What guitars would you like locally?

AlanRatcliffe · 2011-04-05T19:58:30+00:00

I was having a telephone chat with someone earlier and discussion moved on to guitar brands that aren't represented locally that we felt should be. Not the boutique brands that only make a few dozen guitars a year and cost the earth (or are built to order), or yet another budget brand based on the classics, but the really good production line guitars that would give us a few more great options to choose from when we go guitar shopping. Personally, I'd love to see Suhr on the high end and Reverend on the middle price ranges. He mentioned Heritage, but I'm not sure about those - while they make amazing guitars, I think ultimately the headstocks would turn most people off and they are a bit too close to the Gibbys (obviously). What do the rest of y'all think? What would you love to be able to find locally?

Bob-Dubery

singemonkey wrote Well plugged.

Chad, I've got an Alhambra 2c (if I'm remembering right). Nice guitar with solid cedar top. Got mine free ?

Yeah, I've seen Alhambras in shops here in Jozi.

Charlie4

The majority would be able to afford:

Charvel So-Cal
Framus Diablo (Fender-ish ones)
Hagstrom

High(er) End:
Epiphone Elitist
Suhr
Ibanez Japan (Like ZarK's custom Ibby)
ESP Japan (Nicer than what we get).

Would make me ?

vic

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
vic wrote The guitar consumers here, especially the younger ones, have been exposed for too long I think to only a few brands...the well-known ones, both lower-and higher end models. This will present a challenge to any lesser known brands, let alone boutique brands coming into the country.
I'm with you there Vic. One of the reason I suggested Suhr is that I feel they are just out of the boutique market - high end, small production (but not boutique) guitars. They kind of feel like PRS did in the late '80s - the brand rep is expanding fast and a lot of influential players are using them.

Suhr will do well here I think...as you say a lot of influential players are already using them...that's the key. As Bob rightly says about the Taylor brand,... but again, it was associated and well established with a few well-know players at the time.

BMU

Chad Adam Browne wrote Strandberg aren't that big yet, I think that they have a 3 - 6 month waiting period right now.

Interesting... very interesting. ?

Price wise a good quality proper Steinberger would set you back as near as makes no difference

Truth. I soon realized that after posting.

Charlie4 wrote Ibanez Japan (Like ZarK's custom Ibby)

Interestingly, I understand the J-Customs have just this year started being distributed to the USA on a very limited basis. Landed cost in SA through the "official" distribution channel (even if such a miracle could occur) would be something to behold.

Jacquesg4j

? ? ? NIIIICEEEE!! I found this website:

http://www.wantitall.co.za/Instruments-Music

Is anyone familiar with it? I saw some G&L, Parker, Gretch etc on there for some very nice prices!! VERY NICE PRICES

Jacquesg4j

Even some Hagstrom!!

http://www.wantitall.co.za/Instruments-Music/Hagstrom-Viking-Electric-Guitar-Left-Handed-Wild-Cherry-Transparent__B001ICS7OA

AlanRatcliffe

Careful with wantitall - they are often horribly overpriced too - I just looked and saw a set of EB Slinkys for the "discount" price of R156 (discounted from a "normal" retail of R265).

Jacquesg4j

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Careful with wantitall - they are often horribly overpriced too - I just looked and saw a set of EB Slinkys for the "discount" price of R156 (discounted from a "normal" retail of R265).

Hahahaha yeah I also saw that! It's terrible! But the Gibson Studios at under R10k seems like a nice deal!

AlanRatcliffe

Also bear in mind that in the event of a warrantee issue, your guitar must be shipped to and from the US - and shipping costs are at your expense.

Norman86

Yeah, wantitall isnt the best place to buy from... Most things on there are horribly overpriced!!

have a look at the CTS pots... R529 for a freaking pot?!
you got to be kidding me! Then still needing to pay shipping on that!
Not a chance!

vic

I do think there's a niche for importing quality second hand guitars...whatever brand...a few people are already doing this on a small scale, maybe too small a scale ?......and I guess this should not land you into trouble with the local appointed agents and so forth.

Jack-Flash-Jr

vic wrote I do think there's a niche for importing quality second hand guitars...whatever brand...a few people are already doing this on a small scale, maybe too small a scale ?......and I guess this should not land you into trouble with the local appointed agents and so forth.

+1

I would love to see a larger market on "pre-owned" products... What's the store in Randburg that has a pretty good section? Music Connection I think. My favourite place to browse...

Bob-Dubery

vic wrote I do think there's a niche for importing quality second hand guitars...whatever brand...a few people are already doing this on a small scale, maybe too small a scale ?......and I guess this should not land you into trouble with the local appointed agents and so forth.

Unless they're high value, collectable instruments I can't see the point.

Even then...

Bringing in, for example, 4 to 5 year old Martin D28s isn't going to make anybody rich.

Bringing in 45 year old Martin D28s might, but it's easy for anybody to establish the going price for one of those, figure out what shipping etc is going to cost and then refuse to pay more. And you won't sell them quickly, so if you have cash flow issues....

So you have to get those 2nd hand instruments at a good price. Or you have to be prepared to sit on them for a long time until the value goes up enough that you can make a profit (if you think the value is going to go up faster than inflation).

I'm surprised anybody wants to be in that business.

The one advantage they do have is that, if you can get to them, you can try before you buy.

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