epiphone demon

[skrewflanders]

I had a red one and it was my first "real" guitar. I got it at the GC in Phoenix for $199.99 plus tax back in 2003 I believe. It was a pretty decent guitar but I soon decided I needed a guitar I could sit down and play, I sold it and have since come to regret it. In vain I've tried to locate mine but to no avail. I've also been checking the bay to see what these guitars are going for now-a-days, much to my surprise they are now going for as much if not much more than what I originally paid for mine! Does anyone know why a simple bolt-on v would be going for so much more than their worth when they were new? Did I miss something?

P.S. when I had it I did notice that they were hand crafted in korea, does that make them worth that much more over time?

[ColinMmmmm]

I'm not really surprised - I've noticed Epiphone has really jacked their prices in the last few years ($1000 for an Epi??????) - I was looking at a new Sheraton II - my dad got one for $400 Cdn used from a friend - they're going for $900+ new these days. But when my dad got his, they were going for $600 new. In the shape it's in, I'm optimistic that I could get $600 for it. Also, a lot of people might not know what they originally went for . . . .

[sick-boy]

I think Korea has really stepped up their game lately. They have been making guitars with a lot more quality than they used to. Who knows, give it a couple more years, and they might be on par with Japan, Europe, and USA made guitars.

Just look at some of the Ibanez MIK Prestiges and ESP LTD's. Heck, I think my next guitar purchase will probably be an LTD.

[DavyH]

Originally Posted by sick-boy

Who knows, give it a couple more years, and they might be on par with Japan, Europe, and USA made guitars.

No doubt of that at all - look at what they've done in the electronics industry. People seem to miss the point quite frequently, but musical instruments are, at heart, machines and nothing more. Non-musicians can build them very well indeed.

Anyone disputing that last statement should think very hard before saying anything.

[skrewflanders]

I do agree with everything that's been said so far but I did forget to mention that they no longer make this series, they had a v an explorer and one other i can't recall but the price on these have nearly doubled in only 5-6 years. So I guess its a mixture of I'll never get mine back and even if i could i'd prob pay more for it than i did when i got it new.

[taracatac]

Originally Posted by sick-boy

I think Korea has really stepped up their game lately. They have been making guitars with a lot more quality than they used to. Who knows, give it a couple more years, and they might be on par with Japan, Europe, and USA made guitars.

Just look at some of the Ibanez MIK Prestiges and ESP LTD's. Heck, I think my next guitar purchase will probably be an LTD.

LTD production has been moved to Indonesia. I played a few and was disappointed in the quality of the finish work. Beautiful guitars, but sharp fret ends and a fret level was sorely needed as well.

[jim777]

Epiphone 'Elitist' instruments are made in Japan, and are fantastic instruments well worth the money they bring. But like everything else, when supply is low and demand is high, the price goes up. $200 really is about as cheap as you could hope to find a playable guitar, so if you could grab another Epi Demon at that price I'd do it, if you really want it.

[sick-boy]

Originally Posted by taracatac

LTD production has been moved to Indonesia. I played a few and was disappointed in the quality of the finish work. Beautiful guitars, but sharp fret ends and a fret level was sorely needed as well.

Production of what? Their low end models? As far as I can tell, many of the upper end LTD's are still made in Korea.