The big brands have priced themselves out of the market. I haven't bought any of their gear for a few years now. There are plenty of options out there if the name on the headstock is not an issue. The problem is that the lesser brands are also raising prices, making value for money buys harder to find. The big names will try to push up prices until the demand drops, or until buyers run short of funds nothing will change. Prices are up and quality is down, this is not the time to buy new gear.
The foreign sub brands are moving into position to take the price bracket american companies used to occupy. I bought an mim fender jazz in 2003 for less than the classic vibe squiers cost now and minimum wage has only gone up $1.35 in that time. This was always the plan not an accident.
Not sure if you have noticed but prices have been raising in all sectors, not just musical instruments. The prices are rising because our money is losing value. The prices will never drop as long as our incompetent government keeps allowing the fed to print dollars.
@@smelltheglove2038 there is also a problem of companies raising prices when they don’t need to. Multiple big corporations are reporting record profits after price increases. So their cost didn’t go up they are just shaking the cash out of our pockets.
@@jamesmarkham7489 I’m not defending these companies, simply pointing out the effects of cronyism bordering on fascism. The real definition of fascism, not the newspeak definition that states anyone advocating for a small government as being fascist.
I may have one of the last sub 4K Fender custom shops. Ordered in late 2019, completed shortly after the shop reopened in 2020. All the “covid guitars” (those completed in spring/summer 2020) I’ve played are amazing. Builders were eager to get back to work
I just got an Orange Micro Dark 20w for 50% off. Sure, I had to eyeball it for a couple of years in the shop as it was reduced to 25% off, then months later 35% off, then many months later 50% off. They’re never just going to give it to you so I finally gave them some money. Now I’m watching a Fender Jaguar begin it’s discount journey in the same shop. Patience is a virtue. 🎸
What I hate about price increases is the impact to the working musician. For many, guitar is a hobby. You play at home or with friends or do a small gig. But if a new guitar is too expensive, then you play what you got or find another hobby. Guitar is my only hobby, I can handle PRS and Two-Rock raising prices 10%. For the working musician, they probably can’t stomach any price increase. If your occupation is guitar, you can’t simply quit and find another job easily. So much about this issue of raising prices comes back to the buyer and his/her purpose.
This whole Channel rocks- Im gonna admit I have bought a few Harley Bentons and honestly if these ever hit the States MANY Fender, Gibson and PRS fans will be pretty pissed about ANY high prices from these “Premium” companies. They are way high quality for ridiculous low prices
Great discussion. For furthering the conversation - $100 is $100 regardless of your overall spend. If the price goes up $100 you will still have $100 less to spend on other things (strings, cables, food, rent….).
Using Federal inflation calculator. In 1962 a Gibson Les Paul Standard cost $290. In 2022 dollars that would be $2699, which is exactly the MAP price of a Gibson Les Paul Standard and Gibson did away with the divide between MSRP and MAP a few years back, so Gibson's prices on the electric side seem to be in perfect step with the rest of US inflation. On their acoustic side it is a different story. A Gibson J-45 cost almost $3k today, with normal inflation it should cost around $800 (which is actually the price of an all solid wood, Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45). But that's a good example of how inflation % is a general metric. Cost of exotic woods has skyrocketed and acoustic guitar construction has not been able to benefit from CNC machining the way solid bodies have... In the big picture, the US sold out its US manufacturing labor force years ago, so anything made in the USA gets an an additional premium cost over its foreign built counterpart. An economist would tell you a nice, higher-end for its class foreign built Epiphone Les Paul actually represents the buying power of a 1962 USA made Les Paul and that you have to put country of origin and absolute spec matching out of your head. Then the economist would smile and point out how much les expensive that Epiphone Les Paul cost you than the 1962 would have cost your grandfather and how he didn't have the choice of picking an Epiphone Les Paul over a Gibson Les Paul.
A guitar is what it is once you get to that higher level of price. I have bought guitars to be strictly players, get beat, etc. I have also bought guitars as investment pieces. I still play everything I own, but some don't leave the house. Those are the guitars that will certainly be passed down in excellent condition after I am gone. At that point, I don't care what they are worth anymore cause I will be dead, but sentimental value and memories that my daughter and I have with them are what make them worth something more. Get what makes you happy. Plain and simple. It is only money, and if you don't have what you need to make it happen at the time, then the time for that purchase is not right. I do not expect the J Mascis tele that my daughter and I drove down from Wisconsin to pick up from you to be worth much monetarily someday, but the trip we took and the memories we made in the process are what mean something. If you are reading this, tell Sean I say hi, and that guitar is running quite well.
I have a 000-15 and that guitar is totally worth more than it’s price. You are correct when you say the boutique builders have a hard time cutting into Martins market share.
Years ago I was in a family carpet business and my father always took care of customers to give them a deal. When the carpet mills raised prices customers still expected the old prices. Some people don't get it.
I started playing in the early 80's. I remember in the late 80's used Les Paul Customs were easy to come by for under $800. Those days are long gone. Through the years I've acquired what I need to get the job done, and then some. I got some great deals, and I purchased some at the upper end of their value...now those upper end prices seem like great deals. Of course we always need "just one more", but I'm happy with my gear, so as the prices continue to rise, some out of my reach, it doesn't really matter to me because I'm already set. I enjoy the gear I have and I'm still inspired by it.
@Jameson Snow replied, that adjusting for inflation 80's $800 is now $2729.59. Very true. I thought about it more. The average guitar seemed to be in the $400-$600 range, so a few hundred dollars more for a LP Custom, didn't seem like much. Many of those average guitars, now are $600-$1200, but the used LP Customs are 2-3 times more, which is a wider gap. One thing I didn't think about is that my personal expenses were much lower in the 80's and it was fairly easy to come up with the LP money, now my expenses are higher and it's more difficult to come up with $3k of expendable money.
There are a lot of small boutique guitar companies that keep raising prices(some do it as a business strategy), but out of the big-name brands, Gibson is the biggest that can get away with crazy prices. Second I'd probably say it's a tie between ESP/PRS. Fender has a huge line, with a part made in Mexico and even if they raise the prices, some guitars will seem affordable when looking at the big picture, but their USA-made are on par with Gibson on prices. I think social media and Reverb helps companies get away with the constant price increase, so it will only get worst for now.
I recently bought a brand new, brand name sub-$1000 guitar, it's one of the nicest guitars I've owned in years. Throughout my years, I've owned special guitars and regret letting them go now, but $1000 is probably the most I'll ever spend on a guitar in the future. I have some nice ones now and they are all forever guitars, the only thing I'm missing now is a Martin and my collection will be complete. - Amps? Well, that's another story...
Hitting the nail on the head with Gibson in a way. I was never really interested in them when I could pick up an ergonomically superior PRS for about the same price, or hell, even have something comissioned instead of a bog standard LP with a fancy top, so they can hike their prices for all I care and show their disconnect with the market even more. The PRS price hike hurts me much more though, especially the S2 line, since I don't feel like spending more than 1.5k on a guitar unless it's something really special.
PRS isn't superior to anyone especially Gibson Epiphone and Fender..PRS are wannabes PRS will never achieve the legendary status of Gibson Epiphone and Fender..
@@mr.astrophysics9115 That's the thing though, I don't give a shit about status, or history. I only care about how a good a guitar feels and sounds to me. My first guitar was an Epiphone Les Paul. I still have it, but I had to sink hundreds into it to make it into a good guitar. Yet it still doesn't play as well as my 277 SE or my S2 Singlecut. And those are low level PRSs. And I don't go crazy for the Core stuff either, it's way out of my price range. I'm a student, I got a limited budget and I'm unwilling to shell out more than 1.5k for a regular production guitar. I could get my bespoke dream guitar made for 2-3.5 grand from a small luthier. What does that net me from Gibson? A bog standard Les Paul maybe with some acoutrements but the same issues that have plagued the design for decades? At least Fender has a decent entry level price range, and my Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster is killer. Besides, with the Epiphone and the Singlecut I'm good on Les Pauls. Unless a cheap BFG comes my way I'd rather pick up a Telecaster or one of those Dunable R2 DEs since neither Gibson nor Epiphone have enough sense to make affordable RDs available again.
