No, for me it is not healthy that guitar prices have doubled in about 10 years. I don’t make twice what I made 10 years ago so my income has not increased in par with prices. I’m nuts about guitars as well as high end bicycles and the bike industry is going the same way guitar manufacturers are going, maybe even worse. So, both guitar makers and bike companies are pricing themselves out of the majority of the market, in my opinion. Sad.
Its almost becoming like the violin industry , prices for average instruments start a custom shop prices . You have to be rich to start those instruments.
Please be aware that neither Republicans nor Democrats are likely to provide assistance in this matter. If, in the upcoming election, we were to cast our votes for the candidates we genuinely support rather than those we believe have a higher chance of winning, there is a possibility for positive change. A significant portion of the population, approximately 70%, expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. If this group were to vote in accordance with their true preferences, the outcome could be significantly different.
Nonsense of course. You throw numbers but without something to apply them to they are meaningless. Who exactly would you propose? What party/association/group to replace the "two team" mentality of most voters. While it may seem 'smart' it goes against human nature, which is to form tribes. Us and Them! And of course the Us's are always the good guys. @@30smsuperstrat
I wanted a Used Godin summit classic goldtop and agreed on a fair price but without a gig bag or hard case… I don’t know what I was thinking but I asked how much would a hard case cost and I was told “ about $159…” unbelievably
Beginner cheap guitars are better now than ever. You don't need expensive new instruments anymore. There are many lesser-known brands that make great guitars. I love wood library PRS guitars. I have 4 but an SE is all you really need. Same goes with custom shop gibsons and fenders. I also have some of those, but I know cheaper brands can do most if not everything those can do. I just love to have the guitars I always dreamed of. From Santa Cruz, Bourgois, Collings, and all the top brands I have are not always the best instrument for what you need. Those are just fun to have. For $500 or less you can get a new guitar that can do everything you want.
After 25 years of collecting I finally finished my collection of the stuff I wanted. Buying guitars and making music has been my main hobby, and as someone who doesn’t drink, smoke, gamble, or go on holiday I’ve seen it as an acceptable vice. I’ve never sold or traded a guitar as I’m a Lefty because Lefties are hard to find. I look at how stuff I bought just 4 years ago for £1300 is now £1800. The most I ever spent on a guitar was a lefty LTD PRS for £2700 (which was a substantial purchase for me for something rare at the time) that would now cost around five grand. I get there has been a big inflation rise, but I know I wouldn’t have bought it at the new price. I find myself lucky to have been able to accrue my collection, and now I’m officially done, and plan to enjoy my collection.
@@ranman58635That is indeed the mindset that's fueling inflation...gotta agree with the op though, I wouldn't own half the cool stuff I do if I were starting out now
I can understand why guitar shop people are concerned about this but I think the flip side is that the guitars being produced by brands such as Harley Benton, Jet, Sire etc are better than ‘affordable’ guitars have ever been. Are they as ‘good’ as the top brands? Probably not, are they good enough for the beginners to learn on and those that will never spend 4 figures on a guitar to play? Absolutely! So really you just need to open your eyes to manufacturers other than the Big F and G. The phrase ‘import guitar’ also amuses me, remember that for the likes of me over in the UK a Gibson LP Standard is an import guitar!
My most played electric is a Yamaha Revstar Standard P90 and 2nd a Eastwood Rockerbox DLX LTD. I own 2 USA made electrics from Gibson and Guild and the Guild Bluesbird is #3.
When I was a youngster (15 years ago), I was able to save up money from my summer job to buy an American strat. Now I have a real job and an American strat is too expensive.
i remember back in 1996, a new "american standard stratocaster" went for around $700. Inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars, that's ~$1375. Hop over to Sweetwater, and you can pick up an "american performer" which would be today's equivalent for....er.... $1400. so yeah, don't know what kind of math is going on here.
@@jasondorsey7110 umm.. you need to blame inflation, not "corporate greed". corporates are making the same margins due to inflated costs and goods to produce the guitars. and do you know what drives inflation, right?
I agree, prices are just through the roof in this economy. New guitar day is now a two year savings for that mid level or even entry level guitar purchase. Food, gas, and groceries are more important. There’s more affordable options but that monster in our own head won’t let us live it down. Good video.
@@theuserthatishere youre not wrong, even in a cheap Midwest state it’s nuts. Used guitars are crazy priced too. I don’t know how some business stay in play.
The gear out there now that is "entry level" is vastly superior to any time in the past. I always laugh when I hear someone say "a new player can't afford" and then they act like that "new player" has to buy a $2,000 guitar. Stop it. LOL I see the used market being the place to go, and the "SE" (as in PRS) level markets since those have gotten stupidly good now.
I have to agree. It is almost if certain folks are still living in the '70's. Back then 'entry level' really was junk and name brands has a lot more misses. CNC machining and decades of dedication from engineers has made things so much better.
When Gibson came back with the reduced prices, I was able to purchase the guitars I always wanted. I've got 3 Gibsons now. The current price of standards is now a big chunk of cash more than during the restructuring. I do not see myself buying any more. If I'm going to get into the "multiple payments required" area, I'm going for something built better than what is coming out of Gibson USA currently. I will likely not go to a payment plan to buy a new guitar, that's a step i'm not willing to go, I"m just a weekend hobbyist. Sure, I'd like to have that capstone, heirloom worthy Gibson custom shop, but with them starting at 6k, and USA standards now being 3k, I'd probably look at PRS. There are core 594's that sit between the Gibson extremes and have the quality of a custom instrument.
Pre COVID/Early 2020 you could get a new bare bones USA made PRS, Gibson, or Fender for $999 - $1050. We are all used to small incremental price increases year over year, that's just basic economics. I think what upsets people is the seemingly overnight increase of those $999 guitars to $1499. It's hard to see the value when it increases that much that fast.
Stop voting communist demoncrat, Its that simple. Their leftist policies always tank the economy. Look around the world since 1917! Its a disaster over and over.
well, many companies held back on price hikes during covid...and now making up for lost time. inflation adjusted, today's prices are pretty much spot on to what the same guitars were going for "back in the day".
We live in the golden age of “cheap” gear. You can find so many good guitars for not a lot of money if you are just starting out. It’s only bad for us who have been playing for 30 years and remember the days where American fenders were under $1000.
I’ve been playing for 30 years and I see no reason to pay more than 500 for a gently used or new guitar, and I’m guilty of paying over 4k for a Gibson and other custom Shop guitars . If you are old enough to get over the logo on the headstock and understand that these things are tools you are crazy to overpay for a logo. I just bought my 3rd Squier. Crazy good guitars, manufacturing has gone a LONG way
dude, you ever hear about something called inflation? guitars are pretty much priced the same inflation adjusted (i.e. you can still mow the same number of lawns you needed to back in 1985 and still be able to afford the equivalent and/or same level of guitar today).
When prices go up regardless of any change in the economy they will never come down. The main problem is our current economic situation which our present government doesn't have any plans to fix.
Those Mexican-built Taylors are every bit as good as their northern counterparts, mostly because both factories are within an hour of each other where oversight and personnel can be shared
Of my 50 guitars, probably 6 or 7 were purchased new. Why, because you can get a guitar that you may not be able to afford new, used at a reduced price. This is not always the case but when buying from an individual, you can find good values if you are patient.
I think Gibson has set the stage for all the other companies to raise prices , I think going forward it will start to eat itself. The high quality boutique guitars are about the same as regular production quality of the big brands. My hope is that this is the era where the smaller boutique builders win out.
You have to start thinking outside of the big 3. Martin, Gibson and Fender are pricing the public out. There are other brands that produce excellent instruments that are priced better than the “Name” brands. Fender has a lot of nerve charging $2k for a slab of wood with electronics. Martin is charging $1500 for Formica. Gibson is using Richlite on instruments that cost $2800, Richlite is a paper based composite. I realize the traditional materials are getting harder to procure I’m all about being environmentally friendly but don’t think the buying public is stupid Martin is nothing more than an assembly line manufacturing at the price of boutique manufacturers that are hand building. Bob Taylor helping other builders?!! Bob Taylor bought up all of the ebony and now has a monopoly on the wood. That’s really helping out a lot
New guitar day is pretty much a thing of the past for me outside of maybe a Squire or Epiphone...maybe. Picked up my new Fender Am Pro II almost 2 years ago on a deal as my last "real guitar" because prices just seemed to keep jumping. Between that and my 2013 Les Paul Studio, I have all I need. Guitars are fun, but my kids like to eat on occasion.
