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

Amp Mad Scientist said:
To understand this unique phenomenon more clearly, perhaps we should trace back to the root causes of "GAS," (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) itself ?
Is this the driving force ?
What are the symptoms?
Where can I find the best treatments?
Do I have hope of full recovery?
Click to expand...
When I get GAS, I take some Pepto and plan on not being too far from the bathroom……

But seriously. I haven’t been immune over the years so I do understand the plight. And it’s an affliction not just for us musical folk. Fits any hobby.

My Ovation is an example. While it may have been CSN&Y that made me want to learn guitar and acoustic was going to be my choice of weapon…. It was because of Glen Campbell that pushed me over the edge and into the purchase of said Ovation guitar. I HAD TO HAVE ONE!!!!

Fast forward 30-35 years when I decided it was finally time for an electric guitar….. I went with the SG shape with the G400. Driving force wasn’t because Angus or Zappa played one. It was because it wasn’t a Fender. It was different than any of my friends on worship team played.

As for marketing comment. Big 10-4 on that one. I was not in any way shape or form in the market for a guitar. New or used. Then one day saw Sweetwater advertising this line of MIM Strats. Ash bodies. Translucent color so the grain stood out. The marketing ploy. We all know Sweetwater doesn’t use “stock” photos of their guitars. You can go online and see the actual photo of the actual guitar. And you can order that actual guitar by part#. I had to have one and had three in that color to choose from….. Found the one I like best….. And I bought it.

Once upon a time, I thought an EC Strat would have been cool to have. Not because it was a Clapton Signature guitar. But because it came with an active circuit in it with a pull up pot to activate the Mid-Boost. Didn’t pull the plug on that one.
 
I was thinking inflation 1973 got my first new guitar Les Paul Custom $450.00 1972 1954 LE
what does a new Les Paul Custom cost now and the 1972 LPC LE blue book value $14,000.00 to $16,000.00 today
1973 at the music store used 1958-1960 Les Paul Standards were used guitars $800.00 to $1200.00 that was a ton of money back then
The Chinese are making 24,000,000 guitars a year now think about it they will never go up in value supply and demand.
2002 I ordered a new Gibson Custom Shop LPS my friend was a dealer cost was $3350.00 flitch matched top Brazilian rosewood finger board
that same guitar would cost $20,000.00 now new direct from Gibson. 2020 to now the USD has lost 25% to 30% buying power.
 
If I had been thinking appreciation in value…. I’d have bought a Martin rather than an Ovation in 1974. The price I paid for it then is still the price they’re selling for used. Not to hard to figure out with inflation figured in….. I’m playing a $100 guitar in 1974 money.
 
I hate to be negative but from 1913 to 2024 the USD has one cent buying power inflation is a ugly hidden tax
 
Im going to guess most folks in American and anywhere else cant afford or need 20 grand Les Pauls.I know i cant afford one anytime soon.I guess theres plenty of collectors or Joe Bs to snatch um up.Oh well its there money.
 
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...

Right off the bat I'd say that it's not that the Gibson is "marked up" but that the Epiphone is "marked down" by being manufactured by borderline slaves in a communist country. For that reason alone I would never touch one.

But, and more to the point, the Gibson has a nitro finish, so there really is no comparison even setting price aside. And that's before you get to things like the quality of the woods and components used.
 
gball said:
Right off the bat I'd say that it's not that the Gibson is "marked up" but that the Epiphone is "marked down" by being manufactured by borderline slaves in a communist country. For that reason alone I would never touch one.

But, and more to the point, the Gibson has a nitro finish, so there really is no comparison even setting price aside. And that's before you get to things like the quality of the woods and components used.
Click to expand...

How do you figure one mahogany tree is "higher quality" than another? It's some guy with a chainsaw cutting down a tree, either way. Some guy with a logging truck hauling it to the sawmill, and then some guys cutting it into boards & stacking it to dry. All those guys either do their job right, or they don't. If you think they really use a higher grade of lumber at Gibson than they do at Epiphone, I've got a bridge for sale...

And how much do you suppose a gallon of nitro paint costs, compared to a gallon of polyurethane?

I'm sure there really is a difference in hardware quality and the Gibson hardware costs a little more. By $40 or $50.

One real difference is, when Gibson USA buys supplies (lumber, paint, tuners, bridge hardware....) each one of those suppliers is a for-profit company trying to get the maximum price for their shareholders--or to pay back their creditors. All those CEOs involved in the process are expensive! When this happens in China, the suppliers are all (also) owned by the government; the investors are the government, the shareholders are the government. Each step along the way can provide their goods "at cost" because it's all effectively the same company--the whole country is one big vertically integrated monopoly. It's a totally different system. I don't think I'd care to live in that society, but their society is not mine to change.
 
To me Epiphone has upped its game. I mean whats not to like here.So its made overseas so what so is most all cell phones and TVs and we buy those.So why pay 5 grand for a nice Gibson when you can have a nice guitar for 1299$ . A Epiphone with all Gibbo Custom shop guts .I just read all the specs .I dont collect guitars i just play um. So to me these are great deals.Screenshot_20240613_160533_Samsung Internet.jpgScreenshot_20240613_160607_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
I bought both Epi’s and Gibsons, American Strats , MIM strats, and Squires ,
My favorite Strat is the MIM.
My Gibsons all have a job to do, and they do their jobs well, I have never had any regrets on the amount I paid for them, just wish I would’ve been in the position to have bought them all in the late 70’s .
 
Ya i like all thems old vintage geetars just cant afford them Specially old Gibson Goldtops. Im old enough i remember going to the music store with my Dad when i was a kid. All they had was real Gibsons and Real Fenders,thats it. No squires,or anything like that.
 
JohnnyGoo said:
Ya i like all thems old vintage geetars just cant afford them Specially old Gibson Goldtops. Im old enough i remember going to the music store with my Dad when i was a kid. All they had was real Gibsons and Real Fenders,thats it. No squires,or anything like that.
Click to expand...
That I remember as well my friend
 
JohnnyGoo said:
Ya i like all thems old vintage geetars just cant afford them Specially old Gibson Goldtops. Im old enough i remember going to the music store with my Dad when i was a kid. All they had was real Gibsons and Real Fenders,thats it. No squires,or anything like that.
Click to expand...
Must have been an upscale boutique. No Kay, Valco, National Resonator? Supro, Teisco? Silvertone or Airline? Those were all budget brands in the 50s and 60s.

Martin, Gretsch, Guild?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top