What Killed The Guitar Boom?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ค. 2023
- The crazy guitar boom that we experienced in 21-22 is starting to cool and return to normal, we knew the party wouldn't last forever so what was it that lead to the cooldown? Baxter and Jonathan talk about what might have played a key role.
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As someone who bought WAY more guitars than I needed during Covid, I stopped buying when the $699 guitars became $1,299 guitars.
Exactly, I've been saying that for almost 3 years. The new Epi's are insane, some at $1500, as are the Fender MIM line. At the end of the day most guitars are wood and wood is still cheap. When Sire can still make and ship a strat or Lp version for $600 -$700 there is no excuse for Gibson or Fender prices.
@rocinblues You lost me at the end there. Fender and Gibson's prices are higher than budget Chinese brands because they have to pay people a living wage in North America to build them instead of paying Chinese labourers 30 cents an hour. The reason guitar prices went up is the same reason everything went up. Inflation. The materials went up in cost. The cost of shipping went up. The people they pay to make them need to be able to afford to live, and everything they're buying is more expensive just like it is for us. Unfortunately that has put their price points beyond the reach of many, but what else can they do? They have to raise prices, and if we have to stop buying them because they're too expensive, then that's just as reasonable.
American made Gibson and Fender guitars don't use slave labour or near slave labour, that's a pretty good excuse
@@JohnnyBGoode9 70%+ of the labor from any production guitar is the computerized CNC of the neck and body. My last 3 USA Gibsons and 2 Fender strats proved the QC at the big two, simply stink based on the amount of setup and fret work necessary to make them playable. Living wage? Give me a break. The production workers at the big two USA guitar plants aren't "licensed or accredited luthiers" they were floor trained, and honestly not very well, these price increases are simply going to a suit.
I bought my 3000 Dollar Yairy DYM-85, for a thousand at a Mom and pop store, Used like NEW 10 years AGO.
The prices became out of control across the board. You can only increase prices to the point where people will find substitutes or just stop.
Exactly!
My wife has a great MED job and im not even buying NEW fender custom shops , why would you ?...I buy used custom shops , from people needing cash for rent . ..But to be frank , Guitars are almost dead ...the last guitar heros were 50 years ago
Go buy another chibson and keep wondering why?
I may be alone in this, but each time I look for a new guitar I find that I am insulted by the prices. Stupid expensive these days.
prices of new guitars are really high at the moment, plus if you want to sell you are taking a very very big hit.
at this moment is much better to look for used, since you can find a lot of options and good deals, or at least pay something reasonable. for example, like around$2k for a gibson standard instead of $3K that are now new that Is htink is just too much.
When I saw a new epiphone Lifeson for 1300.00, I was shocked.
We shoud be insulted by this but each time we spend a dollar we are reminded at how much our time is traded for the dollar and it having less buyn power yet the 40hrs+ remain the same. The promisary note is broken on thier part and the con tract is null and void. In contractual law both parties must fullfill their side of the binding agreement .the refection is what we say " everything is going up in price " but the cause of this effect is their believe that our time is worthless than yesterday and we the people not contesting it they interpet as an agreement to the manipulation. Do what u love for money and the reality is less painfull
No you are not alone!
@@satyayuga7774 yee
The jacked up prices killed the guitar boom.
"I've never seen a new guitar player buy 9-10 guitars before they could even play." I feel called out...
I bought 5...but I wanted to find out which neck style I'd like better. So, each was purposefully different.
I had 2 before I could play, had about $3K in gear before I could play a chord progression.
I only bought 5..😂😂.. hadn't played in 13 years..lol ..but man I've come farther in 3 years than I could ever hope to
@@cromBumnysame here 😊
I like to tell people that I'm better at buying them than I at playing them, but I keep practicing. Lol
You guys rock. Love watching your content because you both are obviously loving life, and that is contagious. Thanks for what you do.
Ive played guitar for almost 20 years but lost my whole collection during horrible divorce I quit playing till 2020 being out of work and child support over with I bought a acoustic started again in 3 years have 8 guitars trying to buy another but not Gibson 😂
I listed a guitar recently. Three years ago it would have sold for close to new price. Now, I got either lowball offers or offers to trade. Some of the trades were really nice guitars. The market is slowing down greatly. People just aren’t as quick to spend, but they are willing to exchange some of the guitars they collected during the boom.