Playing and collecting for 60 years. Did a major dump of gear last year just keeping the guitars I can't live without. GAS still strikes weekly, but I can't justify paying these prices.
What Jonathan said about Custom Shop instruments is spot on. There isn't an enormous price gap between an AVII and an entry-level team-built CS guitar. Some of us will be pushed "up" (CS), others will be pushed "down" (Vintera, Squier, etc.). As with so many other sectors of the economy, what we're losing in the world of guitar sales is the "American middle class."
If you plug the 1951 price of a Telecaster ($139) into an inflation calculator, in 2024 dollars it’s almost the same price as an American Vintage II. Sooo… is it more expensive?
I used to feel the same about pine until I got my Novo Serus J made out of tempered pine. Pine=cheap, right? Never considered pine as a tone wood but it is one of the best guitars I've ever played. Light, resonate, it's just crazy good.
well a $500 mim back in 1994, inflation adjusted to today is $1000. so go figure.... basic economics. essentially, you can work the same number of hours at mcdonald's flipping burgers 30 years ago vs today and afford the same level of guitar. mind boggling?
@@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters might want to check your facts, i too bought (and eventually sold) my 2002 delonge strat and remember clearly they went north of around $700. inflation adjusted, that's about$1200 today, pretty much in line with the more recent reissue. not really apples to apples since they are slightly different, and artist series also have other factors such as artist cut/licensing deals.
As an aging amateur guitarist, spending $2k on a new guitar isn't even an option for me. It doesn't make any kind of sense. But I do have NGDs once or twice a year, buying and trading for new and used imports like Squier, Epiphone, Ibanez, or Danelectro. There's plenty of variety with decent-to-good quality to be had, and I'm still having fun with it. I may never own another Fender or Gibson, but that doesn't mean I'm not enjoying my guitars. But I understand that this may not be ideal for you as a retailer though.
dude, we're on the cusp of a recession, but let's not talk about "american" guitars getting too expensive. i remember back in 1996, a new "american standard stratocaster" went for around $700. Inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars, that's ~$1375. Hop over to Sweetwater, and you can pick up an "american performer" which would be today's equivalent for....er.... $1400. unfortunately, many in the "guitar" world weren't the most studious at school and don't understand the concepts of basic economics.
So a sunburst strat with trem was about $280US in 1960....that's over $2800 today adjusted for inflation. The price of a Strat in 1960 was about 4.2% of the median income as compared to today it's about 3.5%. So 2k for an American Strat is still more affordable than it was in 1960.
I bought a '96 indonesian squier for €150, and the previous owner(s) already put Gotoh tuners and 2 humbuckers in there. All i need to do i add a few mods and i'm good to go. And again, i would buy a squier over a fender since it fits all my needs for way less money. I recently saw a live band perform with gibsons guitars and marshall stacks, but their bassplayer had a €150 PJ bass by Harley Benton. Did you think he ever did sound any less good? Of course not! Also: 2nd hand mexican fenders all the way! They're still around 400-500 where i live
This is why its so important to learn how to work on your guitars. When you can fix, or even better customize, your own guitars, flea markets and yardsales become music stores. And if you think new guitar day feels good, try rescued guitar. Day 1. The feeling you get when you've done something new and unique with a guitar that was ready for the bin, is amazing. If you want to truly love a guitar, rescue one! It will love you back!
I have *most* of the guitars I want. Now I'm starting to build my own. I can get some of the BEST pickups, bridges, tuners, wood, etc., and easily be under 600. I get it, you need the tools, space, and skill to do it, but there's nothing better than finishing a guitar that you build by hand (I buy the neck with a blank half paddle and design my own). It's REALLY hard to justify the cost of the high end new guitars
When I was still in high school I saved all of my money from my summer job and bought a brand new 2007 PRS Custom 24 from my local Sam Ash, I think it was $2200 back them for what they call now a Core model (not a 10 top, just a standard top). This was even while I was making $9.19 an hour. Nowadays what do those go for? Like almost $4500? No high school summer job is going to pay for that. My first guitar was an American Strat Deluxe, which I still have. My dad got it for me on my 14th birthday, and it was on special from Guitar Center for $900 out the door bc it was a weird mahogany body SSH model with a black headstock and a red trans coat that apparently no one wanted. Now those are almost $2k. No parent would buy their kid their first guitar for that kind of money... I'm so grateful my dad did believe in my interest to play guitar because I have it still almost 20 years later, but still...
With all due respect because I do honestly love both your videos and your point of view, let me say this in a way that should speak eloquently and succulently to each of you - bless your heart (alternatively, I was going to go with "y'all outta your damn mind"). Look, a $4,000 guitar is still a $4,000 even if you have year to save for it. Know what you can get in almost the same amount of time? A $2,300 Am Vint II and Am Pro II at $1,800. Or two Am Pro II's and have money left over. The people looking at Custom Shop level aren't exactly pinching pennies trying to find the best ROI for their guitar purchase. They're into a CS for a ton of reasons that aren't really related to price. The price sensitive NGD person isn't thinking, "Guitars are getting expense and I'm not comfortable with that. Know what'll fix it? Spending more money on the guitar!" Sure, there might be a handful of people who that applies, but that's going to be a small minority.
The AVII 61 Strat came along at just the right time with just the right specs to save me a bunch of money on a Custom Shop! Lol. And I love it. That was a special new guitar day.
I'm too old to fall for the hype any more. I did at one time but I'm just a weekend warrior and I felt bad for having so much money wrapped up in a few that I sold them off. I'll scratch the itch every once in a while with a used import from here on. Still "new" to me! Love the channel, you guys rock!
I got a squire telecaster for 250$ 😁. The higher the price, the more profit the middle men’s make. Little future tip. Slowly middle men are consolidating. The ones at the top, are watching and planning accordingly. They(We) will take care of our own family before we take care of any other families. Don’t just study the weather, study the times.
I am amazed how inexpensive quality guitars are now. Back in the mid-70s my dad paid $300 for a decent Yamaha acoustic. Imagine that in today's dollars.
...and this is where the market turns. Without awesome low-end guitars for aspiring guitarists, you would not create the fever for those future high-end models, although it is now what one would consider a once of a lifetime purchase.
@@kenichi407 Okay here's my point. To get a decent quality playing instrument in the mid '70s, my dad needed to pay the equivalent of $1,700. Today, with CNC, you can get the same quality for about $300. Overall that's how much guitars are cheaper than they were back then.
@@216trixie argument flawed as you equate CNC = "quality". i wouldn't say a chinese knockoff using CNC today is higher quality than a 70's hand made Yamaha made with Japanese craftsmanship
@@kenichi407 I'll try again. I'll simplify my claim. Here goes, for the same money today you can buy a much higher quality instrument than you could in the mid '70s. Okay? Not trying to start a debate team here just making a little point that is startlingly true and most people would agree with.
"New to me" is plenty good enough. I own 5 guitars, and I didn't quite spend $2K for all them combined. It is disappointing that some new guitars that I would like to have owned have moved out of my price range. However, I'm keeping an eye on the secondary market. Maybe one of them will turn up in a Guitar Center or pawn shop in a few years. If not, I'm good with what I've got now.
The costs are outrageous. I bought a 68 Reissue LPC a couple years ago, 5200 msrp, got it for 4800. Looking at MSRP for the same guitar $1000 higher now. I had trouble rationalizing that cost at it's initial purchase point. I will not buy another Gibson at the current price points. Saddens me but I think it's gonna have to hurt the stores before it hurts the manufacturers and it concerns me for smaller shops.
If my salary doubles in the next 10 years I’ll be more likely to pursue NGD. I have most of what I want already and the only new guitars I want are going to be expensive. At this point I only have room for stretch goals and unfortunately a dollar doesn’t stretch far today
I've been thinking about selling some of my guitars. Seeing the new prices I'll hold on to them. I'll never again find a LTD 1000 for 600 bucks (granted, it was used), or an ESP E2 for 1200 bucks (on sale). Once the custom made LPC by my luthier is finished I'll have all I need and then some. The new prices are insane.
there are a few new Performers around 1 Grand 💵 if they take offers on reverb 📙 and eBay plenty of Used Mint Open Box also only thing is most don't come with hardshell case only gigbags
I've been wanting to get a new amp for a while now (my ac10 has issues that don't seem to be worth fixing) but have a hard time deciding what I want to get. But then i also think that maybe the amp can wait and i need a new guitar. This is something that I've been saving for and fortunately after I quit smoking saving has been possible. Talk about prices going up, Cigarettes, where I am, are $14 a pack now.