@@Intaminator I'm talking Epiphone 2021 not what you bought tens years ago and it's very obvious you don't give a shit just look at the music you're generation has put out all garbage not talent what's so ever so ya you don't care
@@Intaminator and your PRS IS not even slightly close to being as good as a 2021 les paul custom Koa or modern figured Sgs period and you'll be laughed at if you try and claim they are
Hey Baxter, Johnathan. About 7 months ago I bought a Marshall DSL1. They only had one, the demo. This is at a Sam Ash, I love those guys. Well I paid full price and the salesman said he would order a new one. So he was cool, he let me take the demo home until my new one would arrive, then we would switch it out. So 7 months later, I get a call and my amp came in. 7 months, you know the supply chain. Had nothing to do with Sam Ash. So I jump in the car and went there to pick it up. In the time span if 7 months the amp head sold for 100.00 dollars more.lol. of course I didn't have to make the difference up. So in 7 months it jumped 100 buck. Unbelievable. Great show as always. Have a good one, stay safe..
@@robertwillett4122 oh, ok, fair enough. I wasn’t aware of the original price. I was thinking around 1000 bucks. But hey, like I said, it’s still less that the rise of prices for things like milk or butter or BACON! Jesus wept, I used to pay 3.50 for a pound of bacon, it was 10 bucks at the store this weekend.
@@smelltheglove2038 I know bro, it's not good and only going to get worse. I know people in the investment game and they think the 3rd quarter of this year is going to be bad. Glad I just paid my condo off, but the maintenance costs sky rocketed 40%. Brutal. Guess it could be worse. Have a great day, Sir Smell The Glove..
Fender guitars seemed to be almost ridiculously reasonable, in the 90s and 2000s, but they seem to have decided that they deserve Gibson prices in the past few years Maybe they do but it feels like I’m getting priced out of getting a nice guitar anytime soon; not that I need one. I bought an amp last year that went up $150 in a year!
@@ryanandring2688 when I started playing in 1994 an American standard strat was $699 and a Mexican standard was $349. A Gibson LP was around $1500, I think. Fender prices have increased a lot more than Gibson over the last 25 years but everyone complains about Gibson prices.
The big jump for me was when they went from the MIM Standard line to the MIM Player line... I remember getting my MIM Standard Tele used for $300. This was less than a decade ago. After Fender announced that Player line, it became impossible to find anything Mexican-made for a budget-friendly price. And on top of that, the quality of top-of-the-line Squiers like the Classic Vibes has increased a ton, while almost every Player Series guitar I've played at a store has had fret sprout!
I recently bought a used Jauernig 386 pedal (plexi style pedal), and it sounds awesome. My friends were so impressed that one bought a used one also, but it didn't have nearly as much low mids as mine. We had to open up both pedals to compare components to find that one capacitor was made by a different manufacturer, even though it had the same values. I usually open up any used pedals I buy and take a look, just to pull the battery out.
Just bought my first 3k-ish acoustic. Taylor 414ce V Class Special Edition Grand Auditorium (had to say it). At 43 years old it's like getting my first guitar again and I fuckin love it! Bucket list man.
Totally agree with Martin. I can’t believe how good the 000-15 guitars are for the price. I got a FCS and a GCS right before they both had a price increase. Also got a box before the price hike. I just scored a used Bloomfield so if they hike up, I’m officially cursed.
I have a 000-15M and it’s a great guitar for the money. When I get tired of playing my HD28, I pick up the 15 and appreciate it even more. It’s not my go to guitar so to speak, but it plays easily and has great tone.
In 2005 a Gibson Les Paul Standard was $2500. Except for the Custom shop the price hasn’t really gone up that much. Fender has raised the American made guitars $3-400 in the last 4 years.
Welcome to Sweden! Where gas is NINE dollars a gallon and it regularly costs you a hundred and twenty dollars to fuel up 😁 Great video guys - it would be interesting to see the reverse side of this coin. Who's writing checks their quality can't cash with the price level they're reaching?
Not expecting to come into the video with Baxter teaching us ‘zen’, but I’m here for it. As brands that could raise the prices that I wouldn’t mind too much would be Fender Custom shop or a Gibson ES-335. Both are works of art. But to me, watching some of the vids of the Fender Custom shop team assemble, the care that goes into it-makes it worth it. Someday I’ll have a nice paying job that I can afford a Custom Shop Jazzmaster or Tele. Someday
I'm so bad - I watch you (and "like") all the time - also am subscribed. But I've never written to say how enjoyable it is to have you in my home talking gear, your shows are liking having friends over to talk gear and chill. Also dig that Baxter is a Jimmy Page nut - join the club! And Jonathan's love of Magnatones is making me want to buy one. My threshold for an extra couple hundred bucks is actually about $2k - I figure wtf after that :). Thanks for another awesome show - peace
When all of these companies raise their prices on amps and guitars, that's when smaller companies come in with their brand and copies to the population of people who can afford them. That's when people hate on the small companies. I mean, "small companies" as in cheaper affordable companies, not the smaller boutique companies who charge expensive prices as well. Everybody wants more money, but where is the money coming from?!?!? The gov't increases minimum wage, but the companies can't afford to keep as many people and have to cut staff. I remember times about 30 years ago when you could find $500 dollar Gibson. And back in that time, I was worried about paying my bills and having a roof over my head.
Let’s discuss something for us 40 to 50 year olds. The biggest change I have been impressed with in the last 3 years especially and getting better is the cheaper lines. I have a lot more than I need guitar wise, and I have some high end stuff and some not so high end, however the overseas stuff is getting so good if not better than many built here. I own a USA Silver Sky and it is a nice guitar. I purchased the SE model a few weeks ago just to see. I am honestly blown away. I am not a PRS fan boy. I like all kinds of brands, but I would play the SE probably before the USA. The pickups are a tad hotter, and I like the radius better. I can afford most of the guitars I want, but I have backed off. These cheaper guitars (not all but many) are so amazing now. It is a great time for guitar players. I have found over the years I think I have more fun with the affordable well built ones. In the 80s a 300 to 500 import played like a 2x4 now we are getting legit guitars. CNC helped with that.
Here’s the rub. The prices will never come back down. If they have supply issues, and they price you out of the market, your doing them a favor by NOT buying one. Your just one less person they’re going to disappoint by making you wait 6 months lol.
For almost 7 grand already I really dont think Two Rock need to up prices. That's bonkers for an amp but I understand they're amazing amps but thsts crazy. What's even crazier is there's a high demand for such an expensive brand. What kind of jobs do people have out there? I thought my MAGNATONE was expensive lol
Yeah, I had no idea they were that expensive. That's crazy. I looked them up a few days ago and was shocked.There's so many options for less that are arguably as good(or better, worse, etc).
If an amp is more expensive than my handmade built Soldano SLO-100 by Mike himself that I only paid 4k for. Arguably the best Amp every made. I question everything about that company and amp. I've heard Two Rock's and nothing about them sounds like 7k.
@@HunterRouth I agree. I'd love to have a Soldano SLO 30 before a two rock to be honest. The SLO 100 is too much power for my needs but those are amazing amplifiers. Brian Wampler has a video claiming the SLO 30 is probably the best amp ever made and he definitely made it sound amazing
It's already at the point where I can build a superior instrument than I can buy in the $1k-2k range. As it gets into the 3k-4k range, it's almost comical how much better you can do with less outlay, but people buy for different reasons. I buy to play, and a parts caster with tasteful mods will out play and sound better than a top end Fender or Gibson nowadays. That wasn't always the case, but the big makers have priced themselves out of any consideration from me. That's a shame, I'd like to buy a factory guitar here and there, but why? For the sticker? I can print those off too if that mattered.
I have some really high end partscasters and there is still something that a “custom shop” has that these don’t quite have, even if they’re made of similar or arguably superior parts. Intangibles do create value at times.
Its the law of diminishing returns. Of course a $1k model will be far better than a $50 one, but the difference lessens per dollar as you go higher. The difference is the cost of labour, materials and time to make it. All increase as you go higher. Most people making partscasters have no clue how yo make all the components work together. They jist go for the "best" stuff they can put on it. A Gibson or Fender CS is designed with the whole guitar in mind, and will always be better than a partscaster made by an amateur.
I'm usually a Fender player, but I agree that CS stuff has a definite ceiling in my mind. I just feel like there's only so much quality that can go into the bolt-on Strat platform before you're just paying for relicing and branding. I've an AVRI and a Custom Shop 57 and the difference between them isn't huge. Gibsons and PRS just feel more crafted as instruments and the workmanship involved seems to allow for a higher price ceiling. The Murphy lab stuff looks like silliness to me though and I feel like those are going to be all over the resellers in 10 years for great prices.... and maybe with flaking paint.
I have a Martin D28 that was made in the early 80' and it sounds awesome! It was brought to my attention that any Martin D Class guitar above a 28 was just icing. Not needed for the sound. As far as I've heard/listened through the years, that's true. Is there a Fender Electric that fills that description?
