Price Point Definitions

[Gearjoneser]

I figured we could have a topic about Price points and how manufacturers label their pricing. For guitars, here's my definition, whether it's accurate or not.
I'd consider $150 - $250 "entry level"
$250-$500 low line
$550-$1200 mid line
$1300-$2500 high end
$2500 + "investment grade"

Also, any input from guitar store employees would be helpful, regarding "A stock, B stock, C stock. Basically, the percentages between wholesale and retail. Especially, if you know which brands have a low cost, and which have a high dealer cost....ie Mesa Boogie, Gibson etc.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Price Point Definitions

Good stratification, GJ. The only difference I would make would be to end the midline at $1000 instead of $1200.

Maybe cut the midline category in half, i.e. lower midline and higher midline.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Price Point Definitions

Hehe ...
Under $2k, don't bother
$2k +, should be okay ...

I'M JOKING!!!!

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Price Point Definitions

i would bump up entry level too cause of what i paid for my first guitar which was a fender standard strat at 300 dollars. otherwise i like it.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Price Point Definitions

For me, it's more like this:

Guitars
< $400: Budget
$400-1000: Midrange
$1000+: Top Shelf

I have fewer classes of guitars for a couple reasons. First, that's just the way I look at guitars. They're cheap enough that I don't worry too much, I worry a little, or I'm looking for something very nice. These days, I don't look too much in the midrange 'cause if it's worth spending that much, I'm generally willing and able to go top shelf. I have a couple of instruments whose price tags put them in GJ's "investment grade" category but I schelp 'em around in gig bags just like anything else. I just don't think of any of my gear as an investment that might yield financial returns.

Amps
<$200: Entry Level
$250-400: Budget
$400-1200: Midrange
$1200-2400: High End
$2400+: Booteek

I see a bit more stratification in amps than guitars. For entry level stuff, I think of amps like the Roland Cube 15: definitely not bad but low power and somewhat limited in features. Budget amps have more power and features but may or may not be gig-worthy. Midrange amps for me have enough power, tone, and functionality for them to be effective in band situations. High-end amps have additional functionality or at least premium branding (e.g., Rivera or Soldano). Booteek amps are just that: limited availability units, often using more exotic construction or materials.

 

[Artie]

Re: Price Point Definitions

I think I would lean towards aleclee's classifications more. I would consider a $400-$500 guitar midrange. Especially with the quality that some inexpensive guitars are hitting these days.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Price Point Definitions

I'm trying to remember the clear definition of A stock, B stock.....it has to do with what percentage of retail the wholesale price is. Anyone know this scale?

 

[bert123]

Re: Price Point Definitions

And the $50 to $75 Chinese S*caster copies you get on eBay - Fancy Firewood

A fwe reviews I found about them at Harmony central said: even once prperly intonated that fretted notes were not in tune thus chords sound awful.

 

[lastwinj]

Re: Price Point Definitions

$150 - $250 "entry level"
$250-$699 low line
$700-$1499 mid line
$1500-$5000 high end
$5000 + "investment grade"

thats the breakdown for me.

germ

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Price Point Definitions

$150 - $250 "entry level"
$250-$699 low line
$700-$1499 mid line
$1500-$5000 high end
$5000 + "investment grade"

thats the breakdown for me.

germ

wait a second, you can get an american strat for $699 new some places around here, not many, but that is your low line? and i just had a custom guitar made that is in your midrange. That breakdown just seems a little odd to me.

 

[Grandor]

Re: Price Point Definitions

hmm.

$150 - $300 - Entry Level
$301 - $500 - Low Line
$501 - $1000 - Mid Line
$1001 - $2000 - High End
$2001 + - Investment Grade

Thats My breakdown

 

[Artie]

Re: Price Point Definitions

One quick note: I'm not sure why folks are starting at $150. You can get a Squier Strat for $99, a Kramer Focus for $80, and a wide selection from Rondo Music in the $100 range, all of which are "decent" guitars. At least, "entry level".

Artie

Edit: Almost forgot, my beloved Johnson Strat in my sig. ($98 - $120)

 

[Imp]

Re: Price Point Definitions

guitars... im in UK:

anything below £200- entry level
£200-400- lower midrange
£400-650- upper midrange
£650-1400-top-end
>£1400- investment/high end custom

 

[strat_master]

Re: Price Point Definitions

HOw would that apply to gibson though? For me a LP studio costs honestly 1500 in canada. So can i consider the studio to be a high end guitar? I actually do agree with your price ranges though gearjoneser. Most entry level guitars are at the most 500. Anythign exceeding that is a mid level guitar. Speaking of which all i own is low line guitars haha

 

[Grandor]

Re: Price Point Definitions

HOw would that apply to gibson though? For me a LP studio costs honestly 1500 in canada. So can i consider the studio to be a high end guitar? I actually do agree with your price ranges though gearjoneser. Most entry level guitars are at the most 500. Anythign exceeding that is a mid level guitar. Speaking of which all i own is low line guitars haha

err. I was talking in USD.

 

[matt99camero]

Re: Price Point Definitions

I guess mine would go
$0-$200 lower leval
$201-$400 lower mid leval
$401-$800 upper mid leval
$800-$1500 high end
$1500-< something I can't afford for a very long time

 

[danglybanger]

Re: Price Point Definitions

<200- budget
200-400- lower mid
400-600- as much as I'll pay for just about anything! Still feel guilty for paying $500 for my Jap Jag... especially considering it's only useful on certain occasions- (one where I need a stellar clean tone... it IS stellar however... almost orgasmic. no substitute when that sound is needed, so I suppose I should work harder to justify it to myself)
600- I'll feel ripped off no matter how good of a guitar it is
dan

 

[B2D]

Re: Price Point Definitions

I think the lines can blur a little bit between guitar brands too. For instance Schecter makes GREAT guitars for 500... I'd opt for a Schecter over a Fender at the same price point.

Out of my MAJOR peices of gear, on GJ's scale I own one low-line guitar (with $200 of mods on it), and one mid line (1200) guitar. my own personal scale would run pretty much the same as his except I'd make $600-$1000 the mid line range ands start the high end line at $1100.

 

[Forbes]

Re: Price Point Definitions

guitars... im in UK:

anything below £200- entry level
£200-400- lower midrange
£400-650- upper midrange
£650-1400-top-end
>£1400- investment/high end custom

I would agree.

 

[FenderBoy]

Re: Price Point Definitions

Not to knock anybody but I think that the point needs to be made that the only way that there is an investment grade instrument (guitar) is if there are people willing to "pay" for them. Many big guitar companies have taken decades to establish themselves as the premier instrument maker. I personally think that most people cannot tell the differenece between a high-end low grade guitar, take a MIM Strat or Tele for example, that has quality pickups and a nice set-up through a quality amp versus a high-end high grage guitar through the same amp.

As long as the player is comfortable with it the axe it is fine. In the next few years there are gonna be a lot of people with a $2,000+ Les Paul that is gathering dust in their closet or what have you. They will probably be thinking that they were sitting on the next incarnation of Jimmy Page's No 1, but that isn't so.

That being said I've play a few guitars that were about $2000, and a lot of them are really sweet. There are a few keepers out there but for the most part people are paying for the naem on the headstock. Me , and maybe some others, would be better off spending Less than $1000 on a guitar and save the rest for lessons and pratice space.