Why are Guitars So Expensive?!? (or are they?)

[@throughkenslens7972]

I'd go back to 1982 for a lot of reasons, not just guitars.

[@Rickyboricky]

If I could pull that off,I'd go back and make sure Randy Rhoads didn't get on that plane...

[@RURALELECTRICBAND]

I heard that I got my first guitar for Christmas in 1981 for $100. Served me well I learned how play on it in 3 months- yea I graduated to Martin D18s a couple yrs later. But nothing like 1st one for $100

[@AlanSmitheeman]

If you find a way to return to 1982 then take me with you. For me, everything went to hell after 1984. I could make some better life changing decisions given a second chance!

[@dawnr8511]

I have my DeLorean with flux capacitor ready to go, but the speed limits here do not allow me to go 88 mph.

[@daveduffy2823]

There was a recession in 82. I remember because that is when I graduated and was trying to find a decent job.

[@kingcormack8004]

I'm 72 and began my guitar journey at age 11. I've owned and lost vintage Gibsons and Fenders. Hard times came and I had trouble hanging onto things. By buying fixer-uppers today I play older Martins and for electrics I buy $400 PRS SEs. However you manage it playing guitar is a life-long gift to yourself.

[@anthonyb2334]

I have a similar journey. At 71 now , started at 10 years old and had similar experiences. There are so many guitars, even imports, that sound good. There are some very expensive guitars but also value ones too.

[@chicagobluesangels8547]

I understand that corporations need to make a profit, but when you see Gibson guitars costing $12,000 for a new guitar, then you see Gibson is opening Gibson garages and vaults, where only rock stars and the super rich get to hang out, but guess who pays for that luxury, The consumers that's who And forget about a working musician obtaining one of these instruments, thank God I got my vintage Gibson's,

[@mikedfurman]

The LP standards are roughly on par with what they’ve always cost since the 50s based on inflation. They make 13k guitars because people buy them. They are a for profit company and will and do cater to every market to make money.

[@michaelthompson9070]

You don’t have to be rich to buy custom shop guitars - you just have to be willing to save for it. Some people like golf clubs, cars, etc and some of us love guitars. I love my custom shop Les Pauls but played Standards for most of my life. There are options out there for everyone.

[@clicks59]

The older I get, the more I wonder why I bought so many basses over the years. Some were because I wanted "that" particular bass. Others were because the deals were just too good to pass up. I remember the Fender poster with the P-Bass that called them "The road machine". I wanted one so I saved until I could buy one. The year was 1975. Mind you that I was in high school and worked at a gas station after school. Paul McCartney played a Hofner and a Rickenbacker so those were "must have" basses. Jaco played a fretless jazz so that was another "must have". The only bass that I ever bought because I liked how it played was my made in America Hamer Chaparral bass. It's probably the best crafted instrument in the herd and it has appreciated the least. I kept every bass that I ever purchased. I have no intention of buying or selling anymore basses but I might piece another one together, just for the fun of it. If I were to do it all over again, I'd pick one or two that suit my music and playing style then call it a day.

[@benphillips7448]

30 year old bass player just got my pbass and stingray thanks for this comment man makes me feel better about my situation

[@clicks59]

@@benphillips7448 Congrats on your basses. Good choices. The bass I use the most is my $200 MIM jazz bass. I got lucky on the price but none the less it's nothing special. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoXbeZ6PgZ59rdE

[@allstopblue5717]

100%. I still buy mid priced/mid quality guitars that I end up not playing much. But alot less than I used to. It’s a work in progress!

[@RezaKhan2024]

Thank you. Always have fun watching you talk about guitars and the current market.

[@tlister67]

I have never thought guitars in general are too expensive, but I have often thought recently how cheaper guitars can play so well.

[@paulgentile1024]

I most certainly have !

[@mokeimusic]

I ran a music store in the 90s, the guitars that are coming out now are way better than what were being sold then. I agree with you that guitars are cheap, you can buy a great guitar for $200!

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

I have a 1964 bass that when new would have cost me 2 weeks wages. I had one of them in the early 70's, but sold it when I got married. A couple of years ago I was looking at old basses online and spotted exactly the same model in fantastic condition for sale, so I bought it. It cost me 2 weeks wages !

[@Darth.Shredder]

Young players have been spoiled! I remember the cheap junk I grew up with when first starting out.. plywood, rough routes, terrible pickups, etc... now everything is made by CNC machines so even a $200 guitar is cut like a $2k guitar. Obviously there are differences in wood, assembly and components... especially anything that requires hand work but most of the major problems have been eliminated with CNC's. You don't need to be a luthier anymore... it's a lost art.

