Edwards (ESP) -Made in Japan or Made in China Guitars?

ESP manufacture wasat located at No. 72, Xishan Rd., Jixi, Heilongjiang, China (with a second postal address No. 20 Xishan Rd). It comprised between 120 and 130 employees including 35 engineering technicians, 6 engineers and 2 senior engineers. Taking into account the answer of ESP, the preliminary work on the Edwards guitars was executed in this factory, as well for the part carpentry as for the painting. ESP asserts that a high level of requirement and execution is maintained in Edwards manufacturing as they are produced in their own facilities in China. ESP has indeed its own factory, trained professionals and the production is made under the permanent control of ESP. No production phase is done outside of the brand’s workshops.

During 2009, the factory was relocated not far from there, with brand new facilities, at No. 93 Dongshan Rd, Jiguan District, Jixi City, Heilongjiang, China.

Heilongjiang ESP Electronic Audio Co., Ltd. was ranked 32nd among the 100 largest companies in the electronic music industry in China, according to a document called “Analysis Report of Chinese Competitors in the Electronic Musical Instruments Sector” issued by the Industry Research Report Network. For comparison, Gibson Joint Venture in Qingdao ranked 14th on this list. This classification was based on the following points: business conduct, market shares, growth rate, overall evaluation capacity of competition.

The finishing process and the installation of all electronic components, plastics and accessories were done in Japan at ESP Japan Factory in Saitama, Tokyo. This new factory was inaugurated in June 2008 (see photos at the end of the article). These workshops are located in the Tokyo metropolitan area, 20-30 km north of central Tokyo. ESP also has factories in Sado and Kiso whose productions are mainly for export but they do not produce Edwards instruments.

A good thing for ESP is that the brand does not have gigantic workshops and it only has very well trained and qualified employees. ESP does have Custom Shop in Japan, however, allowing the company to meet the many demands without compromising the quality of its custom instruments. It seems that the Jixi factory in China has followed this same philosophy.

Now, one can of course question the interest that ESP may have in producing the Edwards brand in Northeast China. Of course, there is the question of labor that is cheaper than in Japan, but also the lower cost of facilities and the possibility of relying on employees who can easily be trained. The wages of the Chinese workers are lower than the wages practiced in Korea, at least to this day, and infinitely lower than the wages of the Japanese. Moreover, wages in China are not uniform, far from it. Indeed, a worker in Northeast China earns less than a worker working in a large industrial center such as those found along the coast (Shenzhen, Xangai, Guangzhou and Qingdao).

Some claim that Edwards guitars were again produced 100% in Japan in 2010 or 2011, at least for a certain period. Personally, and this is only the author of this article, I have doubts … Indeed, what would have led ESP to produce his guitars again in Japan? And if so, how could ESP keep its prices? Of course, prices are rising steadily but this is due to the inflation that affects all countries, there has been no significant increase that could demonstrate that the Edwards manufacturing has been relocated to Japan.

Another point that seems important to me is the fact that ESP also produces its guitars Navigator and this subsidiary offers only high-end guitars. In my opinion, and again this is only the author of this article, I do not see why Edwards guitars would compete directly with Navigator guitars that are produced totally in Japan and whose prices are much higher. We can always say that they are two distinct ranges, which would justify the difference in price, but this argument does not convince me.

What are my thoughts on Edwards guitars?

Edwards guitars, originally, were made entirely in Japan, I have little doubt about it. But we know that in 2009 Edwards was manufactured at the ESP plant in Jixi, Heilongjiang, China. I do not know when the production was transferred to China but we can assume that it happened at least a year before ESP’s response by email. But who would put his hand in the fire for ESP? The manufacturing in China could have started well before! In 2007? In 2005? In 2002? Remember that ESP has created its Heilongjiang ESP Electronic Audio Co., Ltd. joint venture in 1992!

A possible return of production of Edwards guitars in Japan is, for me, only speculation. ESP did not say anything about it. There is no reason, therefore, to claim that the Edwards, after 2009, were again, even for a limited period, made in Japan.

But in the end, is it really important? If you are a Made in Japan guitar collector, my answer is yes! Indeed, by buying an Edwards, nothing guarantees that your guitar has been made 100% in Japan. If the guitar was made in 2008 or after, we can be pretty sure that it was made 60-70% in China. If the guitar was made before 2008, the doubt remains …

Now, if you like Japanese brands and the geographical origin of your guitar does not matter to you, then yes, the Edwards will certainly satisfy you because they are excellent guitars. Buying an Edwards is not a bad choice, quite the opposite. Made in China or not, I repeat, these guitars are very good manufacture. The finish is always made in Japan and ESP guarantees the quality of its instruments!

According to ESP representatives, Edwards guitars have the following characteristics:

• Mahogany, Alder and Ash are the wood used.
• Neither Sapele nor African Mahogany are used.
• Mahogany, which is used for the E-LP series, comes from Southeast Asia.
• Edwards LPs all have solid bodies.