Seeing the same thing
Same here. I got lucky with one and sold it for more than I expected.
So, you mean the used market is getting back to normal? Back in 07 when I started, you could find Mexican strats for 250-400 dollars. And Americans for 600-800, and custom shops 800-1000. Used stuff is worth at most 60% of retail for non collectible items.
I would say things changed significantly in 2008. Pre-2008 I could advertise a guitar for sale on a Monday for a reasonable price and it would be sold by the end of the week. Now, you’re lucky to get a low ball months later. It’s been happening for a long long time and I never noticed things recover to pre-2008. Of course the other thing at play now, is the used guitar market is just nuts. For example, used USA Jackson’s are up/selling for more than double what they were before Covid came about. It’s just unrealistic, especially at a time where everyone is having to pay out more for everyday things
now its so bad ...stores arent even taking trades anymore ..ie wildwood etc ...hell baxter doesnt even call people back ...
I think the pandemic spurred bucket list guitar shopping for many, including me...bought my first Casino, 335, Martin and tele....I'm now starting to see so many of these on Craigslist now for pretty big discounts. I'm old but really I think I'm finally at the point where I don't need another guitar in my life ever.
In 2021-2022 I bought 13 electric guitars 🙈
I still have 7. It was very hard selling those 6 and I lost money on all of them.
Definitely not an investment if you want all your money back.
I'm one of the 'olds' that did that. It was pandemic spending and being trapped at home with money to spend and the excitement of a new hobby. I started out with a $300 guitar and quickly moved up the price/quality spectrum. In two years I've bought and sold at least 15 guitars but I also bought 7 amps and sold 2 too. Since I'm now spending much more per purchase, I've slowed down the acquisition rate, but the average spent per month is probably still the same.
myself in past 2 years and a half, have bought and sold over 30 guitars, lol. been crazy, but i have what I wanted now and just have some things I would like for the future, but not as expensive and have no rush to get them at all (unless a very good deal shows up).
been crazy hehehe
Ugh me too 🙈
I was really similar, I started buying just before the pandemic, and was able to find really nice MIM fenders and other mid priced guitars for 2-300$ I would clean and set them up then sell for 7-800$, now my average guitar is over 2k and I have a pretty nice collection of guitars and amps and my buying has slowed way down , just one place I watched daily, Craigs list there was usually 600-700 guitars listed in Seattle, now its 1500-1600 and everyone overpaid so there an't as many deals .
I have no idea what you guys are talking about (looks as his wall of guitars bought since the pandemic started)…. 😂
I did almost the same thing. Love my guitars and love playing. Got into repairs too and built a parts caster.
Love your channel and keep up the great content. Definitely favorite guitar channel
I knew I should have sold some of the amps and pedals I didn’t see as lifers in my collection the past couple years after seeing what used stuff was selling for. But I’m old enough that I can hang onto them all and wait for the next boom. Rock on fellas.
Bought my dream D41 amber last year - and I haven't played any of my other guitars since. Thanks for the insight and the fun, boys.
Welcome back Johnny. We missed you a lot bit!
A friend is heavily involved in the string industry and he said business has slown down a lot. Seems that many guitars sit on walls with dead strings right now....
I used to do at least 1 gig a month with my old band and we used to rehearse at least once a week. I was using strings a lot more than I use them now. I have three main guitars and they would be at each rehearsal and each show so I needed new strings weekly now I don't even play those guitars because the venues stop booking and the band broke up. Now I'm trying to start a new band I have strings stocked up for years. Covid fucked everything up
It's my belief, that knowing prices were on the rise. Buying as much gear as you could possibly afford, was a smart move. For the last 3 years we all thought we were geniuses. It's only been this last 6 months that the bubble has burst and the reality of our follies has become apparent. I still don't regret anything I bought in the last 3 years. I NEVER spend money I don't have. If retailers are relying heavily on finiacing lots of gear, the next couple years will be very lean. I'd say, less than 10% percent of the gear items I purchased over the last 3 years, haven't gone up in price 20-30% percent. That's a substantial increase for people that buy outright and don't front everything. If your paying only a few dollars more each month on a payment, it's palletable. But when an item that was $799 say, is now costing $999. Sales will go down. It's just math.