It’s all about the percentage jump, not the actual amount. A fender player guitar going up by $100 is a much bigger deal than a fender custom shop going up $100.
Pricing does not work that way guys... Its all about perception, and if you are making guitars with variable cost of $1.000 and sell it for $4.000, for each guitar you don't sell, because you raised the price $200, you are losing $3.000. Guitars are basically wood, wires and pots... No R&D, no fancy electronics, no fancy production methods. Guitar brands make budget guitars worst on purpose, not because of cost. How much can you push the price?
Great thing about Fender roll your own, I just did a Fiesta Red Strat partscaster from a Mex body, 2016 Mex Rosewood neck, Obsidian blender mod, Pure Vintage 59 pups and Gotoh bridge block tuners & hardware under $750 into it & it kills !
Love you guys i watch every upload since i discovered u. And i a modern progressive metal guy. U know since your a retailer, companies most likely watch your videos and your just validating there greed machine and i wouldn't doubt if half or more of the brands u mentioned raise prices soon. U may not think u have that power but manufacturers pay close attention to the youtube guitar community. Seems like bringing up theses brand names who are outrageous. I want a real gibson lp custom i own lots of epi lp customs great guitars but not a gibson. And even more i want an esp. Not a esp ltd or an e2 but i want a real esp like an explorer shape (snakebyte) or the esp les paul i think its the ec 1000 but esps (not ltd) are just as exspensive as gibson. And Gibson always gets picked on for having outrageous prices but their prices are not that outrageous they just don't have any budget-friendly options all. They have are the high-end models the cheapest being the Les Paul Studio or a double cut but I think RUclips channels (i have one as well) are driving up the prices on gear all the demos and influencers saying how great items are just raises the prices on things so truly we only have ourselves to blame for why things cost so much these days in the Guitar World
@@216trixie well lets hope so. Prices are already inflated due to lack of supply. Theres a higher demand then there is supply so if u buy a higher end guitar 1000$ and up your most likely going to be put on a waiting list that can take a year or longer before they get to your order. My advice is check your local fb groups/ reverb/ let it go , or ebay, there are some great deals to be found if your comfortable buying used. I always talk to the seller alot before buying and 75% of the time i get to try before i buy. If the person lives close enough the sellers will bring the piece of gear to u and u can plug and play it before saying ok. Ive never not bought something id been trying to get unless i didnt have the cash til payday. Or it sold before i got a chance to make an offer or agree to pay asking price. But ive met some amazing people who i still keep in contact with today because we just hit it off , or we have so much in common we share knowledge of gear with one another. I have to admit i get excited about looking at my local groups or stores for a great used piece of gear. Ive gotten several guitars worth 1000$ and over for 300 to 500. Examples my crown jewels are my mint mesa boogie 2×12 with stock mesa voiced v30s. Also got a mint schecter c-1 platinum with floyd rose and active emgs and dual truss rods (if it didnt have the floyd id have kept it because it was the highest quality instrument id ever played but im not a floyd fan could never set it up perfectly. I traded that for either my epiphone prophecy plus or another one of my best guitars. And i got the very best guitar that was listed for 500$ (it looked liked it was never played before rare color scheme schecter hellraiser with locking tuners and chrome covered emgs dual truss rods and belly carve as well as the color which is charcoal body with neon yellow binding. And mother of pearl ornate cross inlays. They sold for around 1800$ new) he was asking for 500 cash but didnt want to trade. But i offered him a esp ltd that i traded a epiphone lp standard for it but i never liked that epi lp standard that i had and i didnt in the end ever play the esp ltd. It judt never souded good to my ears. And i offered a B-52 LS-100 100 watt head and matching 4×12 oversized slant cab with caster wheels. Thar i paid 200$ for and the ltd ii had traded that epiphone lp standard for 300$ is what i originally paid for the lp standard with hardshell gator lp csse. So i made an exaact $s worth trade for the hellraiser and boy o boy im so glad i did. I didnt think there were guitars out ther better then my 1999 neck through kex mg jackson kelly with huge case or my prophecy plus lp custom. Those 2 were my 2 favorites. W thst ive got this schecter im going to wear it out. I normally rotate my guitars to reduce wear n tear and increase my string life. Il only be playing this hellraiser for quite a while. Its gonna get used a whole lot. More then the rest of my guitars simply because its far superior to the others i own. (But all my current guitars are keepers. Excellent ecxamples of how great a guitar can be built to play and sound.
I think it's getting to the point where people are gping to say "I don't need that". American guitars are just getting to expensive for the normal player. $1200-$1400 for a Strat or a Tele? Okay. $1700 to $2200? I think people are going to balk at that for an off the rack guitar. Amps the same thing. And I could be totally wrong.
You guys make excellent points, but it’s still a shame that certain items have shot up so high it’s like, go ahead, make it a million dollars, I can’t afford it either way.
Novo, As with other boutique companies like Frank Brothers, have made price increases over the past few years in the form of custom options. When Novo first started out even their most decked out options would run around $3200-3600. Now they have found that they can charge for fingerboard binding, pearloid blocks, finishes etc. so a guitar from them with the right options gets well over $4k very quickly. Frank Brothers have done this even harder. Theirs used to be around $5k, once they got the reputation their Signature with all those options now runs around $7k.
And to think when I paid my cousin $400 for a 72 Goldtop Deluxe Les Paul in 75, I thought that was a lot of money. It was then but worth every penny of it. Yes, I still have it, completely original except one very nice refret. On another note, about a year later I traded an Ibanez Flying V, Peavy 4x12 Cab and $150 for a 67 Strat. Had no idea how old it was until I researched it later. Yes, I still have it. It was resprayed white and now has 40 years of legitimate playing wear on it. No distressing needed!
When guitars start costing more than my motorcycles, I believe we have crossed a rubicon that is insane. I guess we have to own up to the fact that we (guitarists) are gullible.
I’m a HUGE Two-Rock fan (have a studio pro plus 22 combo). I also own a hand wired 64 deluxe reverb. I was curious if you guys had any thoughts on the 64 hardwired. I feel like I have all I need with the two rock but have trouble parting with the deluxe reverb.
I have a real hard time going over $1500 for an electric. The Tele's and Strat's at that price point or lower are really strong value from $1000-$1500....are the more expensive Fender's really that much better? I recently got an SG Special and it's a beautiful guitar, but at $1600 it's probably overpriced for a solid mahogany body. Martin has the pricing perfect.....Everything from affordable to insanely expensive. IMO it's the Amps that are most overpriced for what you get. Insane markup
I am on the waiting list for KOT too (aren’t we all?). Check out the Prince of Tone too. You can usually grab one on Wednesday’s - a great pedal while I wait for 3 years for my KOT
Buy the guitar you want now, regardless if you’re beginner to intermediate or above. The prices are lower now and will go up if you wait. ALSO, by the end of march you will not see that 24 to 48 months of 0% financing from some online retailers.
Gibson is a great case study...they have been smart to only put the brand on U.S. made guitars, that justifies the price increases for many players. The sad part is their QC problems are here to stay, forever. The labor situation in this country ain't going away. Did Baxter say...blouse?
Boy, am I lucky I bought when I did. My 2 Ampeg amps went up $30-40 each shortly after purchase. The Squier basses and guitars went up as well. I bought a Champion 40 for $150 direct from Fender. 10 Days later it's $250.
I think every PRS Silver Sky is way overpriced no matter where you buy it. Maybe I’m the only one, but I hate these ugly things. It almost feels personal. That thing is an insult to my eyes. I tried really hard to pretend like I don’t care and I failed. I do care. Get that Mexican strat. At least these Mexican strats look cool. They’re strats! A Silver Sky is like Sylvester Stallone trying to impersonate Gal Gadot. I’m sorry…, I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to things like that. 😶
I'm at the point where I don't buy guitars anymore, I just put them together. I'll buy the body and neck from either warmoth or a local shop and just lego it up with whatever I want.
Think it was just last year that Dave’s in Wisconsin was offering Fender Custom Shop guitars at $3,300. I assumed they had a deal with Fender because of the volume they can do. They had what seemed like a stream of guitars coming into the shop at really competitive prices. And they were spec’d like more expensive guitars: relic finishes, handwound PUPS, good weights, AAA rosewood, etc. I was watching a ‘57 hardtail Strat when it jumped from $3,300 to around $4k. Guess the price increases ultimately caught up with everyone.
I bought three higher end Epi's last year for the price of one Gibson. Epiphone is having fewer quality issues as well. But I would love to have a Gibson SG. I am waiting for two Schecters to arrive. They were a panic buy before the price increase. I was looking at the Fender Supersonic a couple years ago, they were about 1350 and 1450 CAD. They are about 2250 and 2450 now. Prices are expected to go up again. But there are still affordable options.
