Grateful Dead Music Forum

A buddy of mine called me up today and was bitching about the prices of fender gear, i was not aware but he informed me the prices on all fender products around the board jumped in price big time. I was curious so i checked out one of the on-line retailers and fuck he wasn't kidding. American Stardards Last Month $999.99 today $1475.00. 65 twin reissue last month $1299.99 now $1500.00 you can still get a 65 twin for $1299.99 but it's a scratch and dent I mean come on what the fuck. People are struggling to get by especially musician's who generally always don't have top dollar to spend on gear and they're rasing prices. I don't know,? Wasn't in the market for any particular fender product but i still think it was worth noting.

Yep, stick it to the American consumer... I bought a new twin in 2006 and it was only 1099. You're better off buying an older one (non-reissue) anyway.

All Fender products went up 30%. If you want something try getting it from your loca Guitar Center.

I was wondering about this too, a couple weeks ago I was set on getting a 62 reissue strat. it was about $1400 at the time on musicians friend...now its $1899

wtf

It sucks. However, if you have a good contact at GC you can get better prices....

It's supply and demand. If people are buying them at a faster rate than they can make them, they're gonna raise the price. When they find themselves sitting on a warehouse full of them they'll lower the price.

Don't get me wrong, I love Fender stuff. I have an old Strat myself. But seriously, for what their stuff is nowadays, it's a joke to ask anywhere near that much. They are woodshop guitars! You can buy all the components from a supplier like Warmoth and build one yourself for far less, for Pete's sake.

Or better yet, buy used. The quality is certainly better on the amps, if nothing else.

Guitar Center and Musician's Friend are one in the same. I think GC ownes MF. Guitar Center will charge sales tax. Music 123 and ZZounds will often offer free shipping...

I bought an american hss deluxe strat about 6 months ago from guitar center and I paid 1079 for it. I looked online and now there 1639. Thats ridiculous im glad I got the guitar when I did.

Are you guys really paying retail prices? You need to build contacts at music stores.

strumminsix wrote:Are you guys really paying retail prices? You need to build contacts at music stores.

Better yet, stay OUT of music stores. Get quality used Fender gear from the before-time (the long, long ago). Why pay twice as much for an inferior product?

tigerstrat wrote:

strumminsix wrote:Are you guys really paying retail prices? You need to build contacts at music stores.

Better yet, stay OUT of music stores. Get quality used Fender gear from the before-time (the long, long ago). Why pay twice as much for an inferior product?

I agree with this. Although I have two newer guitars, I have no fear of buying used gear. craigslist is an awesome option. I wouldn't buy an ebay guitar just cause I'm paranoid about buying a guitar I've never played and don't wanna go through the hassle.

tigerstrat wrote:

strumminsix wrote:Are you guys really paying retail prices? You need to build contacts at music stores.

Better yet, stay OUT of music stores. Get quality used Fender gear from the before-time (the long, long ago). Why pay twice as much for an inferior product?

For the most part I very much agree. On the other hand a good musical store contact is very valuable. Prices, suggestions, real life opinions. I remember years ago a bandmate of mine, who was totally unreliable, said my mic wasn't at the rehearsal spot. It wasn't at my house either. Nor was my mic stand or cable. I ran to GC, met up with my contact, purchased a new mic/cable, got to the gig and he said he found it. I called my guy and the next day returned a mic. It's 100% against GC policy to do so for health reasons but he made it happen. Another time I needed a something that was on order (can't remember now what) and another guy lent me a used piece similar to what I needed for a gig. It's good to have contacts.

fender prices up- what else would you expect -think about buying a 1958 sunburst flamed maple top gibson in 1958 for 290.00--325.00 and what a person would earn as an average income across the US-at that time --guess the pricing is like a baseline commodity exchange rate ---based on wage standard ---think fender is high priced ? gibson is worse ---the fix for the fender cost-vs- the whats it really worth -balancing act ---the rational would be to look up a local builder and ask for a honest appraisal ----then play them all ---buy a new axe if you can, that you like for what your reasons are---and go play --Talk to Michael Dolan 707-575-0654-tell him phil said to call.--Michael s guys are cool--they can build a really good guitar for your budget --GC is good for deals on all stock stuff---been really good to me for 30+yrs--carvin is another option ---a complete shopping experience-really affordable prices --tons of options --everyone starts as a beginner -and although you can learn ---you might not earn -however feed your talent -no matter how bad it may look -if you generate a smile -your a success---oh yeah how about self defense guitars ? WHO makes a good "EL KABONG" guitar for bad guiys and home defense? Brand new for 30.00 or less --hey theyre going up in price too--the poor trees-