I'm that older dude who went hog wild on high end guitars during the pandemic. I didn't realize there were so many of me.
Welcome back Mr. Robinson. I for one missed you.
People realized that playing an instrument is hard, and starting a band/keeping it together is even harder
I'd say most who bought guitars for the first time during covid realized that it's not easy to learn and it takes effort. So the demand is down now compared to what it was.
Or it starts showing up in pawn shops to grab up on a discount
Or use it for fireplace
The guitar is the only instrument that is portable that you can play both simple and complex music. You can play instrumental music or accompany a singer. It's a beautiful instrument.
TH-cam (and Reddit) educated me better about things guitar than almost anything else in my past thirty years. And it was the covid shutdown that got me used to watching TH-cam to do research into hobbies. Before I had to trust “two guys” to put me into a product and commit to weekly lessons if I wanted to learn, and whoever was available when I was and known to me (had ads or a storefront) was who I was limited to. Fast forward to 2023 and I have my choice of great instructors and can find the one(s) I connect with, then I want the gear to get me there and I can learn all about it, exploring smaller makers instead of just Fender Gibson Marshall Vox. So for me this waa finally having time money and opportunity to spend = long pent-up demand finding an outlet. Now I didn’t buy multiples of guitar things (I did that with camera lenses lol) but I did spend twice what I expected/hoped for. My first purchase was an amp, and I ended up splurging against my plans. Recently I got a guitar and this time spent almost half of what I expected. So I went big first and then in later purchases I knew better what I really wanted and so could be satisfied being choosier and letting cost be more of a consideration - I had become a savvier shopper.
bUYING A COUPLE OF JUNK GUITARS TAUGHT ME A LOT.... lol
I work in contracting and yes home sales are definitely slowing.. 50% or more. I believe that is most affected by the prime rate increase, compared to last years rates we are talking hundreds of dollars more on monthly payments; if not more
Respectfully, where I live (central WI) EVERYTHING has tightened. Food, finance, life, all more money. And on CL guitars sell for nearly what the original price was. crazy.
Going to be at your shop Saturday! I can wait!!!!
The surge in pricing killed it.
I've never had a new guitar improve my playing as much as just walking out of the store and going home to practice 😅
Besides the economy, it makes sense that after a big boom there comes a period that things slow down. An important reason for this is because a lot of people (myself included) have grabbed a lot of guitars these past years, so of course you can't keep this pace forever.
Me myself the only reason I would grab something if its a very very good deal in my eyes, that's why I just grabbed a discontnued S2 PRS Singlecut for a bit under $1k, that in my country is really good price. When a new 594 S2 here costs over $2.5k.
Also I wouldnt be spending now more than $1k for a guitar, plus I already got and have everything I really wanted, and higher end guitars, like a couple of Core PRS.
My only reason to grab the PRS was cos the color, the price, and an extra discount I got by luck all alligned, and because I have become so fan into PRS that wanted to get more but as a collection (which I never do with guitars, I only get what can bring me something different to the table and that I actually play) And a singlecut PRS and a Maple Silver Sky SE are what at least I wanted at some point, but was looking for it more into the future. No rush at all, but a good deal and that all boxes tick just had to do it.
But was a very very specific situation. Recently an S2 594 used showed up at ver good price, but was less than half new, and was very good price but felt a bit too much of what I wanted to spend, plus didnt care much for the color (ebony) and I could grab a new SE 594 standard for less thean $1k here, or wait until used 594 SE show up, so let that through.
Been playing the same guitar since 94 added another in 2014. Over the course of the pandemic I added 7. Not a new player, just a guy who smiles more.
