Made in Japan Robin Guitars

[Chris Trezona]

I recently bought a used Robin Raider(#10862) off ebay, and the seller claimed it was built in Houston. After I got it I ran the serial number by Dave W. at Robin and he said it was definately a Jap model. He also said that they started putting "Made in USA" on the guitars starting in 1988. So how do you tell the difference between a Jap built and a USA built prior to 1988? Does the serial number on the neck plate give it away?

[Chris Trezona]

I learned its real simple(stupid!), they were all made in Japan prior to 1988.

[Douglas Henninger]

...Can I continue this thread with someone who can answer it authoritatively? I have an early Ranger that was made so early that it was not made in Houston and I was given to understand that the early Robins (like about 1980-81) were made by Tokai in Japan. If that is so, then it explains why the neck and fretwork on my old Ranger is so fine! I hope most of the guys seeing these posts understand that the 'lawsuit' Strats, Teles, and Les Paul copies from the early 1980's by Tokai were fully the equal to all but the very finest Fender or Gibson ever produced. About 1985-6, Tokai was legally obliged to modify headstock shapes, but the build quality was still there. I've found 2 Strats (one a 'SpringySound'), A 'BreezySound' Tele, and a Fender Japan Strat from the early to mid 80's and all are excellent and far surpass the American stuff on the market today. But think about this, Robin guitars has been making American guitars in Houston that are better than Fender currently can turn out because they (Robin) are more like Leo Fender during his G&L period: innovative, fully knowledgeable technically, quality obsessed, and designing for guitarists (not for marketing departments and the 'bottom line').