2009 ibanez line-up speculation - Page 16

RCB · #**226** 12-19-2008, 12:57 PM

Sure, but this professional, yuppies, etc (like me

) actually buy "guitars" in general not just Ibanez, and they compare.

I ve been used to see and think of a Prestige RG, RGA or even signatures as more affordable guitars than a PRS Custom 24 or Single cut 10 top, or a Suhr, or a Pensa, or Tom Anderson, or the nicest Les Pauls among other high end guitars.

If all of a sudden, they are priced the same, I will probably look at those others before I buy yet another Ibanez.

To make things worse, a lot of people that are usually well off, are not anymore, and a lot of professionals and yuppies have their assXs con the line and are subject to loosing their jobs. I for one, dont plan on spending 3K on a guitar anytime soon.

You are probably going to see a lot of collector guitars going down in price as some of this people loose their jobs, or dont get bonus, or are concerned about their job stability.

Anyone care about a dead mint jem 10th (no cert, flight case)? Give me a call...

Seriusly though, this is not the moment to increase prices, even by a dime.

If they have to start from scratch with a USA production, that would indeed be a tough decistion and a significant bet. It might just be one they cant allow to "not take".

**jemsite** · #**227** 12-19-2008, 01:02 PM

look, if you bought low (jem10) now is probably the time to sell high if you can't wait out a few years. And sure some guitars will prove themselves not to be "collectible" (think overly expensive, custom boutique stuff).

All those USA guitars mentioned are SUPER EXPENSIVE HERE and with a glut in market those companes are more at risk. See EVH custom painted guitar that was recalled by Guitar Center (that was BEFORE the wall st. collapse)

I can see people BUYING collector guitars as investment - instead of mutuals or other risky paper transactions - as generally speaking their VALUE will not decrease. if they do so will your paper portfolio. Lets get real you can't just magically make a 1987 mint LNG appear in 15 years... glen

RCB · #**228** 12-19-2008, 01:09 PM

Sure, but a mint 1987 LNG is a looks a lot less attractive when you are not making the kind fo money wou were.

It also looks less atractive whan you compare it to other stuff that you consume that will probably go down in price.

If you are still well of, It all about the relative price in your basket of "desirables". If you are no longer making good bucks, then its all about the relative price in your basket of "desirables+needs".

**jemsite** · #**229** 12-19-2008, 01:18 PM

Again.... real collectibles (LNG) have limited numbers but there ALWAYS will be buyers. There is a larger separation between the have and have-nots and this will continue. There are a lot of well paying jobs and they'll continue.

the $2k ibanez MIJ (yo'ure prognosticating to collapse) has a market catering to the people with the most spare $$$. Among them is the collector who want a non-collectible to PLAY regularly.

I think you guys overestimate how many actual units/guitars are sold and underestimating the profitibility in each unit sold... glen

RCB · #**230** 12-19-2008, 01:23 PM

Not at all, I know the margins are HUGE. All I said is it would be wiser to take the hit and slice a part of that margin instead of increasing prices in this context.

Also, with the yen at 90 or below, and the eur/yen and gbp/yen parities even worse, well it might be a chance for US manufactors. Specially if the trend continues to get worse for them.

Rich · #**231** 12-19-2008, 01:25 PM

I'm finding the amound of guitars I flip as is for minimum profits continue to rise, and more people are opting for lesser packages like bronze and silver, but I attribute this to the fact, I can do that now where I couldn't before

AxeHappy · #**232** 12-19-2008, 02:28 PM

Instruments have always been luxury items. Which are some of the only items which can raise their prices willy-nilly during a recession. An example:

Withing the last couple of years the Canadian dollar went from around 60-70 cents of the US dollar to the same and higher. There was no price correction and pretty much any item until a lot of outrage by Canadian buyers. My boss said eventually a 5% adjustments on his musical item prices. Just recently the dollar went down to around 74cent and all the prices were adjusted up by 40%. Seriously.

That's a lot of crap but it's know companies work and I'll wager that it isn't going to hurt their profit margins. People who had a spare 4 grand kicking around to buy a top of the line RG or Signature model will have the 5-6grand kicking around to buy one now. People who were fretting around trying to figure out if they should get the Gio pack or low level RG will get the Gio.

TAorama · #**233** 12-19-2008, 08:19 PM

Irrelevant posting! Where are the new Jem pics?

NeglectedField · #**234** 12-20-2008, 08:21 AM

I've taken the dive and got my folks to order me an S320 for Christmas. I'm just dying for a second 6-stringer, even if it's another black one and less than £400 (the most I've ever paid for a guitar).