What is Luxury? Gibson, Collings, PRS? 

Luxury is having the proper Time to play all those nice instruments!

I grew up on the poor side of the tracks. All of my guitars have been luxury purchases, even though I’ve made my living as a working musician for 35 years. Back in the early 90’s we all wanted super Strats; I built mine from Waroth, Wilkinson, Sperzel and EMG parts at home for dimes on the dollar. Same thing with my Mighty Mite Tele. I’ve been living and working with the same ‘68 Custom Vibrolux I got off the floor at NAMM 2012 since new, with a few upgrades. It was a huge purchase at the time. In the last few years I’ve been able to spoil myself with a Larrivee OM-10 (super luxurious for me), a ‘56 Standard LP reissue and an LP Studio with a bevy of upgrades; but that’s the entirety of my guitar collection after some 40 years. I’d like to get into a real tweed Deluxe and a Princeton so I can ditch all of my pedals; but those are pipe dreams for now. Maybe next year….

100$ is alot of money, if thats all, you have!

A couple of months ago I bought a Indonesian Squire tele. I regard it as a luxury purchase. I could easily afford the money but since I had just bought a casino, I didn't need another guitar. My precious commodity is time. I intend to write a blues titled "shit keeps breaking round me". I can't play 2 guitars. If I find more time to play, the tele will become a tool and stop being a luxury. Until that time, its just an ornament. On the question of build quality: as a manufacturing engineer my standpoint is that once you know how to build the best guitar, there is no excuse to build anything else. So it doesn't matter where on the planet you make it. Exotic materials can only increase the price by so much.

My older brother owned a music store in Tallahassee in the late '60s, to mid '70s. He was a hard-working, enterprising young businessman and built the store from nothing to having all the brands of guitars, basses, amps, drums and accessories, of the day. I worked for him six days, 52-hours-a-week for seven years. He lived out of town, so I was the guy who had to respond to the two AM calls from the police that our alarm was going off. In 1974, I also graduated from Florida State. As a reward for all that, he gave me a NOS 1973 ES-355, probably the nicest gift I've ever gotten ... Well, there was that 1954 Stratocaster my dad gave me, Christmas of 1963 ... but that's another story for another time. Anyway, I still have the 355, and it is definitely the most luxurious guitar this old man has ever owned, after 62+ years of playing ...

Keith, IMO, when it comes to guitars, to be considered a luxury product includes (1) originality (being the innovator or inventor), (2) quality (build and sound), (3) exclusivity (meaning limited availability), (4) pedigree (what guitar legends play it), and (5) brand heritage (brands withstanding the length of time). To me, the dollars paid for a guitar only follow, not preceed the 5 criteria listed above. This is why (again, IMO) you'll find names like Martin, Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker. I can be hated for saying this, but I do not place PRS on the list because they do not satisfy all 5 criteria. As always, Keith, this was an amazing video. Thank you for all you do for us!

I have um, several, $2000+ guitars, yet what I play most is a Squire. Can't help it, I just love cheap guitars....

I wish I could have caught this one live, Keith. I see lots of friends in the chat, and this is such a great subject! Cheers, brother 🙂

I remember years ago playing a Parker Fly at a gig randomly and it was Great to play. But stumbling onto his arch top videos really gave me a new respect for his passion. Such a blessing we have guys like him in the guitar business.

Luxury is designing and building your own! 🎉. I’m 6’4” and my hands like big V necks. I got tired of not being able to get what I wanted and paying 5 times more for what I can make myself. I love Strats, but I made Teles, Jazzmasters, Telemasters, LP Jr, Carve top LP burst, semi hollows like a 335 and Starcaster. Now, I’m venturing into my own designs and I’m even designing the pickups and winding them. I’m retired now so I’ve got time.

I love this conversation. Great stuff as usual!

I think 100 dollars used to be a lot of money but since 20 is the new five ...

Thanks Keith. 🙂

I bought a 40th anniversary Squier Tele for $250 and it’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen.

For me, a bona fide member of the beggar clan, my squier bullet strats which I love are a luxury. Cheers!