I agree credit, more money, easy accessibility and confidence has created a different market for guitars. I’ve been playing for forty years. I’ve had some guitars through the years pass through my hands. There are a few I wished I had kept only because they’re worth way more that what I paid. But back when I was more of an active buyer in the market it was all about, at least for me, finding a player. You went from store to store playing the racks looking for the one where your hands were out in front of your mind. Currently I have two custom built vintage style Strats from the same luthier. Best Strats I’ve ever owned. So I’m done contributing to the market. But I feel it’s too easy today and it’s more about quantity than quality. Never really understood the concept of buying a guitar without playing it first. On the confidence issue of today, when I was growing up I never once met a person with a bunch of guitars who couldn’t rip your head off with their playing. It was all about being in a band. Players had licks in their toolbox they learned tunes by sitting alone for hours figuring it out. I’m not hating, just saying how it was. It’s all good, just different today. If it stayed the way it was - there would definitely be less people today buying guitars.
I think people are forgetting about the advent of low priced cnc copies that play well if not great for 300 or less.
I've purchased just under 20 guitars total since 2019. Mid life crisis and I grew up dirt poor wanting a good guitar. I have given a few away to family members who play or wanna learn.
Guitar boom was the result of a perfect storm: covid introduced a consumer pool with liquid income, hype driven economy, social media influencers, and scarcity. A potential problem could be that manufacturers raised prices to take advantage of the boom market that are not sustainable. This is especially true if we expect a resultant boom in the used guitar market.
Your assessment is correct, but there will not be a price fall or correction. Overall inflation is too high, but I’m looking forward for Covid players to quit and get them second hand!
I didn’t buy any guitars during the lock down but I did build one…
So many people are starting to make their own customs if they have the access to the wood and C&C machines and spray booths and inlays....its quite impressive
Way too many guitar players. Also , with the internet, we can see the 12 year old that never saw a guitar before play it better than guys who have been studying ,playing, practicing for 20 years. It's all luck. That is a real eye opener.
Hey guys, love your show. I’m 55 years old and have been playing guitar since I was seven.well not really,my parents put me in a class that kinda wasn’t my thing at 7 years old I’d rather do the BMX thing.this was 1974. Anyway I’ve been playing for years and honestly I should be better than I am. I have a Charvel Avenger, Epiphone Les Paul,both with EMG pickups. I will be changing the pickups in the the Les Paul. And have several other guitars. But what I wanted to tell you is I got a really great deal on a absolutely beautiful American made Telecaster, I just spent the last three hours playing it. I’m late to the Telecaster party, now I know how versatile this thing is.
Prices on everything went up crazy and I feel most guitars got way too overpriced. I'm happy with the gear I have at this point so I stopped buying guitars and bought some new clothes instead.
Just bought a new pair of Dan Post Ostrich boots, and a Rodeo King hat this month. I may be overspending but at least now I'll look good doing it. 😂
Dan post are cool! I got a cayman and a snake skin pair. Got an Ostrich from Alberta Boot Company!
1) Why does there have to be any "blame" placed? The business cycle for many industries was pushed off its' normal axis by the pandemic, which was completely unpredictable. Corrections are occurring and will continue to do so for a while. 2) You guys did amazingly well-better than most- during the pandemic, and have not suffered that much in the recovery. That is NOT the case across the US. Many industries (including at least some musical instrument retailers) are not doing anywhere near as well as you have. Many communities, including mine (New Orleans) really struggled in the pandemic and have barely gotten back on their feet. Feel blessed!
Lots of products boomed - housing, hot tubs, RVs, etc.
Now everything is coming back to earth.
I’m see used gear prices coming down especially
When I play for an audience of people under the age of 35, I feel like “Benny Goodman and his Big Band.”
The fact that profits are at record levels while supply costs are supposedly high means it's corporate greed, not costs.
Hello from u.k.
Bought and sold guitars acoustic, and electric, all my life.
All makes some being high end.
Also gave a few away to good homes, and they appreciate
My gift and still have them, 3 lads went on to play very well.
I never seemed to progress to level I should be, so 10 years
ago, I settled on classical and flamenco style.
And got stuck in a rut with that!
My 2 sons play bass in 2 separate bands both in early 30s
One is exceptional.
Recently bought a baritone ukulele, all over it like a rash!
Tuned like a guitar, different than the other two ukes
deeper sound.
4 strings great for picking!
Take care.
Hey Jonathan. How did playing that Magnatone through the DG30 cab go? Curious how it worked out for you.
Disco Stu: Did you know that disco record sales were up 400% for the year ending 1976? If these trends continue...
