Did anyone else see this? Gibson to increase prices in March?

[nagha]

But those consumers aren't playing guitars necessarily... so you have a shrinking marketshare problem while your competitors are chasing those ACTUALLY PLAY GUITARS.

 

[Colnago1]

I think a lot of people are still struggling. I think Gibson has priced themselves out of the market segment of the working class folk.

I honestly think that they need to reconsider the Epiphone branding. I personally don't mind the headstock/brand but a lot of people do and if Gibson could make high quality Gibson-branded guitars in Canada/Mexico/Asia at a lower price, they should do it.

I'd prefer that they give up the nitrocellulose religion and come up with lower priced gear that's made in the US.

I'm thinking that if Gibsons were made here, in Canada, that they'd cost the same or more. Sorry, but labour up here isn't much cheaper than yours down there. I find it odd that you lumped Canada into the inexpensive labour market.

 

[roeg]

But those consumers aren't playing guitars necessarily... so you have a shrinking marketshare problem while your competitors are chasing those ACTUALLY PLAY GUITARS.

Correct.They are targeting the market that has money,generally not players.
Will they sell and make profit? Time will tell.But the Gibson brand will continue to have the cache of a marquee brand,no matter how you cut it...

 

[nagha]

I've read articles in Economist where profit margins are higher because employers (primarily auto) build factories in Canada because they don't have to pay for healthcare/etc as it's already provided by the state.

I also would prefer Canadian over Asian manufacturing as Canada seems to have better environmental protections than Asian countries.

 

[nagha]

Correct.They are targeting the market that has money,generally not players.
Will they sell and make profit? Time will tell.But the Gibson brand will continue to have the cache of a marquee brand,no matter how you cut it...

I'll be 100% truthful - I've been shopping for a guitar. And the more I look, the more I find that I can get more value by not buying a Gibson. And I'm not exactly anti-Gibson because I love the Les Paul, afterall... but I'm also not an idiot.

If I buy another LP-style guitar, it probably won't be a Gibson.

 

[mbell75]

Correct.They are targeting the market that has money,generally not players.

Exactly. Its like cameras. I can relate as Ive been a pro photographer for 10 years. Most of the guys who buy the really expensive Canon or Nikon gear usually are not pros, they are amateurs and wannabe pros who think if they buy a $5k camera and a $3k lens they will take amazing photos. Ive shot several major national magazine covers with a $500 camera and $75 lens. That would be like a pro playing a major gig with a Squier plugged into a 75 watt Fender Mustang

 

[MineGoes211]

I think Gibson has a good range of guitars and price ranges, and the 10% increase, I always get that off (or more). I have 2 Les Pauls now (one 2013 and 2014), and I'm happy all around with quality and my price range.

 

[DrumBob]

Well, people at fender must be really happy

Fender has raised prices too. Check it out.

 

[markbastable]

Originally Posted by skysc
all the under 1000 $ are unfinished junk with gibson write on it . GLad if buyers like them ... but i never tried one that feel close than my standards . the wood is cheap , unfinished , no binding .. many has horrible sharp fret ends . the fretboard is baked maple or grenadillo and other ugly and rough fretboard

Not true at all. Even the MM at $569 has a mahogany body with a satin finish, maple neck, rosewood fretboard and P-90s. Fit and finish may not be up to Standard or TRAD quality but do you really want to pay an extra $2k for a nicer finish or a little better quality wood? I don't.

Exactly. I just bought one of those, and I like it a lot. And yes, it's precisely the spec you suggest. It's not an expensive guitar - but it's certainly not "unfinished junk".

As we've touched on the topic, I've never understood why people bang on about binding, as if it were the characteristic that separates a good guitar from a mediocre one. I've got nothing against it, and some of my guitars have it, but - frankly - binding's more cosmetic than practical. Plenty of top end guitars by other makers - Strats, say - have unbound necks, for instance, so it's not a vital component of quality.

There's a similar point to be made about finishes. Satin, glossy, flame, quilt... These are aesthetic choices, not quality choices. Me, I am not nuts about shiny new finishes. When I go for gloss finishes, I tend to buy used because I prefer the glossiness to have aged somewhat. Both Gibsons that I've bought new have been satin finish - I just like it more than new and shiny. The fact that it tends to be cheaper is irrelevant to the preference.

 

[silvergoat2k6]

"Modest" increase?

SG Standard is now $1635!
LP Studio Pro is now $1525!
LP Traditional is now $2615!
LP Standard is now $2942!
LP Standard Plus is now $3269!
LP Standard Premium Quilt is now...$4249! (or, over $2,000 more than what I just paid for my '13 back in November)

(Prices taken off the Sweetwater Guitar Gallery)

Absolutely ridiculous...I know it's not the same, but I just ordered a guitar from Carvin with a black limba body and neck, ebony fretboard, MOP block inlays, with gold hardware for less than $1400. You can't even buy a new LP Studio Pro or SG Standard for that now.

