What is going on with the industry???

[Beyond Black]

Was I livin in the golden age? I remember walking into tons of high end stores( w/ 1600-1800 to blow on a high end axe) circa 87'- 95 and gawking at the custom shop jacksons,charvels,Strats,pauls,& hamers in the "do not touch" section.
Most of those were in the 2500 range and just out of reach for most of us.Not much Suhr back then. So is 4500 the old 2500?

Those were glorious times. The nearest Guitar Center to me in Chicago had wall to wall Marshalls, USA BC Riches and Jacksons. And everybody that worked there was a ripping player that knew their shit about gear.
Around 87-88 I bought a used/mint white Warlock identical to Mick’s in the Looks that Kill video for $575.

 

[Iamnada]

Also in the past 5-7 years, all the quick easy financing options that are now available like Afrim, and AMS, zero percent easy pay system. This helps drive up cost because it allows more high-ticket price items to sell. The auto/truck industry went the same way when 7-12 year loans started to become common place.

Huh. Never thought of this, but that does make quite a bit of sense.

 

[Shask]

Huh. Never thought of this, but that does make quite a bit of sense.

Yeah, makes sense as a lot of people are living off of credit cards and financing these days.

 

[BenoA]

Yeah, makes sense as a lot of people are living off of credit cards and financing these days.

It's sad. And car loans of 7 years and more are crazy. The vehicle will start breaking and need more maintenance and you still owe money on it. And at the interest rates these days, 7 years adds a lot of money over the price paid.

 

[DanTravis62]

Those were glorious times. The nearest Guitar Center to me in Chicago had wall to wall Marshalls, USA BC Riches and Jacksons. And everybody that worked there was a ripping player that knew their shit about gear.
Around 87-88 I bought a used/mint white Warlock identical to Mick’s in the Looks that Kill video for $575.

Not even most people on RT rip and know shit about gear now

 

[Beyond Black]

Not even most people on RT rip and know shit about gear now

Which makes them perfect employees for today’s Guitar Center

 

[TheBiggestJerk]

How?????

 

[harddriver]

Those were glorious times. The nearest Guitar Center to me in Chicago had wall to wall Marshalls, USA BC Riches and Jacksons. And everybody that worked there was a ripping player that knew their shit about gear.
Around 87-88 I bought a used/mint white Warlock identical to Mick’s in the Looks that Kill video for $575.

I bought a couple guitars from Guitar Center on 95th and Western, 1983-1985. I remember always haggling on the prices like a middle east Bazaar market!

This was long before the company went corporate like today.

I paid $600 bucks out the door for a brand new 1983 Kramer Imperial with maple neck and case at Ricks Music Store in Plainfield IL, he was the only Kramer dealer in the area. I guess that would be a $2500-$3500 guitar these days....

I also used to shop at the Guitar Shack in Steger, IL I bought a Marshall combo amp there.

Yes, glorious times Mr Beyond Black!