Why I have stopped selling Guitars in 2024. The Geopolitical, Economic perspective

An honest, unfiltered run-through of why I think the current climate isn't the best time to sell one's guitar. Unless one has to, in order to generate cash
0:27 Introduction
1:21 Reason 1 Market Softness
2:09 Reason 2 and 3 Sticky Inflation, Market Bubbles and Geopolitical Risk
6:40 Reason 4 Reverb and International Selling costs and inconvenience
7:52 Reason 5 End of GAS. Not buying, not selling
8:47 Final Thoughts

[@Santaheckler]

I’ve regretted almost every guitar I’ve ever sold. However, I regret about half of the guitars I’ve purchased. This tells me to buy less but keep almost everything.

[@paulmcilroy7508]

Funny but I feel exactly the same, however I do need to make space and the ones I want to move are the lower priced guitars. I will experiment with one or two for now and see if I can make a small profit but I'm certain there will never be another 2020 (Pandemic Splurge) on buying guitars.

[@Ira88881]

My life philosophy is never sell. Only buy.

[@APMTenants]

It’s actually still a good time to sell because prices are still historically high. Just a few years ago, we were talking about the death of the guitar industry. Forget the stock market. Guitars are not stocks. For awhile, during recession, guitar sales go up. But the high end takes a hit. I don’t sell guitars because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Sure, a guitar might be replaceable, but what if the example isn’t as good as the one I have? Buy the guitar you want and forget what it’s worth

[@jasondorsey7110]

Spot on...if you have a good les paul or rickenbacker, don't sell it because you might get seller's remorse and when you go to replace it the available options might be inferior to the one you already had

[@denbodg9311]

I’m where you are but on a much smaller scale, at the end of 2023 I sold all my gear that I knew would not appreciate in value, I have guitars & amps left that I know I will not depreciate. This year I’ve bought one such guitar I made a silly offer on that was accepted. I know I’m now in a lucky place, because I don’t need to sell for cash. That’s the thing, buy the best you can afford, but don’t buy expecting to increase value unless you really know what you’re doing. Especially, don’t believe all the hype surrounding the next “big thing”.

[@engelsjn]

Absolutely loving your videos. I really think you found a niche in the guitar KZbin space. Thank you for your content!

[@drzainnas]

Thank you sir for sharing your valuable experiences and wisdom . Best regards from England 🙏🏼

[@DT-ml3xv]

I like you have too many guitars. I like building things so some of mine are ones that I have put together. Some I have bought because I just think they're beautiful. None of mine are very high end so I couldn't sell for a profit. What is it about collecting nice things? Play them. Use them to make music. Give one away to some poor kid that needs one that wants to play guitar. It's all just money and stuff. I am going to try to not put so much emphasis on money and things in the future. I am not wealthy but I have been blessed with enough. Any one of my guitars would probably sound good enough and that would be the only one I needed. If you lived next door I would say let's get together and play some music. I hope you and yours have a blessed future!

[@andrewhouse3246]

Of course I completely agree. I too am taking a pause. I think this will prove wise in the end. Cool baritone, thx again my friend- (Its killing me not to get Bea's new mm sabre)

[@rgmetal]

Even here in South Africa the guitar market is tough as a seller. A student of mine can't even sell his mint condition 6 string bass for a great price. I struggled to sell a great playing Gretsch for months

[@beachbuggyonfire]

Thank you for this differentiated reasoning. I am in a similar mindset right now.

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Agree 100% dont sell unless you absolutely have to.

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

While this may be a bad time to sell guitars, it can be a good time to buy a guitar. While I dislike taking advantage of a distressed seller, if they need to sell, someone is going to buy, and you will be helping them out. As an example, my parents needed to sell their house in order to move into an assisted living facility. This was during the 2008 crash and they sold their house for half its valuation only a year earlier. It was a devasting financial hit, but it was absolutely necessary in order for them to move to where they needed to go. 2008 was great time to buy houses, but a terrible time to sell one.

[@GaZonk100]

one of those situations where the 'way of the world' is not so great

[@zemlidrakona2915]

This whole guitars as an investment stuff, isn't for me. If I buy a guitar (which is rare these days), it's because I feel it will improve my music in some way. I personally don't see how anything but vintage guitars are going to gain too much more in value. There are very few guitar heroes now that aren't producing niche music. By that I mean music that is geared towards consumption by other musicians. But, maybe I'm wrong. Guess we'll find out.

