Music Man Price Increase

[Sweat]

I look online a lot at guitars and mainly MM, I also look a lot at Musicians Friend who has increased their inventory significantly.

Just recently I noticed that as they bring in fresh inventory( new items they never stocked or sold out items replenished) that there is a price increase, seems to be around 10 to 12 % depending on the piece.

Not complaining just noticing the cost of manufacturing must be increasing which is typical for any industry.

 

[guitarp77]

Yup, noticed that also, both in GC and MF...

 

[mystixboi1]

Most manufactures have price increases every so often.

 

[JDguitar]

As long as everyone got a 10% pay increase this year we're in good shape!
Just got back from a ribfest. Last year it was two dollars to add beans and slaw to a half rack. This year it was three dollars. ...it was worth it as I'm sure the EBMM instruments will be worth the price increase!

 

[Razzle]

As long as everyone got a 10% pay increase this year we're in good shape!

riiiiiiiiiiiiiight

 

[Kenji20022]

Which models got the price increase? I don't pay attention to all of Musicman's models so I don't know most of their usual prices. And 10% pay increase =/= 10% price increase on products, that's not very rational haha. I wouldn't mind paying slightly more for an Ernie Ball, I just bought one on thursday!

Ibanez had a price increase recently, and people bickered. It happens, but I'd like to see an official announcement so that I can see which models are affected.

I think I just spotted one, weren't the Black/Rosewood Neck'd Luke III's 1575$ a couple months back? The Olive Green and the Black are the same price right now o___O

 

[DrKev]

Yup, noticed that also, both in GC and MF...

Remember, GC and MF they are the same company.

Obviously, I can't speak for EBMM or if their recommended prices have changed or not, or their prices to the dealers, but once the dealers have bought the guitars, they can pretty much sell 'em for whatever they think they can get.

 

[guitarp77]

Remember, GC and MF they are the same company.

Obviously, I can't speak for EBMM or if their recommended prices have changed or not, or their prices to the dealers, but once the dealers have bought the guitars, they can pretty much sell 'em for whatever they think they can get.

Of course...

Nothing wrong with the prices. They've risen (objective fact), but the quality Of these babes still makes the prices look like a steal!

 

[mtrejo]

Prices can't stay the same forever. Sheesh.

 

[setenza]

riiiiiiiiiiiiiight

lmao

 

[TNT]

EBMM are a steal!!!

 

[coldsummer]

It's all relative. You guys in the States have great prices compared to us in Europe. I was looking at a new AL HH a few months back at my local EBMM dealer. Ticket price was £2400 which I guess would be about $3600.

Hopefully the proposed trade deal between the States and EU will come into effect in a couple of years and our prices will even up.

Either way, EBMM are still great value instruments compared with other premium makes so we are all winners

 

[cionian]

I've bougt a floyd Y2D in Melb Aus back in 08 for 3800..the rrp was 4500 something.. Those of you in the states have it good.

 

[DrKev]

Thank heavens for this forum and the "For Sale" thread eh?

 

[TheShreddinHand]

Just checked the JPs on MF, they're all the same prices they've always been.

 

[Spudmurphy]

The prices are what they are over here and we know the reason for it - i'm not bickering about it.

I went into Cardiff City Center yesterday and went into two of the largest guitar stores in the whole of South Wales.
One of them (and I won't name names) used to stock a lot of EB guitars, now they only have a couple of basses and a few Sterling model guitars. I've known the owner for many years and we were having a reminisce about daze gone by. I said that he used to carry many more EB guitars and was he still using S & T? To which he replied yes and we talked about some of the guys at S & T.
The bottom line is he said that that he didn't make much money on the EB guitars, he wasn't a library keeping guitars for people to try so that they can cut a deal elsewhere. So price rises will have a wider effect than some realise.
(Caveat) However, EB are loyal to their workers and from what has been said on here Sterling treats them like an extended family so low wages to keep prices down are a no - no, and I'm sure that all kinds of manufacturing costs, insurance etc etc have risen
I don't know enough about manufacture and retail, but it's a hard life out there for the retailers on the street who invariably lean more towards budget ranges to make money to feed their employees.- but the sad result is from my part, is that they no longer stock a large range of EB guitars - maybe they need to look at Knighton Guitars business model, as they have a large inventory of high end guitars.

On a personal note - not having received a pay rise in 3 years or incremental progressional pay after job promotion, means that any price rises have hit me hard and one of my "flock" may have to go, but on reflection with the gear I have , I'm doing ok, so please "no tears" lol

 

[coldsummer]

The prices are what they are over here and we know the reason for it - i'm not bickering about it.

Me neither, I'm happy to live in the UK despite some of the social and economic issues we face, in fact I think we are incredibly privileged.

The point I was making about the proposed free trade agreement is that guitars (and other goods) imported from the States will become far less expensive and accessible to many more people so it will be a win-win situation in many respects for buyers, importers, distributors, retailers and indeed the manufacturer.

In the meantime, like the good Doctor says, thank goodness for the 'For Sale' thread

 

[Spudmurphy]

ooops - yeah when I re read my comment it sounds like a "swipe"!.
My bad, no intention of it coming over like that. - you know me - "I'm too polite!!!" haaaaaaa!

 

[coldsummer]

Don't worry Spud, I wasn't getting touchy, just thought I needed to clarify my thoughts!

TBH, I really feel for the retailers out there at the moment. I know quite a few of the owners on this side of the channel and they are finding life pretty tough (apart from one notable exception), they rely on a steady flow of cheap/budget guitars to keep the wolf from the door, but their high-end inventory tends to hang around for ages.

 

[Sweat]

Guys, I think some have misinterpreted the point of this thread. It was not to complain about MM pricing, still a bargain and lots of NOS at great prices out there, was just to point out there is a price increase and it was more noticeable than in the past, and yes we in the US have it good still.

Also some have not increased but most likely will when current inventory is gone. The product my company reps took the same price increase last October and that's at the wholesale level, just normal economics.