Guitar Sales

Started by William2, October 06, 2023, 11:37:54 AM

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I think uses guitar sales are really slowing down. About 6 months ago (according to Reverb), I listed an Eastman E-10
DL for sale. and about 2 months ago I listed a Martin D-15 Street Master. while these are lefty instruments, it has never taken me so long to sell an instrument. I have updated the pricing as Reverb has recommended and even given direct offers to the watchers of these instruments but to no avail. The instruments were also listed on eBay with even less response. To put some blood in the water, I even listed my Larrivee's to see what would happen. And while I wouldn't ultimately sell these two instruments the results were the same, scammer approaches, low ball offers, or no response to my direct offers. I'll keep the Eastman and Martin up for sale but have removed the Larrivee instruments. Things must be really getting tight with money. And yesterday I was looking at all the left-hand Sweetwater acoustic guitar listings. I didn't look at the cheap instruments, but the classic Martins were all backordered or "we can get it". I wonder if they are purposely keeping their inventory low. Well, I guess if they don't sell, I won't be to upset. They are an example of a certain type of instrument (all hog, Adirondack top). 

I have a theory that during the pandemic lots of people bought guitars to attempt to learn/get better.  However, as those goals never materialized, many people are are now selling but no one wants to buy.  But I agree that it's hard to sell guitars right now.
Larrivee P-03
Epiphone USA Texan
Larrivee 00-40R Moonwood top

Quote from: StringPicker6 on October 06, 2023, 03:52:52 PMI have a theory that during the pandemic lots of people bought guitars to attempt to learn/get better.  However, as those goals never materialized, many people are are now selling but no one wants to buy.  But I agree that it's hard to sell guitars right now.

It's become a buyer's market, that's for sure. I wouldn't buy a new guitar right now with so many barely used ones either for sale or about to come on the market from all those people who realize playing guitar is harder than it looks.  :ohmy:

I bet there are a lot of barely used Martins out there for sale, just waiting for their bindings to pop off!  :laughin:
Larrivee P-03
Epiphone USA Texan
Larrivee 00-40R Moonwood top

Several things hurt the market, IMO. The primary being wild buying during the pandemic. What makes used market saturation even worse for sellers is that inflation is turning off buyers. Additionally, a large portion of the potential buyers are now older and either winding down their purchasing or just selling.

The good thing is that guitar values are likely to hold. It may be tough to sell right now but, coming out of this slump, our instruments should be worth a decent amount given that it's very expensive to build a good guitar now and new instrument prices are high.

I spent quite a lot on my collection before the pandemic and was starting to wonder if it was a smart move. But, I'd never be able to buy those instruments at today's prices (some doubled in value in less than 5 years) so I'm really happy that I trusted my gut.

I wonder how this will resolves itself. With all the instruments a factory company (Martin, Talor) can put out, there have to be many more instruments than players. The dealer I work with says when someone wants to trade in a Taylor, he can't give them much because there are too many out there. This is all sad because someone recently posted a study on AGF suggesting that buying guitars increases your longevity. However, someone disagreed and said his wife told him if he bought anymore guitars, he would be decreasing his longevity.

My doctor has told me to follow my wife's instructions if I want to live a long life.  :bowdown:
Larrivee P-03
Epiphone USA Texan
Larrivee 00-40R Moonwood top

Yes, very slow used sales.  I watch my local Craig's List and see the same guitars on there for a long time.  I recently turned down a deal on a nice D-03 for $700.  I normally would've bought it and then sold it for $1000 and made some money, but I doubt I'd be able to move it since it's been for sale for so long by the other fellow.

Quote from: StringPicker6 on October 07, 2023, 11:09:58 AMMy doctor has told me to follow my wife's instructions if I want to live a long life.  :bowdown:

LOL!!!

Could there simply be too many guitars in the world... Saturation point.
Larrivee OM-02
Larrivee P-03
Larrivee OM-03BH
Larrivee OM-05
Larrivee L-05

Quote from: guitarman001 on October 08, 2023, 03:53:33 PMCould there simply be too many guitars in the world... Saturation point.

I've said this for many years. There never needs to be another guitar built to make sure that everyone who wants one, has one. Marketing is now aimed at selling me a 20th guitar. I see videos about players like John 5 who has almost 400 telecasters in his collection hoard.  :tongue:

Quote from: ducktrapper on October 08, 2023, 04:08:54 PMI've said this for many years. There never needs to be another guitar built to make sure that everyone who wants one, has one. Marketing is now aimed at selling me a 20th guitar. I see videos about players like John 5 who has almost 400 telecasters in his collection hoard.  :tongue:
That sort of thing has always bothered me. I even remember, as a kid, being disappointed hearing how my guitar heroes had dozens of amazing guitars in storage.

