At the end of covid I had 28 guitars. 25 were bought from people ditching them 'cause they tried & decided it was not for them. I played them all. Fixed issues with a few & full setups on the ones in need. I got good deals, made a few bucks selling, then Bam! The market froze on ones in the $800 to $1500 price range. 6 remain & listed for over 6 months & barely a nibble.
Buy the guitar that you want to play - the one that truly meets your playing needs. If you're expecting your guitars to be a bank account, prepare to lose your shirt and be elated if you don't.
To be honest I bought a used pawn shop MIM Fender strat for $250, I put a new neck on it, redid all the electronics, and it is my best sounding Strat...I have a 2018 Performer Strat, and a 82 reissue, with a lot of new parts....but none of them have the mojo of the one I rebuilt.
Exactly. Higher end guitars don't necessarily perform better. I have a 2018 SG junior limited edition and my Harley Benton copy stays in tune better and sounds better!
I’m relatively rich. I buy whatever I want, so if I buy a guitar it’s typically a signature/limited # model. Sitting next to a wall of rare/limited/appreciating in value guitars and the biggest $ gains come from the most expensive guitars. IE, appreciating assets are typically only available to those with the capital to access it. Unfair, but true. My purchases are put into 2 buckets, and I don’t worry about either one, just is what it is - 1) this will hold/increase its value so worst case net neutral + fun; OR 2) lighting money on fire for happiness. There is no in between. Both are fine, both have their benefits, both should be utilized accordingly. This is the mindset you refer to early on in the video and you’re exactly right.
Apart from the guitars that have actually been played by famous artists (the Greenie etc) I seriously doubt any can qualify as an investment. Sure they may go up in value but if you put the same amount in a stock index, property or whatever I am willing to bet you'll be better off 99/100 times. I have bought a few signature guitars of artists I'm a huge fan of, and while it's nice to know they will most likely hold or increase in value, that has no bearing on my purchase.
I bought my Godin A6 Ultra 4 years ago for 650 and now used they are going for over 1K used. 1400 new. I guess it depends on what guitar you buy that determines if you will make a profit if you sell it.
My Fender Californian parlor guitar which I bought from Goodwill store for $50.00 fifteen years ago, now worth $375.00 on Reverb. I also have a couple First act VW garage master which I bought at garage sales for less than $100.00, now they can go as high as $1000.00 on eBay.
I was in GC yesterday. Couldn't believe the prices on Epis. $600+. Gibsons are simply out of reach. Saw a used Firefly LP. Pretty impressive build quality. Fender and Squire were more reasonable, however, no Affinity or Classic Vibe on display. Interestingly, amp prices were more down to earth.
Problem with buying a guitar in hopes you get your money back, or more if times get tough. Is that your potential buyer would likely be someone in the same income bracket as you. If you're pretty well broke, as most people are. If times are tough for you. Then times are also likely tough for whomever might likely be in the same income bracket as you. So, how ya gonna sell it if they would be buyer is also selling his $h!t because times are tough....
To replace the Rickenbacker I bought in 2004, I would have to spend more than twice what I paid for it. Does that mean its value has increased? Relatively, maybe. But no.
The guy who needs his wife's approval is a SIMP and a COWARD. The wife is to submit to her husband's authority not the other way around. I have NO respect for SIMPS.
"Hold value" when I retired i'd go into Canada $1000 USD =$1553 Cdn....W went into Iraq looking for WMD's my $1000 USD became $960 cdn....so if a gal of gas was .89/gl and now gas is 4.50/gl you better sharpen ur pencil if "breaking even" after a decade is ur answer....imo
I'm largely not looking to mix business with pleasure. When I want to invest, I buy stock. Value doubles about every 7 years. And when I want to sell stock, I press a button. When I want to have fun, I buy and play guitars. I don't expect their value to double ever, let alone every 7 years. When I want to sell a guitar.... well, we all know the trials and tribulations of selling guitars. Guitars holding value (ignoring inflation) or increasing slowly over time is nice, but if you're not getting enjoyment out of the guitar in the meantime, the math just doesn't math as an investment.
More guitars built everyday than are purchased. Fewer new guitarists every year. More dying every year and their collections enter the market. Hard to see an upwardly continuing trajectory of value.
The answer is NO. The Rikenbacker will NOT hold it's value. The main reason is inflation. If you buy at $450 and sell in ten years at $550 you have gained $100 nominal dollars, but you will have lost money due to inflation. If you want to keep your value, buy Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, Ethereum, MSTR stock, Real Estate or fine art. Not guitars or cars. They go down in value, except for a tiny, tiny percentage of them which appreciate. And no one can tell which these will be. It's a gamble, and you will lose. Buy a guitar you love and you want to play. But nearly all guitars go down in value over time.