[@dbspecials1200]

In the 80's I cut my teeth on a used black Greco LP. I literally played it to death with the bedroom band. the hardware rotted out and the neck went and it just wasn't playable anymore. those were the Haffenreffer days for sure. 🍺

[@michaeldickson8267]

Being Canadian, paying in Canadian dollars, every guitar is expensive. 1000 bucks for a guitar to an American, is over 1,400 bucks to a Canadian, plus, 13% HST.

[@JohannesLabusch]

I'm an American, and I just bought a beautiful Canadian guitar. I shudder to think what will happen to those prices soon ... what with our tariff genius at the helm and all ... 😁

[@allstopblue5717]

@@JohannesLabuschstick to guitars and not stupid political takes. Guess you prefer cheaper Canadian guitars if it means more drugs and criminals enter our country? The tariffs are about neighboring countries helping to better police the borders. If they do their part, no tariff.

[@JohannesLabusch]

@@allstopblue5717 So you want me to stay away from "stupid political takes", and you're hoping to achieve that by sharing yours. Brilliant strategy, worthy of a typical Trump moron.

[@75YBA]

@@allstopblue5717 Take your meds and go to bed.

[@bobbiedeleon4845]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@rockman1066]

Really enjoying your videos man. I love what you said about guitars being priceless because of the doors that can open from it. I have a 2010 custom shop Strat, a 2002 masterbuilt tele and recently bought a 2001 custom shop R7 Les Paul. The amount of travel I’ve done gigging with them on top of all the experiences I’ve had with them are priceless.

[@zonachoke]

When Gibson first put out the ES-150 in 1936... they named it the ES-150 because it would retail for $150 -- at a time when that's about what a bank teller made in take-home pay in a month. You can't get a current ES-150 for that, but you can get a playable new electric guitar for $150 -- almost 90 years later.

[@allstopblue5717]

Yeah, due to advancement in technology, cnc machines, and slave labor overseas

[@davidmartin3988]

Yep I 2004 i got a 99 dollar Cort 6 string and it was one of the best investments I’ve made, 20 years later.

[@jeffreyRfike]

Have had similar discussions with so many people about the long-term value, both physical and intangible in guitars. They have always been tremendous values, even more so now, as low-mid range guitars have improved so much in the past 15 years or so, and actually gotten less expensive. Thanks for another well-thought out and presented video, Mark.

[@CameraLaw]

I watched a three-part video of a guitar being put together for KZbinr Phillip McKnight at G&L. It was standard production line and not a custom. So much craft and care taken at each of a dozen or so steps. After that, precisely because I was so impressed with the company and its employees, I purchased one of their guitars new and knew I was getting a bargain.

[@RoadRunnerRiffs]

No truer words have been spoken about the value of guitars vs. the money paid ❤ Your videos are so awesome 🤘

[@dalecoffing8655]

I'm 72 and have played guitar since I was 10. I started taking lessons at 9 because I couldn't make the baseball team. (I don't think I'd still be playing ball? There was a time when I did not play on any kind of regular basis. As a teenager I made good money playing guitar with my dad every Saturday night in local clubs. Not only did I have "walk around money" but it is a memory I have that only happened because I played guitar. After retiring from my career in 2011 I wanted to play more. This past year I have played in 3 different musicals. (I really enjoy playing in the "pit".) I have lost track of how many I've played in since retiring. Hope to do more. BTW still playing every week in church. I have purchased several guitars in my time. For the most part I buy a guitar (amps and pedals) to fill a particular need i.e. the musical I'm playing for calls for a particular type of guitar. Or the singer I'm accompanying wants a certain type of guitar or sound. I have never purchased a guitar as an investment. I buy them to fill a need. If my children get to sell them for big bucks after I'm gone? Great! As for now I'm hanging on to them because I use them. Maybe I'll "need" another one while the used market is where it is. Thanks Gary enjoy your "soap box" commentary. Good information.

[@misterknightowlandco]

In the US if you adjust for inflation a Les Paul standard new off the shelf is only a couple bucks more than they were in 55. Fender is actually a couple bucks cheaper than you would have paid in 57.

[@allstopblue5717]

But what about all the internet comments that say everything is a rip off unless it’s $150 Harley Benton, 😂 (which they swear is better than all the custom shop Gibson, Fender, and PRS guitars they ALSO own)😂

[@misterknightowlandco]

@my Harley Benton was a pos I had to return 😂 budget gear these days are better than the budget guitars of the past but they’re still budget guitars.

