Is it worth to give 1000$+ for an Indonisian or MIM guitar ? Remember the past !!

[Benjy_26]

Dont forget that the people who run companies for stockholders and corporate owners are paid not just to keep making money every month and every year but to keep increasing the rate at which they are making money, in perpetuity, every month and every year. So its not just the mean old guitar companies that are doing this, but rather it is the very nature of being paid to make money for people who arent actually doing any of the work. You are there to multiply money over time, not build guitars. Corporate mentality would sell you a box of air if they could.

Mean old guitar companies aren't doing it. Players are doing it.

 

[Benjy_26]

By continuing to buy from the mean old guitar companies?

By consuming what we're given. Companies have historically given players what they want. Look T the re-introduction of the single cut Les Paul when the SG wasn't moving. If we keep buying $1k Chineseum products, why would they stop selling them?

 

[Benjy_26]

I dont know about anyone else, but I can buy only so much, and I can buy only what is available and what I feel comfortable gambling on. Right now, that means no used guitars from the Internet and nothing outside of channels with strong buyer protections. So I shut myself out of a lot of what would otherwise be available. When I look at guitars, I am mostly looking at new instruments. That doesnt mean I think every new guitar is something I should consider. I vote for a few, but I vote against many, many more.

I haven't looked at a brand new guitar in literal years. There's a few that get my attention, but there's a LOT of cool, used gear out there that's not hard to get my hands on and that I can flip/return if need be.

 

[Benjy_26]

Sometimes I sense bad mojo from used guitars. And I wonder if they are fake or compromised or have hidden problems that could not be easily remedied. Surely I would have more fun per dollar if I were just a little more fearless, but we all balance risk and reward in our own way.

I've been known to buy completely clapped out cars and mountain bikes, rebuild them, then race them. I guess my penchant for used gear sort of stems from that.

 

[nexion218]

By consuming what we're given. Companies have historically given players what they want. Look T the re-introduction of the single cut Les Paul when the SG wasn't moving. If we keep buying $1k Chineseum products, why would they stop selling them?

Or made them believe that what they have is what they want. Businesses are not crowdpleasers they are doint it fornthe money. If pissing people off would make them enough money, they'd be doing that. But otherwise agreed: we're buying, so they're selling. But if we weren't, they'd "re-introduce" QC in a whim, just like they did with the LP in your example.

It's tricky game of psychology, methinks. We want to have certain things, but we don't have the funds for it. That would make us non-buyers, which is not desireable from a business point of view. So manufacturers give us something similar at a price we can afford. "Here. It's not quite as great, but if you squint hard enough, you may see it as the real deal. And if you're lucky, it might actually be good, even great" . So we squint and hand over the cash. LOL

Though I totally understand LPB too, I have similar concerns when buying used.

 

[LLL]

I remember in the 70's buying 4 candy bars for a buck.

Now they're two bucks a pop.

Where's the extra value for my extra money?... I say...

 

[LLL]

So manufacturers give us something similar at a price we can afford. "Here. It's not quite as great, but if you squint hard enough, you may see it as the real deal. And if you're lucky, it might actually be good, even great" . So we squint and hand over the cash. LOL

Ah, the entire Guitar Center business model; distilled to its basic essence.

 

[LLL]

Speaking of Gibson prices, in 1989, a Custom Shop (only because left-handed) Les Paul Custom Black Beauty cost $1,600.

 

[Benjy_26]

If you see it in the store right now, thats how you know it is good.

I make 'em bring in used gear for me to try. If I don't pike it, I don't buy it. Simple as.

 

[Blille]

It is said that those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it. So if you would like for MIM Fender prices to return to 1995 levels, the best advice I can give you is, forget about it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Dudeman7]

The guitars Fender is making in Mexico now are so good, I don't think they are necessarily priced out of line. Their QC is the best I remember seeing and they still offer a lot of value to those who don't have thousands to spend on American models.

The guitars and basses coming out of Korea and Indonesia are really impressive nowadays too.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

A '59 sunburst Les Paul Standard originally cost $265.

In 1982 I was ready to buy one for just under $4K, from We Buy Guitars on 48th St.
My then-fiancee talked me into buying her a Celica GT instead. What a chump.

 

[dave74]

Try before you buy or be prepared to cry.

 

[Dudeman7]

Not every MIM Tele I have played is as magical as my AO50s, but when you get a plank that is fairly serious about wanting to be a musical instrument, get some pickups in it you like, and a good setup, you can do some real playing. I have a MIM Deluxe Roadhouse Strat with Yngwie pickups, and a Chinese Modern Player with Texas Specials, and if I sound like ass playing them, its not their fault.

Agreed. However, not all of the American made guitars are magical either. Country of origin alone doesn't guarantee that a guitar is going to be right for an individual.

The gap is closing between domestic and imports, IMO. It used to be a given that you would have to work on an import and probably change pickups and electronics before playing out with it. Now, getting a well set up Player Series from Sweetwater is really easy and those pickups are very similar to what Fender used to use in the American Standards. Pretty much good to go right out of the box.

 

[LRS]

I played two “identical” road worn vintera 50s strats in a local guitar shop last month. One was an absolute lemon, the other had the magic. So I wouldn’t risk buying unseen, but the magical one was a very fine guitar. I must admit that €1150,- is on the steep side for a Mexican Fender in my book, but if you forget the country of origin and you’re in the market for a vintage style Strat (7.25” maple fretboard - V-neck - nitro lacquer) and don’t mind the relic job, these should be high on your wish list.

 

[LRS]

I looked up the Vinteras a little bit. $1,199 is a big-girl price, alright, and Im sure those are very nice, and they are keeping the faith on the vintage specs. That relic job irks me, though. Why do so many companies seem to think that sanding off the edge of the forearm contour like that is the thing to do? To me it just screams cheesy fake relic job. If that irked me enough, it might sway me to come with an extra two bills and get the American Performer.

I hear you. Just saying that without the serial number at the back side on the headstock (spoiling the country of origin), you’d be surprised which one would turn out your favorite guitar ;-)

 

[IMENATOR]

In '95, a MIM strat was what...399USD? If we adjust for inflation, we'd be looking at less than 700 bucks (off the top of my head).

Companies sell their wares for what people will buy them. They're here to make money. Let's not pretend otherwise.

Oh my friend, I wish we had that that amount of inflation in the rest of the world. What was it in 2021 in USA? 4-5 % Only here in Mexico it was 7-8% and the average for the region was 11-12% even taking Venezuela and Agentina out of the equation.

 

[Demanic]

Adjustments for inflation don't take into account marketing.
Sometimes, you price stuff for more than it's worth to make it more appealing, especially if you already have an established brand name. Then you occasionally sell it for less to make folks think that they're getting a good deal.

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[Blille]

Adjustments for inflation don't take into account marketing.
Sometimes, you price stuff for more than it's worth to make it more appealing, especially if you already have an established brand name. Then you occasionally sell it for less to make folks think that they're getting a good deal.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

That would be agnostic of inflation since it’s a multiplier on whatever final price you set.

 

[Open lane]

I purchased a $450 mij 1990s ibanez a couple years back. It wiped the floor with my newer indonesian ibanez's.