Hfan Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 How about the demographics of the guitar buying population itself. I would say the golden age of the guitar or at least when it reached it's height in popularity was the 60s, 70s and maybe into the 80's. When those who picked up a passion for guitar back in those days reached their peak earning years, there was a good demand for guitars. Now as the baby boomer generation begins to retire and thus have less disposable income, or pass on, the pool of buyers is shrinking. This even as manufacturers continue with their current production output levels. Supply and demand. And of course, as has been stated previously, our lovely economy isn't helping matters. And as also stated in previous posts, the cheaper guitars appear to be getting better. The December issue of Guitar Player reviewed 34 guitars for less than $499 new. Some where much less than that. GP raved about quite a few of them, though I take it with a big grain of salt.
JohnCovach Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 I can hardly find anything of interest in Guitar Player any more. Vintage Guitar is the mag I enjoy most.
heritagefan7 Posted January 19, 2012 Author Posted January 19, 2012 1) What does it mean that cheaper guitars are being better made?---better quality materials? More attn to detail in construction? 2) Are there really less people playing guitar, or is the guitar just less in the public eye due to the current trend/popularity of electronicly generated music?.. I think this is interesting in tht Blues/Country/Rock and Roll have (IMO) dominated the western world stage in the last 70 yrs, and in that time--it seems to only have moved progressively forward, exploring new ways to exist---ie, hisotry doesn't seem to have repeated itself yet on the music scene---Ain't nobody bangin out hits on a Harpsicord these days...BUT will it?....Will the 70's, 80's, maybe 90's era of git led music influence pop culture again---OR will we just keep moving in a different direction every generation and see tomorrow's guitar eventually become today's harpsicord?...
Hfan Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 I can hardly find anything of interest in Guitar Player any more. Vintage Guitar is the mag I enjoy most. +1, though I haven't checked out Vintage Guitar, maybe extremly gas inducing though. If I was guitarless and cash strapped though that GP article of cheap new guitars would be a good shopping tool at least.
the jayce Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 1) What does it mean that cheaper guitars are being better made?---better quality materials? More attn to detail in construction? 2) Are there really less people playing guitar, or is the guitar just less in the public eye due to the current trend/popularity of electronicly generated music?.. I think this is interesting in tht Blues/Country/Rock and Roll have (IMO) dominated the western world stage in the last 70 yrs, and in that time--it seems to only have moved progressively forward, exploring new ways to exist---ie, hisotry doesn't seem to have repeated itself yet on the music scene---Ain't nobody bangin out hits on a Harpsicord these days...BUT will it?....Will the 70's, 80's, maybe 90's era of git led music influence pop culture again---OR will we just keep moving in a different direction every generation and see tomorrow's guitar eventually become today's harpsicord?... All instruments have thier time and then they fade into the back ground to new ways of music, unfortunetaly the electric guitar is a sinking ship these days, dont know how long it will take to finish sinking but going under for sure just like pianos and saxaphones,harmonicas, jazz flutes, ect ect ect,,,,,,,, thats probably why gibby made this big move toward electronics recently with that new company they purchased, they probably realize the future bread and butter isnt going to be just guitars anymore. i think there will always be a need for an acoustic guitar, which martin and gibson has that wrapped up forever. I hate to say but if i buy another used heritage it's gonna have to be dirt cheap. I just dont see any future value gains on used heritage guitars, same as carvins, g&l's ect, yes they are great guitars but the loyal customer base is basically non existant in the overall guitar relm. But you ever know, what lays ahead for heritage, all they need is 1 current mainstream guitar god to play thier product and they have a shot at the big time and our guitars will skyrocket in value and popularity. Only problem i see though is the new mainstream dont really use guitars anymore.
Gitfiddler Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 Heritage Resale A Myth?! Buy guitars to play and enjoy them. They are not intended to be investments. Otherwise they'd be made of solid gold.
bolero Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 IMO anyone who buys a new guitar as an investment is nuts. maybe a few of those uber exclusive Gibson custom shop models might go up in value, like the Beano/Allman etc...but I think those are way overpriced marketing scams anyway, for what they are. Clapton/Allman/Beck/Page originally played stock, off the shelf Gibson's...why would you pay that much for one? I'm glad Heritages are at a price point where people can afford to get one...new or used. outstanding value
smurph1 Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 Good post Jack. Couldn't agree with you more! Dang!! He's smart ain't he?
pro-fusion Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Maybe people are coming down from their "Gibson bender" and realizing that a VOS or R-[whatever] reissue isn't really worth $5,000+. As a practical guy, I've found it funny that the reissue Les Pauls are listed way higher than many of the Gibson semi-hollows and jazz boxes that are considerably more difficult and expensive to manufacture. As to the main point, the current market for used guitars in general is very difficult to gauge, if eBay is any indication. It seems like guitars that are either a bit unusual or hard to find still sell quickly and fetch nice prices. But the "average" H-150 doesn't fit that profile, really. And yes, there are a lot of "wishing prices" on eBay...
