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Post subject: Custom shop prices
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 1:04 pm
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I was looking into a CS Malmsteen model with no mods. Base model. And not a master built. The base model is essentially a production yjm signature strat with a two piece neck: a round laminated maple fingerboard on a maple neck. Like say a ‘68 ‘maple cap’ strat. I called one of the CS showcase dealers who said the CS said $5500 but that the dealer would cut it to $4900. So my question is does the cost jive with others’ experience. I’ve never gotten a CS strat before but I’ve perused them along with masterbuilts on eBay and reverb for years. And my anecdotal experience says that $5500 is no add-on fessler or Cruz masterbuilt territory (ie say a no add-on masterbuilt ‘54 replica). CS base models are typically in the $3k range. Of course this strat has the extra work of scalloping a maple cap (how you scallop a veneer, non-slab, maple lam without going through the lam into the neck I do t know) but otherwise it’s a mix of old and new yjm’s (large headstock but with heel truss nut, 5 way selector, SD YJM fury pups, etc). So all things being essentially the same as various production yjms, it sounds like the only thing I’m paying for in that inflated CS price is the maple cap novelty. In other words, minus the maple cap, a production yjm with a ‘rosewood cap’ (to invent a term to put things in perspective) is $1600 vs. $5500.
So again, does this jive with others experience with a contemporary team built CS strat?
Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Custom shop prices
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:57 am
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I think we have become spoilt by the comparative low prices of standard models and this is slewing your viewpoint. Granted current standard models feature a large amount of machine manufacture which will be more cost effective.

What you are saying is, in buying Custom Shop, you want a traditional hand made guitar. I assume this is made in the same way they would have been 50 years ago. If you take the sale price of a new Strat from, say, 1960 and transport that to today's prices, further considering skilled labour is paid more comparatively today and manufacturing overheads are much higher I think it is a very reasonable price.

You also have the situation in that they charge $5K because they can because they are selling to a market where price doesn't really matter.

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Post subject: Re: Custom shop prices
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:59 am
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My 1978 Antigua was $600
Adjusted for inflation, that would be $2300 in 2018
The 1968 Strat listed for 387.50 with case
Adjusted for inflation, that would be $2800 in 2018

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Post subject: Re: Custom shop prices
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 10:31 pm
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Thanks for the reply guys.
I was thinking someone may have experience with a base model CS strat, no mods, to tell me if $5k was a k or two higher than the average base model. It’s a team build base model, not a highly customized one man masterbuilt. And aside from the novelty of a round lam maple cap, it’s essentially an otherwise $1600 yjm.
Ok.
Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Custom shop prices
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 6:43 am
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Sweetwater currently has a Teambuilt "base" Gilmour NOS (no relicing) priced at $5400.

Other than the short trem arm and beveled block, nothing really special/unique about it. Way less labor/skill than scalloping a fretboard.

So I'd expect a YJM should cost a bit more than that, at least in terms of production cost.
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CS prices have always seemed a bit crazy to me, but $5K for a YJM seems particularly silly.

For much less than that, you could buy an actual vintage '70's Strat, have the board scalloped, and change the pickups.

(Way, way less than $5K if you find one that's already had some mods done, so you won't feel "guilty about defacing a vintage guitar".)

But that's my personal value system. Lots of people consider CS prices to be reasonable and appropriate.
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Anyway, I'd assume Gilmours and YJM's should be in the same price range, so it doesn't sound like your dealer is adding extra profit for his store by inflating the CS price quote.

It actually appears he really is giving you a "great deal" by knocking $600 off the CS quote.


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Post subject: Re: Custom shop prices
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 3:53 am
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strayedstrater wrote:
CS prices have always seemed a bit crazy to me, but $5K for a YJM seems particularly silly...

Okay, it is nice to know that I am not the only one to think so. With $5K for a CS Les Paul, that to me is still a lot, but you at least can see/feel where the money is going. That just sounds so much for a non-vintage Strat ... especially considering how good the MIM and MIA production models have gotten.

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Post subject: Re: Custom shop prices
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 1:05 pm
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You cannot compare the price of a second hand item on ebay etc to a brand new item from a store.
Admittedly the CS new prices are up there but like you said second hand items are available.
I do not buy artist models but if you want a new one the $5000 price range you mentioned is around the correct pricing.
Current CS prices are not readily avaiable but the fender site has the 2015 CS price list for a comparison.
:D


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