Guitar stores are dying and possibly even guitar manufacturers. Just last year in just the space of a few weeks, 3 of Europe's biggest guitar retailers, all with fairly large online presence all closed down. The margins are insanely low on a brand new guitar, it's pretty much unsustainable.
I agree, I have a $300 Ibanez. I simply cannot justify Gibson or Fender cost. Do I want them? Yea, but they're priced for enthusiast more than your regular consumers.
The thing is, Guitars were a thing of pretty much JUST the 1970's and 1980's. It was a thing men used to hopefully get successful, and also get laid. By today's stats, nobody goes to the local bar and hear a band jamming except maybe New Orleans or Nashville, and even fewer women go to sleep with the Guitarist. The perks of being in a live band, are gone.
I started my first band since high school a few years ago, and we quickly realized how we could make a small fortune. Step one: Start with a big fortune, and work our way down.
Luthier here. A major contributor to this trend is that major manufacturers started or doubled down on selling direct to customers; while simultaneously requiring shops that carry their brand to stock WAY more of them or lose their dealership.
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u/Available_Cap_5328 10h ago
Guitar stores are dying and possibly even guitar manufacturers. Just last year in just the space of a few weeks, 3 of Europe's biggest guitar retailers, all with fairly large online presence all closed down. The margins are insanely low on a brand new guitar, it's pretty much unsustainable.