Cactus Music
 
Guitar sales have always been on a rollercoaster ride. And what is killing Gibson and a little bit of Fender, is the price 
 

This has been true for a long time when I bought my Yamaha SA800 I had planned to get a 335 but when I played them side by side the Yamaha was just a bit better for me and was half the price. Gibson and Fender have both tried to exploit their brand as a way to command a premium. I also have a 1982 JV Squier Tele which was ridiculously cheap and again played and sounded better to me than the US alternatives of the time.
 
For me the changes from the 80s are quality gap has narrowed significantly, especially for the hardware like pickups, and the price gap has got wider. Of course Gibson and Fender both demonstrate this through the Epiphone and Squier brands.
 
Personally I think that both brands have built a pricing structure that they cannot escape without looking like they have been over priced for years.

OK possible all the 6 or so Gibson Acoustics they had in the store ( Long and McQuade) that day I picked them up, strummed a few chords etc and was totally unimpressed. I'm not being an arse, I used to have a music store, I sold a lot of brands including Gibsons. I've had my hands on a lot of guitars in my time and the Gibsons I picked up were not worth the $1,800 + price points. Possibley worth about $800, yes, but compaired to all the other brands in the store including some nice Martins, Lerrivee and Taylors at that golden price point, only a fool would have chosen the Gibsons. SO it's no supprise to me sales are off. 

vintagevibe
Regardless of their business practices, Gibson makes superb acoustic guitars.

Haha - they really don't! Even most Gibson players I know dont like their accoustics, much less anyone that has ever held a decent guitar:) Fender accoustics are equally as horrible, and I love me a strat or two:) 

tenfoot

vintagevibe
Regardless of their business practices, Gibson makes superb acoustic guitars.

Haha - they really don't! Even most Gibson players I know dont like their accoustics, much less anyone that has ever held a decent guitar:) Fender accoustics are equally as horrible, and I love me a strat or two:) 

I don’t mean to be rude but you are clueless. Look around YouTube to see all the people playing Gibson jumbos. What you are saying is opposite of actual reality. Anger at Gibson does not warrant spreading gross misinformation. Facts are important. No sense in arguing any more, however. Have a great day.

vintagevibe

tenfoot

vintagevibe
Regardless of their business practices, Gibson makes superb acoustic guitars.

Haha - they really don't! Even most Gibson players I know dont like their accoustics, much less anyone that has ever held a decent guitar:) Fender accoustics are equally as horrible, and I love me a strat or two:) 

I don’t mean to be rude but you are clueless. Look around YouTube to see all the people playing Gibson jumbos. What you are saying is opposite of actual reality. Anger at Gibson does not warrant spreading gross misinformation. Facts are important. No sense in arguing any more, however. Have a great day.

1. You seem to have a bit of a problem with people having differing opinions to your own. Its OK. You dont have to resort to Ad hominem attacks just because a stranger on the internet disagrees with your obvious fondness for Gibson Acoustics.
2.  You see a lot of people eating Mcdonalds too. Doesn't  make it fine dining. 
3. I am not angry at Gibson. The more information that comes out, the more you realise Cakewalk made its own bed.
4. Thanks. I will:)
 

tenfoot
 
2.  You see a lot of people eating Mcdonalds too. Doesn't  make it fine dining. 

Hey now...

I have to say, I've never been impressed by Gibson or Fender acoustics and I've played quite a few of them in stores over the years. They always sounded a little on the thin side to me, compared to say a Martin or a Yamaha. And I guess I'm kinda spoiled because I have a thoroughly awesome handmade guitar which stomps on all of them - it was the first guitar made by the father of a friend of mine. Because it was his first, it's a little rough around the edges, but man it's so sweet sounding and rings like a bell. You play it in a house and it just fills the whole house with guitar. So sometimes in the guitar store I'll pick up something expensive and think, meh! That especially goes for the Gibsons and Fenders. 

Nice James. Nothing like an evening with your favourite acoustic. I've got a Martin I'm pretty fond of when I want that rich, warm sound, a Takamine and a US Ovation shallow back (both 30+ years old) that are great through a pa for rock gigs, but my favourite noodling around home guitar is a actually made from a gord! I bought it at a folk festival in the late 80's and it is still going strong:)

mettelus

tenfoot
 
2.  You see a lot of people eating Mcdonalds too. Doesn't  make it fine dining. 

Hey now...

Haha! Apologies metellus if it is your cuisine of choice:)

Mystic38
Guitar sales have plummeted,  Both Fender and Gibson are in dire straights due to this one single fact. bottom line is, millenials wont pick up an instrument that you actually have to spend time to practice on
 

 
I don't believe that 'fact' is true at all.
 
I've said this several times, but search YouTube for young guitarists  - there are thousands of them. What about the hundreds of young guitar bands you can see on festival bills every summer?
 
I'm 57, have been playing guitar for 40 years, and I've only ever bought 2 brand new 'name' guitars in all that time. When have kids ever been able to buy new Gibsons or Fenders? It's the price of new guitars that's hurting the big two, and the fact that there are now any number of second hand guitars to be bought, plus some great low end new ones, like Squier.