I was content with what I had, but was open to new stuff And bought a very affordable used Epi, and am likely done for a while unless I a replacing something (Hopefully not) So I am okay, but it sucks for people who are looking at adding something other than an entry level guitar (and possibly for them as well)
This is really interesting to me. I just missed out on a Vintage SG junior at a very reasonable price before Christmas, I've been on the hunt for a junior for a while. Any way for weeks afterwards Juniors were haunting me, everytime I came on YT it was awash with 50's LP junior videos. So I decided I wanted to get a 50's spec LP single cut junior which is what I really wanted anyway with a burst finish. Being in the UK I went to the usual places to look; Andertons, Peach and a few local shops ect. I was looking anywhere between £1500 and £1650 for a Gibson Junior. Then I thought I don't really like the colour of the current production models, I really wanted the proper 50's style burst with the yellow in the middle and almost looks like 3 colours to it, I don't like the knobs so I'd want to change those, the pickups on a few I tried locally were okay, nothing outstanding though so I'd likely be into changing that, then when doing that I've got a load of vintage PIO caps that I'll end up putting in plus probably 550K pots at the same time. Anyway it's getting more expensive the more I look into it. Anyway I spoke to a good friend of mine who's an amazing luthier and chatted to him about it. He's got the last bits of his stashed away 100 + year old mahogany that I knew he had. Got chatting about a junior and he was really game for doing one. So in the end I've commissioned him to build me one, I've already been over to the workshop a few times to talk neck profiles and spec. So it'll be real old growth mahogany, single piece neck, and body, brazilian rosewood fingerboard, all Faber and Gotoh hardware in aged nickel, VIP pots, POI cap, handwound and custom vintage spec P90 by a guy I have bought a lot off in the past (another small boutique maker) Full nitro paint following images I've sent as reference and lightly relic'd to get it checking, and a stinger because why not ;) It's costing me £2,000 in part payments too over the year. And I'll have a truely hand made guitar that is much closer to a vinatge one I want but can't afford and exactly how I want it. And this is the first time I've ever bought a new guitar, the cost is just crazy to me for a NEW Gibson.
My last two videos are both titled New Guitar Day. One ultimately isn’t new, but I put it together from parts I had but the interesting one though is my Eastwood I never in 1 million years would’ve thought I’d spend over $1000 on a Korean made guitar. But this is the golden age of production guitars you don’t need a custom guitar anymore. Production guitars are light years better than they were even 10 years ago
Guitars were always a bit expensive but the difference I think between decades ago and now is that back then if you wanted a Gibson or a Fender you’d have to save a couple of weeks and then get it. Now you have to decide between food, mortgages and the basic cost of living and purchasing a new gibby or fender guitar. Prices have risen astronomically that it really doesn’t make much sense to alienate your core market because the one who made those brands what they are, is the local struggling working musician who along with his bandmates, pitch in for food and gas money. Meanwhile major brands are pricing them for the ones who are financially well off and would most likely play them like a weekend toy or hang it up on a wall as a talking piece.
@@3Torts man I understand that blaming the government is the gold standard for justifying everything that is wrong with the world without taking responsibility for our own actions, i get it and in some ways i do agree with you. That being said, you’re going to blame the government for $15,000, $20,000 limited edition guitars? Seriously ?
Housing prices are going crazy like new American Guitar prices. Guitars are just our favorite things to buy. I'm old enough to remember when guitarists owned maybe two instruments, an electric and an acoustic guitar. When we got a new guitar, we sold the old one to help pay for the new one. Not that long ago, maybe early 70s, late 60s. The cheaper stuff from Asia has been masking the greed and inflation that has been happening in all aspects of our life. I truly believe that we can make things, especially guitars in America for similar money as imported instruments. the wooden parts can be cut out with CNC machines that incur very little labor. Materials for the pickups and other hardware can't be that much cheaper overseas. The usual excuses for making things overseas are American labor is too expensive and the environmental regulations make it impossible to compete. If the companies here decided to somewhat cooperate and charge cost plus a reasonable profit, the productivity advances would keep us competitive.
The prices of new guitars are what pushed me into learning how to build and set up guitars. Ive built partscasters exactly to my specs that would have cost me 4x more as a custom shop. It wont appreciate in value like a custom shop and I'd have to re-part it out to make the most of selling it, but i never sell my guitars anyways.
Once made in USA models of established brands become basically unobtainable for most people, players will quit worrying about country of origin. The build quality of foreign-made is just fine these days.
The only new guitars that I’ve bought have been Martin over the last five years and on both occasions it was before the annual price increase, I usually divide by three to get an indication of what the guitar actually costs to build etc then I’ll decide if I find value in the end product, recently I tried to purchase a fender anniversary Strat and the company refused to even show me a photo of the guitar 🎸 prior to purchase, so I kept my money and I’m happy with that decision.
I’ve already decided that I’m only buying one new guitar a year. They’ve just gotten too damn expensive. This year’s is the Epi DG-335 @$1350 for a Chinese-built guitar… it’s just insane. One a year plus whatever I decide to build. Next year will be the G&L I’ve been looking at.
Why would the manufacturers be concerned about lowering their prices when they are selling them at the current prices? If they wanted to reduce prices, they could have the bodies and necks CNCed overseas and “built” here. It doesn’t matter where the wood is cut.
When the EKG for your dog is $570 you can't get the Danelectro Double Neck you've always wanted or the VOX APC 1 you think is really cool (no price). Unfortunately inflation means needs (food, gas, housing, etc.) has put a real dent in discretionary spending.
At the very least, the prices keep me from buying more. I’ve bought mostly used guitars for years (the few purchases I have made), but did spring for a MIM Tele in ‘22 for $679. It’s a great guitar and I love it, however it shouldn’t be close to $900, as it now. I got a used American made Jazz Bass, nitro finish, and rosewood fretboard in 2018 for almost the exact cost of that MIM Tele. It’s not inflation. It’s just corporate price gouging.
I have only spent more than $2500 on a new guitar, once... and that was for an all original, 1959 Les Paul Special DC. Unfortunately, when we've gotten to the point that Epiphone is selling $1500 guitars and Fender is selling $2100, Mexican, Signature guitars, the pricing is out of control. The same is true for Amplifier and pedal manufacturers. Marshall isn't even owned by Marshall any longer, they are being built in Viet Nam... and unless you are willing to pay $5k for a hand-wired amp... all you are getting is mass produced, disposable, circuit board... printed... garbage... with a hefty price tag. 3 years ago, I bought a Marshall SV20H for $1299, new. Now, that same amp is $1749... that's a $450 increase in just over 3 years... that is absolutely crazy. They are in the process of pricing themselves out of business... and that is just fine by me.
in 1998 i bought a brand NEW PRS Custom 22 in a cool purple color….all for 1100.00 Dollars….barely over 1000 bucks!!!!! i miss those days…i also bought a 1973 VW Bug for 200 dollars and it ran just fine…i also bought an old Mail Jeep for 600 dollars in the late 90’s
I think the way back is bringing shop class and music back into public schools, realistically guitars are a highschool level project someone could build at home, but since so few americans get shop class in public school it makes me question the build quality of american made guitar brands on top of the major companies making guitars right now also aren't active in reforesting, just the type of greedy leadership they have and lack of forward thinking for the players.