[@pauln6803]

​@@allstopblue5717 Well the cheap guitar brigade are just the same as the Gibson cork sniffers: fan boys who will defend or promote their purchase beyond rationality. The truth is both a Gibson Les Paul and a Harley Benton whatever are both factory assembly line products, they are NOT (as some would have you believe) built by trained luthiers. And when you see tooling marks, finish flaws and a poorly cut nut on a guitar, which do you as the consumer, feel more aggrieved by, the $150 Chinese made guitar, or the $4,000 USA made instrument? Now there are plenty of perfect Paul's around, but should the iffy ones be making it to the retailer at that price? Aren't we supposed to be paying more for assured quality and attention to detail?

[@alxra]

I mean, $400 in 1982 is worth a little over $1300 today

[@WinstonWhite-l9j]

A Les Paul that cost 350 in 1959 was a months pay for a city hall clerk in our city, today the same clerk makes 4100mo. Enough for a LP and a tube amp…

[@starfox2215]

I’ve got ten chords down and need to learn strum patterns. But I got my first real guitar and hard case and humidipaks recently. . I got an epiphone Texan inspired guitar with sonic flex pickups for like $475. It is used but in awsome shape. The hard case was like $150. It’s definitely a trip one should go on. Looking forward to the day I can sit down and play for enjoyment or learn a song in a couple hrs.

[@rustyshackleford9557]

I am a big fan of affordable guitars but I LOVE a real brick and mortar guitar shop owned by a knowledgeable guy with passion. This shop and this guy look like a fantastic place to buy a nice guitar.

[@hamburger512]

Do you have any opinions on guitars that may be modern day vintage guitars? Like a guitar that in 30 years we will be kicking ourselves for not buying while they were still retail priced?

[@jamesalley7387]

90s Fender Custom Shop. You can’t get necks like that anymore. They are pretty amazing and a good buy right now I think.

[@kingcormack8004]

"guitars that may be modern day vintage guitars" what kind of fool asks this question?

[@Somenite]

I totally disagree with international demand being the primary reason for demand. I'm an old player and back in the 70s/80s people had one guitar. When they found something better, they traded/sold it for the new one. Starting in the late 80s and going forward, people started to have more of a collector's mentality with them and started buying and holding. As time moved on, these people hit a stage in their life where they could spend even more on them and built up large collections which has supported the market. The same guys I knew in the 80s that had one guitar and maybe one backup at most now can't even tell me how many they have and most talk about how they have to downsize because their kids never picked it up because guitar driven music wasn't big for their generation.

[@Scott__C]

Yes and even pros like Billy Gibbons have warehouses with guitars that they haven't seen in probably a couple decades.

[@gshep42]

Thanks Mark. Love the industry commentary!

[@arman6119]

still easier to build a guitar than to make a guitarist.....imo

[@JohannesLabusch]

I made a guitarist 30 years ago. It was super easy, but teaching him guitar took forever.

[@DavidMcCullough-v6p]

I agree. I have built 22 since 2014.

[@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow]

I agree guitars are not expensive ,but for what we get we are getting short changed .. the Quality isn't very good in my opinion .i was looking at this guitar in the 200- to 300 range & am I feeling it out like I would when shopping for a car & the guitar has flaws in it.. like the holes in the back to put the strings in are NOT lined up perfectly & the frets are not perfect. I have never bought a guitar at any price level that didn't have an issue guitars are like cars something is always off. I'm looking at the guitar & thinking I am paying how much? & still I have to fix a couple of flaws? I feel like & am getting ripped off..

[@pauln6803]

Well that's down to mass manufacturing; there's a cost to ensuring everything is perfect. The real issue is that even the 2-4k instruments from the big USA brands are leaving the factory with issues you'd see on the Chinese made budget guitars.

[@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow]

@@pauln6803 Very sad state of affairs. I remember as a teenager in the 80's & 90's going shopping with dad for a car & checking out those BIG WIG car companies ,& we were lucky to get 80,000 miles out of them.. complete junk cars & the body lines never lined up & those were new from the factory.

[@tedparkinson6892]

New guitars are a great deal today. Back around 1980 you needed to spend $400 for an acoustic guitar that was in tune all the way up the neck! That's $1500 today! but you can buy a decent acoustic guitar for less than half of that. Factory production methods have improved a huge amount making guitars and related equipment so much more affordable.

[@WilliamPayneNZ]

Going back and looking at what a lot of guitars cost brand new in the 50’s compared to today the prices haven’t really changed. For example adjusted for inflation a basic model (not custom shop) Gibson ES335 really hasn’t changed much in price. BUT, how far people’s money goes and how much people earn really has not kept up. I like to say that there isn’t really a price problem. There is an income problem. Things are as expensive as they have always been. I just seem to have less and less money to spend.

[@dannyturner7967]

I would like to see you do a video with Phillip McKnight from know your gear on KZbin!! That would be a very interesting video!!!

[@runners0000]

any ideas what that little acoustic guitar is next to that burgundy d'angelico(?). Wish this store had an online store, I keep seeing interesting guitars in the background.😆

[@runners0000]

video just answered my question..

