Trying to understand the huge price difference between 2013 Standard Plus and the 2014 Standard Plus

[DubfromGA]

I drool every time I see an LP Standard that looks like this gem:

 

 

New-last year's stock:

 

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LPNSTDPDBCH-13/sn106730398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not understanding why there is a huge ( $ 1,000 ) difference for the current 2014 models like this one:

 

 

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LPSP14TBCH-14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you expect similar price differences to exist a year from now when comparing new-old stock 2014's to the then current 2015 models ?

[charlie brown]

Well, 2014 has a AAAA Figured Maple Top, the 2013 says AAA figured top,

yet the photos of the 2013, on the site, look more like some AA tops. But, who knows?

The 2014 seems a bit "high," to me, for a Gibson USA model. But, I suppose Gibson,

and Sweetwater are going to get whatever they can manage, from John Q. Public!

One thing about Gibson, they rarely lower their prices, year to year. Save the

"end of year," blowouts, now and then. So...???

 

CB

[DubfromGA]

Well, 2014 has a AAAA Figured Maple Top, the 2013 says AAA figured top,

yet the photos of the 2013, on the site, look more like some AA tops. But, who knows?

The 2014 seems a bit "high," to me, for a Gibson USA model. But, I suppose Gibson,

and Sweetwater are going to get whatever they can manage, from John Q. Public!

One thing about Gibson, they rarely lower their prices, year to year. Save the

"end of year," blowouts, now and then. So...???

 

CB

 

 

 

I didn't catch the grading of the two tops. I'm sure that accounts for a few hundred.

 

One thing is for certain....I'd have seriously evaluate the guitars in person when....and if.....the day comes to buy an LP. Some of the Standard Plus models I've seen look as appealing as some Standard Premiums.

[kidblast]

the grading of the tops is really not a perfect science. it's mostly left to chance and opine.

 

to charge extra for it is sort of lame IMO, but it is what it is.

 

as for the price increase, it's like CB says.. what ever the market will bear, they'll shoot for.

[Guest Farnsbarns]

I think the 14 also has min-etune?

[capmaster]

I think the 14 also has min-etune?

Locking Grovers are specified and pictured.

[Guest Farnsbarns]

So, the 2013 is last years model, 2014 is an anniversary year with the 12th fret marker, has a higher grade top, min-e-tune and locking Grovers. Whatever you think of robot tuning I think the price difference is pretty much explained, especially taking the usual annual hike into account.

[capmaster]

So, the 2013 is last years model, 2014 is an anniversary year with the 12th fret marker, has a higher grade top, min-e-tune and locking Grovers. Whatever you think of robot tuning I think the price difference is pretty much explained, especially taking the usual annual hike into account.

There's no MinE-Tune on 2014 Standards stock.

[kidblast]

I think the 14 also has min-etune?

 

 

not in the pics in that link.. no min-etune

[american cheez]

a related concept recently came to be inside of my mind. thing is, once you get past $1500 with any guitar your not paying for playability anymore. of course you're always gonna have some who balk at some the prices. but the price of admission has been set. carefully considered, you know what you're getting when you buy one. most folks here know gibson's stuff well enough that there couldn't really be any big surprises in tone or playability, once properly set up. it's really only a matter of are you going to pay the cost or not. some will, some won't. it's not always a matter of can or can't afford it. more a matter of where is your personal limit? i have reasons i couldn't spend that much, that have really nothing to do with can i afford it. i would love to have one, and if circumstances changed....i could sure "go there".

[Drog]

There's no MinE-Tune on 2014 Standards stock.

The 2014 standards have minE-tune, the 2014 standard plus and 2014 standard premium do not have minE-tune!

[Blueblooded]

In addition to increasing the price, with 2014 the Standard does not have "Nibs" on the fret ends of the neck binding. This is one feature that I always thought set a permium Gibson procuct apart from everything else out there.

[Pin]

In addition to increasing the price, with 2014 the Standard does not have "Nibs" on the fret ends of the neck binding. This is one feature that I always thought set a permium Gibson procuct apart from everything else out there.

 

Quite.

 

It also means that I will only ever buy Gibson reissue or Gibson s/h.

[american cheez]

Quite.

 

It also means that I will only ever buy Gibson reissue or Gibson s/h.

 

 

although i was never a fan of the nibs they were useful for immediately spotting a chibson.

[dakar1]

the grading of the tops is really not a perfect science. it's mostly left to chance and opine.

to charge extra for it is sort of lame IMO, but it is what it is.

as for the price increase, it's like CB says.. what ever the market will bear, they'll shoot for.

 

That is true, but also have to note that cost of materials, labor etc. go up as well. Which means price increases for their more premium models and likely some newer guitars (such as the Studio versions) with less features or made with cheaper woods/processes.

I have only been following guitar prices for the last couple years or so, but to me I just don't see how some of these price increases will be sustainable for Gibson. And by that I mean I do not expect them to be selling as many new guitars. The used market for Gibson guitars will become even more active and I imagine Epiphone sales will be going up as well, which in some cases those are astoundingly cheap.

I consider myself quite lucky that I have 2 new Gibson guitars in the past year, both of which were around $1000 on some good markdowns.