shar-vell Dan
Well-known member
Guitar prices are like taxes they only go up never down.
BABMusic
Well-known member
I think in 10 years, all these companies like fender, BAD, etc will have to relocate outside of CA -- if they want to stay in business.
napalmdeath
Well-known member
What's really gotten out of hand is Korean guitars getting up to $2k plus.
R
Rip
Member
From what I've read, Indo import guitars have a larger profit than higher-end guitars.
Yes we've been charged too much. I think we're about to see a price adjustment. The 20% "sales" we are seeing now will become the new normal prices.
Who the fuck pays $1500+ for a cookie-cutter Indonesian guitar?
.... Especially when I'm seeing used Suhr Moderns sell for $2k.... That's like comparing a Hyundai to a Porsche.
JMHO
Yes we've been charged too much. I think we're about to see a price adjustment. The 20% "sales" we are seeing now will become the new normal prices.
Who the fuck pays $1500+ for a cookie-cutter Indonesian guitar?
.... Especially when I'm seeing used Suhr Moderns sell for $2k.... That's like comparing a Hyundai to a Porsche.
JMHO
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JakeusUrungus
New member
IMO, the quality of guitars (and guitar gear in general) is overall much better than it has ever been, both for boutique and import guitars, and the cost increase over time tracks that quality increase. Pair that with inflation, and I think that's most of the pie.
The "base" cost of boutique gear is typically more expensive because of the additional time and labor invested, regardless of brand, while the cost of import gear often increases quickly because there is more headroom for the increase in quality and cost of both parts and labor. It's "easier" for boutique gear costs to be impacted by inflation due to the parts/labor not changing much because they're already top-tier, while import gear cost has the headroom to be more affected by parts/labor because affordability is generally a contributing factor so the "base" cost is lower. There is also plenty of overlap in the used vs. new markets, but that varies and is a totally subjective decision, and everyone's budget is different.
As many have said, everything is more expensive, and we all wish it was less expensive. That being said, most gear is not more expensive in order to make more profit, it's more expensive because it costs more to make it than it used to, and solid people/companies/manufacturers do their best find an honest balance between price and affordability.
Disclaimer: employee of a guitar company; this is only my two cents based on what I've personally seen/experienced.
The "base" cost of boutique gear is typically more expensive because of the additional time and labor invested, regardless of brand, while the cost of import gear often increases quickly because there is more headroom for the increase in quality and cost of both parts and labor. It's "easier" for boutique gear costs to be impacted by inflation due to the parts/labor not changing much because they're already top-tier, while import gear cost has the headroom to be more affected by parts/labor because affordability is generally a contributing factor so the "base" cost is lower. There is also plenty of overlap in the used vs. new markets, but that varies and is a totally subjective decision, and everyone's budget is different.
As many have said, everything is more expensive, and we all wish it was less expensive. That being said, most gear is not more expensive in order to make more profit, it's more expensive because it costs more to make it than it used to, and solid people/companies/manufacturers do their best find an honest balance between price and affordability.
Disclaimer: employee of a guitar company; this is only my two cents based on what I've personally seen/experienced.
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romanianreaper
Well-known member
Yeah that is the B.S. part.
S
Spookylou33
New member
Way overpriced considering the cost of what it actually costs to build one. Its all markup and labor
S
Spookylou33
New member
How about which mfg, in the USA is the most overpriced? PRS? Charvel Custom Shop? There prices are becoming ridiculous.
M
MetalGOD84
Member
You guys should check Harley Benton. Great price for the quality.
Mexico Fender is my second on the list regarding price and quality.
Mexico Fender is my second on the list regarding price and quality.
E
ewill52
Well-known member
High-end guitars seem to have outpriced me. The quality of the mid-tier stuff is so good anymore that I'm more drawn to them for their bang-for-buck appeal.
rsm
Well-known member
If I like a guitar, I have expectations that are aligned with / based on the price. I expect a $1,000 guitar to be "better" than a $500 guitar, and so on. Above $4000, it would have to be something I thought was special. Most of my favorite guitars are in the $3,000 to $4,000 range new.
My main / favorite guitar is the EBMM Kaizen 6; they go for around $3,799 new; I also like the EBMM Majesty 6, that are $3,849 new. To me, they're worth the price. Obviously I'd prefer to pay less, but if I want new that's what they cost.
Some other Majesty models with fancy wood tops and finishes are over $4000, even $5000 now...once these go over $4,000, or $5,000 that changes the buy equation for me. I'm not big on fancy wood tops, paint it black, white or metallic purple, preferably gloss, and I'm good.
My favorite hardtail is the Ibanez PS10, it's a MIJ Prestige, they're $3,899.99 new. Also, worth the price to me, and less $ than a Gibson Les Paul Custom.
I also like Jackson X Series, Rhoads and Warriors; FR, neck thru, painted neck, and Duncan Blackouts on the Rhoads; I paid mew $899.99 or less for mine...they have gone up in price, with some models approaching $1,000. Also worth the price, no issues with the FR Specials on them.
I usually buy new guitars (and keyboards) on sale, 10% to 15% off, and I usually have discount points too.
My main / favorite guitar is the EBMM Kaizen 6; they go for around $3,799 new; I also like the EBMM Majesty 6, that are $3,849 new. To me, they're worth the price. Obviously I'd prefer to pay less, but if I want new that's what they cost.
Some other Majesty models with fancy wood tops and finishes are over $4000, even $5000 now...once these go over $4,000, or $5,000 that changes the buy equation for me. I'm not big on fancy wood tops, paint it black, white or metallic purple, preferably gloss, and I'm good.
My favorite hardtail is the Ibanez PS10, it's a MIJ Prestige, they're $3,899.99 new. Also, worth the price to me, and less $ than a Gibson Les Paul Custom.
I also like Jackson X Series, Rhoads and Warriors; FR, neck thru, painted neck, and Duncan Blackouts on the Rhoads; I paid mew $899.99 or less for mine...they have gone up in price, with some models approaching $1,000. Also worth the price, no issues with the FR Specials on them.
I usually buy new guitars (and keyboards) on sale, 10% to 15% off, and I usually have discount points too.
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