Spectrum13 Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 It seems like guitars that are either a bit unusual or hard to find still sell quickly and fetch nice prices. But the "average" H-150 doesn't fit that profile, really. And yes, there are a lot of "wishing prices" on eBay... Most of us already have a 150 or three so the hard to find and unusual would be more desirable for an HOC member. 150 and 535 are produced in the largest numbers thus larger supply. It will be interesting to see what happens now that the new Gibsons will have alternative finger boards.
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Most of us already have a 150 or three so the hard to find and unusual would be more desirable for an HOC member. 150 and 535 are produced in the largest numbers thus larger supply. It will be interesting to see what happens now that the new Gibsons will have alternative finger boards. Or three? Nahhhhh..
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 1) What does it mean that cheaper guitars are being better made?---better quality materials? More attn to detail in construction? 2) Are there really less people playing guitar, or is the guitar just less in the public eye due to the current trend/popularity of electronicly generated music?.. I think this is interesting in tht Blues/Country/Rock and Roll have (IMO) dominated the western world stage in the last 70 yrs, and in that time--it seems to only have moved progressively forward, exploring new ways to exist---ie, hisotry doesn't seem to have repeated itself yet on the music scene---Ain't nobody bangin out hits on a Harpsicord these days...BUT will it?....Will the 70's, 80's, maybe 90's era of git led music influence pop culture again---OR will we just keep moving in a different direction every generation and see tomorrow's guitar eventually become today's harpsicord?... The bicycle industry has gone through similar changes-you can get the same quality in a $750 bicycle that used to cost you $1500 for just a few years back. Better production processes, cheaper labor overseas.
Kuz Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Heritage Resale A Myth?! Buy guitars to play and enjoy them. They are not intended to be investments. Otherwise they'd be made of solid gold. I could not agree more. Want an investment then start/contribute to a 401K or IRA. Want an guitar, then buy it and play it.
Hfan Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Maybe people are coming down from their "Gibson bender" and realizing that a VOS or R-[whatever] reissue isn't really worth $5,000+. As a practical guy, I've found it funny that the reissue Les Pauls are listed way higher than many of the Gibson semi-hollows and jazz boxes that are considerably more difficult and expensive to manufacture. As to the main point, the current market for used guitars in general is very difficult to gauge, if eBay is any indication. It seems like guitars that are either a bit unusual or hard to find still sell quickly and fetch nice prices. But the "average" H-150 doesn't fit that profile, really. And yes, there are a lot of "wishing prices" on eBay... There is a guy on another gear forum, kind of a guru there, who used to work in the G brand Custom Shop. He has alluded to the fact that around 30% of the guitars leaving the shop had known issues. They had to keep up with the required output numbers.
Fernando Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 There is a guy on another gear forum, kind of a guru there, who used to work in the G brand Custom Shop. He has alluded to the fact that around 30% of the guitars leaving the shop had known issues. They had to keep up with the required output numbers. Known issues??? That's does not sound very good.
DavesNotHere Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Known issues??? That's does not sound very good. Or as we engineers say "undocumented features"
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 There is a guy on another gear forum, kind of a guru there, who used to work in the G brand Custom Shop. He has alluded to the fact that around 30% of the guitars leaving the shop had known issues. They had to keep up with the required output numbers. People that get fired often tend to hold grudges against the company they worked for....don't believe everything you hear.
Gitfiddler Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 I stopped into a local guitar shop today and met the owner, Sean. He worked for Gibson as a marketing rep for about 8 years. He has no bad words about them, but is obviously glad to be on his own. I chatted with him about the quality of guitars, Heritage, and other stuff, but nothing negative. That is class. Everyone knows bad stories about their former employer. Sean kept the high road. He even spoke very highly about other guitar makers. The highlight of the visit was to play his custom made (Bozeman, MT) jumbo Gibson acoustic. Wow, what a cannon! If I had $3k in my pocket, I would have bought it on the spot. He is all about resale now. I plan on visiting his shop more...and continue to push the Heritage brand on him until he becomes a dealer. He is the kind of professional that would make Heritage proud.
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 22, 2012 Posted January 22, 2012 That is very classy. I worked for the four largest companies in my former industry, and when I left one to go to another, I NEVER bad mouthed the former, I always spoke highly of them. It produced many more positive returns.
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