ALL of my life, I have pronounced RICKENBACKER like "RICK en bocker," as Phil pronounces it in this video. Recently, I have been hearing a couple of folks pronounce it how it is spelled, "RICK en backer." Does anyone know the proper way? Does it matter to anyone? 🤔
I think I just answered my own question! In German, the letters of the Alphabet are pronounced like this, and can be spelt phonetically as such: A = ah The surname Rickenbacker is an Americanized version of the German name Rickenbacher. Rickenbacher is a habitational name that refers to someone from Rickenbach, and it's very rare in Germany. So, if "-bach" is pronounced like the composer, J.S. Bach, then RICKENBACKER is indeed pronounced, "RICK en bocker." 🙂
If you’re looking to make an investment purchase buy a house. If you’re looking to make a purchase to enjoy yourself then by all means purchase another guitar. 🤙
Minor tweek: buy a house your are going to RENT. And make sure the rent pays all of the expenses, including the mortgage payment and the property taxes. THEN it is an investment. But if you are going to live in it, it is an EXPENSE. It will probably not hold it's value once you account for inflation.
Purchased my first home in 95’ at 125k, sold it 8 years ago for 675k. ( New York ), sure…there’s been inflation however it was a very good investment even if it wasn’t rented. I can’t foresee the future so I obviously can’t say rationally if this would sustain the same amount of yield into the future however, as I stated before it’s a much more solid investment as opposed to a guitar lol.
We thought this was a fun clip from a older show.
if you're into the zombie apocalypse
Deering made not one but two versions of a Zombie Killer banjo
The first thing I do when I pick a vacation spot is see how many guitar shops are in the area 😂
At the end of covid I had 28 guitars. 25 were bought from people ditching them 'cause they tried & decided it was not for them. I played them all. Fixed issues with a few & full setups on the ones in need. I got good deals, made a few bucks selling, then Bam! The market froze on ones in the $800 to $1500 price range. 6 remain & listed for over 6 months & barely a nibble.
My stock portfolio and IRA are my investments.
I buy guitars for fun.
be sure to use full motorcycle armor while bludgeoning zombies with guitars
Buy the guitar that you want to play - the one that truly meets your playing needs. If you're expecting your guitars to be a bank account, prepare to lose your shirt and be elated if you don't.
To be honest I bought a used pawn shop MIM Fender strat for $250, I put a new neck on it, redid all the electronics, and it is my best sounding Strat...I have a 2018 Performer Strat, and a 82 reissue, with a lot of new parts....but none of them have the mojo of the one I rebuilt.
Exactly. Higher end guitars don't necessarily perform better. I have a 2018 SG junior limited edition and my Harley Benton copy stays in tune better and sounds better!
I’m relatively rich. I buy whatever I want, so if I buy a guitar it’s typically a signature/limited # model. Sitting next to a wall of rare/limited/appreciating in value guitars and the biggest $ gains come from the most expensive guitars. IE, appreciating assets are typically only available to those with the capital to access it. Unfair, but true. My purchases are put into 2 buckets, and I don’t worry about either one, just is what it is - 1) this will hold/increase its value so worst case net neutral + fun; OR 2) lighting money on fire for happiness. There is no in between. Both are fine, both have their benefits, both should be utilized accordingly. This is the mindset you refer to early on in the video and you’re exactly right.
Capitalism at its best. Love it! Rock on my rich friend! ✌️
My wife is the ceo, cfo, chairman, and I’m the town cryer
I hear you brother😂
@ haha
Guy is a SIMP.
Apart from the guitars that have actually been played by famous artists (the Greenie etc) I seriously doubt any can qualify as an investment. Sure they may go up in value but if you put the same amount in a stock index, property or whatever I am willing to bet you'll be better off 99/100 times. I have bought a few signature guitars of artists I'm a huge fan of, and while it's nice to know they will most likely hold or increase in value, that has no bearing on my purchase.
I bought my Godin A6 Ultra 4 years ago for 650 and now used they are going for over 1K used. 1400 new. I guess it depends on what guitar you buy that determines if you will make a profit if you sell it.
My Fender Californian parlor guitar which I bought from Goodwill store for $50.00 fifteen years ago, now worth $375.00 on Reverb. I also have a couple First act VW garage master which I bought at garage sales for less than $100.00, now they can go as high as $1000.00 on eBay.
The wife is the 'ways and means committee'
I was in GC yesterday. Couldn't believe the prices on Epis. $600+. Gibsons are simply out of reach. Saw a used Firefly LP. Pretty impressive build quality. Fender and Squire were more reasonable, however, no Affinity or Classic Vibe on display. Interestingly, amp prices were more down to earth.
Oldie but goodie, like most of the folks here at the KYG community!
Unless played by a famous musician, guitar price increase speculation is a pipe dream. Rich people usually spend more on lunch.
Please do a review on your Ernie Ball Majesty please thanks Phil.