I have to admit, I'm involved in several expensive hobbies. I noticed during the pandemic, a lot of people were looking to park their cash into outlets as a way to safeguard against the market. Some of these outlets included; high end music equipment, luxury watches, exotic cars, vintage audio gear, pinball machines, etc. All of these outlets saw a crazy boom, as people felt that they could make an "investment" and turn around years later and sell for a small profit. Most of the hobbies I dabble in, new enthusiasts will not ask "which is the best for me?", but rather "which is the best deal, that it'll be worth more in the future?" In some of these hobbies, I'm starting to see people getting out, and some of the products are stating to sell at retail price again. While some goods and services are necessary and won't fluctuate much during an economic correction, other items that are lumped into luxury goods or part of discretionary spending most likely will face a noticeable slowdown during those times.
All my guitars and video games (a lot of them very valuable) I ended up buying for really amazing deals or crazy cheap. Whereas if I ever want to sell, not only should I get my money back, I should at least double it or make a profit. I’ve bought American fenders for $300, Mexi fenders for $200 , Japan fenders, an orange 35rt for $20, and lots of boss, tc, mxr pedals for $20 each. If I ever wanna sell not only will I get my money back, I’ll easily make double or triple.
@@MrDream-zm1pw it's all in the buy.
100%
the poor always make bad choices on what a Investment is, I can tell you its not in Guitars
I forgot not trying to take your business from you you all are good people and we need more people like you. People should find a guitar 🎸 used but in good shape Go to a good brick and mortar store or pawn shop see what you can find. Do a set up on the axe fix it up and start playing . Dudes it's all about the music 🎵. Best therapy I have had is the music 🎵. I bought a Japanese Fender strat. 1985 model got a good price on the guitar 🎸 . Put a David Gilmore pick guard with pickups New nut and bridge . Also so me lock in tuners. I can be done it's not rocket science. This axe is also candy apple red just like Gilmore's . Still have to refret and some new strings and there you go. We will all get through the. Post pandemic times but will never forget them. You guys at Casino keep up what your doing and good luck.Again Peace ✌️ Out and God Bless
Re: overbuilding, Squier 40th Anniversary models started at $599. Now you can find them new for $300 or less. A certain chain is selling used ones for more than new. Welcome to the Upside Down.
I’ve bought the bass and a strat for 350 each in the past 2 months. Both are the gold edition and really nice for the price. Not worth 600 but 350 I feel like they are fantastic. I see the 40th vintage models for 300 and that’s asking. Probably get those for 250!
Yeah but, they’re turds.
@@drippinglass Believe it or not the more upscale Squier's are pretty solid. The Classic Vibe and Contemporary are good guitars. There are retailers that sell them "used' for $225-300. On the contemporary you get a roasted maple neck and alnico pickups on most models now too. Very good necks with no real issues out of the box.
@@wootks They’re probably fine players. I got a black Strat about 10 yers ago that was nice. It was $249 and made in Indonesia. But I like a “U” neck. I had to go CS to get a guitar with it from the factory
@@drippinglass you probably can’t even play if you are worried about the headstock.
I purchased 3 new basses (1 just before & 2 during lockdowns).
All 3 have shot up in price since.
If I bought them today, I'd be paying a couple of grand more.
Not only was there a boom in purchases but also new musicians and bands former. I play around Minneapolis and did a research project for myself checking how many acts were playing just on Friday and Saturdays in July. I picked nine of the major alt/indie venues and there are 200 bands and solo acts booked. I'm going to check August now and I suspect it will be the same. The market is just saturated.
Minneapolis is a crazy scene right now
I found that when Covid was winding down I was able to find steals on OfferUp and Craigslist. I was able to get a Fender Player Strat and Epiphone 50’s Les Paul at 50% off or more in brand new condition. I picked up a Yamaha FS820 for $100 still in it’s wrapping. That guitar new right now is $289. Now that we are a year or more post-pandemic it is harder to find steals. But the thing that slowed the boom is that people around the world are back to work and back to other activities.
My neighbour came over yesterday and asked if I’d teach him how to play guitar. He has 2 guitars that he just bought and now wants to learn. I asked him what he bought. His answer, and I quote “something called a Les Paul and another one I liked the look of calked a Gretch White Falcon” 😳 Dude can’t even play an open A chord!