In addition to my career, I worked at 20 or so Dallas guitar shows when Mark owned it. I remember the first Dallas show that was attended by Bill Collings. A true gentleman.

In my collection I'd say not a guitar but my Two Rock is likely one of the most expensive items I own, or perhaps the Novo I just bought 😉 I wish Gibson's improvements included a headstock that didn't snap off! My 339 had that fate and I nearly cried, it's also another reason why I didn't buy another 339. Thanks for doing all you do Keith I always enjoy your honest and candid perspective 🎶

I am into watches and guitars. Yes, there are expensive items from both worlds. However, the luxury feel I get is from having the choice which watch to wear or what guitar to play at my disposal.

I highly recommend the CPI inflation calculator for some perspective on the cost of things over time. $100 in May 2024 has the same buying power as... $54.61 in May 2000, $34.16 in May 1985, $16.94 in May 1975, $10 in May 1965. I feel like that perspective isn't there in some of the "things were cheaper when I was a kid..." discussions.

I would go for a Collings every time.

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day Keith ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊 also happy first week of summer

$100 to me is a lot of money OR not a lot of money depending on what it gets me. Great value can feel luxurious. My one local pizza joint gives you a huge pie with plenty of toppings for $21. Conversely, spending $45 for a pizza with the exact same toppings from a pizzeria 40 miles from home a few weeks ago felt like I was being robbed.

I prefer to use the term Premium over Luxury. Keith gets a little too involved with the semantics of the word, but basically for most people Luxury means ridiculously expensive. Luxury doesn't mean well-built, though. A premium guitar in my opinion would be like my boutique guitars like my UK-built Maybury or my Nepali-built Sahana. These guitars feel like TLC went into them with one or two luthiers giving their undivided attention. They are striking in their looks but at the same time they use top of the line woods and parts in the guitar. I didn't quite get that Premium feel with my $3000 Gibson Standard; a bit, but not quite that level.

My favs are Gibson Historic and Jackson Chatvel

Thanks for the lead on Ken Parker. I just looked him up and subscribed.

I used the neck off one of those early 70s MIJ Epiphone 12-stringer as the basis of a recent build; a 12 string Les Paul. A much nicer neck than the one on my 1970 Gibson LG12.

For me , myself , & ' luxury ' means LIGHT , or something that lights up my soul/spirit , and my guitars ( especially my ES-335 ) definitely light me up , it gets me HIGH !...Also I think vintage pocket watches are special though I do not own one ...Thanks !

Its a big difference, if you are a professionell guitar player, or not!

All guitars are a luxury. Owning and playing them represents time not allocated to staying alive and well. Having that time is the luxury. To some people it's having clean water. To a professional musician a guitar is a tool and so essential, but is music essential? Music can be art and can be a psychological benefit, but this is a layer of existential luxury. The fact that we're even having this discussion is a luxury. It's like we're discussing the colour of the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Back in 2014 I bought my most expensive guitar, this is the only guitar I bought brand new and I consider this guitar a luxury item, it’s a Duesenberg TV Starplayer model, I loved the looks but also the tone it produces, it has a P90 at the neck and a Humbucker at the bridge. It took me two years to pull the gun on this one, now a days, with my daughter in school, mortgage 💸 , and some other expenses my 335 will have to wait longer than two years 😢.

Would Alembic be in that top tier of builders as a solid body guitar/bass builder?

Luxury is a well tuned Tele through something with a tube

Luxury guitars: Premium woods, high end hardware and electronics, excellent craftsmanship. There are guitars around $2000 that have it all that. Even special runs $1000 - $1500 made overseas with great quality above average. I would think the luxury is in getting a guitar custom order, one of, unique decoration, best materials and best craftsmanship. High end production guitars can be wonderful, but are not exclusive, which at least for me I don't care. Money also plays in. Thanks Keith !

: a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary : an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease All three can be had by a home built/assembled guitar done with knowledge and good parts. It'll play and sound as good as anything. The love put into creating it and then playing it is priceless.

I got a timex watch for a gift when I was eight years old in 1969. I fell and broke it the same day. Never wore another watch.

"Collings" ,another word for pure love.