Agree with you about affordable options. I have exactly 1 USA made guitar. Almost Everything else I have or have had in the recent past has been an import. Picked up a Schecter cr6 used for a steal and the fit and finish on the neck is outstanding. Hell, I traded out a prs s2 because I liked the modded Korean made PRS SE 245 I had better. I get that if you have the money and want to put it into high end and boutique gear then you should go for it. But the quality of instruments coming from Korea and Indonesia right now is staggeringly good for the price.
@@meedlies I agree, the Epi hollowbodies are still built by Samick in Indonesia. My Riviera is perfect. No complaints about my LP and Dove from Epi's own plant in China either. The Schecters are coming from S. Korea. I have Monoprice 15W tube combo and 112 cab. I have a H&K Tubemeister 20 and one of those Joyo mini hybrid heads, 20W with bt. I like the bt for the metronome on my phone and playing to backing tracks. That little head was under 200 bucks CAD. Worth every penny.
@@roywarriner8441 I myself got a Schecter NJ and waiting for it to arrive. Got myself a Schecter PT special in purple burst with a Fender Case at a pawnshop last year for $250 W/tax. What a steal.
Price increases across the board are understandable and warranted by manufacturers. Whether the market will bear it remains yet to be seen with the ever worsening economic situation. I think not- and there will be increased demand for "mid price, high value" products, that all manufacturers will need to address relative to their current lineups. The used market is the only thing to benefit from the current situation.
Bought a Martin 0000-18 Sinker custom recently. Best acoustic Ive possibly played! What do you guys think of the 0000 models? Ive had Taylor customs, Martin Dreads, etc. This 0000 is soooo good!!!
I picked a bad time to buy a used car, good thing the economy on the verge of collapsing! I’m also on the waiting list for a KoT, last time I checked reverb they were fetching $900-$1000. Of course the sellers on reverb are greedy and delusional.
Anyone that spends a grand on a KOT needs their head examined. It's a great pedal at $300 but a $1000 🤡. I waited out the list for 2 high gain channels and put it in my display case. Two snouse bb2 pedals, one set to high gain and the other to clean boost sounds superior in my opinion. Now paying a grand for a certain sunface is a different story. Mike builds the best fuzzface pedals on the planet and when those stashes of resistors are gone they are gone. Voodoo magic fairy dust or not, unless a massive cache of white or red dot nkt275 are uncovered the only way to obtain that particular sound is through his or someother boutique builders past work. People are dropping a grand on a pedal that is still in production and being knocked off 1/1, sniff the cork.
If these big name brands keep getting more expensive. Then brands like Sirre, 10s, Harley Benton, Donner and Glarry will be available for more budget instruments. I’m so glad I’m out of the market for guitars. I find great deals on used amps and pedals then buying new.
At least Fender and Gibson have some what affordable American models, PRS is the worst big brand for pricing the Core models all around $38-4000 now I know PRS has S2, but that’s like the Fender Performer, or Gibson Studios which are still cheaper
I would never have a Gibson if it wasn't for a good friend. The Workin man can't afford most of these guitars but the man that knows the blues is usually a working man. You have to really set your mind to it to get any of this stuff
I have owned a DC30 and gigged it dozens times. I've never owned a Two Rock. I'm gigging a Bad Cat players series amp now, that IMO is sounds better than my old DC30 and it retails for half the price of the Matchless (when the Matchless was new in the early 90s'). What does the typical club audience think about what amp I'm using ? Nothing, nada, no opinion. If these boutique amp companies want to charge 3K and up prices, let um. All you need is a discerning ear. There are plenty of great sounding alternatives out there that are great amps.
Most of the price increases lately have nothing to do with inflation or increased production costs it is simply large corporations greed just look at the record earnings reports everywhere. It’s us the consumer getting screwed. Not sure it’s sustainable in the long run.
I saw a video of Mike Lemmo playing a 58 Korina Gibson Explorer . It sounded great . It's priced for $10k . So it's market is for really well off people or folks who want to go in debt . IMO greed is Gibson's main motivation . In the US companies are raising their prices and blaming it on inflation which is a lie . They are raising their prices cause of greed . Most companies made record profits during the pan dim eck . I used to love looking for new Gibson custom shop guitars but seeing how many companies are only focused on the rich people buying their stuff and not coming out with a line of guitars that are priced to help working musicians . Rich people don't write the music that keeps people interested in your product . But Gibson don't care cause they are wanting profits . Gibson in anti union , they are focus on making guitars for rich people .
Like every other company that goes crazy with valuing their product, they will either have to make an adjustment, or go out of business. Because most regular people are limited on their spending income and most older players budget. They are the players that have spent thousands over the years to have gear through all those years. Over pricing guitars will definitely increase the amount of people buying parts to upgrade a cheaper guitar.
PRS, Gibson Les Paul, ES335, Gretsch- whatever price. Strat, Tele, Jazz Master, SG, need to be aware of their top end. Basically anything you need to unscrew the scratch plate to get to the wiring scares people off from paying premium for.
Off subject a little, but how are the New Zealanders handling the Firearm Restrictions? You do not hear much about it here in the US. NZ is a beautiful place.
@@kebotrans We've always had them. They knee jerk reaction law change didn't make a lot of difference. The gun crime is all the gangs. And they're not too worried about the law. The govt gives them pretty much free reign to do whatever they want anyway. Even gives them money to run 'get off meth' courses. I kid ye not.
i have a good job and a good relationship and music is fairly important but I am not even going to consider proposing to acquire some instrument or amplification unit over $1500 because I don't live alone in a tent (ie no other needs) and my name isn't found in any search for tickets on ticketmaster. Should manufacturers care? No, they ought to go and get if its there. I like reading about how high prices are inspiring people to build their own, that could be a sign that the benchmark is bit too high. I'd very much take a stab at a '59 bassman kit long before paying 2k for a new one and I'm not into the top end of things yet even there. But again, I'm not a professional and too many of us may think we are.
The big brands have priced themselves out of the market.
I haven't bought any of their gear for a few years now.
There are plenty of options out there if the name on the headstock is not an issue.
The problem is that the lesser brands are also raising prices, making value for money
buys harder to find.
The big names will try to push up prices until the demand drops, or until buyers run short
of funds nothing will change.
Prices are up and quality is down, this is not the time to buy new gear.
The foreign sub brands are moving into position to take the price bracket american companies used to occupy. I bought an mim fender jazz in 2003 for less than the classic vibe squiers cost now and minimum wage has only gone up $1.35 in that time.
This was always the plan not an accident.
Not sure if you have noticed but prices have been raising in all sectors, not just musical instruments. The prices are rising because our money is losing value. The prices will never drop as long as our incompetent government keeps allowing the fed to print dollars.
@@smelltheglove2038 there is also a problem of companies raising prices when they don’t need to. Multiple big corporations are reporting record profits after price increases. So their cost didn’t go up they are just shaking the cash out of our pockets.
@@jamesmarkham7489 that could have more to with the utter destruction of small businesses due to the idiotic lockdown mandates.
@@jamesmarkham7489 I’m not defending these companies, simply pointing out the effects of cronyism bordering on fascism. The real definition of fascism, not the newspeak definition that states anyone advocating for a small government as being fascist.
I may have one of the last sub 4K Fender custom shops. Ordered in late 2019, completed shortly after the shop reopened in 2020. All the “covid guitars” (those completed in spring/summer 2020) I’ve played are amazing. Builders were eager to get back to work
I just got an Orange Micro Dark 20w for 50% off. Sure, I had to eyeball it for a couple of years in the shop as it was reduced to 25% off, then months later 35% off, then many months later 50% off. They’re never just going to give it to you so I finally gave them some money. Now I’m watching a Fender Jaguar begin it’s discount journey in the same shop. Patience is a virtue. 🎸
You paid for it, good!
What I hate about price increases is the impact to the working musician. For many, guitar is a hobby. You play at home or with friends or do a small gig. But if a new guitar is too expensive, then you play what you got or find another hobby. Guitar is my only hobby, I can handle PRS and Two-Rock raising prices 10%. For the working musician, they probably can’t stomach any price increase. If your occupation is guitar, you can’t simply quit and find another job easily. So much about this issue of raising prices comes back to the buyer and his/her purpose.
Man that Custom Fender Show you did was awesome.. TOTALLY✌🏿👍🏿👍🏿You we’re total Zen and a Carny at the same time.
Perfect description.
