What makes gibson acoustic guitars so expensive?

Answer 1

Primarily their pedigree. Gibson guitars are made in the United States, where labor is considerably more expensive. Secondarily, because Gibson has a longstanding reputation for quality craftsmanship.

The best way to answer your question is to show you the differences between Gibson and their subsidiary Epiphone.

Since 1957 Gibson has owned the Epiphone Company which makes very similar, sometimes almost identical, guitars. Epiphone is Gibson's 'second label,' and a rough analogy would be that Epiphone is to Gibson guitars as Toyota is to Lexus automobiles.

While Gibsons are still 100% made-in-the-USA, most Gibson~Epiphones are manufactured overseas (and have been for the last couple of decades)-- in Korea, Japan, and of course China, where labor is dirt cheap.

Now... decide for yourself:

Take a look at a $3,449 Gibson Hummingbird (built in the US)...
http://www.music123.com/Gibson-Hummingbird-True-Vintage-Acoustic-Guitar-i756192.music

...and compare it against a $299 acoustic Gibson/Epiphone Hummingbird (built in China)...
http://www.music123.com/Epiphone-Hummingbird-Acoustic-Guitar-i25635.music

They look almost identical. The Gibson has impeccable craftsmanship, uses more expensive woods, and is a much finer guitar, to be sure. But is the [USA] Gibson Hummingbird *really* worth $3000 more than a Chinese Epiphone Hummingbird?

I hope that illustration helps to answer your question!

Answer 2

Epiphone now makes fine guitars. Especially for the money. Gibson's are clearly better. However, a beginner or a weekend worrier may not be able to see, hear, or feel the difference. Gibsons fit and finish is better as is it's playability. If your playing 4 hours a night, go for the Gibson. If your playing 2 hours a week, save your money and get the Epiphone. Also keep in mind, a good luthier can set up an Epi to play just as well as a Gibson, for about a hundred bucks. So, an EPI 335 costs 350 bucks plus a good set up, 450. The Gibson 335 will set you back at least 2800 bucks new.

Answer 3

Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar

Answer 4

The biggest reason is they are made in America - compare the prices of the Epiphone copies. The Epiphones are nearly identical but are made in the far east. Another reason is the brand name - people will pay more for a Gibson. The Gibsons do use all the best components (woods, etc) so it is a fine guitar, but the prices are based on more than the guitar itself.
Fenders are another example - compare the Standard Strat (made in Mexico) to the American Strat - $400 vs. $1010.
So it comes down to how you feel about brand names and supporting American-made stuff.

Answer 5

My first guitar that I learned to play was a parlor-size LG-3 Gibson, manufactured in 1952. Upon entering the Army I asked my best friend to keep it for me until I could come for it. He played it for about 10 years and then set it aside in his garage to catch paint splatterings, heavy things laying on it, and other abuses, but when I got back 41 years later I had it structurally rebuilt and had the huge cracks on the sides reglued.

The guitar looked as if it had been dragged down a dusty road behind a pickup truck.

Removing the black enamel that I foolishly painted on the fretboard in 1956 this little Gibson now plays better than ever. The spruce top, once blonde in finish, is now honey-brown and rings true in every fret.

I use it when teaching my students.

Answer 6

Your paying for the quality and name. Gibson does make one of the better guitars, I have one that my father played in the clubs back in the forty's and it still has a good sound, and the neck is still as straight as it was when he bought it, no warping. He ruined it to a point because he electrified it which required putting holes in in for the wires and nobs, otherwise I could get a great price for it, even after all these years, they don't loss their value, in fact vintage Gibson's sometimes cost more that the new ones, so when you buy a Gibson it's like an investment.

Answer 7

All Gibsons are over priced and have extremely poor quality. They are a true waste of money. They often fall apart within a few years.

Answer 8

They are still too expensive.
Even Paul McCartney does not pay 1,000 for a full size guitar.
I do not either and I can actually play the guitar and songwrite too.
Gibson needs to realize that money does not grow on trees.

Answer 9

Mostly the name, marketing, and selling in brick and mortar stores. All three of those factors combine to add to the price of a product without contributing anything to the product itself.

Answer 10

They are hand made by some old guy named pedro