[@misterknightowlandco]

Bingo. Besides vintage guitars or possibly some collector’s edition or a signature model of someone whose died, there will be no added value. All regular guitars will gain or lose in value is due to inflation/deflation. Right now is a great time to buy if you’re looking to buy like me. I’m not a collector but I recently got a new job and have some disposable income for the first time in my life so I’m buying a couple nice ones finally.

[@shadoobie]

Definitely not for everyone, that’s for sure.

[@chrischamberlain2168]

@@misterknightowlandcocongratulations on the extra money. Hope you get the guitars you want.

[@myriad860]

I sold a couple of guitars yesterday Took a hit on them cause they were bought brand new But it’s ok Needed the space money and I have what I play daily still! Investing in gear is a waste… invest in playing better!

[@osman01003]

well said! It's better to invest in playing better.

[@MusicianTracks]

Interesting point of view. Thanks

[@thelolguy007]

It’s like any market and the guitar market is no different. Sometimes there’s times to sell and sometimes not. Like the property market etc. Now it’s a buyers market.

[@walther9161]

I’ve been building electric guitars and had so many I’ve been giving them away to friends, family and charity groups.. have yet to buy a guitar.

[@Cohost]

love your channel bro

[@telemaster]

Recently found the channel - I’m in a similar position with guitars, so your vids have been insightful. Here in Australia the Fender and Gibson staples are holding value well, but PRS is starting to weaken quite considerably. Might find a Vela :)

[@ESP77769]

If someone is doing fine financially, why would that person even consider selling something that is important to a person??Sell a lawnmower or something. Don't sell something if you don't have to, or re-consider how much music means to a person. There are people out there struggling to make ends meet, and don't have food...

[@KevinHGoDawgs]

I knew that once Reverb became the main platform for buying and selling used instruments, it would be a disaster. And it is…

[@osman01003]

The root problem is the guitar industry (and music industry). Previously musical instruments were not glorified or lusted after. Other than quality, no one cared. Now the guitar industry has made people addicted to buying and selling instruments.

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

I agree. They a have applied the same principles that social media uses to addict people to things.

[@allena3430]

I'm loading up on 10 top core or wood library PRS guitars. Is this a good idea? 😅 Have 10 top custom 24 core, 10 top 594 double cut, thinking of a 10 top semi hollow next. Also have fender ultra luxe strat, and les paul standard 60s from 2023. Well i didn't have these for investments since i use them but are PRS good ideas? or stick to fender and gibson

[@oldmanlearningguitar446]

A good summary of the thinking of many. Well, at least myself even though my personal finances and guitar collection are at a much lower level than yours.

[@Mountainrock70]

I like your take on all this. I hold 15-20 guitars at a time and don’t need to sell them. But I do sell the ones I find Im just not playing. I only sell them to people I know or other locals someone knows. I will not ship a guitar and have someone like eBay hold the money for ransom!

[@uppertaka]

amazing video.

[@christopherfidler3019]

LOL Used Gear Apocalypse. I'm curious what the analytics are for the pandemic. I know Fender recorded one of it's best year's ever in company history but I wonder what the attachment rate is (how many new players stuck with guitar)

[@fischman26-China]

I stopped selling on Facebook. Getting almost no response. The few people responding were offering trade in prices. But no worries, I pretty much don't need anything right now. I usually sell and then buy.

[@graybryan9521]

I agree. I'm in the US, it's a large market but as you say, it's a soft market price-wise at the moment and I find that increased shipping costs make it just not worth it for me. I already have all the guitars that I want. If it was as easy to sell guitars as it used to be, I have a few guitars that I could sell. It's just not worth it through. I could use the space. I can't play all of my guitars all the time so I could sell a few, but it's no longer worth it. The shipping cost increases are what I noticed first and then when you don't have the same pricing ability, I can't absorb part of the shipping cost in the price. I only ship USPS Express (2 day). It's convenient (they come to my door) and they take better care of the guitars in shipping. I can pay for it all online and set up the pickup online. I only use Ebay as it's just more convenient for me. I used to be able to list and sell a guitar in a couple of days and have it picked up the next day and be paid that same day. Now it's just a hassle, expensive and I have less pricing flexibility (even though I keep the shipping boxes and have packing materials). If I reduce the price too much, why sell? I've bought and sold enough guitars now so that everything I have I do like (or I would have sold it). I don't look at it as an investment (it is of course to a degree). It's just a fun hobby and it does take up a certain amount of space. It used to be easy to list and sell and now it's not.