Guitar Center just raised the price of Les Paul Standards to $3,099. I bought one in 2021 for $2,500. And used Standards can be had for $2,200. $3.1K? Nope all day
We all know that if sales drop off, instead of lowering prices they will just do layoffs.. If I want a new guitar day I'll just buy a Squier Classic Vibe to sit on the rack next to my American guitars(Strat's, Tele's, and Les Paul's)
It's not the end of new guitars day for me. I have one being delivered in the next 3 days. I just don't spend thousands on one guitar when I can have 2 or 3 for the same price. Gibson gotten so corporate they want you to invest in a guitar you will never see, hear or play yourself. What real player can afford to invest serious money in something they can't ever use. The prices went up during the Covid Pandemic years because of shortages of parts due to supply chains being slowed and manufacturers having labor shortages. All that has returned to normal. However the guitar makers that had booming record sales years don't want to bring prices back to a realistic level. The sales have slowed and the market is flooded with used gear that was bought during the pandemic. So unless the big manufacturers don't want to see a steeper decline in sales the next couple of years, they had better bring the prices down and realize the buyers will shop else were. They are considering selling direct and cutting the music stores out of the equation too. They want all of the profit to go to the top of the company and the investors and not the employees. Corporations are always blaming the employees for the rise in costs even when it's not true.
When you buy a USA built Fender Strat or Gibson guitar, these companies are international companies. They take the revenue off USA built product and use it to expand their manufacturing in Mexico, Indonesia, China, etc... They put their money back into whatever yields the highest margins. The USA built line up essentially what economist call Veblen goods, they are prestige pieces... Considering the quality of upper-end Squires, Epiphones and all the non-name brand now breaking through like Sire, there's no more "getting what you paid for" with line-built USA standard series guitars. You're paying in some cases 4x-5x as much as what foreign factories are delivering, take those foreign built $400-$800 guitars to a luthier, give them fret leveling if needed, a little nut work, or at minimum setup and you've saved thousands.... The only USA built guitars you should consider buying at those where the company does not have a foreign factory. So, think Collings, Santa Cruz, Heritage, Kiesel. You're going to pay a lot more, because they have no foreign factory to funnel the money back to and profit from. These are real USA guitar companies that aren't going to send your money overseas... The big builders can burn in hell. As globalization comes to an end, it's going to be a problem for some of them.. Mexico is already on its way, but give it another 5-10 years as Globalization winds down, Mexico is going to see insane growth for manufacturing and we're leaving everything in Pacific Rim behind.
Agreed. It's ridiculous that Fender wants over $1500 for either the Jason Isbell or Mike McCready guitars. I'd buy both of those guitars, because they're great instruments (even though I think personally, they're both assholes!) but I'm not spending $1700 or $2K on essentially a Mexican made Roadworn guitar.
I'll preface this by saying growing up I always wanted Fenders. With the way the market is now there is nothing in the American or Mexican production line that I would buy with any exception for maybe a high-end Taylor. I have a Squier Classic VIbe 50s strat with Custom Shop 54s and a Classic Vibe 50s tele with custom shop nocasters. My other guitar is an Indonesia Fender FMT set neck with Dimarzio super distortion and paf 36th. To me anytime more then $1500 is crazy for a guitar. If I did have big money to spend I'd go with somthing japanes, custom shop or something else cool made over seas like a Farro
I think that experienced guitar players are looking more to the used market the same way people are looking at cars. Why take depreciation for something as soon as you drive it off the lot? Same with a high end used guitar. Fender custom shops and Gibson custom shops can be found used for less then new. Same with martin. And the “manufacturers warranty” isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Reverb has gotten rid of the steals but it also has given insight to what instruments hold their value. Yes you can get a used Nash but a new one is a couple hundred more. You could get a new fender custom shop but you might find one 1-1.5k less used. I do think the used market is gonna come down some as I see used guitars sitting longer the. They did a year ago. Plus a lot of people that bought during COVID are trying to offload guitars that have sat unplayed and they’re wanting to get something for them rather the. Gathering dust.
Curious how many of the people complaining about rising prices are also pro-union, pro-minimum wage, pro-regulation, pro gov programs that force deficit spending thereby driving inflation, etc….
Hmmm, had Gibson, Fender etc and while I can afford any of them, PRS's offerings makes it easy to get two $900.00 guitars for the price of one USA Fender! Will I get a Core? hmmm maybe but gesh, Cortec outta Indo is hitting home runs regularly and there arent any guitar makers doing the same thing consistently! Picking up a $2500.00+ guitar to then treat it like a relic just isnt for me! I want to play without any worry...😊
I’ve seen alot more guitarists buy one peice of gear and hold on to it/love it for a long time (ie only own one guitar and amp and keep it for a long time)
My thoughts are simple..Been playing for 20+ years and own many guitars and amps/pedals in that time & now it basically goes to …What NEED & What I WANT
IYV, Grote.... There are a lot of great lower priced guitars out there. Smaller boutique shops probably cant sell those profitably. Small brick and mortar shops should follow the luxury boutique model. Have appointments and assigned sales assistants. Someone spending $2,000+ needs professional help and time with the guitar. They might need help with ordering custom shop guitars. Great, help those people as much as they need. Someone buying a Squier 40th Anniversary will just buy from whoever has a 30% off sale.
I went from never buying pedals to gaining an interest in pedals. I found the guitar I love, so it’s more fun to look for new things to use with it. And even boutique pedals are more affordable than new guitars.
I’ve got so many pedals! I remember thinking do I travel down the modeler boards path or build my own craziness? I decided I had to have more control over each piece. If a pedal somehow goes down it won’t ruin the whole board. And it’s more fun.
I paid $600 for a Wayne's World Squire Strat in 1996. I dont feel prices are too bad right now. Don't let a few hundred dollars, or even an extra $1000 hold you back from owning a badass guitar!
I consider myself new guitar scavenger I love guitars and like to really try many To understand if I like the guitar I have to live with it (put my strings on it, set it up, let it set) For that reason I can from a long run only to buy guitars for the price I am able to sell it. Therefore usually mint and slightly used is for me way to go. Tomorrow I am buying Gibson Les Paul Tribute for 730 euro mint. This is a great price that I never will be afraid that I will not resale. If I would buy new for 1300, it would be different story.
No, for me it is not healthy that guitar prices have doubled in about 10 years. I don’t make twice what I made 10 years ago so my income has not increased in par with prices. I’m nuts about guitars as well as high end bicycles and the bike industry is going the same way guitar manufacturers are going, maybe even worse. So, both guitar makers and bike companies are pricing themselves out of the majority of the market, in my opinion. Sad.
Its almost becoming like the violin industry , prices for average instruments start a custom shop prices . You have to be rich to start those instruments.
I hear you on the guitars and bicycles, my mountain bike is about 5 years old and i thought about upgrading, didn't think about it for long haha
Please be aware that neither Republicans nor Democrats are likely to provide assistance in this matter. If, in the upcoming election, we were to cast our votes for the candidates we genuinely support rather than those we believe have a higher chance of winning, there is a possibility for positive change. A significant portion of the population, approximately 70%, expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. If this group were to vote in accordance with their true preferences, the outcome could be significantly different.
Nonsense of course. You throw numbers but without something to apply them to they are meaningless.
Who exactly would you propose?
What party/association/group to replace the "two team" mentality of most voters.
While it may seem 'smart' it goes against human nature, which is to form tribes.
Us and Them! And of course the Us's are always the good guys.
@@30smsuperstrat
@@30smsuperstratit’s a shame one candidate is too old and the other old one doesn’t think taking an oath to the constitution is important as president
At least nobody forces you to leave a tip when you buy the new guitars 😂
And that $1000 USA made Fender a decade ago came with a hardshell case.
I wanted a Used Godin summit classic goldtop and agreed on a fair price but without a gig bag or hard case… I don’t know what I was thinking but I asked how much would a hard case cost and I was told “ about $159…” unbelievably
Beginner cheap guitars are better now than ever. You don't need expensive new instruments anymore. There are many lesser-known brands that make great guitars. I love wood library PRS guitars. I have 4 but an SE is all you really need. Same goes with custom shop gibsons and fenders. I also have some of those, but I know cheaper brands can do most if not everything those can do. I just love to have the guitars I always dreamed of. From Santa Cruz, Bourgois, Collings, and all the top brands I have are not always the best instrument for what you need. Those are just fun to have. For $500 or less you can get a new guitar that can do everything you want.
After 25 years of collecting I finally finished my collection of the stuff I wanted. Buying guitars and making music has been my main hobby, and as someone who doesn’t drink, smoke, gamble, or go on holiday I’ve seen it as an acceptable vice. I’ve never sold or traded a guitar as I’m a Lefty because Lefties are hard to find.