The Gibson Custom Shop / Murphy Lab phenomenon is a great example of there being no limit to what people are willing to spend for Authenticity. The irony is the attempt to purchase Authenticity (in order to project an air of cool, creative artistry deeply rooted in tradition) with large amounts of disposable income represents the exact opposite of Authenticity.

I made my own guitar from scratch back in 1967. Started building a 6-string and ended up with a bass.

You could argue that music itself luxurious

? Wouldn’t Nik Huber Orcas be a luxury product, as soon as they came onto the market, despite having no brand or heritage at that point?

Bendetto has carved (pun intended) out a space for themselves as a luxury jazz guitar builder. They are famously known for their single-pickup archtops that start North of $20K. Interestingly, one of their more "affordable" guitars is the Pat Martino signature, a two-pickup LP-type solid body priced around $7500. I noticed that Gibson is starting divide the price point between the Epiphone brand and Gibson. Epiphone, of course has their own custom shop line but their mass produce line tops out at around $1400. Gibson electrics now start around $1500 at the low end. If I were looking for a good, affordable player, I'd look at Epiphone and also the PRS SE CE range.

The music is great the playing is exceptional. I hope there is a New York interest or a east coast interest.

Really nice tune from Jeff

Loved the intro actually thought it was JH. My PRS Core Brent Mason and Fender Brent Mason are luxury. They are finished nicer than others and I do play them more. But also play the shit out of my squire pine tele. My mesa is luxury but mainly play my peavey classic 50 410. Love all. On watches I wear a apple watch day today. when I go out I wear a swatch automatic bought it 13 years ago in DC. Its worth more than I paid. Desire a 3k to 5k luxury watch. Not to impress but I would love the better movement and finish. Know one knows who Iam or what's in my studio but its over 50K in gear. I dont brag or show off. It makes me happy.

Great video…a follow up on amps would be interesting.

Luxury is having a guitar that stays in tune no matter what.

Thought provoking, as usual! Off the top of my head maybe that 2nd definition of luxury is 'want (desirable) but don't need (essential) - and it's subjective inasmuch as 'who is looking and what's their net worth?' 'Rarity' certainly also a qualifier. 😅'Pre-Aged' - the whole high priced 'distressed designer jeans' thing, holes in the knees and whatnot (not my thing, nor is the Murphy Lab approach, TBH - to me they are silly, not luxury). I've been playing and producing for 50 years (I bought my 1968 Custom when I was 18) and own several guitars, some of which have appreciated in value over time but the closest I have come to buying a 'luxury' guitar would be my 2 Roger Sadowsky's (USD 3K at the time, list price from Roger now 6K, both of which I have recorded with a lot since the early '90s) and my recent Duesenberg Starplayer (USD 2.5K) which I have used on a several recordings - it has it's own sound. Arguably these are tools of my trade and affordable when I bought them. I am currently in the market for 2 Eastmans . . . again for work - I've played the SB59/v & Juliet and they have something unique but I can't just spring for them on a whim. I think the SB59/v's will become collectibles in the future for sure but that's not the reason I want one. There are definitely guitars out there I would love to own (Collings, Gibson Hummingbird & Custom Shop '59) but, for me, they are luxury items - one can dream, n'est-ce pas?

I've been using a lefty Strandberg since they released those new Boden's last September. I haven't actually recorded with any other guitars in the past 9 months since it sorta just works. If I need to switch things up I'll end up using different amps / pedals. I think if a guitar suits someone's needs then I don't really consider luxury at all. Interesting video for sure.

Never really thought about guitars as a luxury. Great guitars are a joy. They can be found in any shape and syle and at any price nowadays. I suppose everything other than food and shelter is a luxury. Damn, my way of thinking is a luxury! Great show Keith.

