Have you seen Gibson CS prices recently????!!!!

[Telerocker]

For the money you'd pay on a Gibson now days I'd rather spend on a Heritage. They look gorgeous.

As for Fender increasing prices, yeah quite a big jump but I think the quality has improved on those US Standards. Those Mexi Strats have really improved too.

Heritage is a very good alternative. Gibson-prices get ridiculous.
My feeling is that Fender is on the average on a better price-quality-level. And I would rather buy a Fender CS then a Gibson CS.

[38thBeatle]

I do love Les Pauls but there is no way I'd pay that kind of price.

[dave_mc]

with the brand names we all aspire to.

speak for yourself ;)

[Philly Q]

As for Fender increasing prices, yeah quite a big jump but I think the quality has improved on those US Standards. Those Mexi Strats have really improved too.

Could be, I haven't played a new Strat for a while.  But I think the 2000 American Series was a big improvement from the previous American Standards, that's when they introduced nice details like rounded fretboard edges.  They'd let the standards drop in the late '90s, with five-piece bodies and some dodgy quality control (unless I was just unlucky and got all the bad ones!  :lol: ).

I agree the MIMs have come on in leaps and bounds.   :)

[Telerocker]

As for Fender increasing prices, yeah quite a big jump but I think the quality has improved on those US Standards. Those Mexi Strats have really improved too.

Could be, I haven't played a new Strat for a while.  But I think the 2000 American Series was a big improvement from the previous American Standards, that's when they introduced nice details like rounded fretboard edges.  They'd let the standards drop in the late '90s, with five-piece bodies and some dodgy quality control (unless I was just unlucky and got all the bad ones!  :lol: ).

I agree the MIMs have come on in leaps and bounds.   :)

Playing a good American Series 2000 Tele I can just underline your opinion. The BKP's make it a really nice axe.

[HTH AMPS]

It makes going to a UK custom builder seem more like a good idea  :D

^ +1

the quality and attention to detail will be much, much better and cost you half the price.

a no-brainer really.

[DavidRees]

if Les Paul was alive today he'd be playing a Feline Lion :D

[marantz1300]

I got my 57 RI Custom in a trade,so its a bigger bargin then I thought. I still prefer my Norlin. :D

[Ian Price]

I agree the MIMs have come on in leaps and bounds.   :)

+1. My Baja is top value for money. When I can afford a new guitar I'm seriously going to think about going custom. Surely the big names must realize that their pricing structure will make people move away from paying over the odds. Maybe I'm being naive thinking like that.

[marauder]

Crazy pricing.

Glad I got the R8 and SG when I did.

[FELINEGUITARS]

if Les Paul was alive today he'd be playing a Feline Lion :D

Greatly amused by that David .... :D

[Twinfan]

Surely the big names must realize that their pricing structure will make people move away from paying over the odds. Maybe I'm being naive thinking like that.

They know people will pay for the name.  Simple as that.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Surely the big names must realize that their pricing structure will make people move away from paying over the odds. Maybe I'm being naive thinking like that.

They know people will pay for the name.  Simple as that.

"Label-lickers!"

[forestcaver]

It's sort of complicated (and they know it !) You buy guitars like that when you can finally afford it (after lusting after one for half your life and dreaming about it for years), unless you are playing professionally... When you can finally afford it, it's so tempting to buy the guitar you have lusted after rather than buy from one of the small luthiers even if you know that you will be disppointed (it wont be as good as you dream and you still end up playing the beaten up student guitar you've had for years), and the small luthier custom guitar will be far better... but you still end up buying an F or a G ! (Well I did anyway !).

[Sifu Ben]

I came across an old Guitarist magazine from 2001 and checked out the prices of things.

Les Paul Standard - £949
Les Paul Custom - £1459


Crazy how in 10 years that price is now double. Double the quality? I doubt it.

What's stupid is that if I'd bought a Les Paul in 2002 it would now be worth more than I paid for it on ebay! :o