So that's where all the Blackmachine's are...

[engage757]

Impossible to get, builder uses only the finest, and oldest/rarest woods, then only builds 1 or 2 a year. There used to be an incredible demand as well. I've personally owned several and they are very nice instruments.

I've never played one so I don't have any real experience, but out of pure curiosity, are they legitimately $10k better than half a dozen brands of high-end shred guitars?

I mean, they really are worth what people will pay for them, but here is what I will say about them. They aren't that expensive when you get into custom archtops/acoustics and compare them. They play amazingly well, sound killer, are made by one guy to really high standards out of the best, oldest and rarest woods he can source (Namely, Doug will wait for the right woods to pop up for years before even offering to start a build). He built one out of 20,000 year-old Bog Oak or something, wood literally felled thousands of years ago, unearthed from a swamp. Then toss in the fact that chances are, you will never get to own one.

Honestly? Incredible instruments, and super rare. Blackmachine owners have a little club, and the exclusivity is pretty awesome. If you have this kind of money to drop on a guitar, you really don't care what it costs, you care that you get to own one while others drool. So, overall? I would say most definitely if that is what you are looking for. I would say better is subjective, but if these things matter to you? You should own a Blackmachine.

 

[the rossness]

Hmm. The seller lives in South Windsor, CT, which is a few towns away from me. If he see's this post and i can play a guitar or two, I'll let you guys know if BM is the real deal or just hype.

 

[ewill52]

Impossible to get, builder uses only the finest, and oldest/rarest woods, then only builds 1 or 2 a year. There used to be an incredible demand as well. I've personally owned several and they are very nice instruments.

I've never played one so I don't have any real experience, but out of pure curiosity, are they legitimately $10k better than half a dozen brands of high-end shred guitars?

I mean, they really are worth what people will pay for them, but here is what I will say about them. They aren't that expensive when you get into custom archtops/acoustics and compare them. They play amazingly well, sound killer, are made by one guy to really high standards out of the best, oldest and rarest woods he can source (Namely, Doug will wait for the right woods to pop up for years before even offering to start a build). He built one out of 20,000 year-old Bog Oak or something, wood literally felled thousands of years ago, unearthed from a swamp. Then toss in the fact that chances are, you will never get to own one.

Honestly? Incredible instruments, and super rare. Blackmachine owners have a little club, and the exclusivity is pretty awesome. If you have this kind of money to drop on a guitar, you really don't care what it costs, you care that you get to own one while others drool. So, overall? I would say most definitely if that is what you are looking for. I would say better is subjective, but if these things matter to you? You should own a Blackmachine.

Interesting take. Not my cup of tea and I think I'm too pragmatic (or maybe just too poor) to drop that kinda cash on one, but I completely agree in regards to their actual value being whatever the market dictates and supply and demand creates. My initial response to this thread was "what kind of fucking idiot would drop that kinda cheese on a guitar like THAT??" But after thinking this through, more power to the owners\buyers. If you got the jack and it lights your pants on fire, go for it. Who am I to judge?

 

[RaceU4her]

Impossible to get, builder uses only the finest, and oldest/rarest woods, then only builds 1 or 2 a year. There used to be an incredible demand as well. I've personally owned several and they are very nice instruments.

I've never played one so I don't have any real experience, but out of pure curiosity, are they legitimately $10k better than half a dozen brands of high-end shred guitars?

is an original cobra really worth $500K when you can get a replica that has the same or better performance for $50k?? youre paying for the lore and history

 

[engage757]

Impossible to get, builder uses only the finest, and oldest/rarest woods, then only builds 1 or 2 a year. There used to be an incredible demand as well. I've personally owned several and they are very nice instruments.

I've never played one so I don't have any real experience, but out of pure curiosity, are they legitimately $10k better than half a dozen brands of high-end shred guitars?

I mean, they really are worth what people will pay for them, but here is what I will say about them. They aren't that expensive when you get into custom archtops/acoustics and compare them. They play amazingly well, sound killer, are made by one guy to really high standards out of the best, oldest and rarest woods he can source (Namely, Doug will wait for the right woods to pop up for years before even offering to start a build). He built one out of 20,000 year-old Bog Oak or something, wood literally felled thousands of years ago, unearthed from a swamp. Then toss in the fact that chances are, you will never get to own one.