😳
That's funny! Might as well start off good! Ha Ha Ha!
Inflation really has changed everything that I feel like all the prices for new guitars priced consumers out of the market sadly. (I had a CS Les Paul light aged in 2020 was like $4400 and now would cost $6-7K) I now really only look for used guitars or do my usual of collecting guitars that appreciated over many many years. Also I am hoping since musical is usually cyclical, that guitar/instrument music will make a come back and become popular again.
Shout out to the hair! This is the definition of "I woke up and don't give af" and I LOVE IT.
I learned to "Solder" my own electronics via you tube and by having too many Electric Guitars and amps. Now I am playing more and doing repair work for people that I can be proud of and at the dame time save the parents and players money on driving into town just to get a few wires replaced. Music maestro...play on..music is the food of Love.
I was was primarily an acoustic player for 25 years but happened to get my first nice electric right before COVID. Bad timing, lol. 12 electrics later and here we are…
No guitar heros anymore,heros were instrumental,no pun intended,in the popularity of the guitar craze.
My guitar boom is happening NOW because I can find all the great deals from people selling off their mistakes LOL!
Yeah I have a feeling I will end up buying a bunch the next couple years.
@@jdb2722 Yeah, I bought about 8 this year...The deals are absolutely smoking good, the market is soft.
I bought fewer guitars during covid-19, only 3 (could have been a dozen).
BUT, I bought 3 expensive Novo guitars (used) and I have a new one on order. Best money I have ever spent! ❤
I feel like all the big manufacturers going super hard into cheap overseas guitars just flooded with market and now since they're practically giving them away, people cant rationalize spending more... I also think people that spent a lot on older vintage instruments are discovering, they're not as well made as they thought and they're not very practical to play.
I bought an all original 1991 Gibson Les Paul 40th Anniversary Limited Edition (only 300 made). I purchased it a few months ago and one of the reasons I got it for so cheap ($1800) was that, like you said, it isn't well made. I purchased it from a music store and I wanted to verify things like date codes and check to see if the guitar was all original and the workmanship with the wiring was so bad that I insisted that it was a partscaster and got a discount. Only after several days of investigation did I learn that everything was all original and that Gibson just does sloppy work.
I bought several vintage guitars in the last few years that were mostly players and all played and sounded amazing, maybe I’m just too lucky and smart at choosing?
From Leo: When everything was closed or slowing down, people had a lot more time to try to learn an instrument or any other hobby. Now everyone has to work two jobs to pay the bills from the losses and inflation. If you have the cash, there are some real deals on minty, two year old guitars. I bought two of them for maybe 30% of new price.
Well, some of us ‘older’ players have grown up money now and we buy stuff.
Oversaturation. I have all the guitars that I've ever wanted.
There's no way you said that with a straight face
That's me as well. The guitar market was so incredible from 2005-2019 with variety and great pricing that it was totally possible to get everything you ever wanted. The used market was even better, scored a Jackson Soloist Professional Pro unmodified with original chainsaw case for $600 in 2013. The last guitar I purchased was a 2019 Fender Telecaster Elite. If I had to buy all of my guitars over again it would be a hopeless goal and there's no way I could afford it. Oversaturation and inflation killed the market pretty hard.
I just got my first guitar 🎸 a custom made telecaster. I love it ❤
Hey! I have a blue Strat just like that one hanging. Great player!
Hey guys I own approximately 60 guitar 🎸 s .I bought my last guitar to date in 2021. Used to buy at least two guitar 🎸 a year Had to watch my money like everyone else should have. I didn't get suck into using credit cards they are for emergencys . I h ave mostly vintage and high end guitars .I still have a bucket list of axes I want but it is what it is. I own mostly takimine acoustics and martins and Taylors . Electric I have fender ,prs, Ernie ball, have a couple vintage les Paul's. Same with strats. Well sorry I left such a long comment. People need to regroup . My father told me the same thing about don't. Buy it. If you can't afford it. Well for now ✌️ Out and God Bless
‘Soiled with Greatness’ I’m stealing that. Either my next band name or the title of my autobiography
How many does one person need? I've had the same acoustic for 20 years and the same electric for 30 years.
