Rio Grande slight disappointment + price/marketing thread

[Xeromus]

I am primarily a Seymour Duncan user and feel they make the best pickups out there, especially humbuckers. But I like Rio Grande's offerings for single coils. I have the Big Bottom set in my Tele and I LOVE them. The thing I thought they had going for them was their price vs. quality ratio. I got the Tele set for $100, which I felt was a good deal for such good pickups. I have a Schecter fat strat and was going to put in two tallboys and a muy grande humbucker. The singles were around $50 each, okay, but the Muy Grande was $110. What? Duncan's humbuckers retail for around 65-70. I had orginally made that choice between I wanted to put in two rails pickups and a distortion, and the rails are more expensive than standard HB's so I figured I'd try out Rios in a strat and save a little money at the same time.

To make a long story short, I'm putting Duncans in the guitar instead. I know what I like with Duncan, they are priced right, and the quality is there.

So, pricing and marketing DOES make a difference Duncan dudes, thanks!

Rio Grande being a less known entity would profit more by selling their pickups cheaper, not more expensive than the big names. It's a fact, they just lost a sale due to it.

[jeremy]

Re: Rio Grande slight disappointment + price/marketing thread

i think they are trying to walk the line between the boutique guys and the bigger production outfits, not all that successfully imo. decent pups though

[Mac-P]

Re: Rio Grande slight disappointment + price/marketing thread

Rio is a much smaller outfit than Duncan. Duncan can afford to keep prices lower while still keeping profit margins high by the sheer volume of the pieces they sell.

I've often wondered how a small company like Rio Grande stays in business in the shadow of huge companies like Duncan & DiMarzio. They are nice guys, really care about guitar sound, are very helpful, and make a great product. They deserve to make a living like anyone else, so the price is what it is.

Personally I think the Rios I own are worth every cent. And the fact that a Duncan JB or Pearly Gates (or any model you like) can be had for such a low price (comparatively speaking) is a steal.

[Xeromus]

Re: Rio Grande slight disappointment + price/marketing thread

Rio is a much smaller outfit than Duncan. Duncan can afford to keep prices lower while still keeping profit margins high by the sheer volume of the pieces they sell.

I've often wondered how a small company like Rio Grande stays in business in the shadow of huge companies like Duncan & DiMarzio. They are nice guys, really care about guitar sound, are very helpful, and make a great product. They deserve to make a living like anyone else, so the price is what it is.

Personally I think the Rios I own are worth every cent. And the fact that a Duncan JB or Pearly Gates (or any model you like) can be had for such a low price (comparatively speaking) is a steal.

good point, and I agree with your sentiment on both Rio and Duncan