Limited Editions

[houndman55]

Yo,

 

Why does gibson have so many limited runs? Isn't better to just have a standard line so anyone who wants one can buy it whenever they feel fit or can afford it.

Lots of good stuff just swipe by and sometimes it's almost impossible to find one because they only make like a 100 or something. Are all these runs motivated?

[capmaster]

There can be different reasons for that.

 

First, when thinking about my limited guitars, they sometimes have the opportunity to buy limited amounts of exceptional timbers not matching their regular product line. So they create a limited run using them.

 

As a second reason, there are special requests from dealers, in particular big retail chains who want special features, for sound and/or looks.

 

Some regular models are ordered in very small amounts only and they decide not to make them. Sometimes they make a limited run with slightly altered specifications which typically sells fast.

 

Finally, these reasons may appear in combination, too.

 

There's a difference between limited runs and limited editions. A limited run consists of a previously determined number of items while limited editions will depend on number of orders at a scheduled due date.

[BigKahune]

.

In addition to what Cap mentions. As the years have gone by Gibson has found the market for "Limited Editions", "Special Editions", "Artist models", "Reissues", "limited runs", etc, etc, etc, has been growing and the customers buying in that market are willing to pay a lot of money for these types of guitars. The fewer of these models they make, the more money they're able to charge - and people buy 'em up.

 

 

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[rct]

They have to make the margin on each guitar in order to keep the overall margin figure where they want it. Moving more guitars of any kind requires dealer discount, which cuts up into margins. Limit the number, if the dealers go for it at cost, everybody wins.

 

rct