Keith., I have your live broadcast on my calendar for Thursdays at 4pm. So I keep missing your live shows. Are you going to have a regular time slot in the future? 🎸

Luxury anything could best be described as unneeded features purchased with disposable income...Now we have a definition Five Watt World would seem to be about getting the most out of the least...And luxury appointments would seem antithetical to that ethos Always appreciate you and your channel -Cheers-

Yeah I have a RevStar, series one, new from Sweetwater in 2017, $800, green flames Mat finish top, Indonesian built, with inlay …..wrap tail, I replaced the bridge and both PU’s SD’s controls = a stacked master Volume and tone, and a volume for the neck PU, knob removed (just the rubber cap) A gold Jack I need a new PU switch But it’s my daily driver. $2500 total, including labor. To me that’s expensive, and also, no stock guitars work for me. the PRS hollow SE, was the closest. I replaced the wiring, (huge tonal improvement😳) & the tuners & the neck PU. $1800 My new Schecter Exploreresqe sustainer, Floyd $1500, plus improvements $2200 I can’t imagine paying more than $2200 for new & stock, because in that range, they all need ….something! I’ve since had the PRS plek’d that’s when I did the tuners, that’s $2100 then🙄

Luxury means different things to different people. As an instrument maker myself, I have my own definition and perspectives. To me, "quality" matters more than excess, and I would put "luxury" in tiers beyond and including "quality". My personal preference for instruments is the golden-era Japanese instruments such as those from Matsumoku mid-70s through to the early 80s, and even the top end of those weren't "luxury", but hit it out of the park in terms of quality. Luxury is often unnecessary and adds nothing beyond (perceived) prestige and gauche value. A PRS made to a certain standard ceases to become "higher quality" and above that point they simply become excess and into the exclusive and luxury end of things. To me, I am happy knowing and experiencing the intrinsic value of an item (such as a guitar) rather than wasting my money, time and energy on luxury that means nothing by comparison.

The difficulty in defining Luxury is that it quickly benches a matter of degrees. In 2020 I bought a used Fender Road Worn Telecaster for $650. It is a fantastic guitar that can cover every song at every gig. I consider a guitar that can do that essential for me. I also think a second guitar of equal ability is essential for a working musician. But anything above that starts to be a degree of luxury, all the way up to the most rare/old/expensive guitar I own. I had the money, and chose to spend the money to buy them even though they were not essential. They are a luxury until the day I part with them, because I can still be a working musician without them. You don't need a 59' Strat to cover John Mayer at the local winery, a Mexican Fender works just fine. No one will know. I play the vintage stuff and the tube amps because of a whole different issue about preserving a window in American music. Not modeling, preserving, (maybe continuing is a better word.) But it's not about luxury. That Collings is luxurious. It's spectacular. It's an example of guitar building at it's finest. And I would be bored playing it in 5 minutes. It's a simple test for me. Look at your most expensive guitar and ask yourself. Do I love PLAYING this guitar, or did I just love the idea of finding it and buying it? There's your answer.

Always thoughtful and thought, provoking topics and narrative. I could argue that on some fundamental level, having ANY guitar is a luxury purchase as a pastime or a hobby because it’s non-essential to literally sustaining life. Although the ubiquitous availability of a decent playing and sounding acoustic or electric for $100 makes it much less of an arguable luxury than it ever used to be. An easier case, is a second guitar as a luxury purchase, no matter the type or price point. An even easier case than THAT, is a relative duplicate of a guitar you already have, such as a second acoustic or a second Strat- again, cost of those first guitars and their “duplicates” notwithstanding. I am a gigging guitarist. I go to band practice with a different guitar than I played at the last rehearsal about 90% of the time. My acoustic is currently always the same but my electrics are always different from the last gig. I come from a place where I felt like the lottery to have gotten my first electric guitar. I still have it. I now have lots of guitars, relative to some, and I don’t cycle through gear. My 17 year old self just starting out with an interest in guitar, could NEVER have imagined the musical assets (guitar and non-guitar) I have now at age 50. And ALL of it, even though it’s stuff I use a lot is still a LUXURY purchase, and I always take a moment of gratitude I have whenever I’m doing music, in recognition of all I have. In some ways, music and yes even the acquisition of a significant musical product (that could even include a nice case) is another opportunity among many to mindful in gratitude of many things: What I have, what my ability is, where music has taken me, how a life in music has changed and shaped me as a person. So many things. As a cancer survivor, LIVING is a luxury. Each day and each birthday is a luxury.