 I definitely don't NEED the 17 or so guitars that I have but they all have a place for me and are mostly unique to each other. Only 2 don't really get played and those were my first two so they hold sentimental value. I've tried owning 20+ and it bothers me. I'll only hold onto as many as I can love and play.

Less "stuff" in general, the better imo
Larrivee OM-02
Larrivee P-03
Larrivee OM-03BH
Larrivee OM-05
Larrivee L-05

Quote from: ducktrapper on October 08, 2023, 04:08:54 PMMarketing is now aimed at selling me a 20th guitar.
You have 19 guitars? Whoa.
Mike
Larrivee OM-03, OM-03 laurel, OM-50, L-03 laurel, LSV-03 walnut (Forum VI)

Quote from: mike in lytle on October 09, 2023, 09:16:11 AMYou have 19 guitars? Whoa.
Mike

Well, I used to. I sold five a couple of years ago and now have, including a bass and a lap steel, thirteen or fourteen. Are we counting mandolins, ukes, whatever this four string thing from Seagull is called and the body of a Squier Strat that needs parts?   :blush:  :laughin: 

I'm very excited to get my 1975 L back from Andrew Madsen who is doing a repair on her. Next month hopefully. 

Quote from: B0WIE on October 09, 2023, 01:32:16 AMThat sort of thing has always bothered me. I even remember, as a kid, being disappointed hearing how my guitar heroes had dozens of amazing guitars in storage.

 I definitely don't NEED the 17 or so guitars that I have but they all have a place for me and are mostly unique to each other. Only 2 don't really get played and those were my first two so they hold sentimental value. I've tried owning 20+ and it bothers me. I'll only hold onto as many as I can love and play.

I try to determine the "need/want" ratio before buying or selling anything else.  :laughin:

Problem is Larrivee are so good that I can't help buy that next magic one
Larrivee OM-02
Larrivee P-03
Larrivee OM-03BH
Larrivee OM-05
Larrivee L-05

I try hard not to look and drool over all the other larrivee models out there. However, if they ever offer to do another run of the Forum VI, I may have to get one.  :drool:
Larrivee P-03
Epiphone USA Texan
Larrivee 00-40R Moonwood top

Like Bowie, I have reduced my collection to singular models that like different screw drivers turn a different screw.

1975 Larrivee L-11 - Brazilian Rosewood and German spruce
2001 Larrivee L-01 - mahogany and Sitka
1975 Martin D-35 Indian Rosewood and Sitka
1970 Yamaha FG-180 vintage classic laminate
2012 Yamaha NTX900FM - Flame maple, Engelman spruce, nylon string
2010 Washburn D-10S 12 string acoustic, spruce and mahogany
2005 Yamaha Pacifica electric 12 string
2007 Fender Mexican Strat
1988 Larrivee LT-1 tele
2008 Larrivee RS-4 solid body, single cutaway, double humbucker
1979 Univox ES-335 semi hollow, double cutaway, double humbucker

2001 Larrivee OM-01 mahogany and Sitka and maybe the only redundant model.

And few odds and ends. Bass, uke, mandolin, lap steel.

I think that's all.

Quote from: ducktrapper on October 09, 2023, 02:52:59 PMLike Bowie, I have reduced my collection to singular models that like different screw drivers turn a different screw.

1975 Larrivee L-11 - Brazilian Rosewood and German spruce
2001 Larrivee L-01 - mahogany and Sitka
1975 Martin D-35 Indian Rosewood and Sitka
1970 Yamaha FG-180 vintage classic laminate
2012 Yamaha NTX900FM - Flame maple, Engelman spruce, nylon string
2010 Washburn D-10S 12 string acoustic, spruce and mahogany
2005 Yamaha Pacifica electric 12 string
2007 Fender Mexican Strat
1988 Larrivee LT-1 tele
2008 Larrivee RS-4 solid body, single cutaway, double humbucker
1979 Univox ES-335 semi hollow, double cutaway, double humbucker

2001 Larrivee OM-01 mahogany and Sitka and maybe the only redundant model.

And few odds and ends. Bass, uke, mandolin, lap steel.

I think that's all.

WOW!!! I need another guitar.   

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