Okay this is getting really confusing as I would like to know what the heck is the actual guitar prices. Ever since Fender dropped the big price increase it seems there is no stable price on any guitar and it is almost like price by the month.

I stopped in Sam Ash to get some strings last week and though they have the poorest selection of guitars for such a big store (Brooklyn) as they carry like one guitar of each model if that I was shocked at the big price drops and even had to ask if the guitars were second hand. Now looking online Clapton, Beck,Knopfler well just about every artist series is $1,599 everywhere except the Eric Johnson. Then the American Vintage 57 and 62 which were over $2,200 are also $1,599 and $1,699. The American Deluxes are $1,499. I cant list every model but everything else seems down by a few hundred.

What I am getting at is there anymore official prices or they raise and lower them when they feel like. I know if I bought a Knopfler for $2,200 or $2,200 for a Vintage 62 and then it is $1,599 I would be pissed off.

Can someone explain the pricing or do you think when they made the initial price hike sales fell off so bad that maybe thats the reason why there seems to be no stable fixed pricing.

A dealer can sell at any price below MSRP. There are times when they may drop a price for say, 30 days. Most big dealers have at least 30-45 day policy, about an item purchased at a higher price now on sale or an out right price drop. Manufacturers will at times drop prices as well. It's hard to keep up with it all. If I do a purchase, I hang on to my sales receipt and watch the prices.

Im with you Straycat - its a mess anymore!

I was at a local store last week, and they had 2 Am. Std's 09 models side by side -one was 3 tone SB with Maple neck - the other was black - both were SSS - Well, the SB had a tag on it with $1350 and the black one had a tag with $999 - So, I was like, ok, im gonna ask about this - The salesman says, "Well, sunburst is always a bit more" - Im thinkin, yea, we all know this, but $350 more? lol - Then I asked about that, and he states, "Fender increased their prices last year, so we are just following the market trend" - at that point, I say, Ok man, thanks! lol - I just like hearing the explanations from these clueless sales folk from time to time! lol

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

It's a common sales practice to mark down an item that is not/has not moved well for a period of time. My Powerhouse MIM Strat... MSRP $842... my price $485. I don't think there was that much mark-up on the instrument but I bought this "made in December 2005" new in December 2009. Somebody must have taken a hit on it at some point along the line. Their loss = my gain.

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
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