I look at how stuff I bought just 4 years ago for £1300 is now £1800. The most I ever spent on a guitar was a lefty LTD PRS for £2700 (which was a substantial purchase for me for something rare at the time) that would now cost around five grand. I get there has been a big inflation rise, but I know I wouldn’t have bought it at the new price. I find myself lucky to have been able to accrue my collection, and now I’m officially done, and plan to enjoy my collection.
Call your Reverb store "Lefty's".
"as someone who doesn’t drink, smoke, gamble, or go on holiday"
No worries bro. I'm taking up your slack. Yeah I'm a lefty too.
I myself and me.
@@ranman58635That is indeed the mindset that's fueling inflation...gotta agree with the op though, I wouldn't own half the cool stuff I do if I were starting out now
😂😂😂
I can understand why guitar shop people are concerned about this but I think the flip side is that the guitars being produced by brands such as Harley Benton, Jet, Sire etc are better than ‘affordable’ guitars have ever been. Are they as ‘good’ as the top brands? Probably not, are they good enough for the beginners to learn on and those that will never spend 4 figures on a guitar to play? Absolutely! So really you just need to open your eyes to manufacturers other than the Big F and G.
The phrase ‘import guitar’ also amuses me, remember that for the likes of me over in the UK a Gibson LP Standard is an import guitar!
My most played electric is a Yamaha Revstar Standard P90 and 2nd a Eastwood Rockerbox DLX LTD. I own 2 USA made electrics from Gibson and Guild and the Guild Bluesbird is #3.
When I was a youngster (15 years ago), I was able to save up money from my summer job to buy an American strat. Now I have a real job and an American strat is too expensive.
Indeed. Of course 15 years ago you didn't have a mortgage, car payment and utilities to manage either, but it is so true
i remember back in 1996, a new "american standard stratocaster" went for around $700. Inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars, that's ~$1375. Hop over to Sweetwater, and you can pick up an "american performer" which would be today's equivalent for....er.... $1400. so yeah, don't know what kind of math is going on here.
Except that an American Pro II @ $1,700 would be the Standard equivalent today.
@@kenichi407The prices have gone up more than the wages, that's where the problem lies...corporate greed
@@jasondorsey7110 umm.. you need to blame inflation, not "corporate greed". corporates are making the same margins due to inflated costs and goods to produce the guitars. and do you know what drives inflation, right?
I agree, prices are just through the roof in this economy. New guitar day is now a two year savings for that mid level or even entry level guitar purchase. Food, gas, and groceries are more important. There’s more affordable options but that monster in our own head won’t let us live it down. Good video.
BINGO. You said right on.
everything is crazy, nice sandwich is 10 - 20?
@@theuserthatishere youre not wrong, even in a cheap Midwest state it’s nuts. Used guitars are crazy priced too. I don’t know how some business stay in play.
...they won't stay in play for long. @@Chino_kochino
It takes you TWO years to save 800 bucks? Are you for real?
The gear out there now that is "entry level" is vastly superior to any time in the past. I always laugh when I hear someone say "a new player can't afford" and then they act like that "new player" has to buy a $2,000 guitar. Stop it. LOL I see the used market being the place to go, and the "SE" (as in PRS) level markets since those have gotten stupidly good now.
Absolutely agree. New PRS start at 500 and are amazing
I have to agree. It is almost if certain folks are still living in the '70's. Back then 'entry level' really was junk and name brands has a lot more misses. CNC machining and decades of dedication from engineers has made things so much better.
When Gibson came back with the reduced prices, I was able to purchase the guitars I always wanted. I've got 3 Gibsons now. The current price of standards is now a big chunk of cash more than during the restructuring. I do not see myself buying any more. If I'm going to get into the "multiple payments required" area, I'm going for something built better than what is coming out of Gibson USA currently. I will likely not go to a payment plan to buy a new guitar, that's a step i'm not willing to go, I"m just a weekend hobbyist. Sure, I'd like to have that capstone, heirloom worthy Gibson custom shop, but with them starting at 6k, and USA standards now being 3k, I'd probably look at PRS. There are core 594's that sit between the Gibson extremes and have the quality of a custom instrument.
Pre COVID/Early 2020 you could get a new bare bones USA made PRS, Gibson, or Fender for $999 - $1050. We are all used to small incremental price increases year over year, that's just basic economics. I think what upsets people is the seemingly overnight increase of those $999 guitars to $1499. It's hard to see the value when it increases that much that fast.
Word. Truly disillusioning
Stop voting communist demoncrat, Its that simple. Their leftist policies always tank the economy. Look around the world since 1917! Its a disaster over and over.
well, many companies held back on price hikes during covid...and now making up for lost time. inflation adjusted, today's prices are pretty much spot on to what the same guitars were going for "back in the day".
Biden did it when he cut America’s oil production. End of story.
...but at least Daddy Government kept us locked down for our collective safety 😷
We live in the golden age of “cheap” gear. You can find so many good guitars for not a lot of money if you are just starting out.
It’s only bad for us who have been playing for 30 years and remember the days where American fenders were under $1000.
I’ve been playing for 30 years and I see no reason to pay more than 500 for a gently used or new guitar, and I’m guilty of paying over 4k for a Gibson and other custom
Shop guitars . If you are old enough to get over the logo on the headstock and understand that these things are tools you are crazy to overpay for a logo. I just bought my 3rd Squier. Crazy good guitars, manufacturing has gone a LONG way
dude, you ever hear about something called inflation? guitars are pretty much priced the same inflation adjusted (i.e. you can still mow the same number of lawns you needed to back in 1985 and still be able to afford the equivalent and/or same level of guitar today).
When prices go up regardless of any change in the economy they will never come down. The main problem is our current economic situation which our present government doesn't have any plans to fix.
My daughter bought a Mexican Taylor last year for $700 and change. It came set up perfectly, great sound, etc.
Those Mexican-built Taylors are every bit as good as their northern counterparts, mostly because both factories are within an hour of each other where oversight and personnel can be shared
As much as I love new gear the current prices have me appreciating what I have now a lot more.
me too, i could not afford my guitars if i had to buy them today
Of my 50 guitars, probably 6 or 7 were purchased new. Why, because you can get a guitar that you may not be able to afford new, used at a reduced price. This is not always the case but when buying from an individual, you can find good values if you are patient.
50? Now I don't feel so bad with 20 :)
I recently made a hard decision. New flooring for the downstairs or my dream guitar. Almost same price. Love my new guitar! lol
On an unrelated note we need a playing demo of that cool hollow body thats lurking in the background
I think Gibson has set the stage for all the other companies to raise prices , I think going forward it will start to eat itself. The high quality boutique guitars are about the same as regular production quality of the big brands. My hope is that this is the era where the smaller boutique builders win out.
Uhhh Gibson don't grow their own trees...EVERY producer has seen the cost of raw goods go up.
With the miraculous blessing of my local Music Go Round, I have not bought a new guitar in years.😮
You have to start thinking outside of the big 3. Martin, Gibson and Fender are pricing the public out. There are other brands that produce excellent instruments that are priced better than the “Name” brands. Fender has a lot of nerve charging $2k for a slab of wood with electronics. Martin is charging $1500 for Formica. Gibson is using Richlite on instruments that cost $2800, Richlite is a paper based composite. I realize the traditional materials are getting harder to procure I’m all about being environmentally friendly but don’t think the buying public is stupid
Martin is nothing more than an assembly line manufacturing at the price of boutique manufacturers that are hand building.
Bob Taylor helping other builders?!! Bob Taylor bought up all of the ebony and now has a monopoly on the wood. That’s really helping out a lot
New guitar day is pretty much a thing of the past for me outside of maybe a Squire or Epiphone...maybe. Picked up my new Fender Am Pro II almost 2 years ago on a deal as my last "real guitar" because prices just seemed to keep jumping. Between that and my 2013 Les Paul Studio, I have all I need. Guitars are fun, but my kids like to eat on occasion.
Playing and collecting for 60 years. Did a major dump of gear last year just keeping the guitars I can't live without. GAS still strikes weekly, but I can't justify paying these prices.
What Jonathan said about Custom Shop instruments is spot on. There isn't an enormous price gap between an AVII and an entry-level team-built CS guitar. Some of us will be pushed "up" (CS), others will be pushed "down" (Vintera, Squier, etc.). As with so many other sectors of the economy, what we're losing in the world of guitar sales is the "American middle class."
