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Post subject: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 1:53 pm
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Interesting read, though much room for debate...

How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?

Cheers!

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Post subject: Re: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 7:52 pm
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Thanks for posting the article LM.

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Post subject: Re: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 8:20 pm
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Interesting article.

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Post subject: Re: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 2:01 am
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Very interesting, thanks for posting Lightnin MN


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Post subject: Re: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 12:50 pm
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Sad to say . . . . I do not know. I have respect to those who have the patience to do that!

I have know those who have bought Squires and MIM products and replaced their hardware/equipment with upper end stuff.

The one one thing I am in question with - - -is that the money they put into it - - - they could have bought an American made - - - or if not American - - - a stock quality guitar. Also, time is money. That should come into consideration too.

But if you are passionate about building the guitar, then that might be the best way to learn the inner structure and beauty of the guitar!


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Post subject: Re: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 12:50 pm
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Sad to say . . . . I do not know. I have respect to those who have the patience to do that!

I have know those who have bought Squires and MIM products and replaced their hardware/equipment with upper end stuff.

The one one thing I am in question with - - -is that the money they put into it - - - they could have bought an American made - - - or if not American - - - a stock quality guitar. Also, time is money. That should come into consideration too.

But if you are passionate about building the guitar, then that might be the best way to learn the inner structure and beauty of the guitar!


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Post subject: Re: How Much Does it Actually Cost to Build a Guitar?
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:34 pm
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reno2atlanta wrote:
The one one thing I am in question with - - -is that the money they put into it - - - they could have bought an American made - - - or if not American - - - a stock quality guitar. Also, time is money. That should come into consideration too.


Sorry dude, but that's rubbish. Even with the recent markup, you can buy a brand new MIM for around $600 new and ever after new pickups, premium trem block, yadda, yadda, you're still way ahead of the cost of an MIA. Lemme do the math for ya...

New MIM - $599 (based on current prices at Sweetwater)
Callaham Trem Block - $65 (or you can get GFS for around $25)
Seymour Duncan SSL-3 pickups - $164.50 (again I've gone with GFS for as little as $15 a set)

So far that's still under $1000 and it's for parts that are BETTER than what you'll get with a stock MIA (sorry, but MIA pickups suck...I've heard a few stock MIM's that sound decent, but I have yet to hear an MIA that actually sounds like "a Strat"). Throw in a case and strap and you're STILL saving $200 compared with an MIA. What's more is that instead of ending up with just another "off the shelf" instrument, you now have something built to your specific needs. And if you go Squire, the savings are even more substantial. And don't even get me started on the deals you can get if you go used...it's been a LONG time since I bought a brand new guitar and I really don't see it happening any time in the future.

As far as "time" goes...wow...I can change a trem block in about 20 minutes while doing a string change. Takes me about half an hour to swap pickups (ok....longer if I'm drinking or stoned, LOL). Sorry, but I just can't see that as a legit issue here...if ya got time to snack in front of the tv or yack on an internet forum, you got time to do a few guitar mods :-).

And BTW...I have to add that so far, this applies to my Strats/Fenders. The fact is I also have one of those "cheap" Chinese made Ibanez Artcore semi-hollows and for a sub $300 guitar, that sucker is an OUTSTANDING instrument "as is"...no upgrades needed. When I got her, I had originally figured I'd have to change the pickups, but there really isn't any need at all....great sound, excellent build quality and great playing instrument all the way around. I got her used, so it took me a good hour or so to give her a good cleaning, inspection and proper setup, but otherwise I haven't done a thing to her...and don't plan to. Sorry, but you just can't touch that with American made.

Sorry dude, but I'll take my imports ANY day.


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But if you are passionate about building the guitar, then that might be the best way to learn the inner structure and beauty of the guitar!


This I do agree with. I've been building and modding my own instruments pretty much since I started playing. While I currently own around 25 guitars (along with a few basses), I know each and every one of them pretty intimately. That said however, I don't think it's about being passionate about "building", it's simply being passionate about "guitars". Yes, I enjoy working on them nearly as much as I love playing, however in my mind, it goes hand in hand.


Just my own opinions.


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