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Post by andyhowell on Dec 24, 2015 8:08:21 GMT
I've always wondered about some of stratospheric prices of some makers. I appreciate there is an issue about supply and demand but then fashion ands trends must always come into play here. There seems to me to be a law of diminishing returns when we look at price versus sound quality. I can see what a Sobel may be worth its base price on both sound and quality and build and finish. But some guitars make Sobel's look cheap and from the (admittedly) few occasions I have been exposed to these I often finding myself wondering what all the fuss is about.
Browsing the web this morning I noticed that — at Dream Guitars — there is some pretty hefty discounting going on with some models. I guess some of these are not that easy to shift.
Thoughts team?
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Post by scripsit on Dec 24, 2015 8:14:28 GMT
I don't want to derail this thread, but can I just say here that I have always thought that the pointy bit on the headstock of Somogyi guitars looks positively dangerous.
Kym
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Post by jonnymosco on Dec 24, 2015 11:18:40 GMT
I always thought that Dream Guitars had a good mix of vintage, luthier-built and rare guitars at cheaper prices than we have over here and it just makes good business sense to have a sale every now and again.
I just had a look and surprised to see a Kostal reduced though - I thought that would be easy to shift given that his list is closed and that they are sought after.
Sobell has a low presence on the internet, at guitar fairs, doesn't make his prices widely known and I feel gets overshadowed by the American makers in the UK. I think the market for a used Sobell is as 'buoyant' though as for those guitars from across the pond.
Market forces influence the price of these high-end guitars. And to be honest, I've only played one (out of many) that was so rubbish (for the price, 15K, too experimental) that even the seller knocked the price down by half on the spot to clear it, which he didn't.
Those Somogyis demand high prices for many reasons, the main one being that they redefine what a guitar can be - my favourite guitar I have ever played is an MD a friend owns, words can't describe it.
Jonny
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Post by andyhowell on Dec 29, 2015 11:11:15 GMT
I was being a bit provocative Jonny!
I've never played a bad Sobell and me they have fabulous sound and tend to represent value for money! But some of the more stratospheric prices do make me wonder whether — however good the guitar — you are paying for fashion/exclusivity! Mind you, Sobell's are not the easiest of guitars to play and I suspect you have to work hard to bring out their undoubted qualities.
As for Somogyis, ti would be nice to experience one once!
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Post by dobro on Dec 29, 2015 12:55:45 GMT
I guess guitars cost what the market is willing to pay. But I don't see myself selling my house to buy e.g. a Traugott. Too many affordable great guitars out there..
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Post by allthumbs on Jan 2, 2016 11:50:13 GMT
$26,500 for a guitar. Crikey.That's £18,500 at today's exchange rates. What happens if you turn up to collect one, play it and decide it's not really that good? Are such things aimed more at 'collectors' than musicians? Would anyone consider taking it out of the house to play a gig? Sounds like the musical equivalent of a Holtey plane. With so many people chasing 'vintage' guitars, it's a wonder anyone shells out such a lot of money for a guitar which 'apparently' won't sound any good for at least 20 years.
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Andy P
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Post by Andy P on Jan 2, 2016 11:53:11 GMT
It's all about supply and demand. As long as there are rich folk out there willing to pay up, prices will ride high accordingly. It's all *******s If the dealers and makers can't sell them at those prices, that can only be a good thing for everyone else.
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Post by allthumbs on Jan 2, 2016 12:43:28 GMT
Having watched many of the factory tour videos on you tube, I can see why Martin guitars (for example) sell well and also why there is a premium included in the price to account for the value of the 'brand'. Quality control is worth paying for - especially with mail order. The try before you buy days seem to be an increasing thing of the past.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Jan 6, 2016 5:23:35 GMT
Try buying a professional standard violin, £18,500 is cheap in that market.
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