EsFender will start production of an acoustic guitar in the U.S. for the first time in 50 years. That’s in part a response to market demand for higher quality products as well as a potential slowdown in sales. Fender’s U.S. seaborne imports fell by 0.7% year over year in 2018 in total.
It’s not alone among instrument manufacturers in experiencing slowing conditions. Yamaha’s imports having grown by just 3.7% in 2018, though keyboard-maker Roland’s shipments surged 57.1% higher. Fender’s sourcing has been led by China, which represented 52.2% of imports in 2018. So far musical instru...
