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These days everything runs around this financial crisis, isn’t it? I mean everybody heard about it, I don’t think there is one place on this world, connected to the global money flow, that didn’t hear or feel it.
I was thinking about that and about the fact that probably, this affects us too, guitar players, because we are not able to buy the instruments we want, anymore, or at least we consider it twice before spending our money. Isn’t that right?
I mean, last year I bought my Variax guitar and the recording gear from Line 6, now I want a new digital camera and a BOSS GT10 processor, but seems I can’t find the money for them, anymore. Something changed here and probably in your part of the world too. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me thinking twice, or maybe the money were unconsciously directed to some other areas or…
However, I looked at how car builders tried to face the situation at the current car shows, coming up with smaller cars, hybrid cars, anything to lower the fuel consumption and the overall expenses.
Did anything similar happen in the industry of guitars?
I mean I could compare here the Gibson Robot guitar to some expensive car, with some features that you don’t necessarily need, but for which you spend like $900 more, that you could keep in your pocket. Get it?
I mean, how do the guitar builders try to face this crisis that probably affects them all? Personally I would come up with some cheaper guitars without the fancy things there, without pearl inlays, floyds, etc, but with a good quality, that people be able to actually buy and play. Usually low price guitars are not that good, the quality of the manufacturing is be poorer than at a $3-4000 guitars. But how about a guitar for which you spend $300 or $400 that plays like one for which you’d spend way more, but without the shiny glitters?
Would this help sales in times of crisis? Would you consider buying one despite the actual economic situation?
Let me hear you!
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13 Responses to “How Can The Guitar Industry Face This Crisis?”
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Ovidiu OprescuRomania, 33 years
Playing the guitar since 17 and enjoying every moment of it!
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Chris McCarley
January 29th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I personally like the spelling, but “Crisis” is misspelled in the heading.
An interesting question. No doubt it will affect sales in some way, but is this kind of recreation at least somewhat recession proof? Will people turn to music for comfort vs. more expensive luxury and pursuits?
Ovidiu
January 29th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Thanks, Chris
Point well taken, you know, people outside English cultural environment usually suffer from extra H, double L and double R…
Ovidiu
January 29th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
You know what they say increases in such times? Movie industry, really, they say people go to watch movies more than usual when the economy goes through difficult times. I guess music can be the same.
Chris McCarley
January 30th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I try to be tolerant of misspelling. My wife is Spanish and I grew up in Canada so I am used to other spelling conventions. I just figured I’d point it out since it was in the title.
I think you are right about music being like movies. People will probably do more, although they may spend more wisely.
There was a book “Stocking Up On Sin” which talked about investing in alcohol, tobacco, entertainment etc. during recessions for the reason you mention.
Ovidiu
January 30th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Yeah, it happens, thank you for pointing, I am quite happy somebody makes the effort to point me to such spelling mistakes, otherwise the mistake would stay there forever and everybody would see it
I guess on difficult times people try to chase stress away as best as possible. Movies, music, alcohol
Danel R. Lehrman
January 30th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Realistically speaking, the necessities of life come first for me, than a few bucks in my savings account. Right now it is hard to justify luxuries, although guitars are like therapy for me. Fortunately I got most of my equipment before the economy came tumbling down.
I have no answer to your question though.
Daniel Lehrman
January 31st, 2009 at 12:51 am
I’m a big advocate of updating and setting up cheap/used/inexpensive guitars. In most cases you can buy a Mexican Strat and spend about 200 bucks on it and have a better sounding and playing guitar than an American Strat. Save a good 300 to400 bucks. My Mex plays better than a new American and sounds like SRV’s guitar. I love it.
Ovidiu
January 31st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I think it all goes down to what makes the sound and what makes the image. Cut what is there for the visual aspect and you probably will have a cheap guitar with a great sound, isn’t it?
FrugalGuitarist.com
February 4th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I think the more affordable lesser known guitar companies will actually see an increase in sales as people become more conservative with their purchases. On the other hand, here in the US a new guitar magazine called Guitar Affcinoado is launching forcused on guitars costing at least 5 figures…
Ovidiu
February 4th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Interesting. I guess there’s a market for everything in this world, isn’t it?
Yohimbe
April 9th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
The market for second hand guitars has become saturated because more and more people are forced to sell their instruments due to a lack of money. Consequently, the prices of second hand boutique guitars will continue to drop. Potentional buyers, therefore, are likely to focus on E-bay and such instead of going to the shops to pay top dollar for a famous brand. That’s why the OEM market is doomed, IMO.
Nathan
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:39 am
there is a guitar that costs about 200 to 400 bucks and i usually in good condition with a hardshell case,a one piece maple neck/fretboard,a sturdy body built of swamp ash with a string thru bridge,2 volume and tone controls a 3 way selector,with dual and single coil sounds and a phase switch,it’s the Peavey T-60 and i have 2 of them,who needs a LP or a Strat/Tele,the best part is they cost about the same as they back in the 80’s,look them up on youtube or here http://www.peaveyt60.com/
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