Joined
·
1,875 Posts
Interesting article on guitar building costs. Discuss.
Guitaronomics: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Guitaronomics: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
You are either just making that up out of thin air or have an agenda. I'm sure you can support the 15%- 20% somehow?It speaks volumes when the manufacturer only gave the cost on a base level generic guitar. The cost difference between a base level guitar and something that costs thousands more is no more that 15%-20% by a large manufacturer. That's where they make their large margins and pretty much every mfr. does it from the guitar industry to the automotive industry.
seriously? do they think no one can understand basic math here, or understand when someone makes a nonsensical statement? so, on top of the base guitar, anything you put on it you also have to charge double or more for? those "boutique" pickups install the same as any other pick up. there is no more labor involved in putting them in, how do they justify the huge mark up? i have no sympathy for any of the crybabies in the article boo-hooing about how tough it is. don't like it? go do construction, and then tell me how hard it is.“If I put actual USA-made boutique pickups in, they cost almost as much as the guitar itself. Even if they give me those pickups for $100, that brings my cost from $150 to $250, and I have to almost double my price to the dealer,” he explains. “Then the dealer has to sell it for almost $900 just because I added $100 pickups. It’s just the distribution model.
I said most large manufacturers, not people who have a shop with a few individuals. You have no idea what the large manufacturers pay for wood. A lot less than any boutique builder. I used to work for a large international mfr. and the extra costs of a premium product over the standard one is minimal and we are only talking about a guitar with a handful of parts.You are either just making that up out of thin air or have an agenda. I'm sure you can support the 15%- 20% somehow?
I know guys who build guitars and mahogany in an 8.5lb LP is significantly more than 20% more than mahogany in a 12 lb LP (both being solid woods). Then add the better electronics and hardware? 20% is fictional.
Same with good acoustics. The cost of AAAA and AAAAA woods is significantly more than a 20% upcharge, more like 100+ % higher cost. And then add in the higher end manufacturing costs of the builders that start with higher grade woods, investing 20% to make 200% is a fiction, IME. While builder reputation is a small factor as well, competition goes a long ways to making sure it remains only a small factor.
You worked for a heating and cooling outfit, if I remember correctly, not a guitar builder. Even if it wasn't furnace and AC's I think your skewed view of the world puts your opinions way far out than most and the need for some hard evidence sourced to back up the claims you make is necessary.I said most large manufacturers, not people who have a shop with a few individuals. You have no idea what the large manufacturers pay for wood. A lot less than any boutique builder. I used to work for a large international mfr. and the extra costs of a premium product over the standard one is minimal and we are only talking about a guitar with a handful of parts.
In the traditional distribution model, a small change in the manufacturing cost of a product has a BIG impact on the final selling price because of how it increases the price at every other level. In the real world (as I've experienced it in the industry), his example would break down more like this:seriously? do they think no one can understand basic math here, or understand when someone makes a nonsensical statement? so, on top of the base guitar, anything you put on it you also have to charge double or more for? those "boutique" pickups install the same as any other pick up. there is no more labor involved in putting them in, how do they justify the huge mark up?
Apples and toneswoods, buddy.I said most large manufacturers, not people who have a shop with a few individuals. You have no idea what the large manufacturers pay for wood. A lot less than any boutique builder. I used to work for a large international mfr. and the extra costs of a premium product over the standard one is minimal and we are only talking about a guitar with a handful of parts.
That is a correct statementIt speaks volumes when the manufacturer only gave the cost on a base level generic guitar. The cost difference between a base level guitar and something that costs thousands more is no more that 15%-20% by a large manufacturer. That's where they make their large margins and pretty much every mfr. does it from the guitar industry to the automotive industry.
Wrong!Whatever, HD. I have worked for a large mfr. and you haven't........
The only choice I am making is to understand not all large manufacturers deal with the same supply issues. You want to believe guitar builders, big and small, have exactly the same issues as plumbing equipment builders. The two aren't nearly the same. You are the one with limited experience, so you use your one example to think everything is just the same for everyone. It is simple to understand, if you try. If you really, really, really try.That is your choice.