Gibson Pricing?

[ibenhad]

Exactly what Rlord1974 said - Fender = bolt together parts. Not that that is bad just saying any woman from south of the border (Corona Factory - do a tour) can bolt them together.

Gibson = Set neck, binding, MOP inlays on the fingerboard, nibs on the end of the frets, carved top, book matched burst, flame or curly top. Seriously they aren't even in the same ballpark in my opinion. It's like little league versus the major league.

Hey they both get the job done so what's it matter at the end of the day. Buy what you can afford and if you don't like the $$$ don't buy it. Plenty of Gibson "like" products out there.

 

[glip22]

Exactly what Rlord1974 said - Fender = bolt together parts. Not that that is bad just saying any woman from south of the border (Corona Factory - do a tour) can bolt them together.

Gibson = Set neck, binding, MOP inlays on the fingerboard, nibs on the end of the frets, carved top, book matched burst, flame or curly top. Seriously they aren't even in the same ballpark in my opinion. It's like little league versus the major league.

Hey they both get the job done so what's it matter at the end of the day. Buy what you can afford and if you don't like the $$$ don't buy it. Plenty of Gibson "like" products out there.

Here's a nice Gibson like product. Ruokangas Unicorn

$6,695.00

 

[steve_k]

Gibson stepped up their game in 2013 with the R9's (and the other R's). Yeah, 5G's is a lot for a guitar. But, price is irrelevant if it is something you like to play.

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I'm no accountant (You'd want to talk to Mr. Van Oostendorp on that front) but I agree that Les Pauls should be more expensive than your typical Fender/Jackson/Kramer bolt on stuff that's meant to be modded for those tinkerers...

But I don't think American labor cost and materials costs that much, I mean as TrueTone said, estimated inflation from the 70's (Even after most of the famous LP users where promoting it worldwide giving it the star power) would have one at about $2,000... And that's for the customs. Right now on Guitar Center a new Les Paul Custom (Black Beauty or Randy Rhoads Alpine White) costs $4,000. I don't think they are doing anything that much different than in the 70's, they just justify the price with that name on the headstock. I wish I had a $2,000 name...

 

[TrueTone500]

I figured Gibson would certainly drop the price when they stopped using ebony fretboards, but the price went up.

 

[se7en]

Gibson stepped up their game in 2013 with the R9's (and the other R's). Yeah, 5G's is a lot for a guitar. But, price is irrelevant if it is something you like to play.

Yeah they held out on some of the finer reissue details for 2013. And let's face it if you want a LP built to those specs it's gonna cost custom shop prices with the state of mahogany being what it is. I'd still choose a reissue Gibson over 2 PRS singlecuts...if you want that sound there's not many other places to go and so they can charge a premium.

 

[rlord1974]

The average increase in inflation over the past 20 years, based on the CPI, is not indicative of the inflationary pressures specific to guitar manufacturing.

You think when a loaf of bread or a bag of milk increases by 3% a year, the exact same rate of inflation is applicable to imported woods and other materials that go into guitar production, skilled labour, the rising legal costs associated with Gibson trying to protect its designs and markets, etc.? Not even close...

The inflationary argument being used in this thread is grossly flawed.

 

[LeftyCatton]

You could always buy a Traditional pro II with a 50's or 60's neck, coil tapping and burstbucker 3 in the bridge for £1400 brand new.

We have a few in stock and they are lovely guitars for the money.

Luke

 

[jlb32]

For the amount of labor cost and work that goes into the USA Les Pauls IMO they are decently priced compared with other USA made guitars. A Strat, Tele, ect.... is way less labor intensive to make. No carved top, no maple cap, no binding, bolt-on neck, etc.., etc.. Plus the fact that even with all the overseas clones nothing sounds or feels like a real Les Paul IMO.

If they didn't sell then of course the prices would probably come down some but that goes for all USA guitar companies. The reason Fender doesn't charge as much for a USA Strat or Tele is because they know people wouldn't pay that much plus their costs of making them are cheaper. If they could charge more they would. It's how businesses work.

As far as Custom Shop guitars. All of them are expensive regardless of the maker. Look at PRS, Fender, even ESP Custom Shop prices. A lot of them are as highly priced and in a lot of cases much more than Gibson R9's.

 

[ChadVanHalen]

even ESP Custom Shop prices. A lot of them are as highly priced and in a lot of cases much more than Gibson R9's.

I totally didn't think of that... Top line Lynch ESPs are $4k! For bolt on guitars!

Fak... Shit is expensive...

 

[TrueTone500]

For $4K I'll go buy the tools and materials necessary to build my own.

 

[ChadVanHalen]

For $4K I'll go buy the tools and materials necessary to build my own.