[@scotthutchens1556]

You’re right about American vintage going to Japan. In the mid 1970’s right after I got of junior college, I wanted a Les Paul Custom. New, they were expensive to afford at that time even if $6-$800 new. (I forget what they sold new for in 1975). I remember seeing one in a mall shop that was part of a record store and they wanted $600 for a 1968 LO Custom. The guy said they went right to the Japanese when he got them in. Of course now a Les Paul Customer is $5500.

[@worldsheaviestjamband93]

Guitar players should switch to violin and find out the pain of paying a lot for an instrument.

[@EazyDoor]

Or the drums. Trumpets, Saxophones...

[@erebus79]

That's a very silly argument. "Guitars aren't expensive because x or y instrument is more expensive". This is a flawed logic. Guitars are expensive in general and some brands of guitars are absurdly over priced.

[@chatgpt-n8r]

How much for that CSB Paul?

[@MeekSith777]

Is that a 2019 Les Paul Special Honey Burst behind you?

[@GreenpointRemembers]

I just bought a $99 guitar that plays amazing and I already recorded 2 songs with it.

[@AgusGonzalez1998]

People in the US should definitely be thankful for being able to get guitars so cheap. I live in South America and you can expect to pay $500 to $800 for a decent squier. Or $2500+ for a basic Gibson LP. All of this while earning ~$800-1500 a month if you're lucky.

[@foxhoundms9051]

Nobody in America can afford them either. We aren't all rich. Not even close.

[@JohannesLabusch]

Not familiar with South America, but some European countries have great manufacturers who build amazing versions of the beloved US classics for the domestic market over there. In Germany f.i., there is a maker named Maybach, that makes stunning Les Pauls. They'd never think of selling those in the US, nor would they be able to stay out of trouble with Gibson's lawyers if they did.

[@AgusGonzalez1998]

@@foxhoundms9051 I'm sure of that, what I'm referring to is that the US is the country where the cost of instruments is lowest in relationship to the average income, and that is a privileged position. So I guess in a way it's the brighter side of things.

[@alangreenway6695]

I’m a Left Handed player in the UK. There was an extra 10% charge on lefties when I started. In 2003 I bought a 2nd hand LH Gibson Flying V for £1300. In 2019 I managed to buy a brand new LH Gibson Explorer for £1344. Even ignoring the V was 2nd hand, that’s only £44 inflation for similar guitars in 16 years. I was very happy buying it at that price. Here’s the thing, I see the same Explorer now for around £1700-£1800 (I think Gibson have just discontinued it, and you can only buy the £2000-£2300 70’s LH version) The truth is guitar prices remained very static for 15-20 years, perhaps even being percentage wise cheaper against inflation during that time. It’s just rapid inflation over the past 5 years has shocked a lot of us in the guitar community. Personally, I’ve now got a nice collection that I won’t be adding to or selling in the near future that I’m glad I got before the prices went up.

[@VonL]

What percentage of the list price, of an artist signature guitar, goes back to the artist?

[@lucyfuir6386]

I have never bought a instrument as an investment but I do have to say my 95 Les Paul as banged up as it is, is worth more than I paid. My 93 Explorer is worth about 5 times what I paid. But I would never sell either of them because some of my best memories are with those instruments. The Paul has done over a 1000 shows. And my explorer was in a magazine.

[@brandonbutler8808]

Hey Mark, thanks for the video!

[@Walks-With-Pride]

A very interesting topic. I really enjoyed watching. The truth is that prices for everything have gone up in recent years. I don't like it, but I do understand that the costs for guitar manufacturers have gone up too. So they offset that by increasing the prices for their products. It's only natural.

[@ModularMemories]

I've sold guitars or basses and I just figure that the difference of what I lost when I sold it was essentially the rental fee for the time I had it. Occasionally I made a bit of money. There's been a few I regret selling because I missed the playability of it, and there's a couple I have now that I wish I hadn't bought - mainly because of the gamut of used stuff available now.

[@custum18]

I have a bunch of American guitars I bought in the early 2000s. Custom shops, relics, historic reissues, Ricks..etc. It always shocks me what they go for now.

[@nobrainsnoheadache2434]

When the EVH Frankenstrat came out it was about $900 CDN. Then it started going up; it was about $1,500 when he died; and now it's double that. Guitars are a commodity, and the desirable ones ARE expensive. You can't tell me you're not paying for the name if it says "Martin', for example

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

Absolutely, you know I have three friends that have met their wives because they are excellent players. Priceless, and there wives are also doing better now that they are in love. Having kids, buying cars, houses, etc.

