I was in Long & McQuade, Canada's big chain, last night and discovered that Ep****ne Les Paul Standards are now going for $900 taxes included. This is GREAT news for Strat and soon to be Strat owners -even with the upcoming Fender price increase there is NO WAY a MIM Strat or Tele will be close to 900 bucks.
I'd expect there will be a LOT more MIM HSS Strats sold in Canada, Gi**son has officially priced themselves out of the market!!! lol

It´s possible. But I´m not so certain.. you know, it´s a different thing..I don´t see how you can compare a Fender to a Gibson. Both are brilliant. The best guitars you can buy, but they are VERY different things.. at least, that´s what I think..

Some people Loves Fender. Some people loves Gibson. Some people loves both !! LOL... In my case, honestly I love both. I know it´s Fender´s house here, but there´s no way you could seriously say Gibson builds crapy instruments. That´s something they surley don´t do.

Some people will always be Gibson´s freaks.. no matter what, they will always go for the Gibsons or maybe, the Epi. And vice versa..

So, I think things are not going to be so black and white...depending of what you´re looking for, maybe a Les Paul is more likely to be the right tool. And in this case, they can be more expensive, but..if that´s what you really need, or want...the price is not going to stop you to get a Gibson or an Epi. Unless, of course, you don´t have the money..LOL

But, if that´s really your dream, if you can´t afford it today..save a little bit more and buy it tomorrow..LOL..so, I don´t see the Epi´s and the Gibson´s getting out of the market. And to be honest, they´ve been selling very expensive instruments for a while, don´t they ? LOL..

I have to agree with Gustavo.
Even if Fender jacked thier prices higher that the Epi's, I still wouldnt be a Gibson player.
Just dont tell Fender that,lol

Well the mim road worn stratS at my guitar center in michigan are $950.Ridiculas

Fenders are always cheaper than Gibsons and they will outsell Gibson. I like them both.

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2007 Classic Player Baja Telecaster
1991 Strat Ultra
1990 Gibson ES-347
1986 Yamaha SBG2100
1980 Gibson L6-S
1971 Stratocaster
Fender Stage Lead Combo
Marshall MOSFET 100 watt Amp