[@joenickel2371]

You are wrong. The guitar industry was saturated in guitars before the economy collapsed. You will never profit from your guitars in the future. Sell now at a loss, buy silver, and next year you can buy them all back at half what you sold them for. Though you still won't make anything. Only silver owners will be eating food. They will not spend it on luxuries. It takes 2 generations to repair an economy this bad. Stocks, Bitcoin great choice if you want to lose everything. Trading tools of theft, for tools of theft, to increase your primary tools of theft is what got us in this mess.

[@tidepoolbay]

As Always, Nice Work! WooF!!🐶🐶

[@zachsmith3376]

Newcsubscriber well said. Netflix stock blows me away, they cut down on password sharing and it went from $356 a share up to $500+. I can't mail a letter within my hometown without it being shipped 100 miles to be processed.

[@impartialobservers7060]

My perspective in the UK, Reverb and eBay is still infested with flippers trying to make their fortune selling old Gibson and Fender guitars. In this market, where retailers are discounting prices, you can buy new cheaper than Reverb. And the good times are not around the corner just waiting for the economy to improve before starting again because those days have gone.

[@zz-.-]

I enjoy your perspective and do agree with assets being a hedge against inflation. I also VERY much agree with your perspective on the stock market and love how you straight up call it a fraud because it is. A speculation casino for gamblers, it’s lost all integrity, yet we are attached to it. So if you try to go “honest” - even at 5/6% t-bills, or even 8-9% dividend yields, you’re barely matching inflation. So that leaves other assets like real estate (also subject to volatility at the moment given your region), jewelry/gold/silver/etc, art, and others like collectible guitars/toys/cars. It seems your perspective is, it’s not worth it to you and your portfolio in terms of the % of allocation, to deal with a soft market and difficulty of selling. I’m in a similar situation and agree with you completely. Are you invested in the US market from Singapore? I for one would enjoy hearing your perspective on financial allocation and portfolio structure given you have retired “abroad” at a young age.

[@dontuckerjr]

Great video. I want to sell some of my guitars and amps because I have the same illness as Peter Frampton and I’m losing my ability to play. However, my doctor has me on an IvIg treatment that may make a difference. Too soon to tell. So the market is forcing me to hold off and maybe that’s a good thing. What if I actually start getting better? That would be awesome. You are young. Hang in there. The market will change.👍

[@paulmcilroy7508]

I wish you the very best in your attempt to reverse your disease. I am 70 and only hope I can stay healthy longer. Good luck bro!

[@darkgardener9577]

Same story with a lot of people right now, leaner times are making things tighter for many sellers in luxury item markets. Not really surprising guitars/music instruments are feeling it.

[@garyt3hsna1l82]

My own gear quest is one hold until i can get some larger living accommodations as well, I have 5 guitars but i would buy 5 more in a heartbeat if i had a larger wall or additional room for a dedicated studio space. I think as the housing crisis in america is adressed we will see increased demand for recreational activities like music, gaming, and other craft hobbies like wood and metal working many people currently do not have the money or space to invest in.

[@Hankboomer]

Excellent épisode, I sold a Dean dimebag last month … after fees and everything .. it was not a huge deal for me .. but what a headache.. but I needed space .. then I decided to sell one acoustic and one Les Paul .. for some cash .. and this is something we can discuss .. I think it is worth selling some instruments to generate passive income .. bitcoin mining could potentially makes you recoupe in 2 years and get profit only afterwards .. it could make sense.. but I see you point .. selling guitars is always heart breaking

[@paulmcilroy7508]

A guitar is a guitar.....bitcoin is nothing. A fool's game.

[@Hankboomer]

@@paulmcilroy7508 a guitar is indeed a guitar.. this is agree.. for the rest you got it wrong since 2009 I am afraid

[@user-pr8op7px7f]

I have 7 ESP Ltd and an M-1. I love my guitars and never plan on parting with them.

[@dumbguy9386]

I have stopped selling guitars for most of the reasons here. There's only one guitar I want going forward because i have the rest: Les Paul Custom. But that will be a dew years in the future.

[@23jameslow]

What is that mono guitar case behind you?

[@shadoobie]

Definitely a buyers market right now.

[@alfsmith4936]

It always has been.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I have 6 Ibanez RGs, building a 7th, I also have a Schecter C-7 Diamond Series 7-string, which i am considering selling, but I would never sell my Ibanez guitars, my Ibanez SR405EQM 5 string bass, Mexican Fender Jazz Bass or Fender acoustic/electric (my dad bought me the acoustic, and helped me get the Jazz Bass $180+ off), I am too attached to them.