This whole Channel rocks- Im gonna admit I have bought a few Harley Bentons and honestly if these ever hit the States MANY Fender, Gibson and PRS fans will be pretty pissed about ANY high prices from these “Premium” companies. They are way high quality for ridiculous low prices
Great discussion. For furthering the conversation - $100 is $100 regardless of your overall spend. If the price goes up $100 you will still have $100 less to spend on other things (strings, cables, food, rent….).
Using Federal inflation calculator. In 1962 a Gibson Les Paul Standard cost $290. In 2022 dollars that would be $2699, which is exactly the MAP price of a Gibson Les Paul Standard and Gibson did away with the divide between MSRP and MAP a few years back, so Gibson's prices on the electric side seem to be in perfect step with the rest of US inflation. On their acoustic side it is a different story. A Gibson J-45 cost almost $3k today, with normal inflation it should cost around $800 (which is actually the price of an all solid wood, Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45). But that's a good example of how inflation % is a general metric. Cost of exotic woods has skyrocketed and acoustic guitar construction has not been able to benefit from CNC machining the way solid bodies have... In the big picture, the US sold out its US manufacturing labor force years ago, so anything made in the USA gets an an additional premium cost over its foreign built counterpart. An economist would tell you a nice, higher-end for its class foreign built Epiphone Les Paul actually represents the buying power of a 1962 USA made Les Paul and that you have to put country of origin and absolute spec matching out of your head. Then the economist would smile and point out how much les expensive that Epiphone Les Paul cost you than the 1962 would have cost your grandfather and how he didn't have the choice of picking an Epiphone Les Paul over a Gibson Les Paul.
Also I love that Baxter who “doesn’t use pedals “ is on the wait list!
A guitar is what it is once you get to that higher level of price. I have bought guitars to be strictly players, get beat, etc. I have also bought guitars as investment pieces. I still play everything I own, but some don't leave the house. Those are the guitars that will certainly be passed down in excellent condition after I am gone. At that point, I don't care what they are worth anymore cause I will be dead, but sentimental value and memories that my daughter and I have with them are what make them worth something more. Get what makes you happy. Plain and simple. It is only money, and if you don't have what you need to make it happen at the time, then the time for that purchase is not right. I do not expect the J Mascis tele that my daughter and I drove down from Wisconsin to pick up from you to be worth much monetarily someday, but the trip we took and the memories we made in the process are what mean something. If you are reading this, tell Sean I say hi, and that guitar is running quite well.
I have a 000-15 and that guitar is totally worth more than it’s price. You are correct when you say the boutique builders have a hard time cutting into Martins market share.
I have a D28 made in the early 80's and it's awesome! Thinking about a 000 w/electronics...
Years ago I was in a family carpet business and my father always took care of customers to give them a deal. When the carpet mills raised prices customers still expected the old prices. Some people don't get it.
I started playing in the early 80's. I remember in the late 80's used Les Paul Customs were easy to come by for under $800. Those days are long gone. Through the years I've acquired what I need to get the job done, and then some. I got some great deals, and I purchased some at the upper end of their value...now those upper end prices seem like great deals. Of course we always need "just one more", but I'm happy with my gear, so as the prices continue to rise, some out of my reach, it doesn't really matter to me because I'm already set. I enjoy the gear I have and I'm still inspired by it.
@Jameson Snow replied, that adjusting for inflation 80's $800 is now $2729.59. Very true. I thought about it more. The average guitar seemed to be in the $400-$600 range, so a few hundred dollars more for a LP Custom, didn't seem like much. Many of those average guitars, now are $600-$1200, but the used LP Customs are 2-3 times more, which is a wider gap. One thing I didn't think about is that my personal expenses were much lower in the 80's and it was fairly easy to come up with the LP money, now my expenses are higher and it's more difficult to come up with $3k of expendable money.
There are a lot of small boutique guitar companies that keep raising prices(some do it as a business strategy), but out of the big-name brands, Gibson is the biggest that can get away with crazy prices. Second I'd probably say it's a tie between ESP/PRS. Fender has a huge line, with a part made in Mexico and even if they raise the prices, some guitars will seem affordable when looking at the big picture, but their USA-made are on par with Gibson on prices. I think social media and Reverb helps companies get away with the constant price increase, so it will only get worst for now.
I agree with you guys , the CE24 going from $1999 to $2299 is a huge jump,but there is nothing we can do about it.
You can not buy it
I recently bought a brand new, brand name sub-$1000 guitar, it's one of the nicest guitars I've owned in years. Throughout my years, I've owned special guitars and regret letting them go now, but $1000 is probably the most I'll ever spend on a guitar in the future. I have some nice ones now and they are all forever guitars, the only thing I'm missing now is a Martin and my collection will be complete. - Amps? Well, that's another story...
Hitting the nail on the head with Gibson in a way. I was never really interested in them when I could pick up an ergonomically superior PRS for about the same price, or hell, even have something comissioned instead of a bog standard LP with a fancy top, so they can hike their prices for all I care and show their disconnect with the market even more. The PRS price hike hurts me much more though, especially the S2 line, since I don't feel like spending more than 1.5k on a guitar unless it's something really special.
PRS isn't superior to anyone especially Gibson Epiphone and Fender..PRS are wannabes PRS will never achieve the legendary status of Gibson Epiphone and Fender..
@@mr.astrophysics9115 Prs couldn't touch the 2021 Epiphones on any level that's for sure
@@mr.astrophysics9115 That's the thing though, I don't give a shit about status, or history. I only care about how a good a guitar feels and sounds to me. My first guitar was an Epiphone Les Paul. I still have it, but I had to sink hundreds into it to make it into a good guitar. Yet it still doesn't play as well as my 277 SE or my S2 Singlecut. And those are low level PRSs. And I don't go crazy for the Core stuff either, it's way out of my price range. I'm a student, I got a limited budget and I'm unwilling to shell out more than 1.5k for a regular production guitar. I could get my bespoke dream guitar made for 2-3.5 grand from a small luthier. What does that net me from Gibson? A bog standard Les Paul maybe with some acoutrements but the same issues that have plagued the design for decades? At least Fender has a decent entry level price range, and my Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster is killer.
Besides, with the Epiphone and the Singlecut I'm good on Les Pauls. Unless a cheap BFG comes my way I'd rather pick up a Telecaster or one of those Dunable R2 DEs since neither Gibson nor Epiphone have enough sense to make affordable RDs available again.
@@Intaminator I'm talking Epiphone 2021 not what you bought tens years ago and it's very obvious you don't give a shit just look at the music you're generation has put out all garbage not talent what's so ever so ya you don't care
@@Intaminator and your PRS IS not even slightly close to being as good as a 2021 les paul custom Koa or modern figured Sgs period and you'll be laughed at if you try and claim they are
Hey Baxter, Johnathan.
About 7 months ago I bought a Marshall DSL1. They only had one, the demo. This is at a Sam Ash, I love those guys. Well I paid full price and the salesman said he would order a new one. So he was cool, he let me take the demo home until my new one would arrive, then we would switch it out. So 7 months later, I get a call and my amp came in. 7 months, you know the supply chain. Had nothing to do with Sam Ash. So I jump in the car and went there to pick it up. In the time span if 7 months the amp head sold for 100.00 dollars more.lol. of course I didn't have to make the difference up. So in 7 months it jumped 100 buck. Unbelievable. Great show as always. Have a good one, stay safe..
Gas has more than doubled so a hundred dollar increase is cheap in the grand scheme of things.
@@smelltheglove2038
Agreed, but the amp was only 349.00 . 100 dollars is a quarter of the price. Hey I don't mind, it's awesome.
@@robertwillett4122 oh, ok, fair enough. I wasn’t aware of the original price. I was thinking around 1000 bucks. But hey, like I said, it’s still less that the rise of prices for things like milk or butter or BACON! Jesus wept, I used to pay 3.50 for a pound of bacon, it was 10 bucks at the store this weekend.
@@smelltheglove2038
I know bro, it's not good and only going to get worse. I know people in the investment game and they think the 3rd quarter of this year is going to be bad.
Glad I just paid my condo off, but the maintenance costs sky rocketed 40%. Brutal.
Guess it could be worse. Have a great day, Sir Smell The Glove..
Fender guitars seemed to be almost ridiculously reasonable, in the 90s and 2000s, but they seem to have decided that they deserve Gibson prices in the past few years
Maybe they do but it feels like I’m getting priced out of getting a nice guitar anytime soon; not that I need one. I bought an amp last year that went up $150 in a year!
I understand what you’re saying but the American professional II jumped 200$ this year. Absolutely ridiculous
@@ryanandring2688 when I started playing in 1994 an American standard strat was $699 and a Mexican standard was $349. A Gibson LP was around $1500, I think.
