This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply. Geoff Edgers, writing for The Washington Post: The numbers back him up. In the past decade, electric guitar sales have plummeted, from about 1.5 million sold annually to just over 1 million. The two biggest companies, Gibson and Fender, are in debt, and a third, PRS Guitars, had to cut staff and expand production of cheaper guitars. In April, Moody’s downgraded Guitar Center, the largest chain retailer, as it faces $1.6 billion in debt. And at Sweetwater.com, the online retailer, a brand-new, interest-free Fender can be had for as little as $8 a month. Expand - View Original
i would assume expensive guitars are more likely to be bought used than new and that that plays a part
There will always be plenty of guitarists and guitar music, but unluckily for the guitar itself 90% of that music is fucking lame. I am a guitarist myself and love playing/writing, but there's maybe two or 3 guitarists who's style of playing interests me. Guitar is so rigid and stuck in genres that are so strict on how the guitar should be used/played that the instrument itself has become either self-indulgent or tacky/cheesy, so articles like this aren't really a surprise to me in 2017.
Not surprising when you think about popular music right now. I was driven to get into guitar in middle school because of Blink 182 and Green Day, and most of my friends were too. Bands with guitars dominated the radio for so long but that's changed quite a bit. :(
You say Soulja Boy-I say Judas Priest You say Miley Cyrus-I say Led Zepplin You say T-Pain-I say Kiss You say Lorde-I say Metallica You say Pink-I say Iron Maiden You say Hip Hop-i say Punk Rock! You say Pop-I scream Heavy Metal!! You say hanah montana-i hit you in the face 92% of teenagers have turned to Hip Hop and Pop.If you are part of the 3% that still listen to real music,copy and paste this message and bring THE ROCK BACK to peoples ears
Sad to see this, but I suppose it follows the trends in popular music as others have pointed out. I currently own four guitars and have gotten into building and remodeling them myself. Guess I shouldn't think about trying to sell any of them!
Companies like Reverend and Hagstrom seem to be doing well in their smaller markets. I really want a Hagstrom Viking, but rarely see it in person. I may have to buy it via Guitar Center and have them ship it to my closest store to try it out, and if it is no beuno return it then. I've played one before and know I liked it, just something about buying gear without playing it freaks me out.
Thank you for this, you just made my day. I remember when people would post things like this thinking they're the coolest around.
Started at 23 and having a blast. You'll feel a little weird about it now and again but then you won't care with all the fun you'll be having.
No! It's never too late. And you can check craig's list for a good deal. You don't need to buy one new.
the article is a garage band track that you have to download and play along with on guitar to understand
Okay so: 1. Maybe Fender and Gibson and PRS are losing money because their shit is overpriced and people are realizing they can buy guitars from companies that aren't giants and get the same tone for less. 2. Maybe Fender and Gibson and PRS are losing money because hell life is more expensive for this current generation and the people who are parents (such as people my age to 5 years older) who are getting to the point where they can introduce their children to playing guitar can't afford a damn guitar. 3. The whole "Girls just like how Taylor Swift looks with a guitar" take is the most moronic thing on earth and the Fender CEO should set their entire stock on fire for that shit take. I still want a telecaster but I guess that's what Reverend is for. 4. Guitarists are light years better than they used to be, they just know shredding is boring and instead play tastefully and use their talents to create good music.
I have a Crate Vintage Club 30 and I love it. Kind of lesser known, and the Crate name keeps cost pretty low. You can get a really ground sounding tube amp for anywhere between 200-500 with that series.