[@juanvaldez5422]

On Reverb… they have changed standard on seller requirements. The are giving the seller a MONTH to ship before they will bother helping you ! Why would they do this ? It will tank the business. It’s not safe for buyers anymore . I have personally dealt with this . Thank goodness it was a lower priced item and not a 3k dollar guitar … but beware . Reverb is dead .

[@Gene_Cali]

With guitars of old, we paid for basically for hand craftsmanship, which was hit and miss. Now CNC machines pump out near identical instruments by the thousands. People want customs, exclusives, and Relics, which frankly look like you don't know how to take care of a guitar. :o) If you do not connect with a Instrument you purchased, that should become quickly apparent, and addressed. It's all about creating art, and Bob Ross does not keep the paint brushes he cannot use. 🤔🎨

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

I don't understand why someone would buy a new guitar that is made to look old and beat up. I love a new looking guitar.

[@StevenC44]

Ministry of Guitar fix collar challenge (impossible)

[@aprilreed9932]

Thank you for validating my decision to keep my second stratocaster. lol

[@DE-GEN-ART]

ive been telling people not to sell for years now [unless you are in a crisis] especially if you got gibsons and prs, the shit that sells for over 1k used

[@buckfifty-two-thousand8640]

I put the mojo in all my guitars… I do not give my mojo away

[@huntermediaphotography]

Slick guitars and Harley Benton are your new waaaay less expensive alternative to any $3000 American made Gibson or Fender guitars Also don’t knock Japanese made guitars very solid made and outstanding sound and quality and workmanship. For less in a 4th of the price.

[@BrentAdams]

I picked a Heritage over Gibson yras ago when I was looking at the ES-175 style of guitar.....that I thought I HAD to have! LOL! I ended up selling it a few years down the line, but the Heritage was so much nicer than the Gibson....and a lot less expensive at the time. In the 1990's

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Buy a guitar to enjoy playing guitar Sell a guitar if you give up or feel you no longer need it Accept you’ll lose money when you sell anything used - to think you won’t is delusional Try enjoying the guitar for what it is than some kind of weird commodity

[@pjuliano9000]

The people that bought Amazon when it was beaten down or when Apple was beaten down, made a lot of money. Both stocks had a period of two years in which they were completely dead. The valuation did not match up to reality, but somehow Wall Street was neglecting what was displayed on the balance sheets, those who could see this disparity made lots of money

[@WZRDbatzinger]

Wise-man!

[@expatguitarist]

Nice video. This is not a criticism at all but one should factor in positional perspective. You are at an age that you have explored hundreds of guitars, purchased, bought, and sold. You have more guitars currently than you could play in an average day. You are also speaking from a position of economic privilege where you do not have to buy or sell. You are fortunate. Again, this is not criticism, and there is nothing wrong with what you said, except that it might not apply to people less fortunate or younger musicians who do not have as much equipment. By the way, I live in SG too and I'm trying to sell an amp that no one is buying :)

[@konradhof7318]

I still feel like asking prices on used guitars are very high. Maybe sellers just have unreasonable ideas about how much they can get for their used items.

[@bobdelair02]

I see your perspective... but, space is not free either.. The pandemics, despite for being profitable if you own a big guitar collection, hopefully will not repeat.. so maybe the market is normalizing (not taking into account (local) economic situation)

[@huntermediaphotography]

Reverb is only dead if you are selling guitars. Reverb is great if you are buying pre-owned guitars, amps and other music gear.

[@AlanW]

Waited a bit to put this one out, or did you say March when you meant May? 😆

[@ministryofguitar]

Haha don’t I know it

[@jagarkapten]

You make good points. However, selling stuff you dont need, and buy Bitcoin instead will probably be an even better deal right now. Just my 5 cents (or sats).

[@davedavid7061]

in my area, guitars are not selling on FB marketplace. Ive had a Fender Ultra Jazzmaster listed on and off for about a year. No interest in it. Ive seen the same 2022 Gibson LP Standard on here for $1750 for over a year.

[@juanvaldez5422]

Same , I’m in the Nashville area . A guitar super hub and nothing moving unless you give it away . And I’m not going to do that

[@davedavid7061]

@@juanvaldez5422 same, dudes are messaging if I would trade for an electric scooter or something

[@alfsmith4936]

@@juanvaldez5422 That's always been the case.

[@Scott__C]

If you're buying already thinking about selling it, just don't buy it. The Fender and Gibson thing is just over hype. There's no magic in inanimate objects, no matter when they were made. Buy what you like and use it.

[@billymurphy3]

You don’t have the right inanimate objects if yours don’t contain magic

[@Scott__C]

@@billymurphy3 If there's any magic to be had, it's in the player's hands, not a guitar.

