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The Death of the Electric Guitar

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Melody Bot, Jun 23, 2017.

  1. Melody Bot

    Your friendly little forum bot. Staff Member

    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.

     
  2. oakhurst

    Trusted Supporter

    That's depressing. The lack of guitar in mainstream music is saddening.
     
  3. devenstonow

    Noobie

    i would assume expensive guitars are more likely to be bought used than new and that that plays a part
     
  4. therookielot

    Punk, Absolute Prestigious

    Im about to start a band without a drummer or bassist because the singularity is near.
     
  5. Turkeylegz

    Trusted

    Figures once I buy a guitar they stop being cool.
     
    Raku, hongfong00, mercury and 2 others like this.
  6. PandaBear!

    Trusted Prestigious

    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.
     
    coleslawed likes this.
  7. 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.

    :(
     
    Raku, ChrisCantWrite and aoftbsten like this.
  8. CoffeeEyes17

    Reclusive-aggressive Prestigious

    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
     
  9. aoftbsten

    Trusted Supporter

    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!
     
    Raku likes this.
  10. drewinseries

    Drew

    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.
     
    Fucking Dustin and coleslawed like this.
  11. AgonizingFir

    Currently Distracted Supporter

    Thank you for this, you just made my day. I remember when people would post things like this thinking they're the coolest around.
     
  12. Kingjohn_654

    Longtime Sunshine Prestigious

    If I wasn't so broke, I'd totally buy a guitar. Am I too old to learn to play?
     
    Raku likes this.
  13. Turkeylegz

    Trusted

    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.
     
    Raku, BEsterley, Robk and 1 other person like this.
  14. 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.
     
    Raku, BEsterley and Kingjohn_654 like this.
  15. Fucking Dustin

    #ModJosh Supporter

    Am I the only one who can't actually view the article?
     
    Raku likes this.
  16. Fucking Dustin

    #ModJosh Supporter

    Yeah I just get a paywall
     
    Raku likes this.
  17. CoffeeEyes17

    Reclusive-aggressive Prestigious

    the article is a garage band track that you have to download and play along with on guitar to understand
     
  18. Fucking Dustin

    #ModJosh Supporter

    But my electric guitar is dead!!!
     
    Kingjohn_654 and CoffeeEyes17 like this.
  19. CoffeeEyes17

    Reclusive-aggressive Prestigious

    Fucking Dustin likes this.
  20. Fucking Dustin

    #ModJosh Supporter

    Okay thank you NoScript I am now reading
     
    Jason Tate likes this.
  21. Fucking Dustin

    #ModJosh Supporter

    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.
     
  22. Fucking Dustin

    #ModJosh Supporter

    5. I need a good amp does anyone have any recs
     
  23. drewinseries

    Drew

    Oh baby

    [​IMG]
     
  24. drewinseries

    Drew

    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.
     
    Fucking Dustin likes this.
  25. honkytonk

    Narcissism on narcotics

    May God have mercy on us all.