I bet Firemodel wouldn't be happy if Max gets known the world over.
Dito pa nga lang sa forum he (Firemodel) is already pulling him (Max) down.
CRAB-MENTALITY EXISTS.
As I already said before, I think Mang Max's Work now is even better than what was Mang Rudy's before. I still think that based on the one model I have tried, it is great value for money.
My intent is NOT to put down mang max but to give another opinion. In terms of workmanship I have seen better from Ibanez Indonesia -- available at Audiophile, and Even Yamaha's AIR which is also made in Indonesia -- available at Perfect Pitch. But thats just the workmanship portion.
But, at Mang Max's price point, its hard to beat the custom options available. I do NOT think all local luthiers are great. (In such a grammatical context, you are putting them all on the same level.) For example, if Mang Max's work was available in the time of Mang Rudy, I would not have gone to Mang Rudy and chosen Max's work even if Max would price higher than Rudy.
There is no crab mentality at work.
PRSman,
The only reason that I am keen on general statements is because for me, and thats just me, I have seen better work than the hype but for the price -- its ok.