Fender prices have increased a lot more than Gibson over the last 25 years but everyone complains about Gibson prices.
The big jump for me was when they went from the MIM Standard line to the MIM Player line... I remember getting my MIM Standard Tele used for $300. This was less than a decade ago. After Fender announced that Player line, it became impossible to find anything Mexican-made for a budget-friendly price. And on top of that, the quality of top-of-the-line Squiers like the Classic Vibes has increased a ton, while almost every Player Series guitar I've played at a store has had fret sprout!
I recently bought a used Jauernig 386 pedal (plexi style pedal), and it sounds awesome. My friends were so impressed that one bought a used one also, but it didn't have nearly as much low mids as mine. We had to open up both pedals to compare components to find that one capacitor was made by a different manufacturer, even though it had the same values. I usually open up any used pedals I buy and take a look, just to pull the battery out.
Just bought my first 3k-ish acoustic. Taylor 414ce V Class Special Edition Grand Auditorium (had to say it). At 43 years old it's like getting my first guitar again and I fuckin love it! Bucket list man.
I couldn’t afford a Gibson even if they lowered prices and if I had the money I save it.
Fenders were designed to be utilitarian and affordable. In 1975 I bought a new telecaster with a maple neck for 180$ at Mannys, in nyc
Totally agree with Martin. I can’t believe how good the 000-15 guitars are for the price. I got a FCS and a GCS right before they both had a price increase. Also got a box before the price hike. I just scored a used Bloomfield so if they hike up, I’m officially cursed.
I have a 000-15M and it’s a great guitar for the money. When I get tired of playing my HD28, I pick up the 15 and appreciate it even more. It’s not my go to guitar so to speak, but it plays easily and has great tone.
In 2005 a Gibson Les Paul Standard was $2500. Except for the Custom shop the price hasn’t really gone up that much. Fender has raised the American made guitars $3-400 in the last 4 years.
Used to buy R8s for 2600 and R7s for 2250 used. Now used Plain Top R8s are 3400 or more. 🤦🏼♂️
@@kebotrans the custom shop had become ridiculous
@@mkenific yes it has my friend.
Welcome to Sweden! Where gas is NINE dollars a gallon and it regularly costs you a hundred and twenty dollars to fuel up 😁 Great video guys - it would be interesting to see the reverse side of this coin. Who's writing checks their quality can't cash with the price level they're reaching?
I think a part of it with Fender is that the MIM are now at about the same price that a MIA one was just two years ago.
Not expecting to come into the video with Baxter teaching us ‘zen’, but I’m here for it. As brands that could raise the prices that I wouldn’t mind too much would be Fender Custom shop or a Gibson ES-335. Both are works of art. But to me, watching some of the vids of the Fender Custom shop team assemble, the care that goes into it-makes it worth it. Someday I’ll have a nice paying job that I can afford a Custom Shop Jazzmaster or Tele. Someday
I'm so bad - I watch you (and "like") all the time - also am subscribed. But I've never written to say how enjoyable it is to have you in my home talking gear, your shows are liking having friends over to talk gear and chill. Also dig that Baxter is a Jimmy Page nut - join the club! And Jonathan's love of Magnatones is making me want to buy one. My threshold for an extra couple hundred bucks is actually about $2k - I figure wtf after that :). Thanks for another awesome show - peace
When all of these companies raise their prices on amps and guitars, that's when smaller companies come in with their brand and copies to the population of people who can afford them. That's when people hate on the small companies. I mean, "small companies" as in cheaper affordable companies, not the smaller boutique companies who charge expensive prices as well. Everybody wants more money, but where is the money coming from?!?!? The gov't increases minimum wage, but the companies can't afford to keep as many people and have to cut staff. I remember times about 30 years ago when you could find $500 dollar Gibson. And back in that time, I was worried about paying my bills and having a roof over my head.
I have a 2015 000-15 that was a hard one to bite off but I love it. 1500$ when I bought it new but it is more than worth it!
Let’s discuss something for us 40 to 50 year olds. The biggest change I have been impressed with in the last 3 years especially and getting better is the cheaper lines. I have a lot more than I need guitar wise, and I have some high end stuff and some not so high end, however the overseas stuff is getting so good if not better than many built here. I own a USA Silver Sky and it is a nice guitar. I purchased the SE model a few weeks ago just to see. I am honestly blown away. I am not a PRS fan boy. I like all kinds of brands, but I would play the SE probably before the USA. The pickups are a tad hotter, and I like the radius better. I can afford most of the guitars I want, but I have backed off. These cheaper guitars (not all but many) are so amazing now. It is a great time for guitar players. I have found over the years I think I have more fun with the affordable well built ones. In the 80s a 300 to 500 import played like a 2x4 now we are getting legit guitars. CNC helped with that.
Awesome guys, I see you have hit the 40 thousand subscribers mark.
Here’s the rub. The prices will never come back down. If they have supply issues, and they price you out of the market, your doing them a favor by NOT buying one. Your just one less person they’re going to disappoint by making you wait 6 months lol.
This one was good guys , Thanks . I only buy used anymore . I have been "priced out " of everything new .
For almost 7 grand already I really dont think Two Rock need to up prices. That's bonkers for an amp but I understand they're amazing amps but thsts crazy. What's even crazier is there's a high demand for such an expensive brand. What kind of jobs do people have out there? I thought my MAGNATONE was expensive lol
Yeah, I had no idea they were that expensive. That's crazy. I looked them up a few days ago and was shocked.There's so many options for less that are arguably as good(or better, worse, etc).
@@RByrne I agree. Two Rocks are works of art and that's basically what we'd be paying for.
If an amp is more expensive than my handmade built Soldano SLO-100 by Mike himself that I only paid 4k for. Arguably the best Amp every made. I question everything about that company and amp. I've heard Two Rock's and nothing about them sounds like 7k.
@@HunterRouth I agree. I'd love to have a Soldano SLO 30 before a two rock to be honest. The SLO 100 is too much power for my needs but those are amazing amplifiers. Brian Wampler has a video claiming the SLO 30 is probably the best amp ever made and he definitely made it sound amazing
@@alexwoolridge94aw Dang that's cool.
I’m a disabled schoolteacher and I’m saving up for a two rock !!! That sound!
That is awesome! Let us know when you get close and we will get you sorted for sure!
Thank you for all you do!
@@CasinoGuitars absolutely! You two….rock ! Plus Sean
It's already at the point where I can build a superior instrument than I can buy in the $1k-2k range. As it gets into the 3k-4k range, it's almost comical how much better you can do with less outlay, but people buy for different reasons. I buy to play, and a parts caster with tasteful mods will out play and sound better than a top end Fender or Gibson nowadays. That wasn't always the case, but the big makers have priced themselves out of any consideration from me. That's a shame, I'd like to buy a factory guitar here and there, but why? For the sticker? I can print those off too if that mattered.
I have zero doubt you are correct especially when it comes to electric guitars and basses
I have some really high end partscasters and there is still something that a “custom shop” has that these don’t quite have, even if they’re made of similar or arguably superior parts. Intangibles do create value at times.
No it won’t,
Amen
Its the law of diminishing returns. Of course a $1k model will be far better than a $50 one, but the difference lessens per dollar as you go higher. The difference is the cost of labour, materials and time to make it. All increase as you go higher. Most people making partscasters have no clue how yo make all the components work together. They jist go for the "best" stuff they can put on it. A Gibson or Fender CS is designed with the whole guitar in mind, and will always be better than a partscaster made by an amateur.
I'm usually a Fender player, but I agree that CS stuff has a definite ceiling in my mind. I just feel like there's only so much quality that can go into the bolt-on Strat platform before you're just paying for relicing and branding. I've an AVRI and a Custom Shop 57 and the difference between them isn't huge. Gibsons and PRS just feel more crafted as instruments and the workmanship involved seems to allow for a higher price ceiling. The Murphy lab stuff looks like silliness to me though and I feel like those are going to be all over the resellers in 10 years for great prices.... and maybe with flaking paint.
Larry, the Fender AVRI and American Originals are particularly high quality for standard production guitars.
I have a Martin D28 that was made in the early 80' and it sounds awesome! It was brought to my attention that any Martin D Class guitar above a 28 was just icing. Not needed for the sound. As far as I've heard/listened through the years, that's true.
Is there a Fender Electric that fills that description?
It’s all about the percentage jump, not the actual amount. A fender player guitar going up by $100 is a much bigger deal than a fender custom shop going up $100.