 

[USAPatriot]

My 2014 Standard, which I got for $2699, is now $2942! -Rod-

 

[USAPatriot]

As we've touched on the topic, I've never understood why people bang on about binding, as if it were the characteristic that separates a good guitar from a mediocre one. I've got nothing against it, and some of my guitars have it, but - frankly - binding's more cosmetic than practical. Plenty of top end guitars by other makers - Strats, say - have unbound necks, for instance, so it's not a vital component of quality.

[SNIP]

I disagree about the binding, but for wholly practical reasons. I have a Flood Issue Les Paul, basically a studio on steroids, and there's no binding. I have no objection to it, it's not a lesser guitar by any means. But the lack of a binding does mean that if I knock the edge of the body or neck against something I'm going to be dinging the wood, something I'd rather not do. My Standard, obviously, has binding all around so it's somewhat protected from my klutziness. Dinging a guitar isn't the same as wear. Binding is akin to rubber bumpers on car doors, right? They won't prevent ALL scratches and dings from happening...not all doors actually hit the bumper...some go above or below...but they at least afford some protection. It's the same with binding. It minimizes the risk to some extent and adds a little flair besides. -Rod-

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

Everything goes up retail price. Street price is established by the market.
But low, sell high.
Thanksgiving blowouts.
Quality control issue.
Internet frenzy.
Used '59 found under granpa's bed.

I think we covered a few things here.

 

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

If Gibson would come read forums like these, it'd help them a lot...

 

[Yaff]

I honestly think that they need to reconsider the Epiphone branding. I personally don't mind the headstock/brand but a lot of people do and if Gibson could make high quality Gibson-branded guitars in Canada/Mexico/Asia at a lower price, they should do it.

.

The only issue with that, is they would devalue the Gibson Brand.

I think Gibson have got this bit right!

Epi - Budget LP`s with exceptional value for money
Gibson Studio - No thrills Gibson LP at a great price
Gibson Standard / Traditional - Good value high end LP
Gibson Custom Shop - Top quality and extra special versions, when cost is no object

 

[skysc]

hey guys sorry if i sound like i was bashing the lower range of gibson .. but i havent tried one that i like yet .. and im no snob .. tried the whole range of epi and lower range gibson last time i went to the store .. and then a standard .. and id pick the standard anytime .. a whole other league . not only cosmetics difference ... .

IMo theres better guitar than a 700-800 $ 50's tribute les paul . etc..

but if people like their ... good , but i havent tried one that i liked yet .. and trust me i would want to find one that feel as great as my standard for 600-700-800 . specially the inverness green studio ... tried one ... i love green guitar .. but didnt buy it cause it felt wrong .

i own a 2001 LP standard and a 2012 LP standard .. and never regret that i spent 1800 for the 2001 and 1550 $ for the 2012 .


id pick the standard over any other anyday .

the LPJ and melody maker are IMO the most horrible .

but thats recent gibson .. i tried a 1995 studio and while i didnt like 50's neck ... it was a greatly built guitar for under 800-900 ...

id pick a 90's studio if i was on a budget . those were great under 1000 $ Les Paul .



Anyway gibson is goind down the drain IMO . the quality is not what it was in the 90's , early 2000 . I still love my 2012 .. but i can recognize that my 2001 is a better built guitar or many small points .

 

[rockstar232007]

My 2014 Standard, which I got for $2699, is now $2942! -Rod-

Good luck getting anything close to either of those prices, should you decide to sell it?

 

[frankv]

Exactly. Its like cameras. I can relate as Ive been a pro photographer for 10 years. Most of the guys who buy the really expensive Canon or Nikon gear usually are not pros, they are amateurs and wannabe pros who think if they buy a $5k camera and a $3k lens they will take amazing photos. Ive shot several major national magazine covers with a $500 camera and $75 lens. That would be like a pro playing a major gig with a Squier plugged into a 75 watt Fender Mustang

Do you have data to prove this? Most pro photographers could never shoot sports with your $575 rig.

 

[nagha]

Just saw a brand new 2013 Les Paul Standard quilt top sell for $2350 on EBay.
2013 Gibson USA Les Paul Standard Premium Quilt Ice Tea | eBay

A very nice 2013 LP Std flame sold for $1900
Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013 4AAAA Top 711106011110 | eBay

Fsck Gibson and their 2014 prices with the ass ugly 120th Anniversary label.

 

[hrfdez]

Well, the good thing is that we don't have to buy it if we don't want to.