Was having a discussion with Mark at Guitar Tex yesterday while there to pick up a guitar.
Manufacturers are very backlogged and guitar availability for new ones is a big problem.
Mark said he had just received an email from the Larrivee rep that two (2) guitars were available in Oxnard and not spoken for, a C-09 and a C-10.
The email was sent at 10.30 PM, and by the time Mark read it early the next morning and responded (he wanted to get the C-09), both guitars were gone.
Specific manufacturers Mark mentioned were Martin, Larrivee and Reverend. Mark has only one (1) Reverend left, and normally he has several in stock.
We did not get into "why" this is happening, just that is happening is enough.
During the F-VI process, I remember John mentioning the mosaic rosettes had not been available from the foreign supplier for some time, and they had only a few. Also mentioned one of the things that could impact guitar production would be (for example) not being able to get truss rods.
I know Mark as a dealer is looking forward to this all getting resolved sooner than later.
Mike
Not sure if this was meant to be a discussion or a notice, but it's all pandemic related. In my own business, I've seen demand skyrocket because people are at home more, and wanting to make music. A lot of jobs that were office jobs are now remote. Also, many professional musicians had down time and wanted to get new gear.
Parts are an issue, not only because of demand from many manufacturers, but factories having production issues during the pandemic.
The interesting thing is that it hasn't settled down yet, despite some things beginning to return to normal. At a point, I'd expect economic repercussions to be influencing buying but it's yet to really happen yet, as far as I've seen. At some point, it seems inevitable. And, there could even be a crash because of how wild spending has been. I don't think it'll affect me too much because of my niche but it could affect guitar manufacturers if an abundance of instruments flood the used market.
There's also many supply chain problems caused by a lack of truck drivers. Apparently, 25% of drivers are not driving. Food is moving. Things sometimes not. We've been waiting over a year for a gas drier.
* Brains are funny. For some reason, I typed "supply change". I've edited but maybe I was right the first time.
Quote from: B0WIE on August 28, 2021, 12:20:34 AM
Not sure if this was meant to be a discussion or a notice, but it's all pandemic related.
"There are many stories in the Naked City, this is just one of them".It was offered as a local data point to which we might relate.
Mike
Actual inventory will eventually balance out with actual sales. In the current climate this will take quite a while, especially if things are purposefully manipulated.
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Supply chain is absolutely dogspit right now. I know that Jean picks out his own wood but MRO and PPE is crap. Even if the supplier is domestic, raw materials are crap even if they are from easier to get DFARS and domestic suppliers. It's going to hit good soon as well. There are already rationing signs at our local store.
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Quote from: prsphantom on September 12, 2021, 06:36:10 AM
Supply chain is absolutely dogspit right now. I know that Jean picks out his own wood but MRO and PPE is crap. Even if the supplier is domestic, raw materials are crap even if they are from easier to get DFARS and domestic suppliers. It's going to hit good soon as well. There are already rationing signs at our local store.
My friend (and fellow Larrivee player) is in the food distribution business. His advice is to stock up. Fill your freezers and shelves. :ohmy:
Quote from: ducktrapper on September 12, 2021, 09:16:20 AM
My friend (and fellow Larrivee player) is in the food distribution business. His advice is to stock up. Fill your freezers and shelves. :ohmy:
Yeah, I think the supply chain and upside down demographics are taking their toll. Frightening. Ouch
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My recent experience on Reverb.com is that guitar sales have dropped off and are flat.
When the stimulus money was flowing, people were buying everything, and paying good prices for it. I sold two guitars that I'd been sitting on for a long time simply because they weren't popular instruments; I got a premium price for both of them.
But now, it's gotten very slow on Reverb again. I have a lefty Martin listed for a very good price, but it's just sitting there... even though there's not a lot of selection in that price range right now (it's a 15 Series StreetMaster).
With the market slowing down (as people focus on the higher prices of fuel and food), guitar companies should be able to start catching up with demand.
Quote from: prsphantom on September 12, 2021, 04:05:48 PM
Yeah, I think the supply chain and upside down demographics are taking their toll. Frightening. Ouch
Not sure what you mean by "demographics" - but if you mean that young people aren't playing instruments as much (and us boomers are moving out of the active market), then, yes - many of us have been watching this for years wondering what is going to happen to the music instrument industry as the market keeps shrinking.
:coffee :donut :coffee :donut2
My recent experience on Reverb.com is that guitar sales have dropped off and are flat.
When the stimulus money was flowing, people were buying everything, and paying good prices for it. I sold two guitars that I'd been sitting on for a long time simply because they weren't popular instruments; I got a premium price for both of them.
But now, it's gotten very slow on Reverb again. I have a lefty Martin listed for a very good price, but it's just sitting there... even though there's not a lot of selection in that price range right now (it's a 15 Series StreetMaster).
Thanks for mentioning that, I had figured that with the lockdown over folks will stop buying entry and midlevel guitars for a bit. I have several OO's on deck to post to Reverb but too lazy so I guess I missed out . . .
Quote from: mike in lytle on August 27, 2021, 09:24:52 AM
Was having a discussion with Mark at Guitar Tex yesterday while there to pick up a guitar.
Manufacturers are very backlogged and guitar availability for new ones is a big problem....
...I know Mark as a dealer is looking forward to this all getting resolved sooner than later.
Mike
I'm happy to report that as of yesterday, the store is absolutely stuffed with guitars from Larrivee, Reverend, Recording King, Vintage, and a grab bag of other brands. I'd estimate he's got over 30 acoustics, and at least half that many electrics, which is a lot in a store his size.
Quote from: Texfire on December 11, 2021, 04:28:35 PM
I'd estimate he's got over 30 acoustics, and at least half that many electrics, which is a lot in a store his size.
That's an interesting ratio: in most shops that carry both (acoustics and electrics), it seems like there are always 3-5 times as many electrics as acoustics. Just my experience...