Well just to be fair to Fender. Gibson has also recently increase their prices. The SG standard for example was $1100 at many popular Music Store Chains just a month ago. Now, they are selling for $1700!!!!!! OUCH!!!!!!!! I feel sorry for those people who waited to get those guitars just a few months ago when they were cheaper

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http://www.youtube.com/user/gmlasam

Yeah I have a very nice Maton, and to be fair to fender the price variance seems to be the same on just about every piece of musical equipment, thank god for ebay....even with the exchange rate, import duty *about 15%),freight(approx $300AUS) and say the dealers 20%, the prices don't add up to me, way chaper to buy the parts and assemble them yourself.

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Regards

bluesdog88

I wonder if people would be equally articulate in regard to if Fender ever reduced their prices.

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You dig?

Hello Ceri dont know much about current Maton prices other than whats on Ebay. Why do people need to buy new guitars anywhere in the world whats wrong with a used guitar in great nick ? This new guitar stuff is an illusion really I am learning how to gloss and lacquer up guitars now and I can make an old saggy body look like Marilyn Monroe. After 1 week the guitar is classed as second hand and you have lost 300 bucks instantly. If you want a new guitar buy a great looking used one. Seriously Fender should also go into the used Fender guitar market on a hands on personal basis, I think thats a great idea and would help stop people being ripped off and buying rubbish and problems.

Ceri said:



I was considering a Japanese strat until the Jeff Beck model popped up on ebay. I would also buy an Edwards Les Paul from Japan for half the cost of a Gibson if that's what I was Gassing for.......

It's not just Fender. I bought a brand new Korean made Gretsch 5129 from a shop in New York City, with case and shipping for $750.00 AUD. They retail here for $1600AUD!!!

I'm sure most people in Australia road test guitars in the shops and then buy elsewhere. I feel sorry for guitar newbies who can't spot the bargains and get blinded by the bling in the stores and pay retail.

Import duties? Sounds like the US and Australia don't have a free trade agreement. I hope Fender is complaining to Congress, because that is a significant bar to foreign sales. And as for Australia, I don't sense that there is a big domestic electric guitar manufacturing industry they need to protect.

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