Have prices on MM really gone up that much in the used market?

[mystixboi1]

This might be an ignorant question, but I haven't followed the MM used market for a few years. I remember 12 years ago, I bought EBMM Axis guitars used for $850 each. I couldn't give away Y2D or Luke III(Olive with rosewood necks) for $1300.

I recently looked on Reverb and some of these prices are nuts!

Are people really paying $2500 for a used Luke III? and $2000 for a Y2D?

I get inflation, but damn.

 

[racerx]

I think you have to consider actual sales prices and not listing/ask prices. That said, yeah, everything went wild the past 2 years. The pendulum will swing back and self-correct a bit, but I'm not sure we'll see bargain bin prices again.

 

[Lax]

Plus reverb prices always have been nut high, check sold listings to have more realistic ones.
They kept rising their fees too, so people compensated too.

 

[xjbebop]

Asking prices have gotten more & more stupid high over the last few years, but as far as I know, very few are actually selling anywhere near those numbers.
But the fact that new instrument prices have jumped up considerably across the board, that should trickle down to the used market as well.
I'm just very glad that I did most of my collecting prior to this madness...

 

[jayjayjay]

Plus, inflation in general affects all sectors - increases in new guitar prices increases demand for lower cost used guitars, which increases their prices (supply and demand and all that). As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all ships.

 

[DrKev]

I agree, it's part inflation ($850 dollars 12 years ago would be $1150 today), part asking price are always higher than sale price, and yes, Reverb fees push prices up another 5%-10%. Reverb and eBay (remember that?) used to have a filter that could show you final sale prices, so look for that when you do a search. But also, just like with cars, I wonder if used guitar prices have increased since the start of the pandemic. For a while new stock was hard to get and materials for builders were hard to get too, which put a premium on quality used gear as people stayed at home and guitar sales went up.

 

[John C]

Plus, inflation in general affects all sectors - increases in new guitar prices increases demand for lower cost used guitars, which increases their prices (supply and demand and all that). As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all ships.

Agreed - while this is hitting all manufacturers it might be more visible with EBMM as their new prices are considerably higher than they were 5-6 years ago. Of course many of the EBMMs have updated features with a lot of technology, but I'm sure that those selling used instruments are seeing the opportunity to get more than just an inflation bump for their older models.

 

[GWDavis28]

I'm always watching the market and some people are just asking super unrealistic prices these days. If your looking for a deal they are out there, but with most markets running higher than normal, instruments aren't any different. Like I said there are deals out there, but your really going to have to hunt for them.

Glenn |B)

 

[wannarock8]

I think the finishes and other cosmetic features on Music Man guitars have gotten much fancier in those last 12 years.
Many used to have one color clear finishes, or a solid color finish. Fewer of the amazing sparkle finishes and tri color bursts on amazing flame or quilt tops. No roasted flame maple necks. Cosmetically they’re up there with some of PRS wilder stuff these days.
In years past, Music Man guitars were a great working man’s instrument, with plainer finishes and fewer deluxe features. But they didn’t catch my attention because I already had favorite guitars I was gigging with.
I think that has something to do with both new and used prices being higher these days.

 

[Lax]

Even using average flame and quilt dyed tops, it's not what makes the price rocket.
Still a long way to go because I saw several sterling veneers that were more daring and satisfying.