Jack;Sure they can do it.. Have em manufactured in china and close down the USA factory... ....
That is precisely what IS happening.Like I pointed out Epiphone....
Let's see what happens MID November !
Dan
Jack;Sure they can do it.. Have em manufactured in china and close down the USA factory... ....
I am a Field Engineer that works with with Automated Packaging Equipment. When we sell parts, our standard mark-up is 100% of cost. On proprietary parts and equipment,the markup is much more and has Labor and materials figured into the costs.
My company deals with manufacturers and producers of products and here where I am at it is primarily related to the Food and Pharmaceutical industry.
I guess what I'm saying is, just be happy my company doesn't make the Guitar you want, and be happy you aren't calling me in for a set-up!
Probably so Dan. My guess is that the MSRP probably is. Just like Kevin mentioned, once you get transportation costs and handling involved with all of the different retailers trying to get their cut, it very well could be.Chuck;
What would you guess is the actual markup of the Les Paul Standard guitar ? My guess, OVER 100%.
Dan
Still believe there are better or equivalent quality , cheaper alternatives out there , unless you want that name on the headstock , hrs of hand polishing does nothing for the tone
Hmmm. I don't buy guitars to sell them. I buy them to keep and play. I could actually care less what their resale value is. If a guitar I own can't be made to sound and play wonderfully (by pickup swaps, different neck, whatever), it goes in the dumpster, I won't sell it to some other poor unsuspecting oaf. I am big on buying inexpensive guitars that play well (most of them these days do) and upgrading the pickups in them to be the equal of or surpass a high-end guitar. No way would I get my money back out of them, but I really just plain don't care.If you buy and sell guitars periodically Gibson and Fender will generally hold their value for resale. A lot of Gibson's will increase in value as well. At least in my neck of the woods.
Some really nice guitars are made by companies like Hagstrom but the resale value, IF you can sell it used, around here is terrible. For example a Les Paul from 10 years ago will go for reasonably close to the purchase price, say $1700, but a $1200 Hagstrom, if you can sell it, will go for about $500. That is not a commentary on the quality of the guitar, that is just how the market is around here. Same with a Reverend, you'd better put a huge discount on it if you want to sell it here (and the company was founded about 4 miles from my house).
So when buying a Gibson or a Fender you'll have options down the road that you just may not have with other makers. If you never plan to sell the guitar then who cares how much it cost, right?