paint over it or something. If it had been made in the US, or Italy, it would have been engraved so youd have to sand it down. When its made in China, the label falls off by accident.

 

[smdc66]

I have a Hohner Atlantic IV on trial which I presume is Made in Germany but cannot see this anywhere on the body of the accordion :!: :?

looks like this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beautiful...ultDomain_2&hash=item3a84674b59#ht_1892wt_958