For $4k you can can someone to build an HS rear route strat, reverse banana neck, the paint job AND a Randall Lynchbox... And you will still have money for a few hookers

 

[TrueTone500]

For $4K I'll go buy the tools and materials necessary to build my own.

For $4k you can can someone to build an HS rear route strat, reverse banana neck, the paint job AND a Randall Lynchbox... And you will still have money for a few hookers

...or just one hooker with a full set of teeth.

 

[TrueTone500]

The average increase in inflation over the past 20 years, based on the CPI, is not indicative of the inflationary pressures specific to guitar manufacturing.

You think when a loaf of bread or a bag of milk increases by 3% a year, the exact same rate of inflation is applicable to imported woods and other materials that go into guitar production, skilled labour, the rising legal costs associated with Gibson trying to protect its designs and markets, etc.? Not even close...

The inflationary argument being used in this thread is grossly flawed.

I'm going to talk with master luthier Doug Montgomery (Guitar Factory) this week on this subject... What would you say is a more accurate estimation?

 

[rlord1974]

The average increase in inflation over the past 20 years, based on the CPI, is not indicative of the inflationary pressures specific to guitar manufacturing.

You think when a loaf of bread or a bag of milk increases by 3% a year, the exact same rate of inflation is applicable to imported woods and other materials that go into guitar production, skilled labour, the rising legal costs associated with Gibson trying to protect its designs and markets, etc.? Not even close...

The inflationary argument being used in this thread is grossly flawed.

I'm going to talk with master luthier Doug Montgomery (Guitar Factory) this week on this subject... What would you say is a more accurate estimation?

I don't know that I have a better estimation, as I don't know the true cost of inflation as it applies to guitar manufacturing (materials, labour, legal, marketing, etc.). However, I would be willing to wager that the annual inflation related to this specific market is significantly higher than the annual movement in the CPI.

Here we are bitching about paying $4k for a new Custom, while no one is saying anything about having to shell out $4k to $5k for a new Tom Anderson, Suhr, etc. I'd much rather shell out $4k for a LP Custom than $4k for a super Strat with no body or fingerboard binding that's finished in transluscent hot pink. But hey, that's just me....

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I'd much rather shell out $4k for a LP Custom than $4k for a super Strat with no body or fingerboard binding that's finished in transluscent hot pink. But hey, that's just me....

It's tiger stripes thank you very much

 

[TrueTone500]

The average increase in inflation over the past 20 years, based on the CPI, is not indicative of the inflationary pressures specific to guitar manufacturing.

You think when a loaf of bread or a bag of milk increases by 3% a year, the exact same rate of inflation is applicable to imported woods and other materials that go into guitar production, skilled labour, the rising legal costs associated with Gibson trying to protect its designs and markets, etc.? Not even close...

The inflationary argument being used in this thread is grossly flawed.

I'm going to talk with master luthier Doug Montgomery (Guitar Factory) this week on this subject... What would you say is a more accurate estimation?

Here we are bitching about paying $4k for a new Custom, while no one is saying anything about having to shell out $4k to $5k for a new Tom Anderson, Suhr, etc. I'd much rather shell out $4k for a LP Custom than $4k for a super Strat with no body or fingerboard binding that's finished in transluscent hot pink. But hey, that's just me....

$4099.99

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Fender-Cus ... 33828a57f1

 

[ChadVanHalen]

The average increase in inflation over the past 20 years, based on the CPI, is not indicative of the inflationary pressures specific to guitar manufacturing.

You think when a loaf of bread or a bag of milk increases by 3% a year, the exact same rate of inflation is applicable to imported woods and other materials that go into guitar production, skilled labour, the rising legal costs associated with Gibson trying to protect its designs and markets, etc.? Not even close...

The inflationary argument being used in this thread is grossly flawed.

I'm going to talk with master luthier Doug Montgomery (Guitar Factory) this week on this subject... What would you say is a more accurate estimation?

Here we are bitching about paying $4k for a new Custom, while no one is saying anything about having to shell out $4k to $5k for a new Tom Anderson, Suhr, etc. I'd much rather shell out $4k for a LP Custom than $4k for a super Strat with no body or fingerboard binding that's finished in transluscent hot pink. But hey, that's just me....

$4099.99

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Fender-Cus ... 33828a57f1

It's worth it for the Gilmour trem arm alone!

 

[jlb32]

I recently got a 2013 Gibson R8 Lemon Burst. For the way this thing plays, feels and sounds it's worth every penny. Absolutely amazing guitar in every aspect.

Got a great deal from Eddies guitars. Cheaper than a big portion of used R8's out there. Definitely cheaper than most Custom Shop models from other guitar manufacturers.

 

[rlord1974]

^ that guitar, my friend, is the BOMB!