[@Guitarooster52]

Gary you’re selling hard here. The magic of resale is popularly, loar, and inflation. The raw cost of building them is heavily influenced by CNC machines. Also, as boomers age out demand will decrease because guitar music isn’t as popular. Also we see seriously well built products coming from overseas. Charging a fortune for “correct plastics” and contrived aging is outrageous.

[@Chris-yq7xv]

What are you talking about - an original 1952 Les Paul with original case today can be as high as 100k. Comparing dollars today vs yesteryear is insane when it comes to vintage guitars!

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

I would say that's not on average. And I'm speaking about the majority of guitars in the world which are non-vintage.

[@tomf9292]

I paid $400 for my 76 Pbass that I still gig with. I’ve made my money back x 1000s, and it’s still worth a couple grand. So NO guitars aren’t expensive. I’ve made countless friends from playing the bass over the years.

[@JamesAllen-xk8bc]

I bet you the people who were buying guitars (new or used) 'back in the day' didn't think they were cheap.

[@dbspecials1200]

I think some people are missing a big point here. if I was back in the 1950's and wanted a brand new guitar but couldn't pay the massive $300 at the time, could I have found someone to make me a well made version of that guitar for $30? well, adjusting for inflation -as people so love to do, today I believe I can. back even further a Luthier was a type of Woodwright. completely done by hand, no power tools existed. amazing how many workshops still have hand-drills laying around. you may have to move one to get to the tools under it, barley noticing it anymore..

[@clayton56tube]

no, the alternative was really crappy stuff by Kay or worse

[@clayton56tube]

I have played other instruments since the late 70's, just getting into electric guitars a few years ago and I can't believe how cheap and decent they are compared to other instruments. I bought a bunch to try them out long term and have only sold one. Think guitars are expensive, shop for a decent oboe.

[@drewdavis4614]

I live locally to you and your business fixed my hartke bass head. Your a intelligent interesting individual whom has a lot of knowledge ❤😊

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

Thanks!

[@emptychair3932]

i just got an SG standard for 1400$ new and i’m seeing used ones go for 1700ish. i’m surprised at how despite the amount of guitars out there they somehow still retain their value.

[@user-ym4fn5rl7c]

Those same guitars will more likely be for sale next year or more at the prices being asked. I have seen it too many times in my life because the sellers have no clue as to what the true value of their instruments are or what depreciation means.

[@gam1471]

I'm an acoustic guitar player. Buy a Martin D-28 for example and you're buying an instrument from the finest timbers nature provides. Rosewood, mahogany, ebony, and spruce - these are tonewoods which have to be strong and light when built into a guitar. The timbers have to be brought to the factory, seasoned, and inspected for suitability for use. A steel string guitar puts tension of around (depending on string gauge) 150 to 170 pounds on the neck and body. It's expected to stay in tune (i.e. the wood has to be stable), and the intonation right up the neck has to be true. Such an instrument will last beyond a lifetime if properly cared for. Buy a guitar like this and you're buying the vast experience of the maker - not to mention the security of a modern case to protect the instrument, which is taken for granted. Dealers have to pay for their premises, insurance, taxes, staff and more , hence there's a mark-up on the wholesale (ex-factory) price. Martin's website lists a standard series D-28 as costing between $2799 and $3199 retail. I'd say that's an absolute bargain.

[@Sensei.shonuff]

Level with me here ....am I getting the same quality non name brand cheaper guitars as name brand expensive guitar

[@rustyshackleford9557]

That is a great question. A hammer with nice inlay, an exotic wood handle and a recognized name may be higher quality than a plain ol' hammer but it likely won't drive a nail better. You must ask yourself honestly what you want from that hammer. Do you want your friends to be wowed by its beauty? Or do you want your friends to be wowed by how well you can drive a nail? Etc....

[@Sensei.shonuff]

​​@@rustyshackleford9557I asked because there are videos comparing let's say maybe a $300 Epiphone vs a $3000 Gibson and I do hear the difference but I don't hear $2700 worth of difference I've never even touched a guitar over $400 let alone played one but I just can't imagine an adequate justification for such a price difference I've found the craftsmanship on lesser known brands is awesome as well

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

They all essentially work to some extent. The big brands are still the industry leaders. You can find some great guitars from small manufacturers as well.

[@rustyshackleford9557]

@@GarysGuitarsUSA Amen, Changle Leji is a small manufacturer. They make nice stuff. Inyen Vina in Vietnam is relatively small and makes some nice stuff. Neither of these will impress folks who fish with 800$ fly rods and drink fancy bourbon. A person needs to look at the whole picture. I've used a 89$ Grote with 33$ in chineeese Alnicos in it for almost every job for the last 4 or 5 years but occasionally I have a job where the whole band are gear snobs. Rather than tick em off, I bring my pricey axes. So much of the biz is about getting along with folks. Fancy stuff has its place....he who rocks the boat doesn't get as many calls. Understand who you are working with and what their perceptions are.