If you plug the 1951 price of a Telecaster ($139) into an inflation calculator, in 2024 dollars it’s almost the same price as an American Vintage II. Sooo… is it more expensive?
THIS THIS THIS!!!! Why people choose to not understand this basic concept is beyond me.
All I’ll say is the sale price of second hand guitars in Sydney had plummeted.
Im nuts about music not coomsumerism ,
Can't wait to spend $1000 on a guitar made in Mexico out of pine that doesn't even come with a case!
I used to feel the same about pine until I got my Novo Serus J made out of tempered pine. Pine=cheap, right? Never considered pine as a tone wood but it is one of the best guitars I've ever played. Light, resonate, it's just crazy good.
well a $500 mim back in 1994, inflation adjusted to today is $1000. so go figure.... basic economics. essentially, you can work the same number of hours at mcdonald's flipping burgers 30 years ago vs today and afford the same level of guitar. mind boggling?
@@kenichi407Tom Delonge's signature was $500 in the early to mid 00s, I know I bought one. His newest fender also made in mexico is over double.
@@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters might want to check your facts, i too bought (and eventually sold) my 2002 delonge strat and remember clearly they went north of around $700. inflation adjusted, that's about$1200 today, pretty much in line with the more recent reissue. not really apples to apples since they are slightly different, and artist series also have other factors such as artist cut/licensing deals.
you won't have to wait long
I'll be finishing up a partscaster build this weekend...
Parts have gone up in price as well.
@@Surge_LaChanceYep. I paid $11 for 6 vintage bridge screws b/c you can't find any anywhere b/c so many people are building instead of buying.
As an aging amateur guitarist, spending $2k on a new guitar isn't even an option for me. It doesn't make any kind of sense. But I do have NGDs once or twice a year, buying and trading for new and used imports like Squier, Epiphone, Ibanez, or Danelectro. There's plenty of variety with decent-to-good quality to be had, and I'm still having fun with it. I may never own another Fender or Gibson, but that doesn't mean I'm not enjoying my guitars. But I understand that this may not be ideal for you as a retailer though.
dude, we're on the cusp of a recession, but let's not talk about "american" guitars getting too expensive. i remember back in 1996, a new "american standard stratocaster" went for around $700. Inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars, that's ~$1375. Hop over to Sweetwater, and you can pick up an "american performer" which would be today's equivalent for....er.... $1400. unfortunately, many in the "guitar" world weren't the most studious at school and don't understand the concepts of basic economics.
A fender custom shop in 21-22 was around 3.5k for heavy relic or new now the same guitars are 5k. Crazy increase.
The best solution is for NGD to be about used guitars. I got my 50th birthday present - a 10 year old guitar.
So a sunburst strat with trem was about $280US in 1960....that's over $2800 today adjusted for inflation. The price of a Strat in 1960 was about 4.2% of the median income as compared to today it's about 3.5%. So 2k for an American Strat is still more affordable than it was in 1960.
I bought a '96 indonesian squier for €150, and the previous owner(s) already put Gotoh tuners and 2 humbuckers in there. All i need to do i add a few mods and i'm good to go. And again, i would buy a squier over a fender since it fits all my needs for way less money.
I recently saw a live band perform with gibsons guitars and marshall stacks, but their bassplayer had a €150 PJ bass by Harley Benton. Did you think he ever did sound any less good? Of course not!
Also: 2nd hand mexican fenders all the way! They're still around 400-500 where i live
I'm a used NGD guy except when under the spell of Paul at Music Villa. Cheers Casino!
I filled my inventory of guitars when they were affordable. Now they are over priced and I’m fully stocked.
so glad, me too
Deals are always around the corner you just need to know where to look.
This is why its so important to learn how to work on your guitars. When you can fix, or even better customize, your own guitars, flea markets and yardsales become music stores. And if you think new guitar day feels good, try rescued guitar. Day 1. The feeling you get when you've done something new and unique with a guitar that was ready for the bin, is amazing. If you want to truly love a guitar, rescue one! It will love you back!
PREACH!!!
Absolutely true.
PRS is helping w the $499 SE bolt on. It should be 399 or 419 on holiday sales. I may check one out.
I have *most* of the guitars I want. Now I'm starting to build my own. I can get some of the BEST pickups, bridges, tuners, wood, etc., and easily be under 600. I get it, you need the tools, space, and skill to do it, but there's nothing better than finishing a guitar that you build by hand (I buy the neck with a blank half paddle and design my own). It's REALLY hard to justify the cost of the high end new guitars
Man I haven’t bought a brand new guitar since the Fender player series launched for $575. Waaaaay too much expensive now, I’ve only bought used since.
When I was still in high school I saved all of my money from my summer job and bought a brand new 2007 PRS Custom 24 from my local Sam Ash, I think it was $2200 back them for what they call now a Core model (not a 10 top, just a standard top). This was even while I was making $9.19 an hour. Nowadays what do those go for? Like almost $4500? No high school summer job is going to pay for that.
My first guitar was an American Strat Deluxe, which I still have. My dad got it for me on my 14th birthday, and it was on special from Guitar Center for $900 out the door bc it was a weird mahogany body SSH model with a black headstock and a red trans coat that apparently no one wanted. Now those are almost $2k. No parent would buy their kid their first guitar for that kind of money...
I'm so grateful my dad did believe in my interest to play guitar because I have it still almost 20 years later, but still...
With all due respect because I do honestly love both your videos and your point of view, let me say this in a way that should speak eloquently and succulently to each of you - bless your heart (alternatively, I was going to go with "y'all outta your damn mind"). Look, a $4,000 guitar is still a $4,000 even if you have year to save for it. Know what you can get in almost the same amount of time? A $2,300 Am Vint II and Am Pro II at $1,800. Or two Am Pro II's and have money left over. The people looking at Custom Shop level aren't exactly pinching pennies trying to find the best ROI for their guitar purchase. They're into a CS for a ton of reasons that aren't really related to price. The price sensitive NGD person isn't thinking, "Guitars are getting expense and I'm not comfortable with that. Know what'll fix it? Spending more money on the guitar!" Sure, there might be a handful of people who that applies, but that's going to be a small minority.
The AVII 61 Strat came along at just the right time with just the right specs to save me a bunch of money on a Custom Shop! Lol. And I love it. That was a special new guitar day.
I'm too old to fall for the hype any more. I did at one time but I'm just a weekend warrior and I felt bad for having so much money wrapped up in a few that I sold them off. I'll scratch the itch every once in a while with a used import from here on. Still "new" to me! Love the channel, you guys rock!
I got a squire telecaster for 250$ 😁. The higher the price, the more profit the middle men’s make. Little future tip. Slowly middle men are consolidating. The ones at the top, are watching and planning accordingly. They(We) will take care of our own family before we take care of any other families. Don’t just study the weather, study the times.
Nonsense
The cost of production for different models may not be much different but the retail price between them maybe 75-100% more .
I am amazed how inexpensive quality guitars are now. Back in the mid-70s my dad paid $300 for a decent Yamaha acoustic. Imagine that in today's dollars.
...and this is where the market turns. Without awesome low-end guitars for aspiring guitarists, you would not create the fever for those future high-end models, although it is now what one would consider a once of a lifetime purchase.
today's dollars = $1700. you pretty much get the same level of quality guitar today... so...umm.. not much changed.
@@kenichi407 Okay here's my point. To get a decent quality playing instrument in the mid '70s, my dad needed to pay the equivalent of $1,700. Today, with CNC, you can get the same quality for about $300.
Overall that's how much guitars are cheaper than they were back then.
@@216trixie argument flawed as you equate CNC = "quality". i wouldn't say a chinese knockoff using CNC today is higher quality than a 70's hand made Yamaha made with Japanese craftsmanship
@@kenichi407 I'll try again. I'll simplify my claim. Here goes, for the same money today you can buy a much higher quality instrument than you could in the mid '70s. Okay? Not trying to start a debate team here just making a little point that is startlingly true and most people would agree with.
"New to me" is plenty good enough. I own 5 guitars, and I didn't quite spend $2K for all them combined. It is disappointing that some new guitars that I would like to have owned have moved out of my price range. However, I'm keeping an eye on the secondary market. Maybe one of them will turn up in a Guitar Center or pawn shop in a few years. If not, I'm good with what I've got now.