Pricing does not work that way guys... Its all about perception, and if you are making guitars with variable cost of $1.000 and sell it for $4.000, for each guitar you don't sell, because you raised the price $200, you are losing $3.000.
Guitars are basically wood, wires and pots... No R&D, no fancy electronics, no fancy production methods. Guitar brands make budget guitars worst on purpose, not because of cost.
How much can you push the price?
Great thing about Fender roll your own, I just did a Fiesta Red Strat partscaster from a Mex body, 2016 Mex Rosewood neck, Obsidian blender mod, Pure Vintage 59 pups and Gotoh bridge block tuners & hardware under $750 into it & it kills !
Love you guys i watch every upload since i discovered u. And i a modern progressive metal guy. U know since your a retailer, companies most likely watch your videos and your just validating there greed machine and i wouldn't doubt if half or more of the brands u mentioned raise prices soon. U may not think u have that power but manufacturers pay close attention to the youtube guitar community. Seems like bringing up theses brand names who are outrageous. I want a real gibson lp custom i own lots of epi lp customs great guitars but not a gibson. And even more i want an esp. Not a esp ltd or an e2 but i want a real esp like an explorer shape (snakebyte) or the esp les paul i think its the ec 1000 but esps (not ltd) are just as exspensive as gibson. And Gibson always gets picked on for having outrageous prices but their prices are not that outrageous they just don't have any budget-friendly options all. They have are the high-end models the cheapest being the Les Paul Studio or a double cut but I think RUclips channels (i have one as well) are driving up the prices on gear all the demos and influencers saying how great items are just raises the prices on things so truly we only have ourselves to blame for why things cost so much these days in the Guitar World
It's okay, they're not hurting us.
@@216trixie well lets hope so. Prices are already inflated due to lack of supply. Theres a higher demand then there is supply so if u buy a higher end guitar 1000$ and up your most likely going to be put on a waiting list that can take a year or longer before they get to your order. My advice is check your local fb groups/ reverb/ let it go , or ebay, there are some great deals to be found if your comfortable buying used. I always talk to the seller alot before buying and 75% of the time i get to try before i buy. If the person lives close enough the sellers will bring the piece of gear to u and u can plug and play it before saying ok. Ive never not bought something id been trying to get unless i didnt have the cash til payday. Or it sold before i got a chance to make an offer or agree to pay asking price. But ive met some amazing people who i still keep in contact with today because we just hit it off , or we have so much in common we share knowledge of gear with one another. I have to admit i get excited about looking at my local groups or stores for a great used piece of gear. Ive gotten several guitars worth 1000$ and over for 300 to 500. Examples my crown jewels are my mint mesa boogie 2×12 with stock mesa voiced v30s. Also got a mint schecter c-1 platinum with floyd rose and active emgs and dual truss rods (if it didnt have the floyd id have kept it because it was the highest quality instrument id ever played but im not a floyd fan could never set it up perfectly. I traded that for either my epiphone prophecy plus or another one of my best guitars. And i got the very best guitar that was listed for 500$ (it looked liked it was never played before rare color scheme schecter hellraiser with locking tuners and chrome covered emgs dual truss rods and belly carve as well as the color which is charcoal body with neon yellow binding. And mother of pearl ornate cross inlays. They sold for around 1800$ new) he was asking for 500 cash but didnt want to trade. But i offered him a esp ltd that i traded a epiphone lp standard for it but i never liked that epi lp standard that i had and i didnt in the end ever play the esp ltd. It judt never souded good to my ears. And i offered a B-52 LS-100 100 watt head and matching 4×12 oversized slant cab with caster wheels. Thar i paid 200$ for and the ltd ii had traded that epiphone lp standard for 300$ is what i originally paid for the lp standard with hardshell gator lp csse. So i made an exaact $s worth trade for the hellraiser and boy o boy im so glad i did. I didnt think there were guitars out ther better then my 1999 neck through kex mg jackson kelly with huge case or my prophecy plus lp custom. Those 2 were my 2 favorites. W thst ive got this schecter im going to wear it out. I normally rotate my guitars to reduce wear n tear and increase my string life. Il only be playing this hellraiser for quite a while. Its gonna get used a whole lot. More then the rest of my guitars simply because its far superior to the others i own. (But all my current guitars are keepers. Excellent ecxamples of how great a guitar can be built to play and sound.
Dec 2017 for me on the king of tone list! Getting close. No price increases until I get mine, 😂
I think it's getting to the point where people are gping to say "I don't need that". American guitars are just getting to expensive for the normal player. $1200-$1400 for a Strat or a Tele? Okay. $1700 to $2200? I think people are going to balk at that for an off the rack guitar. Amps the same thing. And I could be totally wrong.
You guys make excellent points, but it’s still a shame that certain items have shot up so high it’s like, go ahead, make it a million dollars, I can’t afford it either way.
Novo, As with other boutique companies like Frank Brothers, have made price increases over the past few years in the form of custom options.
When Novo first started out even their most decked out options would run around $3200-3600.
Now they have found that they can charge for fingerboard binding, pearloid blocks, finishes etc. so a guitar from them with the right options gets well over $4k very quickly.
Frank Brothers have done this even harder. Theirs used to be around $5k, once they got the reputation their Signature with all those options now runs around $7k.
And to think when I paid my cousin $400 for a 72 Goldtop Deluxe Les Paul in 75, I thought that was a lot of money. It was then but worth every penny of it. Yes, I still have it, completely original except one very nice refret.
On another note, about a year later I traded an Ibanez Flying V, Peavy 4x12 Cab and $150 for a 67 Strat. Had no idea how old it was until I researched it later. Yes, I still have it. It was resprayed white and now has 40 years of legitimate playing wear on it. No distressing needed!
When guitars start costing more than my motorcycles, I believe we have crossed a rubicon that is insane. I guess we have to own up to the fact that we (guitarists) are gullible.
I’m a HUGE Two-Rock fan (have a studio pro plus 22 combo). I also own a hand wired 64 deluxe reverb. I was curious if you guys had any thoughts on the 64 hardwired. I feel like I have all I need with the two rock but have trouble parting with the deluxe reverb.
I have a real hard time going over $1500 for an electric. The Tele's and Strat's at that price point or lower are really strong value from $1000-$1500....are the more expensive Fender's really that much better?
I recently got an SG Special and it's a beautiful guitar, but at $1600 it's probably overpriced for a solid mahogany body.
Martin has the pricing perfect.....Everything from affordable to insanely expensive.
IMO it's the Amps that are most overpriced for what you get. Insane markup
I am on the waiting list for KOT too (aren’t we all?). Check out the Prince of Tone too. You can usually grab one on Wednesday’s - a great pedal while I wait for 3 years for my KOT
Buy the guitar you want now, regardless if you’re beginner to intermediate or above. The prices are lower now and will go up if you wait. ALSO, by the end of march you will not see that 24 to 48 months of 0% financing from some online retailers.
Gibson is a great case study...they have been smart to only put the brand on U.S. made guitars, that justifies the price increases for many players. The sad part is their QC problems are here to stay, forever. The labor situation in this country ain't going away.
Did Baxter say...blouse?
Yep,corporate greed is running rampant
Thank goodness I have all my dream guitars. Just working on that hand wired amp.
Boy, am I lucky I bought when I did. My 2 Ampeg amps went up $30-40 each shortly after purchase. The Squier basses and guitars went up as well. I bought a Champion 40 for $150 direct from Fender. 10 Days later it's $250.
PRS Silver Sky SE is way overpriced in the UK. You can get a Mexican strat for £200-£300 less
I think every PRS Silver Sky is way overpriced no matter where you buy it. Maybe I’m the only one, but I hate these ugly things. It almost feels personal. That thing is an insult to my eyes. I tried really hard to pretend like I don’t care and I failed. I do care.
Get that Mexican strat. At least these Mexican strats look cool. They’re strats!
A Silver Sky is like Sylvester Stallone trying to impersonate Gal Gadot.
I’m sorry…, I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to things like that. 😶
I'm at the point where I don't buy guitars anymore, I just put them together. I'll buy the body and neck from either warmoth or a local shop and just lego it up with whatever I want.
Think it was just last year that Dave’s in Wisconsin was offering Fender Custom Shop guitars at $3,300. I assumed they had a deal with Fender because of the volume they can do. They had what seemed like a stream of guitars coming into the shop at really competitive prices. And they were spec’d like more expensive guitars: relic finishes, handwound PUPS, good weights, AAA rosewood, etc. I was watching a ‘57 hardtail Strat when it jumped from $3,300 to around $4k. Guess the price increases ultimately caught up with everyone.
