Hi Guys, Yes, the return for your money on a branded USA guitar like a Gibson or Fender will be better than some of the other guitars, but who is saying these alder bodied Staggs wont become prized in the future as much as some of the early Squire guitars. I just tried a Black and white chess board marked Stagg Nitro guitar. It had been set up by a guitar tech and it was secondhand, but I was completely amazed how well it played and sounded. Compared to my first Avon guitar I would say this Stagg I played was possibly much better, I can't be more certain as I don't have that guitar anymore to compare it to.