How many guitars can we buy before it’s just hoarding?
The costs are outrageous. I bought a 68 Reissue LPC a couple years ago, 5200 msrp, got it for 4800. Looking at MSRP for the same guitar $1000 higher now. I had trouble rationalizing that cost at it's initial purchase point. I will not buy another Gibson at the current price points. Saddens me but I think it's gonna have to hurt the stores before it hurts the manufacturers and it concerns me for smaller shops.
My number 1 guitar, a godin stadium '59, went up $500 cdn in the 2 years after i bought it. Nuts.
If my salary doubles in the next 10 years I’ll be more likely to pursue NGD.
I have most of what I want already and the only new guitars I want are going to be expensive. At this point I only have room for stretch goals and unfortunately a dollar doesn’t stretch far today
Oh boy, do I have a solution to the problem 😊 I'm hoping to reach out to you guys soon for some advice!
I've been thinking about selling some of my guitars. Seeing the new prices I'll hold on to them. I'll never again find a LTD 1000 for 600 bucks (granted, it was used), or an ESP E2 for 1200 bucks (on sale).
Once the custom made LPC by my luthier is finished I'll have all I need and then some.
The new prices are insane.
I’m done with new guitar purchases for a while. I OD’d on RUclips content and the GAS it creates. Back to playing…
nice
Are fender Performer still 1400 ? I just got an LP tribute for 1300 before it was discontinued
Yes Fender American Performer is still $1399, i’m not sure how long that’s going to last.
there are a few new Performers
around 1 Grand 💵 if they take offers
on reverb 📙 and eBay
plenty of
Used Mint Open Box also
only thing is most don't come with hardshell case
only gigbags
I've been wanting to get a new amp for a while now (my ac10 has issues that don't seem to be worth fixing) but have a hard time deciding what I want to get. But then i also think that maybe the amp can wait and i need a new guitar. This is something that I've been saving for and fortunately after I quit smoking saving has been possible. Talk about prices going up, Cigarettes, where I am, are $14 a pack now.
I was content with what I had, but was open to new stuff
And bought a very affordable used Epi, and am likely done for a while unless I a replacing something
(Hopefully not)
So I am okay, but it sucks for people who are looking at adding something other than an entry level guitar (and possibly for them as well)
This is really interesting to me. I just missed out on a Vintage SG junior at a very reasonable price before Christmas, I've been on the hunt for a junior for a while. Any way for weeks afterwards Juniors were haunting me, everytime I came on YT it was awash with 50's LP junior videos. So I decided I wanted to get a 50's spec LP single cut junior which is what I really wanted anyway with a burst finish. Being in the UK I went to the usual places to look; Andertons, Peach and a few local shops ect. I was looking anywhere between £1500 and £1650 for a Gibson Junior.
Then I thought I don't really like the colour of the current production models, I really wanted the proper 50's style burst with the yellow in the middle and almost looks like 3 colours to it, I don't like the knobs so I'd want to change those, the pickups on a few I tried locally were okay, nothing outstanding though so I'd likely be into changing that, then when doing that I've got a load of vintage PIO caps that I'll end up putting in plus probably 550K pots at the same time. Anyway it's getting more expensive the more I look into it.
Anyway I spoke to a good friend of mine who's an amazing luthier and chatted to him about it. He's got the last bits of his stashed away 100 + year old mahogany that I knew he had. Got chatting about a junior and he was really game for doing one.
So in the end I've commissioned him to build me one, I've already been over to the workshop a few times to talk neck profiles and spec. So it'll be real old growth mahogany, single piece neck, and body, brazilian rosewood fingerboard, all Faber and Gotoh hardware in aged nickel, VIP pots, POI cap, handwound and custom vintage spec P90 by a guy I have bought a lot off in the past (another small boutique maker) Full nitro paint following images I've sent as reference and lightly relic'd to get it checking, and a stinger because why not ;)
It's costing me £2,000 in part payments too over the year. And I'll have a truely hand made guitar that is much closer to a vinatge one I want but can't afford and exactly how I want it.
And this is the first time I've ever bought a new guitar, the cost is just crazy to me for a NEW Gibson.
My last two videos are both titled New Guitar Day. One ultimately isn’t new, but I put it together from parts I had but the interesting one though is my Eastwood I never in 1 million years would’ve thought I’d spend over $1000 on a Korean made guitar. But this is the golden age of production guitars you don’t need a custom guitar anymore. Production guitars are light years better than they were even 10 years ago
Great work guys!! 🎸
Music man and G&l are making a come up I promise
Guitars were always a bit expensive but the difference I think between decades ago and now is that back then if you wanted a Gibson or a Fender you’d have to save a couple of weeks and then get it. Now you have to decide between food, mortgages and the basic cost of living and purchasing a new gibby or fender guitar. Prices have risen astronomically that it really doesn’t make much sense to alienate your core market because the one who made those brands what they are, is the local struggling working musician who along with his bandmates, pitch in for food and gas money. Meanwhile major brands are pricing them for the ones who are financially well off and would most likely play them like a weekend toy or hang it up on a wall as a talking piece.
...how can you justify blaming companies when Daddy Government is the cause.
@@3Torts man I understand that blaming the government is the gold standard for justifying everything that is wrong with the world without taking responsibility for our own actions, i get it and in some ways i do agree with you. That being said, you’re going to blame the government for $15,000, $20,000 limited edition guitars? Seriously ?
Housing prices are going crazy like new American Guitar prices. Guitars are just our favorite things to buy. I'm old enough to remember when guitarists owned maybe two instruments, an electric and an acoustic guitar. When we got a new guitar, we sold the old one to help pay for the new one. Not that long ago, maybe early 70s, late 60s. The cheaper stuff from Asia has been masking the greed and inflation that has been happening in all aspects of our life. I truly believe that we can make things, especially guitars in America for similar money as imported instruments. the wooden parts can be cut out with CNC machines that incur very little labor. Materials for the pickups and other hardware can't be that much cheaper overseas. The usual excuses for making things overseas are American labor is too expensive and the environmental regulations make it impossible to compete. If the companies here decided to somewhat cooperate and charge cost plus a reasonable profit, the productivity advances would keep us competitive.
The prices of new guitars are what pushed me into learning how to build and set up guitars. Ive built partscasters exactly to my specs that would have cost me 4x more as a custom shop. It wont appreciate in value like a custom shop and I'd have to re-part it out to make the most of selling it, but i never sell my guitars anyways.
Once made in USA models of established brands become basically unobtainable for most people, players will quit worrying about country of origin. The build quality of foreign-made is just fine these days.
The only new guitars that I’ve bought have been Martin over the last five years and on both occasions it was before the annual price increase, I usually divide by three to get an indication of what the guitar actually costs to build etc then I’ll decide if I find value in the end product, recently I tried to purchase a fender anniversary Strat and the company refused to even show me a photo of the guitar 🎸 prior to purchase, so I kept my money and I’m happy with that decision.
I’ve already decided that I’m only buying one new guitar a year. They’ve just gotten too damn expensive. This year’s is the Epi DG-335 @$1350 for a Chinese-built guitar… it’s just insane.
One a year plus whatever I decide to build. Next year will be the G&L I’ve been looking at.
Why would the manufacturers be concerned about lowering their prices when they are selling them at the current prices?
If they wanted to reduce prices, they could have the bodies and necks CNCed overseas and “built” here. It doesn’t matter where the wood is cut.
When the EKG for your dog is $570 you can't get the Danelectro Double Neck you've always wanted or the VOX APC 1 you think is really cool (no price). Unfortunately inflation means needs (food, gas, housing, etc.) has put a real dent in discretionary spending.
At the very least, the prices keep me from buying more. I’ve bought mostly used guitars for years (the few purchases I have made), but did spring for a MIM Tele in ‘22 for $679. It’s a great guitar and I love it, however it shouldn’t be close to $900, as it now.
I got a used American made Jazz Bass, nitro finish, and rosewood fretboard in 2018 for almost the exact cost of that MIM Tele. It’s not inflation. It’s just corporate price gouging.