I like guitars that are well made, and of good quality. But I don’t like too expensive guitars, cause then I’m afraid to use them outside the house. My favourite guitar is my Collings 290 (one-of-a-kind with a signum bridge, Amber P90, parallelogram inlays). It’s ironic that a guitar that is a copy of a Gibson student model (Les Paul Special) feels like a luxury. It’s the only guitar I hesitate to bring to a gig. The rest of my guitars, except one, are between 2-3k new, but I bought most of them used. Two ESP Horizons, two Gibsons (SG + a 1995 white Flying V) and a Maybach. All of them are of great quality. My cheapest guitar is a Reverend Sensei 290, that I paid $600 for including a case. If that was my only guitar, I could live with that.

I love my Epiphone R9. If the Gibson is better than this, I’ll start saving. Unfortunately no one around sells Gibson. As always, love your videos Keith!

Furniture!!😳. Everything in my house are found or gifted objects! I’ve invested the house itself, but musical stuff I buy, even my stereo speakers are rehabilitated found objects! 70’s and 90’s made (4)🤣

When I think of “luxury” I think of fulfillment of both form AND function, not just one or the other.

I have a Gibson SG Standard and a Les Paul Standard. $2,000-3,000 is “luxury” to me. Getting above that and you’re into the exorbitant category. When I ever entertain the notion of spending for the Murphy SG I now want at $4500, I know it’s just because I love that aesthetic, but it’s just for that eye candy. I know that not one of the albums/cds/MP3s I have ever bought was made with a guitar costing more than two grand. Just not necessary. I also always liken it to photography back in the film days. So many talentless amateurs just ‘had to have’ Leicas-two or three thousand for a body and the same for each lens…. But all the professional work in the world was being done with Nikons and Canons at a quarter of the price. The more insecure we are, the easier it is to convince us that we need to spend megabucks just to do basic things.

It’s funny I was just having this conversation with my kid in the car this morning. She asked if five dollars was a lot of money. I said it depends on what it’s for and how hard it was to get. She asked if a hundred dollars was a lot of money. I said “Yes. Always.” 😂

Guitars never die!

Luxury are boutique brands which are opposites of big brand name guitars and their custom shop offerings. Boutique brands are the likes of Novo, Suhr, Veritas, Collings, Fano, Fodera, Eastman, (and others made in Europe)

Luxury is having the skills and ability to build your own guitars exactly to the specs you want them to be. I stopped buying "retail" 2 decades ago. I don't need to sell because I don't like a guitar because I know *exactly* what I want and need.

Luxury is having a guitar that stays in tune. I’ve never found a Gibson that I liked or could afford that stays in tune. I don’t own one, but I’ve never picked up a bad PRS. Collings guitars are like a good Gibson that stays in tune but now, in 2024, you might have to sell a kidney to buy one. Totally worth it. Was very skeptical about the $750 throbak pickups but they are awesome too. Can find Collings guitars used and they seem to hold value or increase in value if you decide to sell.

I already have my dream guitar. The prettiest guitar ever a 2 pickup black beauty. So any guitar I were to buy after that is a luxury lol😂😂😂😂😂😂

i play bargain basement stuff dont need the perfection no matter how rich, just dont need the perfection. i have a couple of really nice guitars i bumped into. i have a full set or ever color they made .... just a cheapo brand i i have one stringed for many tunings such as drops and nashville ....it is easier to switch to them in the rack.... good topic! again!!

Specimen instruments (Grand Royal) out of Chicago.

i think my wife's position is that having more than one guitar is a luxury. she does support me though in my GAS and has actually purchased me a really nice vintage melodymaker as a birthday present. most of us could live just fine with one acoustic and one electric but no thanks.

The song I wish I had written: " It's A Wonderful World"

I have the luxury of having fender custom shop guitars, Heritage guitars, several PRS guitars, and a few Gibson custom shop guitars. My fortune is not lost on me or in these possessions. These things bring me something that brings me happiness which is music. However, these things as things are just that… things. If I had a house fire and got my family and dogs out safely, these guitars would be the first thing I would mourn but prob the last things I’d replace for myself…. Priorities are most important. Happiness is secondary.

