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Post by oustudent on Apr 19, 2017 13:59:41 GMT
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 19, 2017 14:20:14 GMT
Certainly it's a lot more than I'd be able to justify spending (or would want to spend)on a guitar, but nobody is forcing me to buy it, and I've no doubt it will find a buyer who can justify the cost and who will be delighted with the guitar. In terms of man hours and materials it might well be justifiable for the maker to pitch his prices where he does - presumably if he couldn't achieve this kind of price he'd go out of business fairly quickly. I think most of us tend to discover the price range we feel comfortable with for the result that it gives us. I wouldn't want to say that anyone who is satisfied spending hugely more, or a lot less than my preference has got it wrong. The trouble is that by chance or design, sooner or later many of us fall head over heels for a guitar that costs rather more than we had thought was reasonable! Similarly, now and then, it is possible to find a guitar that is really cheap, and still fall for that too. Usually best to be happy with what we have unless there's a really good reason (and, of course, my reasons are always good ) - though that would soon put all guitar shops/builders out of business!!! Keith
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 19, 2017 14:31:13 GMT
I just saw a new one listed at £26,995 that didn't have Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, so if we're using that as comparison, then £19,950 is a bit of a bargain. Traugott guitars must have some demand or he wouldn't be able to ask those kind of prices. I wouldn't buy it even if I had money to burn because I wouldn't appreciate it. It's all about your priorities - I think fancy cars, designer shoes and huge houses are a waste of money, too...
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 19, 2017 14:33:38 GMT
Supply and demand, pure and simple. If someone's prepared to pay that, it's worth it to them, and that's what matters IMO.
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Apr 19, 2017 14:59:30 GMT
well, let's hope it will be played, not just collected. "Hey, believe it or not, I just got a Traugott! looks great in its high polished display!" oh, btw, did you notice that it's a second hand guitar?
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Post by grayn on Apr 19, 2017 16:58:00 GMT
I agree with what's been said. There's always folk with a lot of spare cash. Is it 2 or 3 times better thasn a Sobell? Unlikely. People will often equate price with quality. Sometimes they are right.
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 19, 2017 17:28:03 GMT
Traugott is in massive demand and his new prices reflect second hand sale values. Is it worth it? They are nice guitars but then so are many others.
These days thee things are bought by collectors.
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Post by dobro on Apr 19, 2017 22:12:25 GMT
It's ten times the price of my Fylde Alexander. And it almost sounds as good as my Alex..
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Post by PistolPete on Apr 20, 2017 1:08:39 GMT
Has anyone played one? What's their USP? For the kind of money that would buy 3 golden era Gibsons or Martins they must be pretty special...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 7:45:14 GMT
If this used to belong to who I think it did, then, yes, I've seen it in the flesh, and it is an extremely nice guitar. Is it worth it? Only you can decide. Personally I would have happily gone home with a Sobell that I tried at the same time as it suited me better. Whether the Traugot was worth £10k more than the Sobell is another matter.
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Post by RodB on Apr 20, 2017 8:28:57 GMT
All guitars are not born equal, and our taste in guitars varies. Fortunately the vast majority of us can find a guitar that gives us what we seek without paying so much.
My view is it doesn't have to be justifiably the best, just sought after by a few who can afford to pay that. Art work often commands prices that to me just don't add up, but at least a beautifully made guitar represents to me art at the very best, from materials used through to the creation of an often unique instrument and sound. Many years ago I would not have felt it justified to spend what I have done in the last few years. It's all rather relative.
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Post by ourmaninthenorth on Apr 20, 2017 8:52:54 GMT
If I'm weighing up the opportunity cost of a guitar, then I consider my heart not in the purchase.
If I'm chasing ( not dreaming or window shopping ) a guitar that I'm completely focussed on, regardless of cost, I'll make it happen.
Is a Ferrari a multiple times better car than a VW Golf? It is to the Ferrari driver, as a VW driver I can appreciate that.
Life's too short to worry about "is it worth the ££" - simply too many great guitars to play that I haven't had the pleasure of.
YMMV.
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Apr 20, 2017 9:21:33 GMT
As others have touched on it's just market forces. If he can command those sort of prices then good luck to him. Many people think the more they pay the better it is and that's fine if you can afford it. Of course this can prove to be correct in some cases and not in others. I have played lots of what I call expensive guitars (not this expensive though!) and have been less than impressed and others I wanted but could not justify buying it to myself but I guess it's horses for courses.
Phil
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 20, 2017 9:21:47 GMT
I've mention this book before — very interesting on the subject: Guitar makers: The Endurance of Artisan Values in North America link by Kathryn Marie Dudley. Dudley not only tells the story of the new generation but she considers the business model quite a bit. Traugott is interesting as he and James Olson were the fist to take off price wise. With Olson it was James Taylor that spurred the development. With Traugott it was his featuring in an Acoustic Guitar magazine piece on individual luthiers some years ago (he was featured more by luck than anything else). Both had a sudden upsurge in interest, Second hand prices rocketed and that presented problems for the luthier who effectively didn't get the benefit of their work and also couldn't cope with demand. Both took time out before relaunching their ranges at prices that properly matched demand! So, for Olson Taylor's endorsement literally changed his life. the new prices and second hand markets created a collectables market which we now see a lot. But not all luthiers want this kind of life, they ant to build decent instruments but don't want to employ staff or apprentices. One or two luthiers have told me that wouldn't want a celebrity endorsement because of the change it would make to their lives. Are their guitars inferior. To my ears certainly not. There are bargains to be found all overtheplace in this country but they are probably not right for the collector market. Dudley is interesting on the future of this collectable market. She equates it to wealthy baby boomers buying large motorbikes. There is no guarantee that future generations will see the market in this way. I was discussing this with Riverman in Manchester. He made an interesting point. Who is it that is inspiring young acoustic players these days? Ed Sheehan who plays a Martin Junior. Since then I've been touring open mics to get ready for the new season and to look for new people to book. I see lots of your players with these Martins and Taylor Minis! This isa book that is a fascinating read and it does make you think!
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 20, 2017 9:27:56 GMT
I was thinking about it again and for me it's out of the question mainly because I currently do not have the funds to even consider a purchase like this. If I did, I wouldn't spend it on this guitar and it seems a huge extravagance because it does not line up with my priorities. However I would have no problem spending this amount or more on a true pre-war Martin...
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