Anybody else stopped looking at new guitars?

[GuitarIV]

So of all the guitars I own I purchased maybe 3 completely new, or let's say for the full price. The rest was bought either on sale for a good deal or used.

I have a custom built Les Paul in the works right now and I do check out the used market here and there.

However whenever I see prices on new guitars, I just have to shake my head.

LTDs going for almost 2k, Epiphones for over 1500, American Fenders all north of 2k and let's not even mention Gibson USA here.

Now I have all I need and then some, however if I'm gonna expand my arsenal, I sure as hell ain't buying new. Anyone else feel the same?

I know the situation in general is not peachy, but prices have gone through the roof.

 

[BlueX]

Coincident or not, but I've found myself looking for used guitar since about 6 months back (instead of new). There was an ad for a very sweet burst Gibson LPC from '74 recently, about EUR/USD 4 000. Attracted me much more than any new guitar I've seen lately. Had some other spendings lately so timing was a bit off. Next time maybe.

 

[anitoli]

Man if you guys are balking at new guitar prices better hope your car lasts forever........................

 

[lespaul339]

For the most part, yes. I've stopped looking. Prices are crazy. I honestly can't justify a big guitar purchase anymore considering all the guitars I currently own and how much they've gone up in price.

I have all the high end guitars I need, honestly. So when I am looking at newer ones, they're on the lower end price wise. It's more oddball stuff I think would be cool or fun to have. For example, I've been gassing for a Danelectro Stock '59. $450 new. My days of buying a brand new Gibson or high end Fender are done. I'd gladly rock a Squire Classic Vibe over paying thousands for a brand new high end Fender. I refuse to pay $1000 for an Epiphone. I'd rather have a Harley Benton over an Epiphone. My last two brand new guitar purchases were Harley Bentons.


Here is a prime example: $1700 for this new Epiphone! FOR AN EPIPHONE! It's gotten crazy.
That price and it doesn't even have a rosewood fretboard.

Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Electric Guitar - Frost Blue

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Mahogany/Walnut Neck, Mahogany Body, Laurel Fingerboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Maestro Vibrola - Frost Blue

www.sweetwater.com

 

[anitoli]

https://maine.craigslist.org/msg/d/kennebunk-harley-benton-les-paul-style/7713920329.html

 

[EndGame00]

Im kinda looking at a Strat...I'm somewhat itching for a single coil setup....

 

[JohnH]

I like a new acoustic. But I've never in my life had a new electric. They're just way too shiny, and expensive, and I like to mod my guitars to suit what I want.

 

[NumbSkull]

I spend a lot of time looking, but not buying.
To me guitars are great used, they are often better than new as they may have a better setup.
Some things I just wont buy used as they are disgusting, like clothes or food, but guitars dont go off.
I have bought several as new guitars from ebay, all as new and less than 50% RRP.
There are one or two new guitars I think are worth the price but there are always guitars on ebay I think are worth 3x the price.

I just remembered I bought a new guitar last week, but it was only £200 so it does not really count. Probably parts.

 

[fitz]

I've just stopped looking at guitars....
Happy with what I got - some were bought new, some used.

Also, not disappointed with the current value of any of them.
Got some killer deals on a few of the used ones.
Even the new ones I've purchased were a good deal with discounts, trade-ins, and to some degree, the timing of when I got them.

Still looking at amps continuously though....

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Not really.... but sorta....
I don't have a Dean ML. Someday I'll get one. By buying new I get what I want not a compromise on what someone else got to save a few bucks. That's just me though.
Most of my latest guitars were new.

 

[RLW59]

The market is returning to historical norms.

I started playing in 1972. I bought a used Les Paul Deluxe in '74 for $350 - $2316 adjusted for inflation. I bought a brand new Strat and case in '76 for approx $500 -- that's $2600 in today's shrunken dollars. Those were both "nice used car" money. In 1959, a Les Paul with a case was $290 -- sounds like a bargain but that was $3000 in today's money (historically, "professional" grade guitars were always big money).

I hate to sound like a grumpy old man, but young people can't really appreciate what an amazing bubble the past ~25 years were. Quality went way up and prices went way down. A 2001 MIM Classic '70s was better in every way than my '76 but you could buy it for the same $500 (albeit with a gig bag instead of a hard case).

Back in the 1900's, normal people didn't have guitar collections. We thought we were fortunate to have one good guitar. Some people had an electric and an acoustic, but only rock stars had arsenals of guitars. From '72 to '99 I owned a grand total of 7 guitars -- one at a time. Since 2000 I've owned 20 plus -- max was 17 at one time (now down to 6).

Sad to see the golden age come to a close, but glad I had the luck to live through it.

 

[NumbSkull]

Here is a prime example: $1700 for this new Epiphone! FOR AN EPIPHONE! It's gotten crazy.
That price and it doesn't even have a rosewood fretboard.

That is crazy. I got this 3 months ago and its a better guitar.

 

[thesunship]

I bought a Les Paul special last year new and I thought it was a reasonable deal - open box for $1,200 with warranty.

Since then I'm just trying to sell off guitars I don't play.

 

[Mike_LA]

I've always bought used and am taking my ES-137 to Norm's rare guitars this afternoon to see what I can get for it and what I can't live without . . .

 

[TXOldRedRocker]

My last 3 guitar purchases were all used guitars. Coincidentally, I may be buying a new one today. We'll see.

 

[anitoli]

Keep in mind, "better" is subjective..........................

 

[Nkyrental]

Yep, stopped looking completely and have now sold 2 of my guitars. Also sold an amp, and some miscellaneous stuff as well. My Strat is fine with my Fender Blues Deluxe amp for anything I will play at home. Prices are crazy high, and will stay that way. Just another reason I am glad I am old!

 

[anitoli]

I never stop looking and maybe going the next step as well. This is brand new three weeks out:



Browsed the used listings and it was too painful sorting through price to high/low, condition too beat, price too high, no case, wear and tear, shipping charges, ect. Found this price was reasonable for USA made P-Bass with case and warranty and free shipping. Plays and sounds amazing. This may very well push the Ric 4001 onto the chopping block.

 

[Garth Rocket]

I look a little bit at new guitars, but for the most part find them incredibly overpriced. The last new guitar I bought was one of the Dave Mustaine flying V’s they only made 100 of and I had been looking for a hockey stick headstock Gibson XPL V for years.

 

[NumbSkull]

Some stuff I looked at today

Marshall Design Store Limited Edition SV20 212 Half Stack, Tie Dye

Description SV20HD70 SV212D47 Stand out from the crowd with this eye-catching, limited edition Marshall Studio Vintage 212 half stack.Straight out of their factory in Bletchley, this amp rocks the unmistakable marshall brass/gold style plating, white piping accents and script logo, with the...

www.fairdealmusic.co.uk

EVH Wolfgang Standard, Baked Maple Fingerboard, Gold Sparkle, Ex Display

This is an Ex Display guitar with some damage under the bridge that is purely cosmetic. For further information, please contact us on 0121 643 1685 or Guitars@Fairdealmusic.co.uk Offering many of the blazing features as its more expensive brethren, the Wolfgang WG Standard has a basswood body...

www.fairdealmusic.co.uk

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-ed-o-brien-signature-stratocaster/909084

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-limited-edition-american-ultra-stratocaster-ebony-fingerboard-tiger-eye/971955

VINTAGE GUITAR V100TBK THRU BLACK PAUL) 1/2 RRP ! | eBay

You will never get this chance again. Ideal for professional guitarist, but if you are a learner get it. Superb, Guitar, all electrics, working. We have tension the guitar up, played it and everything it is superb.

www.ebay.co.uk

Addicted.