I haven't asked this much but since I am only fifteen and the extent of my knowledge regarding guitar economics is only so great, why have the guitars and amps have become more expensive?

Is it inflation? cost of production?

The Highway One used to be around 700 bucks, now its a thousand. MIM's standars have gone up the same amount.

Pardon my French but what in the gosh darn heck is going on?

Fail.

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CURRENT RIG:
2008 Squier bullet stratocaster modified with Rumpelstiltskin pickups -> Dunlop GCB-95 Original Crybaby -> Fender Vibro Champ XD

"Could you take the stain from this pair of pants, and put in on this pair of pants?"

Prices on the non-American Fender models has been increasing every year for the past several years. I haven't been tracking Squier pricing so I can't comment on that. For some reason, the American Fender models have been increasing less aggressively. At least that's what I've noticed here where I live.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

The MIM strats have been going up in price because of the (at least perceived) increase in quality. Fender has really been developing that line of guitars to almost compete with itself, in a way, and its American line. I remember when a barebones MIM standard stratocaster was nothing to write home about. Recently, however, I've noticed that the cuts of wood are getting healthier, and the like. This is my own personal opinion, but I'd usually find one nice MIM strat for every 4 or 5 so-so ones a few years ago. This ratio has decreased it seems, with more attention to detail.

And as you mentioned, inflation and cost of production can be considerable factors, cost of production in particular. If there is any sort of behind the scenes increase in labor wage, contract bidding, etc. the cost is most certainly passed onto us as the consumers.

I think your looking at msrp, the highway one is still 700 and the MIM standards price hasn't changed either.

The reason is simple -- the US dollar no longer commands the respect it once did in world markets. Our currency's value continues to erode every time the Federal Reserve prints more money to cover our debt obligations to off-shore investors that hold our debt (read: the Chinese) and the dollar is no longer considered a safe bet as the world's reserve currency. Thus, prices on goods produced overseas continue to rise.

I won't mention the solution because I'm certain that everyone here knows what it is and what a chit-storm this thread will become were I to do so.

(discuss amongst yourselves)

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Hi Arjay: I wonder whether you're thinking of the Cort workers thread?

I've spent three years on this Forum avoiding political discussion like the plague, because it so often leads to adolescent rows. But perhaps there's room for grown-ups here to talk about economics without party politics and without being rude to one another - do you think? Certainly, there's people here who think very differently from me about some of this stuff, and yet they're people who seem nice and sensible as far as I can possibly judge over the internet - surely some of us can discuss amongst ourselves here in public and keep it friendly and respectful...?

Or not? Certainly those childish forum shouting matches are to be avoided at all costs!

Whichever you think best.

Cheers - C

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Hey C,

That was a mighty fine statement, I wish too that we can discuss these topics with the respect and maybe "learn" something rather than wasting energy in a pissin' contests.

Back to the topic, hendrixfan are you looking into MSRP on the fender site?
Retail prices have not changed in the last couple of years, as a matter of fact some prices dropped to pre 2008 level. In Toronto HWY1 retails around $720, am std around $1050, specials $850, mexi std around 500-550, blacktops $450, Squier CV $380, etc.

I don't know what current modern american strat can be compared exactly (price and workmanship) to the lets say some 62 original strat (vintage series is probably produced differently today than in than some 50 years ago).

Sometimes the price actually drop. The day that I bought new HWY 1 the prices dropped from $799 on all sites I sought, (Guitar Center, ZZsound, MF etc.) down to $699.

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08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

Neither

Hadn't really noticed Fender price increases, but not surprised if true. I know in my business, commodity prices, insurance costs, energy costs, freight costs are all going up (a lot). I have been able to absorb most of the increases and not pass it on to my clients, but I have recently relented and have started to increase prices. In business you have to maintain a certain margin in order to stay in afloat -- simple economics. If you don't increase your prices to maintain your profit margin you have to sell more volume at the lower price to make up the difference, not an easy task. You can expect just about everything to keep going up as global demand continues to grow. I won't comment on US economic policies and the value of the currency and its affect (whole rant in itself). There are tons of companies absorbing their increasing operating and supply costs in the hopes that things will ease (not gonna happen anytime soon I'm afraid). There are others who have "come to Jesus" as they say, and have started down the same path that I have to survive. So don't blame Fender if they have to raise prices, it ain't their fault, they have to survive. So buy another guitar and start singing the "baby I'm broke again" blues.

My two cents (FWIW), hedge your bets and invest a bit in commodities to ease your inflationary hit.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

The prices you state are just about right on at most places around cville Md. and have been for a year or so except for the newer special that is recent addition.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

where do I get a copy of a Frontline2011 Magazine?

Catalogs, Brochures and Pricelists (such as Fender Frontline 2011) can be found in the Fender.com Support Library section:

http://www.fender.com/support/library/

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-Steven
Interactive Designer
Fender Musical Instruments, Corp.

but I saw a printed version is not?

Your local Fender dealer should have some on hand

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-Steven
Interactive Designer
Fender Musical Instruments, Corp.