[@joedomingos8486]

1986 I got a Fender Tremolux head for $150.00 and in 88 I got a blackface Bassman for $125.00 I sold them over the years for a profit. In may I bought a 1967 Dual Showman Head for $1400.00 and paid a tech $400.00 to bring it up to spec. Worth every penny, the showman will last me the rest of my playing career.

[@temporyfreedom]

Guitars are not expensive, the amount work and skill that's goes into making a guitar is worth the money.

[@JohannesLabusch]

Yes in the case of a truly handmade guitar by a small builder, no in the case of Fender et al. "Custom Shops" are mostly in the business of creating fake value via relic-ing, limited artist series and other gimmicks that have nothing to do with music.

[@Scott__C]

@@JohannesLabusch I agree, the whole "look I have 1955 guitar" that was really made in 2024 is ridiculous to me. So is paying people to paint a guitar, then take the paint off the guitar.

[@pauln6803]

I'm sorry but there really isn't much skill that goes into making retail shop guitars. Once you understand modern production lines, you'll realise that the people who are making these instruments are merely hourly wage assembly line workers. If you have to measure and sculpt in a factory, you're doing it very, very wrong. Every step you can introduce automation and set, repetitive procedures is a big cost saver as you don't have to employ skilled people. If you get to custom shop level with the big US names, then there might be some intensive hand labour from a skilled craftsman who could genuinely build a guitar by hand. But even then they might (depending on the build spec) grab something from the early stages of the production line, then proceed to do whatever work is required to produce whatever differentiates that particular instrument from the standard run.

[@michaelthompson9070]

@@Scott__Cmost people aren’t buying relics to pretend it’s an old guitar. It’s about the feel (and the look, of course). I’ve only owned one reliced guitar (59 Murphy lab Les Paul) but it feels & sounds much better than the dozens of other guitars I’ve owned.

[@Scott__C]

@@michaelthompson9070 OK, but to me, there are plenty of comfortable guitars without spending the time and labor cost to sand off paint etc.

[@claudiajay8291]

So true! Guitars like Gibson will hold their value better . The one I buy won’t weight over 10 pounds though!

[@Scott__C]

The one LP I had was built with the 9 hole weight relief and still was 10.4 lbs. Then I realized you can get those sounds without having a Gibson.

[@GrandOld-Parr]

Mark, what are you doing running a guitar shop when you should be on Wall Street as an economist?

[@JohannesLabusch]

He has a problem. He's a nice guy.

[@unrequitedmusic8004]

A well-made guitar will outlive the owner. Buy wisely and you won't be disappointed.

[@daveduffy2823]

That makes sense on if the new owner wants it. They might chuck it with the rest of your stuff when you die.

[@thomastucker5686]

Here's an interesting take on the value of guitars. I have two guitars made in China and I love them far more than my far more expensive guitars. When quality is coming from China, companies like Fender, who don't do the greatest quality, are going to be passed by. My Chinese guitars are superior to my Fender guitars and thus I have two of my Fenders up for sale. No particular country has a lock on making guitars. Most companies capable of making guitars in production fashion can build guitars to exacting specifications, if said specifications exist, or exist to state exacting quality standards and all instruments not meeting these standards will be rejected and the cost of shipping is on the company not following the standards. Fender makes crap because they don't have a high enough standard. If they were firing every employee that sends out a reject, they wouldn't have rejects. If Sweetwater shipped 500 guitars back to Fender and told them to stick them where the sun don't shine and further to pay the shipping cost born out of returns. Sweetwater ships bad guitars without worry. So they don't penalize Fender. I hope a new USA guitar company opens and shuts Fender out.

[@wmg1958]

And with good acoustic guitars, the more you play it the better it sounds. I think this is true for good solid bodies too.

[@hexn00b52]

I collect Jems. Early 2000’s you couldn’t give them away. Now they start at like 3k. wtf.

[@KenSwanson-p4i]

I went through the comments, so far .. and if I may, I want to pile on about the topic of inflation. I'm picking values, spoken of on this video .. a "1952 Gibson, bought it new for $325" .. (inflation adjusted to now = $3900) .. and .. "1982 Strat for $350" (inflation adjusted to now = $1150) .. Whether it's driving a new car off the car lot, or walking out of a music store, with a new guitar .. there's the automatic loss, that almost always happens. And even if you sell your guitar in 10 years, for same $$, .. you really haven't held your value, due to inflation. But, .. you may have had alot of fun, with instrument, during those years, eh? .. or that car? .. it sure saved you some time, walking. Nowadays .. if you shop around, and make a good choice .. $500 to $700 will get you something pretty nice, for a guitar. Back to the inflation calculator .. $700 now, .. = $65, in 1960. Today, .. I believe almost everything now made, is machine slotted fretboards, .. versus back when .. hand done. Junker guitars now?, if someone has the nerve to try to make something like that now (and there were junker guitars, back then) .. that's going to be globally publicized, in days.

