Has tulip mania happened with guitars?

What's the biggest red flag that tulip mania is happening with guitars?

The biggest red flag of tulip mania with these overpriced guitars is the fact they're easy to get.

Have you noticed how easy it is to find and buy a $4,000, $6,500 or $10,000 electric guitar? A lot easier than you probably think it is.

"Custom Shop" guitars are grossly overpriced, but the fact they're so easy to acquire really devalues them in a big way.

Scarcity plays a big role where supply and demand is concerned. When there's too much supply, scarcity vanishes, demand diminishes and then ultimately just stops.

Let's say you actually had 10 grand to spend on a guitar. You would want that guitar to be super special, super rare and difficult to get. That's not what happens at all. What you get isn't special, isn't rare and is easy to acquire. All you need is the money. Money is the only barrier of entry, and that's simply not enough to come anywhere close to justifying the price. That means any other Joe Schmoe with cash can get the exact same thing you bought, cheapening your purchase big time. And it gets even cheaper every other time another Joe Schmoe buys the same thing.

If you're thinking about dropping a ton of money on a new guitar...

Option 1: Have a local luthier build one for you. Find a local guy who is willing to put the time and effort into crafting something special for you. Know that it will take many months for the build to get completed. Possibly up to a year. Worth it? Yes.

Option 2: If there is nobody local, seek out smaller guitar companies and don't be afraid to go international if you have to. If you're in the USA, start in Canada first. There are some seriously amazing craftsmen in maple leaf country. The same can be said for Mexico.

Option 3: Build the guitar yourself, either from scratch or from parts. Want the best stuff? Buy the best stuff. Your build, your way.

You have options. Don't fall victim to the tulip mania going on with guitars because it's just not worth it.

On a final note, also know there are many new guitars selling for well under $1,000 that are seriously good stuff. When you steer clear of the custom shop stuff, you have a lot more choice.

[Image credit: A Satire of Tulip Mania by Jan Brueghel the Younger (ca. 1640)]

Published 2020 Nov 10