True that. I never saw a usable amp made in Japan other than the Roland JC series (which was built best for clean). The Cubes are ok too, but for their tube amps, even the Fender Japan models, I did not get as much hard-on compared to the US models.
Skunky, I was thinking... The concept of Chinese made means every component is of lesser quality in both construction and design and most of the time sound. Assuming we only look at labor as the main difference, my Soldano SLO 100 could actually be made in China given the same materials but then... shipping the Deyoung Transformers to China is itself expensive. And storing inventory is also expensive when you can have Deyoung just make the transformers as you need them. Let me tell you a story skunky. When Lito ordered my Soldano, he was leaving California in less than a week. Soldano had less than 3 days to make and ship a SLO with my requested modifications and they delivered with a power supply at 220 volts. Sure, I would have paid more for the labor of the single American who made the amp but if it were made in China, I would have paid for freight (both ways for materials), extra duties (import tariff of the U.S.), brokerage fee (for both sides of the pacific), chinese consultants and interpreters, American expat plane tickets (to check on Chinese quality control), working capital interest due to higher stocks of inventory in china, etc... And at the end of the day, I would not have gotten my Soldano SLO 100 in 3 days.
The second important factor to consider is that US companies will generally refuse to have their premium or best designs made in China for fear of it being copied. Seriously, quite a number of U.S. companies have refused to overseas manufacture because of design theft and piracy and fake reproductions.
So, to be direct, China made amps and guitars are for people who have limited budgets. Its not just about outsourcing lower costs but its about giving an affordable package to those who cannot afford premium gear. Are they products to rave about? Personally, no. Will they get the job done? Most likely. Will they make some people happy? Surely. Will they have longevity? No... no chinese manufactured product ever has.