Hey, I'm from Argentina and this thing happens. When inflation gets started and saving starts makin less sense and/or more difficult just because your income is worth less, a lot of people start using their money in "cheaper" stuff, i.e. restaurants and so on. It actually starts with not aiming to buy a house and just change the car or something and it scales down.
I live in Spain atm and working at a gitar store and see how some companies are selling a lot of inventory below their cost which destructs small/medium guitar stores...
Most of the 20 somethings have switched to Gretsch... They have a more transparent Filtertronic sound, not brute force like a humbucker... They said that Fender was handing out free guitars to every band at Lolapalooza...
Price increases killed the guitar boom… Fender Aug. 10, 2023, killing it more with another price increase..😢
Went thru my guitar purchasing phase 2014-2019.
Picked up a ‘95 Gibson LPS DC cherry red, ‘97 Gibson LP STD wine red, & ‘95 Gibson ES-335 cherry dot. All less than $1600 each.
No regrets.
Nothing makes me happier than a new guitar.
I grew up in the mid-1970s, when imported beginner guitars were crap, and when there weren’t that many used Gibson or Fender guitars out there. If a kid wanted a good electric guitar, typically he’d have to work, save up, and buy one name-brand guitar. Nowadays, there are many great beginner guitars, and there must be boatloads of good used guitars that don’t command a big “vintage” premium. I’ve kept asking myself how the big manufacturers (as opposed to a couple-dozen firms that were rising players in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but which sell only imports these days) are still able to make tens of thousands of guitars every year and sell them. I don’t see any great explosion of guitar popularity among kids these days, so a lot of casual guitar-players must have 20 or 50 or 100 guitars. _That_ seems to be the key; even I have about nine guitars now, along with four practice amps. It’s said we spend our disposable income on that which most occupies our time, and, contrary to what we like to think, guitar prices in many cases, adjusted for inflation, are lower now than they were 50 years ago. (Example: a Gibson Les Paul Standard could be had in 1975 for $650; that corresponds to about $4,700 in todays dollars.) So if the big guys are targeting existing owners, or even convincing beginners to buy 6-8 guitars before learning anything, they seem to be succeeding, but that bubble’s got to burst sometime.
Yes Jonny is BACK baby
I blame the term “dad rock” young people perceive guitar bands as something their dads listen too. It’s been 10 years since we had a new huge band on the level of Oasis, Killers even Coldplay etc. Couple this with how expensive it is to start a band is why we have so many big solo artists. And without big guitar bands young people dont take up learning.
I'm a 100% Covitarist, and I started off in the used market. I now know that it was a golden age. Some people needed cash and others had time on their hands. I've bought and sold throughout and it's noticably slower now- fewer bargains and harder bargainers.
The last new guitar I purchased was in 2000, now I'm just building my own or customising used ones
The picture of Dicaprio alone would make me give up on any number of things.
My nine year gear boom is mostly over. I owe for a couple of guitars, but everything else I bought since 2014 is paid for Guitars, amps (I like amps), pedals, mics and other assorted hardware is all paid for. Some was bought on store credit but always paid off about half way through the contract.
I'm retired now so there isn't going to be many guitars or amps coming in now.
A lot of what I have is used or discounted, and I don't have any guitars in the range of say, an LP Classic or Standard
I’ve been playing for 13 years and I’ve owned less than 10 guitars my whole life. I never understood the rush to manufacture when theres already more guitars than players.
During covid, I ordereymy second Ibanez from Sweetwater and had to wait just over a month because Ibanez was behind schedule on production of the specific series.
I sold one guitar and bought a MIJ Fender Mustang. That was it guitar wise. I did buy amps and ALOT of pedals
I have 12 guitars and 2 bases. I've sold about 6 guitars after the Covid thing but replaced them. My collection is complete and don't feel the need to buy any more. And the ones I now have I've modded them to my like and specs. So I'm good.
As a beginner guitar player I purchased 2 guitars, however each has a different use case. The first was a Sawtooth with a Floyd Rose bridge that was already on sale, then Sawtooth did a Black Friday sale where EVERY guitar was 50% off, so the guitar i bought ended up being 75% off...so i had too. The second guitar is a cheap $100 Mitchel MM100 stringthru hardtail type of bridge. If I decide to get any more guitars they will have a different use case, maybe ill want a single coil strat someday for the stable, but for right now in my guitar playing journey...im good with what I already have.