[@rchydrozz751]

For the crappy parts they are using now, yes they are expensive for what you get.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Fender Pro II models are really well-made. Might need minor adjustment to factory nut and frets, but that cost is usually in the sale price for a new unit.

[@rustyshackleford9557]

Hmmm? Guitars are so inexpensive now! I have gigged and done session work for 45+ years. I have used an 89$ Grote strat with 33$ worth of Alnicos in it and a 155$ Grote 335-ish thang for almost all my jobs for the last 4 years. Gibson spent over 100 million dollars on just print and media advertising last year. That expense, the added expense of their legal team, promotion team etc add so, so much to the cost of production. Most folks do not make a livin' with their guitar. It is a luxury item. Luxury items are pricey. Play what ya want. I love takin' a sub 100$ axe up on stage and out-playin' some guy with a pricey axe. That is a big part of the joy.

[@goofyjohn6191]

Good ones have always been expensive for those struggling to get by.

[@xasmith]

They are cheaper than they've ever been!

[@mikeadams4605]

Wood, paint, finish, and parts cost money!! LOL I am doing a high-end Les Paul Junior kit right now....and yes I paying retail for the parts but I'm going to be north of $800 when I am finished with no labor costs.

[@pauln6803]

But that's because you're doing a hobby build. You don't have the economy of scale, nor the automated processes that a large factory would have. I would estimate the materials cost of say, a Gibson Les Paul Standard at under $300. It's the factory overheads, logistics and retailer profit, coupled with taxes and units sold per month that push the costs up. Then there's all the corporate stuff like board pay, legal, advertising and artist relations to factor in as a business cost. Are guitars truly good value? Well something like a good Harley Benton is very good value considering the spec. But that's a different business model to the big US brands, as not only are Chinese manufacturing costs lower, but the profit margin can be lower due to the distributor being the retailer.

[@CyberRabid.]

Guitars really aren't expensive when you consider that you only have to buy it once. Take good care of it and it becomes an heirloom that can be passed down for generations.

[@B.Schmidt-c9v]

Adjusting for inflation, prices have actually gone down....BUT... so has quality.

[@juanvaldez5422]

lol , no quality hasn’t . I mean , if you are buying a 200 guitar maybe but , in general, no .. manufacturing processes have only improved. The Luddite mindset seems to be its old so it’s good

[@B.Schmidt-c9v]

@@juanvaldez5422 I think you miss my point. I am not one of those "they don't make em like they used to guys." I just don't think that modern, mass produced guitars are going to become heirloom instruments nor are they going to fetch high prices as "vintage" instruments 50 years in the future. I bought my first ever guitar in 1992. It was a G&L S-500 and it cost $900....which was a fu++ton of money for an underemployed college kid in those days. It was a nice instrument...American made...and mostly hand made. Nowdays, if you buy most any guitar in the $1000 to $1500 range...which I consider to be "budget guitars" they will not be as well-made as that $900 circa 1990's G&L was. They will likely be from either Korea or Indonesia...they will likely be mass produced and be largely machine made...assembly line more or less. I've had a couple ESP/LTD guitars that were made this way. They can be good instruments...but quality control is an issue...like loose volume and tone knobs...I've had that on both my LTD's....and even problems with the tuning knobs. Saddles, bridge, intonation etc.can also be a problem with these cookie cutter guitars. Just watch some of the KZbin videos of people complaining about ESP/LTD quality control issues. In short if you want real quality, a superb instrument, then be prepared to fork out thousands of dollars.

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@B.Schmidt-c9vThe vintage Gibsons used old-growth mahogany which simply isn't commercially viable anymore, then you factor in things like nitro finishes and hand-wound pickups which now come at a premium price, I do see them as worthwhile compared to a modern knockoff precisely because they do have "idiosyncracies" that give them character you likely won't find in mass-produced cnc machined products

[@B.Schmidt-c9v]

@@jasondorsey7110 No argument from me on anything you said!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

There's gourmet cheese and then there's Velveeta and Cheez Whiz. The latter are everywhere today. I was almost taken in by 'Vintera' and 'Player', but looking at them closely and playing them, it's not hard to see how they're cheapo quality and where the corners are cut. Better to take the full cost of a 'Vintera' or 'Player' and put it as down payment on a GREAT guitar.