[@derekwright5564]

I think that there is guitars that just sound better. Aka Magic!! I have 2 les pauls that are exactly the same besides paint color but 1 sounds better even though the other 1 has the look of a les paul that I always wanted but just doesnt sound as good.

[@Scott__C]

@@derekwright5564 It's really just math and physics.

[@derekwright5564]

@@Scott__C you sure taught me bud. I am so glad a genuis like you was here to show me the right path. Gfys

[@yayayaokoksure]

I can save you 10+ minutes: buy low, sell high. I know! How profound!

[@nellayema2455]

That's it in a nutshell. I only pay retail if a guitar is limited and I can't wait. I know I'll likely take a hit if I have to sell it. Otherwise, I only buy if I can get a good discount. I don't buy guitars as an investment, but if I buy right, there's a good chance that I'll be OK if I have to sell it. In the meantime, I simply enjoy the thing.

[@JTSunriseMusic]

Every player needs at least 20 guitars at minimum. Buy them and improve and maintain them to play them. Buy only good playing and sounding guitars and you will love them forever. A good playing and sounding instrument will always be desired. Forget about the neoliberalism part

[@Halfaloaf599]

They are guitars, instruments, tools for the musician. Not stock market portfolios. This is absolutely insane. You clearly aren’t a musician.

[@songsabai3794]

I 've owned a 63' Gibson SG since I was 12yrs old, I'm 59 now...perfect condition. How much is it worth?

[@riffsnoleads]

it's only worth something to whoever you can scam into buying it.

[@josephfarina9743]

Search google and find real guitar dealers selling vintage gibsons, then take 25% off their asking price and that's probably the top of what you can expect.

[@paulmcilroy7508]

Watch the Bonamassa story where his 63 SG he had is now being reproduced. Should give you an idea on todays values. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWm7k6Cii8mGqJosi=sKIIP69uQcW--pen

[@spudwashington3880]

I just buy Gibsons , and I play them hard a scratch them i use them as the tool they are and when I’m done with a guitar even beat up , it will still be worth something. I refuse to buy anything but a Gibson Or American Fender, I be owned all the other crap in the past . ESP, Kramer, Charvele ,Deans, many good guitars on the market, But they don’t hold value. Not worth it to me

[@macrosense]

If the stock market crashes quite a few people may sell guitars they had hoarded

[@jamesbarrick3403]

It seems to me that you think guitars will fare better than all of the other collectibles during a financial crisis. I think you are horribly wrong. I would wager that your fear of selling into a soft market will prove to be a bad decision AFTER you watch and endure that true falling value. All collectibles do far worse than stocks or real estate during a financial downfall. This is a fact you will learn soon.

[@govindadiscodancer6652]

The month is May

[@geneevans7885]

This is the best time to buy a used guitar.

[@thevagabond8978]

Feeverb has become so greedy. Shipping is going up too

[@tymanngruter1808]

Onley the Fender signature (not all) are the new classics IMO! Do you think so, please inform me? 🤔🥳

[@alfsmith4936]

There are too many and got too limited a market to be good investments in the long term.

[@tubularbill]

Certain brands will hold their value - Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Martin, Taylor, maybe PRS but that’s about it. Sell the rest.

[@RahulSharma-ry2pg]

Correct this is the time to buy 😂

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

Reverb is one of the worst and most overpriced marketplaces known to man.

[@user-tx1ec9wb1z]

Sounds like you're in a position to have some kids and teach them to play guitar.

[@O0O0OO0OO0OOO0]

Anyone ever tell you that you may be a bit narcissistic?

[@paldri]

bidenomics 👏🏼👏🏼

[@user-kz5cw2gj3w]

The era of guitars is ending. AI will kill it off completely. Why bother to take the time to learn to play when you can simple learn to make whole songs on Suno, as an example...

[@Ira88881]

If you don’t know the difference, you’re not a player.

[@DoobTube71]

The guitar and gear market is collapsing, due to BIDENOMICS! Everyone who bought gear during the COVID pandemic at high prices is now stuck with gear worth about 40% to 60% less.

[@bluzikmusic]

You must meet my wife! I'm trying to sell two guitars so that I can buy another. I have enough cash and crypto profits to not need the money but space is a slight issue and my non-musical wife doesn't understand why I need the nine guitars I have let alone buy a tenth!

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Buy a guitar to enjoy playing guitar Sell a guitar if you give up or feel you no longer need it Accept you’ll lose money when you sell anything used - to think you won’t is delusional Try enjoying the guitar for what it is than some kind of weird commodity