>>I was trying to be funny (d'oh! failed again). I'd like to come back in 10000 years and see what that guitar looks like then... 8^)
>
>You didn't fail, Paul. I haven't been in particularly good humor lately, so perhaps I took a bit of a too serious tack. However, beneath the humor was a valid point that the term "life of the product" could mean simply that it would work until it broke (and perhaps, in some cases, does< g >). I was trying to point out that there are American manufacturers who still do build quality products and stand behind them.

You are right, there are some good companies around. Not enough though.
I think we might see that change with the advent of the internet. Consumer education and advocacy are being redefined. It will be interesting to see how companies respond if consumer buying habits are defined solely on the experience of other consumers...