Problem with buying a guitar in hopes you get your money back, or more if times get tough. Is that your potential buyer would likely be someone in the same income bracket as you. If you're pretty well broke, as most people are. If times are tough for you. Then times are also likely tough for whomever might likely be in the same income bracket as you. So, how ya gonna sell it if they would be buyer is also selling his $h!t because times are tough....
To replace the Rickenbacker I bought in 2004, I would have to spend more than twice what I paid for it. Does that mean its value has increased? Relatively, maybe. But no.
I got lucky years ago and bought a squier supersonic vista spec for $250 when it was worth well over that.
Wife's approval 🤫
LOL. Guys a complete SIMP.
The guy who needs his wife's approval is a SIMP and a COWARD. The wife is to submit to her husband's authority not the other way around. I have NO respect for SIMPS.
$8000.00 plus tax for a PRS CUSTOM 24 FLOYD 10 TOP.....here in Canada....i live in Quebec so about 9200.00 cdn tax in.
"Hold value" when I retired i'd go into Canada $1000 USD =$1553 Cdn....W went into Iraq looking for WMD's my $1000 USD became $960 cdn....so if a gal of gas was .89/gl and now gas is 4.50/gl you better sharpen ur pencil if "breaking even" after a decade is ur answer....imo
I can tell you that there are no more old growth trees being made. I choose good builds, with woods no longer readily available. Just a thought.
What is that blue guitar over your left shoulder?
On my right it’s a music man majesty and on my left shoulder it’s a Belltone
Damn it! My Zager, David Cassidy guitar hasn't gone up in value.
What's the orange HH strat in the back, anyone please?
Comon Phil ive seen you in ur 100 foot trimaran sand yatch
I'm largely not looking to mix business with pleasure. When I want to invest, I buy stock. Value doubles about every 7 years. And when I want to sell stock, I press a button.
When I want to have fun, I buy and play guitars. I don't expect their value to double ever, let alone every 7 years. When I want to sell a guitar.... well, we all know the trials and tribulations of selling guitars.
Guitars holding value (ignoring inflation) or increasing slowly over time is nice, but if you're not getting enjoyment out of the guitar in the meantime, the math just doesn't math as an investment.
Is the "signature" thing only applicable to high-end sigs, or also to imports (the not so limited)?
$1200 import sig’s easily will only lose a little value if a beloved artist
More guitars built everyday than are purchased. Fewer new guitarists every year. More dying every year and their collections enter the market. Hard to see an upwardly continuing trajectory of value.
The answer is NO. The Rikenbacker will NOT hold it's value. The main reason is inflation. If you buy at $450 and sell in ten years at $550 you have gained $100 nominal dollars, but you will have lost money due to inflation. If you want to keep your value, buy Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, Ethereum, MSTR stock, Real Estate or fine art. Not guitars or cars. They go down in value, except for a tiny, tiny percentage of them which appreciate. And no one can tell which these will be. It's a gamble, and you will lose. Buy a guitar you love and you want to play. But nearly all guitars go down in value over time.
Very clever argument for the wife to justify buying guitars
I’d wait for the Epstein and diddy list before I’d count on any sig guitar to increase in “value.”
I think we are safe with JB numbers guitars, but point taken. I’ve got popcorn at the ready to watch the dumpster fire when that list comes out!
ALL of my life, I have pronounced RICKENBACKER like "RICK en bocker," as Phil pronounces it in this video. Recently, I have been hearing a couple of folks pronounce it how it is spelled, "RICK en backer." Does anyone know the proper way? Does it matter to anyone? 🤔
I think I just answered my own question!
In German, the letters of the Alphabet are pronounced like this, and can be spelt phonetically as such:
A = ah
The surname Rickenbacker is an Americanized version of the German name Rickenbacher. Rickenbacher is a habitational name that refers to someone from Rickenbach, and it's very rare in Germany.
So, if "-bach" is pronounced like the composer, J.S. Bach, then RICKENBACKER is indeed pronounced, "RICK en bocker." 🙂
If you’re looking to make an investment purchase buy a house. If you’re looking to make a purchase to enjoy yourself then by all means purchase another guitar. 🤙
Minor tweek: buy a house your are going to RENT. And make sure the rent pays all of the expenses, including the mortgage payment and the property taxes. THEN it is an investment. But if you are going to live in it, it is an EXPENSE. It will probably not hold it's value once you account for inflation.
Purchased my first home in 95’ at 125k, sold it 8 years ago for 675k. ( New York ), sure…there’s been inflation however it was a very good investment even if it wasn’t rented.
I can’t foresee the future so I obviously can’t say rationally if this would sustain the same amount of yield into the future however, as I stated before it’s a much more solid investment as opposed to a guitar lol.
Rich people use money, to make money. Poor people use money to pay bills, and eat.
Don't forget Schlitz beer!
So you have a freind called Joe Bonamassa? He is rich but not that humble like you!