🎸🎸🎶🎵
wait until you spend an hour just to string up that Floyd Rose......... 🤣
@@csnide6702 Very possible. I've been watching YT video of people struggling with the back and forth thing. There's one guy who didn't struggle at all though. His approach is to keep the ball ends on, and string it so the ball end is up at the tuners, cut the string about an inch past the bridge, stick them in the holes, tighten everything up and bring it in tune. I think I might try it that way. I'm sure everyone's got a different way of changing strings, but the way this guy did it seems pretty easy. However I may find it's a little harder than it looks. 🤣.....we'll see.
Are those guitars any good?
I haven't been looking to see the boom at all - so the fact that there's a 'bust' now would never have registered. So far in my life, I've bought 5 guitars - my first dreadnought and a pre-77 strat copy (3 position switch) when I was a teenager, a Crafter bowlback (a rarity) at the millenium.... and recently an Aria strat and a 2nd-hand Walden dreadnought, as a beater - and strangely, it's the Walden that I play most often! There has to be a reason for a guitar purchase... and 'Ooooh - shiny!' doesn't count as a reason! The only thing left on my list is an arch-top - for my jazz... and even that's optional - my little Aria strat gives a lovely tone!
LOL does that mug say "Rhett me, Daddy" ?? You guys crack me up
You created a great used market by selling all these guitars to people that don't play. And the manufacturer got greedy with their pricing. Then the world opened up and there are other things to do for these folk that were going to be guitarists. Hard to sell but great to buy.
Everything has gotten stupid expensive; cars, houses, guitars, etc. Glad I have all of those boxes checked.
There was a guitar boom? I didn't leave the house during 21-22. Didn't notice.
All the lockdowns left a lot of people with time and spare money, they were bored and thought hey let's buy a guitar and learn to play, my guess is that s very high proportion still can't play, but that didn't stop them buying more guitars, hence the boom, but now what, who will want all those guitars that still have the original strings on them?
Can’t have record sales forever
I think that the new guitar buying experience is buy and then try. It’s not just because of the pandemic, but also because of the disappearance of the traditional music store and the ascendancy of the online retail model. The only way for anyone to try a guitar is to buy it first and then decide if you want to keep it. It is definitely it ideal for beginners that don’t often know what they want or should look for. This actually increases the cost of picking up the guitar for first time players. The upside is you have an in-built excuse for buying more guitars. I mean how can you be sure if it’s The One without trying it first😅. I guess I’ll have to keep “trying” guitars!
Well said!
@@ronmorey3475I don't think so. It's not the guitar, any guitar will do
It's only the guitarist's brain and fingers, the gear is almost irrelevant unless you're touring right now.
@@drmidnight680-kz2le Any guitar will do? Maybe after you’ve played for a while and you know what to look for. Yes, it’s in the brain and fingers, but you have to get there first. The OP was referring to beginners, who may already struggle to form chords or pull notes sharp due to bigger frets, etc. Without some kind of experienced guidance, they may end up with a guitar that has a monster-sized neck profile and nut width, making for unnecessary struggle starting out. They may not even realize there are better options for them to start out with. Players working in brick and mortar stores used to provide this type of guidance. Without it, a beginner may have to buy a few guitars on line before they figure it out, and that’s if they don’t get discouraged before that happens.
I have saved and scraped to achieve a new Tele today in 10 hours at Mose Guitars!
I bought 2 guitars, several pedals, and a couple amps. Apparently I’m slacking
I can play a few chords though 😮
2020, 2021 and 2022... people were locked down and bored
Hell, I bought 4 used guitars in and around that time. Got great pricing.
Trolling us with that mug 😂😂😂
I'm 69 and just bought another Tele last month. I buy build sell and trade all the time but it's time to slow down now. Prices are too ridiculously high on all music gear and parts.
I bought over 30 guitars and waiting one to arrive in November or December. Don't think its over .....
Many will hang in the music stores for years and then end up in a closet after being finally sold.