Pricing

IceCreamMan

I have not kept up with pricing in ZA at all, yesterday google took me to a ZA music store and whilst there I had a look see at pricing, specifically Gibson and Fender guitars. Had a look at some amps as well.

Damn, prices have increased a lot in ZA. The last guitar I bought in ZA would have been around 2010, a mex Strat in lake placid blue from music connection. ( Loved that shop once upon a time) Price I paid for it with a mini set up, new strings, gig bag and paraphernalia was R6000-00. Mex player series strat now goes for around 22 to 25 depending on colour. Pre discount but that’s 400 percent more. Mind boggles.

should be a vibrant second hand market with that pricing new.

V8

The exchange rate is never in ZA's favour 🤷‍♂️ IMO, the distributor's pre-load pricing for possible forex wobbles, so there's always a premium on low volume stock.

2nd hand market has up's n down's - a.t.m there's no ''cheap" guitars - mostly 5k and up.

What it should result in is a growing builders market, but I've yet to see that, Perhaps because parts are still mostly imported. Or perhaps peeps don't know they can get a handmade local electric guitar from around 15k.

IceCreamMan

Before I left ole mr Fouche started out on his own. Just checked his website, seems mostly reselling now.

Pricing ain’t too cheap either.

maybe we need to accept that an epiphone or Squier is good enough.

V8

IceCreamMan maybe we need to accept that an epiphone or Squier is good enough.

In the players reality, there is Nothing wrong with either.

Instrument production has moved on massively from the 80's, far more consistent quality for far less $$$. If we time travelled back with a range of the current entry to mid level epi's & squires at current prices it would be revelatory to our younger (and prettier) selves.

What hasn't changed...imho... is the hobbiest buying their way outta practice 😁

But there isn't anything wrong with enjoying owning something you love. I know a guy with some very, very sweet instruments (inc a couple Duesenberg's and some locally made guit's) that enjoy's just owning them. Which I think is great, because I believe this creates a market in which good stuff exists at a price that is attainable.