Even within major manufacturers, there are runs of “good” years and “bad” years, and exceptions abound. For example, Fender instruments in the 1970-somethings are generally regarded as inferior, because CBS was trying to “maximize profits.” Nevertheless, within those years are instruments that are stellar, but a lot are just meh. Conversely, in the “good” years you can get a clunker. Maybe the guy running the fret press had a bad day, and every neck he touched that day is dreck.
All that stuff is true today, except manufacturing methods are more automated than ever, so consistency is better, so there are fewer “meh” instruments in the stores. Fender USA in Corona, California and Fender Mexico in Ensenada have the same machines. My former teacher (who’s even older then me!) told me that trucks go back and forth between the two factories every day, carrying parts that the other needs. Like if Corona needs some particular bodies, it’ll tell Ensenada to send them a bunch.
Even a lot of the cheap stuff is well made, because of computer-controlled machinery and manufacturing techniques. That allows the factories to pump out a lot of guitars quickly. The savings there might be in junky hardware and low-quality electronics and woods. But it’s put together nicely, and these days, buying a “beginner” guitar usually gets you something a lot more playable compared to back when I first started in the 60s.
In the end, ya gotta do what @Gio says above, and try LOTS of different ones before buying. Even if you don’t live close to a place with a good selection. In that case, can you arrange to, say, drive there in time to spend several hours trying basses before needing to go back home? And if you don’t find “The One” on that trip, can you do it again the next week? And don’t do like I did 20-some years ago and fall for a pretty face, the way I did with aGibson Les Paul one day. Worst guitar I ever had. We divorced in less than a year. 
So I’ve had good and bad USA-made stuff and good and less-good Mexican- and Asia-made stuff.
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