Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

B

BloodRose

Professional Scapegoat
I see in the new MF catalog where there is a gorgeous Quilt top private reserve PRS "on sale" for only $9999.99. Really? Ill take two.... Um...... Is a guitar really worth this kind of dough? I figure this is something for collectors and not actual players. Im sure this is NOT something you would take on the road and definately not take to club gigs.. Ive played some pricey guitars, (up to about $5k) and IMO, it seems once you get to a certain price point, the rest is just ornamentation. Am I wrong? I mean, does a $10k reliced artist copy of a LP play any better than a good $2500 standard? The most expensive guitar Ive ever played was one of the EVH striped guitar replicas that was $25k. It was really cool knowing that it was almost like "the man's" axe that created a million licks.. But I surely wouldnt take it anywhere and was not even very comfy playing it cuz of the price. And it sure didnt play or feel any better than my Charvels.

So, Just wanted to toss this out there and see if Im missing something when it comes to these high dollar axes, or if my thoughts are normal. Again, I know the diff tween a Squier and a USA fender, but some of the lower dollar brands like Squier, epi, LTD are perfectly gig worthy.
Discuss amongst yourselves..
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

I've seen some very nice Private Stock models out there, in fact Mrs of Arabia buys me the PRS Private Stock calendar every year - this months' is a very nice McCarty with a natural finish zebrawood top on it. Is it worth it? I'm not entirely sure, but I wouldn't hesitate to play one out if I thought it was the right guitar for the job.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

It's something to show off in my opinion. I'd rather use the $$$ on something I'll use not hang up and stare at.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

There are collectors and there are players. I once had a decent number of guitars but I wouldn't say I was a collector. Now down to 6 electrics that range from cheap to quite expensive. They all sound and play great and whilst there is a difference in materials, overall build quality and finish, it's not really relative to the cost of the guitars. I'm happy to gig any and do, no case queens looking pretty and being totally babied, all get played out through the year.... I'm just a little more choosy where and when I play the more costly ones.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

Without opening up another dead-horse dialogue about 'high-end' vs. 'budget' guitars (where there is unfortunately a great deal of mis-information and myth propagated) its useful to remember that guitars are also a collectors product. Both for investment and pleasure. Guitars like this aren't being marketed to the average player (not even to the $2K-$4k working player). Its healthy, enjoyable and hopefully profitable for any reputable company to be able to design / manufacture a unique 'collector' grade guitar. Its good for the market, the vendors, all of us. Diversity in the market is good.

Cheers and respect,

RG
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

That **** is for lawyers and midlife crisis types. You know, the dudes that buy Lambos and Ferrari's.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

Remember, price is what someone is willing to pay. If someone would rather have that PRS than $10K in their pocket, they'll buy it. Also, beautiful wood is rare, and these guitars are more craftsman objects than pure instruments.

I was asking this question in my Diminishing Returns thread. I think we all understand that there are changes that affect tone, changes that affect playability and changes that affect appearance. Some of those presentation Taylor's are gorgeous, but you know they play and sound pretty much like a 700 or 800 series guitar.

That EVH guitar is a pure collector's item. If Gibson can put out Les Pauls that copy Billy Gibbons instrument, Fender could certainly do the same with that guitar. It's all about the notoriety of that specific guitar and the fact they think they can sell it at that price. (Makes you wonder what the real Frankenstrat would pull at auction)
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

PFDarkside; .... (Makes you wonder what the real Frankenstrat would pull at auction)[/QUOTE said:
I would guess around a million+
PC
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Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

To me, it's like people who aren't deep into the automotive hobby b1tching about a guy who buys one of these instead of sensible transportation like a Camry.

MathesonCar1911Nethercutt.JPG
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

I think the answer to your question is contained in the Jol Dantzig quote in your sig.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

Was just talking about how overpriced some guitars are over on TGP, which as you guys know is a lost cause.

I think the boutique and vintage market for guitars is crazy! the elitism does not help

Make music and don't worry about what country your guitar was made...

FWIW I have owned and played several boutique and vintage guitars and have settled on a 350 dollar guitar as my main (used mind you)

Great sounds can be had with all gear and like your signature some of the best records were made with bad amps and cheap guitars that would not stay in tune!
 
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Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

After playing some high end stuff, I only get frustrated that the same level of detail is not applied to the production line models. Keep all of your cosmetic add ons. Give me a plain guitar with a correct neck joint, good pickups, good bridge, and killer fret job. Gibson, I'm looking at you... The high end Gibson stuff plays amazing, and is apparently consistent. If you're spending less than $4k, the quality is random.
PRS, on the other and, seems to be really consistent at all prices, but I've never tried his private stock.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

Not every guitar has to be at a price point everyone can afford. I don't understand the prejudice against people with the means to purchase an instrument in that price range. If I had that kind of money to spend on a guitar, I probably would buy something like that or a Gustavsson instead of a Fender or a Gibson. Because I can.

