Looks like Fender raised prices again.

[rlongnt]

At 6.5% inflation this really isn't a big thing. The 6.5% inflation is what people need to be freaking out about. GC knocked $500 off list on a new Slash Signature LP for me. That made it less than a standard but with AAA flame top. I figured it will be out of reach soon so I took the plunge. It's certainly not going to get any better. My two American Standards look better and better each time I see new pricing. Yikes! Good thing I have a Twin Reverb that will be unobtainable soon too.

 

[CB91710]

At 6.5% inflation this really isn't a big thing. The 6.5% inflation is what people need to be freaking out about.

Bingo.
1980 - 13.5% inflation, 7.5% unemployment, 16.6% mortgage interest

It's been worse, but 6.5% is bad.
$1500 guitar costs $100 more?
6.5% inflation that's right where it should be.

 

[StratoMutt]

The sky is falling!

 

[John C]

The real news will be when a year goes by that Fender, or anybody for that matter, does not raise prices. That's the thread I'm looking forward to.

Believe it or not Gibson didn't have a price increase from the time their current lineup was introduced in April 2019 until they just had an increase a couple of months ago - so roughly 30 months without an increase.

 

[stratmatt777]

Perhaps the shortages are the reason for the price hike... higher prices will reduce demand.
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/fender-stock-shortages

 

[SIngles Forever]

A friend was asking me what's so much better about the professional then the standard. I told him: inflation.

The first year the pro came out it was only 100 bucks more than the standard it just replaced, maybe even 75. Then they kept progressively raising the price every year.

 

[Nicks917]

These price increases are well thought out and planned long before implemented.

Bottom line, they wouldn’t do it if they thought people would stop buying.

Life will continue to go on.

3 main reasons for this. Demand for guitars has skyrocketed since COVID, prices of wood have also skyrocketed since COVID and shortage of labor.

 

[fos1]

Ever notice how much you pay for a TI handheld calculator? They are essentially unchanged since the 90s. They have a couple of very simple chips, a simple keyboard and an LCD screen. They are made in the far east. I doubt they cost TI $5 and they STILL sell in the $100 range or more depending on the model. Think TI-80/1/2/3/4.... I still have my TI-83 that I used to teach science and math classes back in the day.

Maybe instead of Fender, use TI in the Economics classes.

 

[Patlogsdon]

A couple months ago I started playing again. I was instantly reinvigorated. I saw the inflation coming and bought everything I could on two new interest free cards. (Guitar center and Musicians Friend) now I have my little home studio. My lady was cussing me out. I said baby all this stuff is gonna be worth 20% more by June. Seems I'm right again.

 

[CB91710]

and bought everything I could on two new interest free cards. (Guitar center and Musicians Friend)

Just make damned sure you pay those off before the promotional period expires or they will slap the full 30% interest for the entire purchase amounts onto the account.
Not fun thinking that tomorrow you're going to make your last $50 payment, only to log into Synchrony and find your balance is $750.

I've got a few accounts with them, most I pay off every 2 weeks (gas card and such), and the others for larger purchases, I make sure to pay them off in half the allowed time.

 

[Patlogsdon]

I know I know thanks but I know!!!

 

[monte merrick]

of course, Gordon Gekko was the villain in that movie...

 

[fos1]

Let's keep politics out if this, please

I didn't see any politics....

 

[Mansonienne]

I didn't see any politics....

Well, that's because I deleted them.

 

[sourceg101]

I was super lucky and got my ultra luxe for $2400 in late Dec before the price increase this year (now $2500). I only say lucky cause I was clueless about the surge in demand for guitars/raw materials in general.

 

[GSDLuna]

Just make damned sure you pay those off before the promotional period expires or they will slap the full 30% interest for the entire purchase amounts onto the account.
Not fun thinking that tomorrow you're going to make your last $50 payment, only to log into Synchrony and find your balance is $750.

I've got a few accounts with them, most I pay off every 2 weeks (gas card and such), and the others for larger purchases, I make sure to pay them off in half the allowed time.

 

[GSDLuna]

I got last year’s prices and discounts too through GC/MF. Synchrony worked with me to set up autopay from my bank so it happens every month on schedule. Definitely do not to be late even once.

 

[Silverman]

Fortunately, there are still reasonably priced alternatives of similar or superior quality from competitors. The Nick Johnston Strat Copy with Roasted Maple neck for 900 comes to mind off the top of my head. Just got to put Fender to the side until the market settles, or they come to their senses.

 

[jwj1701]

Yeah and a few months ago when I was complaining everybody defended Fender…just sayin’.

 

[jwj1701]

Fortunately, there are still reasonably priced alternatives of similar or superior quality from competitors. The Nick Johnston Strat Copy with Roasted Maple neck for 900 comes to mind off the top of my head. Just got to put Fender to the side until the market settles, or they come to their senses.

Since I’ve gone back to the bass Ibanez is an appealing option. And I’ve already done that with SR400QM. (Haven’t taken a snap yet though)