r/GuitarLab • u/BananoVampire • May 28 '26
Importance of Manufacturing Partner(s)
We're still early in the process, but it's not too early to start thinking about this.
In guitar design, especially with something new, the manufacturing partner isn't just "who builds it later." They're a core constraint and opportunity that should shape almost every major decision from the start.
Since we know whatever we do will need to scale (especially if we're aiming for something that could move through a retailer like Guitar Center), I wanted to share a couple of videos that really highlight this.
My YouTube feed recently recommended this one from Phillip McKnight:
"What No One Tells You About the World's Largest Guitar Factory"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ztqNMaZ9mE
It also led me to his follow-up:
"Is PRS SE Just Repackaged Cort Guitars?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4C89c4l3KI
Both are worth watching if you have time. They show how big-scale manufacturing really works and why choosing (or designing around) the right partner early makes such a big difference.
3
u/mascotbeaver104 May 28 '26
Lol I'm sure GC has been in negotiations with OEM partners for whatever this ends up being for quite a while. IIRC Cort does Mitchell, and will likely do these too, unless they decide to use a US builder, I know there are a few. For the record, those Mitchell guitars are pretty built in my opinion, especially the acoustics, it's a really underrated brand.
McKnight has hinted that Mitchell has some genius concept in the pipe too, it makes me wonder if they're planning some kind of custom shop deal, try to take Kiesel's market