I bought three higher end Epi's last year for the price of one Gibson. Epiphone is having fewer quality issues as well. But I would love to have a Gibson SG. I am waiting for two Schecters to arrive. They were a panic buy before the price increase. I was looking at the Fender Supersonic a couple years ago, they were about 1350 and 1450 CAD. They are about 2250 and 2450 now. Prices are expected to go up again. But there are still affordable options.
Agree with you about affordable options. I have exactly 1 USA made guitar. Almost Everything else I have or have had in the recent past has been an import. Picked up a Schecter cr6 used for a steal and the fit and finish on the neck is outstanding. Hell, I traded out a prs s2 because I liked the modded Korean made PRS SE 245 I had better.
I get that if you have the money and want to put it into high end and boutique gear then you should go for it. But the quality of instruments coming from Korea and Indonesia right now is staggeringly good for the price.
@@meedlies I agree, the Epi hollowbodies are still built by Samick in Indonesia. My Riviera is perfect. No complaints about my LP and Dove from Epi's own plant in China either. The Schecters are coming from S. Korea. I have Monoprice 15W tube combo and 112 cab. I have a H&K Tubemeister 20 and one of those Joyo mini hybrid heads, 20W with bt. I like the bt for the metronome on my phone and playing to backing tracks. That little head was under 200 bucks CAD. Worth every penny.
@@roywarriner8441 I myself got a Schecter NJ and waiting for it to arrive. Got myself a Schecter PT special in purple burst with a Fender Case at a pawnshop last year for $250 W/tax. What a steal.
@@MrDream-zm1pw nice.
Price increases across the board are understandable and warranted by manufacturers. Whether the market will bear it remains yet to be seen with the ever worsening economic situation. I think not- and there will be increased demand for "mid price, high value" products, that all manufacturers will need to address relative to their current lineups. The used market is the only thing to benefit from the current situation.
Bought a Martin 0000-18 Sinker custom recently. Best acoustic Ive possibly played! What do you guys think of the 0000 models? Ive had Taylor customs, Martin Dreads, etc. This 0000 is soooo good!!!
I picked a bad time to buy a used car, good thing the economy on the verge of collapsing!
I’m also on the waiting list for a KoT, last time I checked reverb they were fetching $900-$1000. Of course the sellers on reverb are greedy and delusional.
Anyone that spends a grand on a KOT needs their head examined. It's a great pedal at $300 but a $1000 🤡. I waited out the list for 2 high gain channels and put it in my display case. Two snouse bb2 pedals, one set to high gain and the other to clean boost sounds superior in my opinion. Now paying a grand for a certain sunface is a different story. Mike builds the best fuzzface pedals on the planet and when those stashes of resistors are gone they are gone. Voodoo magic fairy dust or not, unless a massive cache of white or red dot nkt275 are uncovered the only way to obtain that particular sound is through his or someother boutique builders past work. People are dropping a grand on a pedal that is still in production and being knocked off 1/1, sniff the cork.
If these big name brands keep getting more expensive. Then brands like Sirre, 10s, Harley Benton, Donner and Glarry will be available for more budget instruments. I’m so glad I’m out of the market for guitars. I find great deals on used amps and pedals then buying new.
PRS silver sky in Canada has always retailed above $3000, current retail price is $3299.
as a cabinet maker, I'm glad I only need 1 table saw
People seem to be asking $1000 to $1500 over new price for some Novos. I bought a KOT and ordered a Novo partially because I figured I couldn’t loose.
At least Fender and Gibson have some what affordable American models, PRS is the worst big brand for pricing the Core models all around $38-4000 now
I know PRS has S2, but that’s like the Fender Performer, or Gibson Studios which are still cheaper
I would never have a Gibson if it wasn't for a good friend. The Workin man can't afford most of these guitars but the man that knows the blues is usually a working man. You have to really set your mind to it to get any of this stuff
I for one have just quit buying. Whenever I think about getting something new and see the prices I hug my stuff a little closer.
Everything is going up!
I have owned a DC30 and gigged it dozens times. I've never owned a Two Rock. I'm gigging a Bad Cat players series amp now, that IMO is sounds better than my old DC30 and it retails for half the price of the Matchless (when the Matchless was new in the early 90s'). What does the typical club audience think about what amp I'm using ? Nothing, nada, no opinion. If these boutique amp companies want to charge 3K and up prices, let um. All you need is a discerning ear. There are plenty of great sounding alternatives out there that are great amps.
Most of the price increases lately have nothing to do with inflation or increased production costs it is simply large corporations greed just look at the record earnings reports everywhere. It’s us the consumer getting screwed. Not sure it’s sustainable in the long run.
Flush out your headgear.
I no longer buy PRS because the price jumped so much and I own about 15 of them. Half are core models.
I saw a video of Mike Lemmo playing a 58 Korina Gibson Explorer . It sounded great . It's priced for $10k . So it's market is for really well off people or folks who want to go in debt . IMO greed is Gibson's main motivation . In the US companies are raising their prices and blaming it on inflation which is a lie . They are raising their prices cause of greed . Most companies made record profits during the pan dim eck . I used to love looking for new Gibson custom shop guitars but seeing how many companies are only focused on the rich people buying their stuff and not coming out with a line of guitars that are priced to help working musicians . Rich people don't write the music that keeps people interested in your product . But Gibson don't care cause they are wanting profits . Gibson in anti union , they are focus on making guitars for rich people .
I remember my Dad paid $350 for my brand new SG in 1966...vibro trem with the case...think that's about $3000 in todays money!
Like every other company that goes crazy with valuing their product, they will either have to make an adjustment, or go out of business. Because most regular people are limited on their spending income and most older players budget. They are the players that have spent thousands over the years to have gear through all those years. Over pricing guitars will definitely increase the amount of people buying parts to upgrade a cheaper guitar.
Good morning everybody, it's -37 with the wind chill in Rapid City, SD this morning. I'm actually warming up my steel guitar by the fire.
GM Now, Clear, -40°
No wind! Sk,Ca
I'm here buying used G&Ls because that brand somehow is undervalued but that is nothing but ideal for buyers
Ssssshhh.. don't tell anyone
PRS can raise them all they want... I see NO REASON why I would ever want or need one.
I got my Tony Franklin 7 years ago for just over $1000, to replace it today $2200. Over 100% increase in 7 years. Stupid crazy.
Finally 40k subs. Only 10k more to go and I get my silver sky. I also get to witness some arm wrasslin'
Then you think about the investment and potentially selling one day, Gibson is the Rolex of all of those mentioned.
It blows me away at the prices yet evidently people keep buying them there GUITARS.🤣😂
Martin was the first thing that came to mind just seeing the title of the video
I love my Bloomfield! I still want a Silver Sterling… I may have a problem…
My Martin 000-15SM was dirt cheap for the amazing instrument.
"Always take off your blouse" - word to live by - from Casino Guitars
PRS, Gibson Les Paul, ES335, Gretsch- whatever price.
Strat, Tele, Jazz Master, SG, need to be aware of their top end.
Basically anything you need to unscrew the scratch plate to get to the wiring scares people off from paying premium for.
The shit we do to make ourselves happy, we could play with a squier and a boss katana and nobody would know but us
I might have to get into the black market kidney exchange to buy some of the guitars and amps I'd like to have 🤣🤣🤣
I got on the waitlist for KoT in October 2021, so in 2025 I might get mine.
It's $8US for a US sized gallon of 98 in New Zealand now. $7.40US for a US sized gallon of 91.
Off subject a little, but how are the New Zealanders handling the Firearm Restrictions? You do not hear much about it here in the US. NZ is a beautiful place.
@@kebotrans We've always had them. They knee jerk reaction law change didn't make a lot of difference.
The gun crime is all the gangs. And they're not too worried about the law. The govt gives them pretty much free reign to do whatever they want anyway. Even gives them money to run 'get off meth' courses. I kid ye not.
@@CurrieNerd wow sounds about like some of the logic of our current idiot leadership 😂
Will work for amp
Baxter, if you're looking at the KoT maybe check out a Protein from Browne instead.
Narrator: "Here we are 1 year later and... They did."
i have a good job and a good relationship and music is fairly important but I am not even going to consider proposing to acquire some instrument or amplification unit over $1500 because I don't live alone in a tent (ie no other needs) and my name isn't found in any search for tickets on ticketmaster. Should manufacturers care? No, they ought to go and get if its there. I like reading about how high prices are inspiring people to build their own, that could be a sign that the benchmark is bit too high. I'd very much take a stab at a '59 bassman kit long before paying 2k for a new one and I'm not into the top end of things yet even there. But again, I'm not a professional and too many of us may think we are.
2 two rocks would be a 4 rock rig?