Re: Price increases coming soon or already here
In this period of rising import prices and unreliable supply, think about buying used from a reliable local dealer. Used prices may be affected by inflation in the prices of new imports, but shouldn't bump up to the extent that supply-chain-dependent prices do.
In our tiny corner of the overall global marketplace, we're seeing the risks of dependence on imports for almost all our new entry-to-mid-level musical instruments. Where are Harmony, Regal, Stella, Kay et.al when we need 'em? Oh yeah, driven out of business a half-century ago by more attractive and marketable Asian imports.
Classic economic theory would propose, that new suppliers will be lured into starting up, by the higher price structure. Is that gonna happen? Takes a major capital investment to undertake manufacturing instruments on a higher-volume basis -- plus a major marketing campaign.
A good friend of mine here in Rochester undertook building American Acoustech guitars, using a combination of computer-controlled and hand-finished production, and utilizing domestic woods such as cherry and walnut for back and sides. He was in business for maybe seven years, made quite a few nice instruments aimed at the $4-700 range, but in the end couldn't compete without national marketing and distribution. Both my kids own American Acoustechs that I bought them as HS graduation gifts -- really nice guitars.
So I'm afraid we'll just have to pay the inflated prices that imports command, and hope that the supply chain bottlenecks are worked out. (Do you think that prices will come down when shipping costs do? Dream on, I'm afraid...) Alternatively, we can investigate the used market, support local builders, maybe even control our MAS...?
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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