You have check out vola guitars. They are worth the money for the guit. ar you get it would coast you an arm and a leg if the three big guitars company's were to make the same guitar and they sell their guitars direct . They are made in Japan and I'm my opinion their beautiful and sound great. A nother company called eart make a really good guitar , the same thing if the three big guitar companies were to make it , like I said before it would coast you a lot of money. Ps love your pod cast very informative. Thank you. Vincent

Jens Ritter bass guitars and Joe Knaggs guitars are some of the most top Tier instruments! Look them up!! Some of Jens Ritter bass guitar’s can fetch over 100K and upwards!

Buy an eastman. Best bang for the buck. Seriously.

As far as Murphy Lab Gibson guitars, his aging process is best suited for tribute guitars, Johnny Winter Firebirds, etc. Without making the guitar worn out, why not make the vintage instruments as close to original as possible? NOS Sprague caps, pickup output as close as possible including the neck profile? There, you've got something!

Novo's are somewhere in the middle of where youve been landing as far as money goes but the build quality punches way above those numbers.

For me, as a prof.guitarist, my 2 gibsons are luxury, i play them every day, my squier tele is luxury too, because its a great working guitar. It has nothing to do with money.

Guitars definitely reached luxury status when the publishers of Cigar Afficionado launched Guitar Afficionado.

Starting in the 80s, for some 20+ years, to me it seemed $1500 was the average starting point for a NEW, "PRO grade" guitar for very experienced (non-beginner) players who knew what they wanted and which factors are important to them. That is, if you wanted good workmanship in all areas -- ESPECIALLY on the fret work, such guitars started around $1500. During that same period, a run-of-the-mill Les Paul would run you $2500-$3K, and those guitars were VERY hit or miss on quality. All other brands were more consistent than Gibson. Today, that same NEW, "PRO grade" guitar for very experienced players starts around $2500. Gibsons still cost too much, and way more than the average. But these days, their QC is improved, the PLEK makes them less hit-or-miss. If you buy the cream of the Gibson crop from the GCS, you'll pay a ton ($5K - $20K+), and you'll usually get a very good guitar. But it's still only the GCS doing work where the workmanship rivals companies not named Gibson. That's kind of F'd up, but Gibson's have ALWAYS been overpriced. I don't mind overspending for the RIGHT Gibson Les Paul if it's GREAT (because there's nothing else like a GREAT LP). But I've also been playing long know enough to know the difference between paying a high price for high quality, and (what I won't do) paying a high price for average quality. The other truth is, there are PLENTY of $500-$1500 guitars these days that are terrific if you don't care about the name on the headstock or whether it was made in the USA. WAY more than you had in the 70s or 80s. The AVERAGE overall quality for all guitars has been made much better by CNC and PLEK machines. Fender prices are generally more reasonable than Gibson's. WIth Fender, their price points tend to match their quality in a more sensible, linear way. For example, with each jump in price point of a Strat or Tele, you can generally see the improved quality of parts and workmanship. I have a MIM Strat that was $400 when I bought it in the 90s. It's a perfectly good, workmanlike guitar that's very reliable. I also have a FCS 61 Wildwood 10 reissue Strat that listed for $5400 new (I got it used for about half that). It's a very nice guitar. It originally COST over 10x more than the MIM strat, but it's NOT a 10x better guitar. It just feels like that "PRO grade" guitar for the experienced player, and the MIM Strat doesn't. In 1984, Charvel would do a custom painted superstrat (of YOUR design) for you for $1500. A couple of years ago, I had a (Charvel-style) Chubtone superstrat made with a highly elaborate, custom painted graphics, where the largest part of the cost was the paintjob, and it still came in under $3500. So the price of a COMPLETELY CUSTOM PAINTED superstrat basically doubled over 40 years. As inflation goes, that's not too bad. But it's also an indicator what things really cost to make. A Chubtone superstrat built to YOUR specs, in a simple, single color still costs around $1500. Knowing that, you could argue that for what they are, and how they're made, NO new Strat or Tele should EVER cost $5K. But they do at the FCS. A Les Paul at least has a book-matched maple top that has to be carved, and 2-color finished on bursts, a glue in neck and trapezoid inlays. Strat and Tele bodies are comparatively simple, cut on CNC machines and the necks bolt on, and the paint jobs on the standard colors are single color and simple. The cost to make them is NOT very high. But start adding the lighter body woods, higher quality workmanship, relicing, and custom shop quality practices, and the prices go up. Sometimes ridiculously. Fender CAN make a nice Jimmy Page dragon painted Tele at the $1500 price point, but the FCS version cost $25K. That's nucking futz. I don't know who's paying those prices for guitars that cost less than 1/10th of that to make, but people do. Companies (at least Gibson and Fender) will ALWAYS provide overpriced, high-end, luxury, snob-appeal guitars for the people who will overpay for them.