Honestly? Incredible instruments, and super rare. Blackmachine owners have a little club, and the exclusivity is pretty awesome. If you have this kind of money to drop on a guitar, you really don't care what it costs, you care that you get to own one while others drool. So, overall? I would say most definitely if that is what you are looking for. I would say better is subjective, but if these things matter to you? You should own a Blackmachine.

Interesting take. Not my cup of tea and I think I'm too pragmatic (or maybe just too poor) to drop that kinda cash on one, but I completely agree in regards to their actual value being whatever the market dictates and supply and demand creates. My initial response to this thread was "what kind of fucking idiot would drop that kinda cheese on a guitar like THAT??" But after thinking this through, more power to the owners\buyers. If you got the jack and it lights your pants on fire, go for it. Who am I to judge?

Exactly. I play a Dunable and an ESP Eclipse as well mainly. I'll stick with my "peasant" guitars. But yeah, they are awesome and more power to them. I don't feel comfortable playing instruments that expensive. I like to play the crap out of my gear these days. HAHA

 

[ewill52]

Impossible to get, builder uses only the finest, and oldest/rarest woods, then only builds 1 or 2 a year. There used to be an incredible demand as well. I've personally owned several and they are very nice instruments.

I've never played one so I don't have any real experience, but out of pure curiosity, are they legitimately $10k better than half a dozen brands of high-end shred guitars?

I mean, they really are worth what people will pay for them, but here is what I will say about them. They aren't that expensive when you get into custom archtops/acoustics and compare them. They play amazingly well, sound killer, are made by one guy to really high standards out of the best, oldest and rarest woods he can source (Namely, Doug will wait for the right woods to pop up for years before even offering to start a build). He built one out of 20,000 year-old Bog Oak or something, wood literally felled thousands of years ago, unearthed from a swamp. Then toss in the fact that chances are, you will never get to own one.

Honestly? Incredible instruments, and super rare. Blackmachine owners have a little club, and the exclusivity is pretty awesome. If you have this kind of money to drop on a guitar, you really don't care what it costs, you care that you get to own one while others drool. So, overall? I would say most definitely if that is what you are looking for. I would say better is subjective, but if these things matter to you? You should own a Blackmachine.

Interesting take. Not my cup of tea and I think I'm too pragmatic (or maybe just too poor) to drop that kinda cash on one, but I completely agree in regards to their actual value being whatever the market dictates and supply and demand creates. My initial response to this thread was "what kind of fucking idiot would drop that kinda cheese on a guitar like THAT??" But after thinking this through, more power to the owners\buyers. If you got the jack and it lights your pants on fire, go for it. Who am I to judge?

Exactly. I play a Dunable and an ESP Eclipse as well mainly. I'll stick with my "peasant" guitars. But yeah, they are awesome and more power to them. I don't feel comfortable playing instruments that expensive. I like to play the crap out of my gear these days. HAHA

Hell yes!!! I buy them to play them...I realize some folks are totally comfortable buying one and sticking it in the closet, but I know that I'm going to play the shit out of them and in the process they are going to show some wear. Throwing a $20k guitar over my shoulder would make my butt pucker.

 

[Jack Luminous]

Those things are fucking ugly LOL

 

[engage757]

Same here. I always loved the BMs I played/owned, but all I could see from the moment someone realized I had it and offered me stupid money was an investment I found no joy in playing because suddenly it was worth stupid money.

 

[SpiderWars]

I almost don't even think of those as guitars even though they are obv guitars. They are collector's items which is not to say they aren't fantastic playing/sounding guitars but collector's items nonetheless. I'm glad things like that exist. Never heard of them until this thread.

Probably the only reason I complain about the prices of Gibson RIs is because I want one.

 

[Racerxrated]

What irks me though, is seeing high-value items sitting on boulders and in the dirt. Why is this a thing with sellers?

i never understood this either, and i see it all the time?? im going to start requesting pics of the back of the guitar after laying on the beautiful sharp rock driveway

So true.