What's wrong withthat?
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

tubecrunch said:
After playing some high end stuff, I only get frustrated that the same level of detail is not applied to the production line models. Keep all of your cosmetic add ons. Give me a plain guitar with a correct neck joint, good pickups, good bridge, and killer fret job. Gibson, I'm looking at you... The high end Gibson stuff plays amazing, and is apparently consistent. If you're spending less than $4k, the quality is random.
PRS, on the other and, seems to be really consistent at all prices, but I've never tried his private stock.
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that's exactly what my aim is at my shop. Sorry to hijack this thread a bit but this is precisely what I'm talking about all along. Omit the redundancy, maintain excellence. Seems so hard for so many companies. Just good woods, good pickups, good construction. If you want a diamond-grade top, fine. But even then: a superb quilt top costs around 600 bucks. It's not worth 6000!
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

Agileguy_101 said:
Not every guitar has to be at a price point everyone can afford. I don't understand the prejudice against people with the means to purchase an instrument in that price range. If I had that kind of money to spend on a guitar, I probably would buy something like that or a Gustavsson instead of a Fender or a Gibson. Because I can.

What's wrong withthat?
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I can't speak for someone else but my issue is that the prices are so heavily inflated. The guitar the T.S. mentions, sure a superb quilttop will set you back. But not a couple thousand! A nice top is a couple of hunderd bucks. A rosewood neck is around 100 bucks. An ebony board is around 50 bucks. The bare woods, in their supreme form, will be around 1000. A regular guitar will be around 100. The operations the luthier has to do to make those timbers a guitar are the same. Literally. So where does the price tag of 10k come from, versus 2k? That's seriously over 7000 bucks of pure, sheer profit.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

orpheo said:
So where does the price tag of 10k come from, versus 2k? That's seriously over 7000 bucks of pure, sheer profit.
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LOL!

I can't be sure (reading a post) but it reads like you say that as if that much profit is a bad thing or that somehow it relates to these companies 'sticking to the consumer' and laughing all the way to the bank. Despite what the cynics and victim minded musicians shout from the rooftops, its not like a group of 'execs' get together and say hmmm..."I wonder how many completely unassuming' rich idiots we can get to buy this guitar? "Its pure profit.... Muuhahahahahahhahhhaaaaa"....! These companies make far more money in their entry level and mid-priced guitars.The 7k (arbitrary) is in collectors value. That 7k will always be in that guitar and will get passed along to the next buyer. Only a reputable company can do this. Most men or women I know who spend 10K on a new guitar like this have a genuine understanding of their finances and know how to manage their wealth. It is not an uneducated purchase. Value is value, whether in raw materials or perception. We see this daily with boutique pedals. On the other hand I do not know of a single professional peer who would buy a guitar like this for day to day work. 3k-5k for something custom, sure. Either way, 'profit' is an indicator of intrinsic and perceived value. No margin, no mission.

Guitar 'value' is never based on function alone.

tubecrunch said:
After playing some high end stuff, I only get frustrated that the same level of detail is not applied to the production line models. Keep all of your cosmetic add ons. Give me a plain guitar with a correct neck joint, good pickups, good bridge, and killer fret job. Gibson, I'm looking at you... The high end Gibson stuff plays amazing, and is apparently consistent. If you're spending less than $4k, the quality is random.
PRS, on the other and, seems to be really consistent at all prices, but I've never tried his private stock.
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^^^
My PRS is a great example of a high-end build guitar. I didn't set out to spend a bundle but rather my own currents needs and standards dictated what I would settle for. It turned out that it cost a particular amount. The guitar is valued far beyond the asking price in my opinion simply based on what I can do with it and how well it is built. I remember early on...'back in the day' my wife and I saved, compromised and made sacrifices for an entire year so I could buy my first National Style O. We went without other 'stuff'. We saved again a few years later for my first Japanese Gretsch. Both were equivalent to buying a 5K guitar today. We all make decisions based on what is important to us. There are no exceptions.

Cheers and respect,

RG
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

They do some crazy **** with Private Stock: mammoth ivory inlays and other unobtaniun details. The PS program was originally a "build your dream guitar" kind of deal--true "custom shop" stuff. Sadly, it's morphed into dealers ordering blinged-out guitars built on spec instead of to spec.
 
Re: Big money guitars? IE PRS Private reserve etc..

If i won the lottery i would buy some as collector/decoration pieces. But id have to have millions and millions before id spend 10k on a guitar...unless it was a languedoc. Then id just have to have maybe 1 million, lol.
 
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