On sale $2,599.00
 

 
Truss rod cover- 9.00
Strings- 8.00
knobs-15.00
toggle cap- 4.50
strap buttons-4.00
switchwasher- 4.00
pup rings (s)- 10.00
Jack plate- 5.00
pickguard- 20.00
pickguard bracket- 10.00
tuners- 75.00
Bridge- 48.00
toggle switch- 25.00
Pots (4) 45.00
Pup covers (2) 35.00
Pups - 260.00
control plate (2) 16.00
binding- @40.00
fretwire- @10.00
Inlay-50.00
Bone nut- 5.00
 
@$700.00
Wood - exotic @500.00 (which this model doesn't have)
 
High end materials at consumer prices (which this guitar isn't)  @ $1,200.00
Imagine manufacturers cost at maybe a third.  $400.00 and then imagine "high end" going for $5,000.00 +
 
Just used Gibson as example...no different for the others IMO.
 
IMO they're getting more than what a good custom made guitar should cost and that is for the "Standard" model. Unbelievable. It's only because people will pay.
 
Then top it off with-  the manufacturer needs to make 6 out of 10 that are good. If they do that they will succeed.
They are succeeding so that means that 4 (or more) players out of 10 have no idea what makes a good guitar because there is no way that 10 out of 10 guitars are sweet. Most know that to be a fact.
 
Now it's just how I see it. Not that it's right or wrong. I just didn't like what I was seeing
so I decided to start working a few years ago so I could make a change for myself. I figured if I didn't like it...do something about it, so I did and I am.
 
Yeah I may have missed a few things...wire, sandpaper, glue...add 50.00 :)
 
 
 
 
 

I like the way you see it and that's a very practical/realistic way of looking at it. Afer reading about and seeing all your fine work Michael, I would definitely ask you to build one for me than go through the consumer route........(of course, when I can afford it) :). Knowing the personalized/dedicated quality of workmanship that you put into a build, I'd rather give you those extra $$$ than give it to the stores that overprice a substandard build.   

I sure didn't post that to drum up building for myself.
That last one I made for a guy (friend) that owns a club was with the agreement that he told not one person about me. A good thing too from what he's had to say.
The last thing I want are customers. I choose what I build and whom I build for.
 
I posted for "awareness". To help people know how bad they are being ripped off.
I'm a certain and without doubt that for that much money there are pro luthiers that will build
one as a player wants for that amount of money.
Hell, for that or not much more the guy that use to run the Fender custom shop would build you one.
 
I think the market is totally screwed and guitarist that don't do a little research wind up paying out their ass and most guitarist can't afford to wasting their money.
 
 

I've been assuming that any product that is widely advertised has similar economics.

mike_mccue
I've been assuming that any product that is widely advertised has similar economics.

But this is one that is based on people following victim because of no good reasons.
Their reasons are based on "Name" or hopes that it they will profit in time...very unlikely...or out of complete ignorance. It's built by _____ it must be good. BS. They're selling a name.
Many widely advertised material goods are there because of consumers having limited options.
In the guitar world that is far from the reality. They are in business very simply because there are people that have more money than sense. IMO. If that insulted anybody....to bad. Wise up.

I completely agree and the OP simply proves this. I didn't look at it as you were trying to promote yourself, but rather that we are just lucky to know an experienced craftsman amongst us and doing some excellent work. I know you're a very humble man that doesn't like to get much praise, but c'mon mate......we've got to call it like we see it!! :). I personally have a problem trusting a lot of these "Big" companies that mass produce...... 
   

You are sooooo right Michael, ol pal.  The so called "high end" guitar market is a complete joke.  Unfortunately folks will pay up for a simple slab of wood with some electronics.  I recently purchased an Indonesian sourced Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue.  The top is black flame maple, it has grover tuners and the fit and finish is impeccable.  Absoulutely beautiful, well built, stable, rock solid player.  $300 semolians.  I don't mind paying more for the best in any piece of gear I purchase...but, unfortunately, these days you're sometimes paying more for less instead.

I guess I've assumed that the existence of $179 look and play a likes illustrates that the higher prices are probably higher than I need to pay.

Don't have dog in the ring. I can't remember which 3 guitars I bought as new... but I recall that I looked for good late models for years before I gave up and bought new.

Most of my guitars were purchased at their lowest value as used.

Older boys taught me to do it that way.

I appreciate the vote.
More than that I appreciate the truth. The truth is a guitarist that doesn't seek out a luthier to inquire is making a big mistake IF they're fixin' to lay down big money. Now finding the right luthier may have been a problem in the past.
It is very easy to ask a pro luthier now and get what you pay for rather than paying for name.
And if I were going to pay for a name...it would be a luthiers name on it.
 
 
 

i've always known this, since about 1977, when i first started trying out 'off the shelf' guitars...
 
 
i've built 5 customs to order, two of which i still own and use...
 
and the ones i bought off the shelf:
Ibanez Artist;
Carvin DC200K....
 
were both in my opinion at least equal to the most expensive gibson or fender i ever played.
 
i don't know why, but i always bucked the norm, i guess.
 
it kills me to go see a band play, and a guy is playing a $4,000 les paul, and it's out of tune.
LOL