I missed something did u buy an R9 Murphy????

A luxury purchase is any epiphone guitar, and a luxury product is the limited edition Chris Stapleton Epiphone USA guitar. Companies using cheap materials and unskilled labor are not luxury anything.

Imagine how many apples you'd need to pick today! ❤

it's all relative.... I was picking up a "cheap" acoustic yesterday and a young kid walks in with two Epiphone Les Pauls.... says he's, "hoping to get $200 for both but knows he won't..." gut in front of him whispered in his ear, they walked out, and I assume consummated the sale @$200??

100 of anything is alot surely?... 100 diamonds.. 100 cars.. 100 bars of chocolate. And as a British guy I can tell if someone gave me 100 pounds I'd be very happy. ... But it's all relative of course.

Looks are OK, but some of my best sounding/playing guitars are cheap (or inexpensive) models. Some of my worst sounding/ playing guitars cost as much as a small car.

Very entertaining. One song for the rest of your life has to be 'The song remains the same' ;-)

??? do you have 5 watt guitar picks???

Seeing Eddie in 78 !!

Anything beyond a basic functional instrument is ‘luxury’ to some degree…. A £5 quartz Casio watch does the job as well as a Breitling Aerospace that costs 1000x as much . Most watches are jewellery. It’s luxury if it’s better than you need. So for a pro, it’s probably a different benchmark, especially for musical instruments where tone is subjective, and possibly distinctive.

Uncle Larry!

My v2 revstar was 2022 was $480 new and ya the chambered racing stripe one with stainless steel frets and v1 rev star 2015 was $600. 00 great guitars and my Josh Williams well it’s more than my 2003 gretch penguin so let’s say more than 10 revstars … none are in the closet and the rev stars are great …

Hifi. People like their power amps "burnt in" and their speakers broken in just like guitarists. Vintage Hifi speakers and amps can hold their value like a Les Paul, and like vintage guitars, scarcity and legend combine to inflate prices to eye-popping levels on certain old gear.

$100 won't buy you much any more. Turns out when you print money like a school kid in his basement, it's worth almost zero. I have luxurious PRS guitars, but it took me decades to own one. I don't buy them new ever. I loved my $600 Ibanez guitars and my Partscaster with aftermarket bridge, LSR roller nut and Lace sensors from the 90's. They simply don't compare to my private stock, but, they will get the job done just as well. To me anything below $1k in 2024 money is inexpensive. The measure has always been one months average salary for a "good" instrument. In today's median range, that's around $3-4K. The squier classic vibes of recent years have been very good guitars for the money. Throw lollars in and a rewire and you're ready for the road. It's all relative.

$100 isn’t much to spend at the guitar store, but it’s a lot if it’s an unexpected expense!

Round!

Your Five Watt World sign on the wall looks crooked. Kinda distracting… the camera might not be level; one or the other. Might be both.

Building your own guitar is luxury.

Love your show Kieth but a little too “heady” for me….your point is? Expensive guitars are worth it or not?

In the end, all guitars are a luxury purchases.

So my 59 custom shop historic reissue VOS spec natural ES335 isn’t a luxury item cause there was probs my 5000 of them made? Wow. It felt like a massive step for me. I’m banking it as luxury. Regardless of the order use. A guitar is only worth having around if it inspires you to play it. I have 16 ish but some are from 37 ish years ago where I was a kid buying my cheapguitars. A couple were to save them from people that were ruining them etc.