[@burrellinvestments5952]

I met a singer to play music with , now her and I are married 😅 💯 agree

[@9876yhfdhhf]

It used to take decades for a les Paul to fetch $50k but Gibson figured out a much better way. Dinner with Kirk Hammet.

[@fragslap5229]

Viewers might want to put on a LARGE pair of HIP BOOTS before watching this.

[@paul1060]

the value of the dollar is not static. average people don’t understand money. they think $400 in 1982 money is less than $1000 in 2024 money. it’s the buying power of the actual dollar. supply and demand affects the cost of something … separate from the actual buying power of a dollar. honestly most guitar people are geeks and annoy the S out of me :) if i’m on 95N near portsmouth NH one day … ill stop in

[@NicholasANappiNick]

I made a $1.75 an hour in the early 70s and paid $300 bucks for a Stratocaster and case maybe more like $350 ouch😢

[@doonilevitin]

Covid raised the prices a lot

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

Lol, Gibson almost went out of business a decade ago when they strayed away from vintage type Gibson manufacturing! Almost went bankrupt and I was betting my friends that they would. Luckily the went back too old ways and shio didn't sink as a result.

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

Expensive, as in, overpriced. Some of us just call it price gouging.

[@leechild4655]

same as with gold. it`s high because people buy it at that price cause thats what they sell it for. stop buying the hype and let em sink in their own massive inventory.

[@applehead252]

Guns guitars and diamonds. Rarely decrease in value.

[@gshep42]

Gold & Silver

[@Focal_Paradox]

A $300 Guitar in 1957 is $3000 today just because of inflation. $300 in 1957 was a LOT of money. The average blue collar salary in 1957 was $4500 a year, so a $300 guitar was a months wage. The average blue collar salary in 2023 was $47,000 a year, so a $3000 guitar is a months wage. What we have today is people paying $300 for a guitar, which would have been the equivalent of $3 in 1957. This puts it into perspective. The only thing that's changed, is guitars have gotten cheaper.

[@paulgentile1024]

1957 a lot of bang for your buck...2024 cost of living not to good for married folks with kids let alone a single person

[@clayton56tube]

nowadays there are a lot more choices in the cheaper grades and quality is close to the pro models, just less bling

[@bradc32]

whatever you buy please keep in mind if it is low priced guitar and has rosewood in it,that rosewood was probably black market from Africa.the CCP is decimating the rosewood grown from Africa and causing them alot of hardship.

[@rogelioybarra4068]

Some hold value even if used

[@cajunqueen5125]

👍👍👍

[@MrTabasham1990]

Look up the prices of other instruments. You'll see how good guitar players have it.

[@davidmccaffery7977]

Supply and demand 🎉

[@keithgray5525]

If I bought a 1969 camaro z28 new, it would be worth a lot more money today..... look at the La Ferrari, it has gone up 3 million since it was released....most cars do not go up in value, but some do..... just like SOME guitars do.....incorrect assumptions lie at the root of every failure.

[@CS-to2td]

I suppose if you held onto a car for 50 years and it was in good condition you could probably "get" your money back, lol.

[@bryandraughn9830]

I'm just happy not to be a drummer. Those things can add up quick.

[@richardflora5173]

Because they can

[@wewin03]

Your 2004 Telecaster will be considered vintage in 10 years.

[@twisted2291]

The guitar is a tool of the trade. It doesn't make you better, and it sure isn't gonna find you a wife. Your skills and abilities to use this tool can. In the right hands a crappy cheap guitar will sound good. The guitar is just a tool. And like all good quality tools that will last a lifetime. They are not that cheap.

[@jasonwelsh417]

My car gets worse with age. My D-28 gets better. I generally agree with you but I don't agree with that comparison.

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

What else can you buy then you expect to go up in value and not degradate at all over the course of decades? Like your car it's natural for everything to go down in value as it gets older.

[@gtrdd]

One guitar for every four American’s not counting Joe Bonamassa 🫣

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

He's definitely behind the vintage guitar shortage

[@Rickyboricky]

Does no one understand that USD inflation is largely responsible for current retail prices?

[@Scott__C]

Inflation has been worldwide.

[@pauln6803]

​@@Scott__C But the US dollar is the global currency of trade.

[@IkBenSuperLief]

Gold can do that

[@BrentHowell-iu9vj]

Only American made guitars go up in value

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

Don't tell Hofner!

[@robertmellang6998]

They are expensive. I am a boomer. I started buying guitars 20 years ago. Blame the boomers. I have all the guitars I want. I imagine most of the boomers have reached a reasonable limit of interest and participation. The boomers are getting old. It could be worse. You could have a store full of big band instruments. Rock and roll was a blast. Thanks for the good times.

[@SHANECatLovinActivistHistorian]

vince gill is hoarding too many