I have only spent more than $2500 on a new guitar, once... and that was for an all original, 1959 Les Paul Special DC. Unfortunately, when we've gotten to the point that Epiphone is selling $1500 guitars and Fender is selling $2100, Mexican, Signature guitars, the pricing is out of control. The same is true for Amplifier and pedal manufacturers. Marshall isn't even owned by Marshall any longer, they are being built in Viet Nam... and unless you are willing to pay $5k for a hand-wired amp... all you are getting is mass produced, disposable, circuit board... printed... garbage... with a hefty price tag. 3 years ago, I bought a Marshall SV20H for $1299, new. Now, that same amp is $1749... that's a $450 increase in just over 3 years... that is absolutely crazy. They are in the process of pricing themselves out of business... and that is just fine by me.
in 1998 i bought a brand NEW PRS Custom 22 in a cool purple color….all for 1100.00 Dollars….barely over 1000 bucks!!!!! i miss those days…i also bought a 1973 VW Bug for 200 dollars and it ran just fine…i also bought an old Mail Jeep for 600 dollars in the late 90’s
I’ve owned 2 American Fenders (Strat and Tele) and I got rid of both of them. I can’t justify seeing a $2k mediocre guitar on my wall every day.
I think the way back is bringing shop class and music back into public schools, realistically guitars are a highschool level project someone could build at home, but since so few americans get shop class in public school it makes me question the build quality of american made guitar brands on top of the major companies making guitars right now also aren't active in reforesting, just the type of greedy leadership they have and lack of forward thinking for the players.
Guitar Center just raised the price of Les Paul Standards to $3,099. I bought one in 2021 for $2,500. And used Standards can be had for $2,200. $3.1K? Nope all day
Way cheaper on craigslist
We all know that if sales drop off, instead of lowering prices they will just do layoffs..
If I want a new guitar day I'll just buy a Squier Classic Vibe to sit on the rack next to my American guitars(Strat's, Tele's, and Les Paul's)
It's not the end of new guitars day for me. I have one being delivered in the next 3 days. I just don't spend thousands on one guitar when I can have 2 or 3 for the same price. Gibson gotten so corporate they want you to invest in a guitar you will never see, hear or play yourself. What real player can afford to invest serious money in something they can't ever use. The prices went up during the Covid Pandemic years because of shortages of parts due to supply chains being slowed and manufacturers having labor shortages. All that has returned to normal. However the guitar makers that had booming record sales years don't want to bring prices back to a realistic level. The sales have slowed and the market is flooded with used gear that was bought during the pandemic. So unless the big manufacturers don't want to see a steeper decline in sales the next couple of years, they had better bring the prices down and realize the buyers will shop else were. They are considering selling direct and cutting the music stores out of the equation too. They want all of the profit to go to the top of the company and the investors and not the employees. Corporations are always blaming the employees for the rise in costs even when it's not true.
When you buy a USA built Fender Strat or Gibson guitar, these companies are international companies. They take the revenue off USA built product and use it to expand their manufacturing in Mexico, Indonesia, China, etc... They put their money back into whatever yields the highest margins. The USA built line up essentially what economist call Veblen goods, they are prestige pieces... Considering the quality of upper-end Squires, Epiphones and all the non-name brand now breaking through like Sire, there's no more "getting what you paid for" with line-built USA standard series guitars. You're paying in some cases 4x-5x as much as what foreign factories are delivering, take those foreign built $400-$800 guitars to a luthier, give them fret leveling if needed, a little nut work, or at minimum setup and you've saved thousands.... The only USA built guitars you should consider buying at those where the company does not have a foreign factory. So, think Collings, Santa Cruz, Heritage, Kiesel. You're going to pay a lot more, because they have no foreign factory to funnel the money back to and profit from. These are real USA guitar companies that aren't going to send your money overseas... The big builders can burn in hell. As globalization comes to an end, it's going to be a problem for some of them.. Mexico is already on its way, but give it another 5-10 years as Globalization winds down, Mexico is going to see insane growth for manufacturing and we're leaving everything in Pacific Rim behind.
Agreed. It's ridiculous that Fender wants over $1500 for either the Jason Isbell or Mike McCready guitars. I'd buy both of those guitars, because they're great instruments (even though I think personally, they're both assholes!) but I'm not spending $1700 or $2K on essentially a Mexican made Roadworn guitar.
I'll preface this by saying growing up I always wanted Fenders. With the way the market is now there is nothing in the American or Mexican production line that I would buy with any exception for maybe a high-end Taylor. I have a Squier Classic VIbe 50s strat with Custom Shop 54s and a Classic Vibe 50s tele with custom shop nocasters. My other guitar is an Indonesia Fender FMT set neck with Dimarzio super distortion and paf 36th. To me anytime more then $1500 is crazy for a guitar. If I did have big money to spend I'd go with somthing japanes, custom shop or something else cool made over seas like a Farro
Do high end (>~$3500) acoustics ever depreciate to any great extent (short of being damaged)?
I think that experienced guitar players are looking more to the used market the same way people are looking at cars. Why take depreciation for something as soon as you drive it off the lot? Same with a high end used guitar. Fender custom shops and Gibson custom shops can be found used for less then new. Same with martin. And the “manufacturers warranty” isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Reverb has gotten rid of the steals but it also has given insight to what instruments hold their value. Yes you can get a used Nash but a new one is a couple hundred more. You could get a new fender custom shop but you might find one 1-1.5k less used. I do think the used market is gonna come down some as I see used guitars sitting longer the. They did a year ago. Plus a lot of people that bought during COVID are trying to offload guitars that have sat unplayed and they’re wanting to get something for them rather the. Gathering dust.
Curious how many of the people complaining about rising prices are also pro-union, pro-minimum wage, pro-regulation, pro gov programs that force deficit spending thereby driving inflation, etc….
I'll ask my Diversity Officer....
Hmmm, had Gibson, Fender etc and while I can afford any of them, PRS's offerings makes it easy to get two $900.00 guitars for the price of one USA Fender!
Will I get a Core? hmmm maybe but gesh, Cortec outta Indo is hitting home runs regularly and there arent any guitar makers doing the same thing consistently!
Picking up a $2500.00+ guitar to then treat it like a relic just isnt for me!
I want to play without any worry...😊
I’ve seen alot more guitarists buy one peice of gear and hold on to it/love it for a long time (ie only own one guitar and amp and keep it for a long time)
I recently got a slightly damaged finish on a Sterling Majesty 7 Arctic Frost for about 45% off the price.
I really want one of those Magnatone hats! Can't find one anywhere. Help?
My thoughts are simple..Been playing for 20+ years and own many guitars and amps/pedals in that time & now it basically goes to …What NEED & What I WANT
IYV, Grote.... There are a lot of great lower priced guitars out there. Smaller boutique shops probably cant sell those profitably. Small brick and mortar shops should follow the luxury boutique model. Have appointments and assigned sales assistants. Someone spending $2,000+ needs professional help and time with the guitar. They might need help with ordering custom shop guitars. Great, help those people as much as they need. Someone buying a Squier 40th Anniversary will just buy from whoever has a 30% off sale.
I went from never buying pedals to gaining an interest in pedals. I found the guitar I love, so it’s more fun to look for new things to use with it. And even boutique pedals are more affordable than new guitars.
I’ve got so many pedals! I remember thinking do I travel down the modeler boards path or build my own craziness? I decided I had to have more control over each piece. If a pedal somehow goes down it won’t ruin the whole board. And it’s more fun.
Turbo-C on a steep rise Baxter..... man up and talk about this on your show.
I paid $600 for a Wayne's World Squire Strat in 1996. I dont feel prices are too bad right now. Don't let a few hundred dollars, or even an extra $1000 hold you back from owning a badass guitar!
A Big Mac meal is $18 in parts of California now due to labor costs. Maybe Fender should relocate production.
I'd vote for you Jonathan with a platform like 'Two guitars and a Magnatone varsity amp in every house' 😀
Time to put the brakes on glad i have the guitars and amps will sit back and watch what happens😊
I consider myself new guitar scavenger
I love guitars and like to really try many
To understand if I like the guitar I have to live with it (put my strings on it, set it up, let it set)
For that reason I can from a long run only to buy guitars for the price I am able to sell it. Therefore usually mint and slightly used is for me way to go.
Tomorrow I am buying Gibson Les Paul Tribute for 730 euro mint. This is a great price that I never will be afraid that I will not resale. If I would buy new for 1300, it would be different story.
the law of supply and demand will (at some point) cause equillibreum.