Why do we pay so much $$$ for gear ...

DirtySteve said:
Now that I could finally afford it I'm willing to pay more for the gear I've always dreamed of rather than to go with a less expensive choice even tho it may be just as good. It wasn't always like that, when I first dreamed of the gear I wanted the brand name mattered because others were indeed inferior at the time. Even though now cheap gear is better quality than ever before and there's so much more on the market to choose from, I still chose to fulfil my life long dream of owning the gear I've always dreamed of.
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Cork Sniffer! :rolf:
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
This topic came up in the Budget Gear thread.
Why do we pay so much for gear? For example: Pedals whos parts don't equal more than the parts of a $10 computer mouse.
Are the sum of the parts worth all that $$$?
Does it make sense to buy top name brand or is it better to buy the knockoff?
Lets see if we can answer some of these questions collectively.

Here is an example. I chose this example because I own the Gibson version.
Going by the specs below.
Is the mark up between the Gibson and Epiphone justified?
What makes the Gibson cost $1500 more than the Epi?
Now you might say, "was it worth it to you?" My answer would be, "I bought it because I always wanted a Gibson LP and this silver burst caught my eye."
So did I pay an extra $1500 for a logo? Sure there are some differences, but is it $1500 worth of difference?

and don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings if you think I'm nuts for buying it ... I think I'm nuts too so we are all on the same page!:)

Gibson Adam Jones Les Paul $2999
  • GENERAL
  • Number of Strings6
  • Left-/Right-handedRight-handed
  • BODY
  • Body TypeSolidbody
  • Body ShapeAdam Jones Les Paul
  • Body MaterialMahogany
  • Top MaterialMaple
  • Body FinishGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
  • ColorAntique Silverburst
  • NECK
  • Neck MaterialMahogany
  • Neck Shape'70s Rounded
  • Neck JointSet Neck
  • Radius12"
  • Fingerboard MaterialEbony
  • Fingerboard InlayMother-of-Pearl Trapezoids
  • Number of Frets22
  • Scale Length24.75"
  • Nut Width1.695"
  • Nut MaterialGraph Tech NuBone
  • HARDWARE
  • Bridge/TailpieceTune-O-Matic Birdge with Stopbar Tailpiece
  • TunersGrover Rotomatics with Contemporary buttons
  • ELECTRONICS
  • Neck PickupBurstBucker 1 Humbucker
  • Bridge PickupDC High-Gain Humbucker
  • Controls2 x volume, 2 x tone
  • Switching3-way toggle pickup switch
  • MISCELLANEOUS
  • StringsGibson, .010-.046
  • Case/Gig BagHardshell Case
Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul $1499
  • GENERAL
  • Number of Strings6
  • Left-/Right-handedRight-handed
  • BODY
  • Body TypeSolidbody
  • Body ShapeAdam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom
  • Body MaterialMahogany
  • Top MaterialMaple
  • Body FinishGloss Polyurethane
  • NECK
  • Neck Material3-piece Maple
  • Neck ShapeAdam Jones Custom Profile
  • Neck JointSet Neck
  • Radius12"
  • Fingerboard MaterialEbony
  • Fingerboard InlayMother of Pearl Blocks
  • Number of Frets22
  • Scale Length24.75"
  • Nut Width1.692"
  • Nut MaterialGraphTech
  • HARDWARE
  • Bridge/TailpieceLockTone Tune-O-Matic and Stop Bar
  • ELECTRONICS
  • Neck PickupGibson Custombucker Humbucker
  • Bridge PickupSeymour Duncan Distortion Humbucker
  • Controls2 x volume, 2 x tone
  • Switching3-way toggle pickup switch
  • MISCELLANEOUS
  • StringsGibson, .010-.046
  • Case/Gig BagHardshell Case
Click to expand...
It’s a ripoff, as far as pedals go. I’m done buying overpriced brand names. I’ve purchased some fine lower budget brands.
 
To answer the question of what’s the cost difference between made in USA, Europe, or China.

USA and Europe both have a reasonably high standard of living. Then add overhead as lease, federal and state taxes, unemployment insurance, property insurance, health insurance, 401K contributions. Or, in the case of the EU, the same types of taxes to insure everything is done legally, above the boards, people are paid a respectable wage.

China, it is most likely child labor or an underpaid minion with a gun to their head.

That’s the difference. And if it’s purchased from Amazon, you know Jeff Bezos is screwing any business that sells on his platform.
 
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