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Another "Artist Model" Adam Del Monte Model
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z6
Posts: 225
Joined: Mar. 1 2011
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 RE: Another "Artist Model"... (in reply to HolyEvil)
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He mentioned his other two guitars. A deliberate reference in order that prospective customers might make the association but he did not say whether his new guitar would be his 'daily' instrument.
In a (my) perfect world this is how it would be:
Say I'm a renowned musician (i wish), I make a living, I have a couple of great guitars. I happen upon one of Anders' guitars and think 'this is almost perfect but I need x, y and z'. I talk to Anders. He builds one for me. I pay him. If I like it as much or better than my other guitars, I use it... it's my guitar.
Everyone will find out what guitar I'm using, as I use it. I may even go on youtube and tell people that I own great guitars and I now own an Anders.
If we want to make a little extra I say 'how about we design a fantastic student guitar? I put my name on it and I trust you to take care of the quality. We get them built cheaply and in great numbers? Everyone gains. But I'm only doing it because it is all real. All of it. We're helping learners get a good action and setup but maybe not the utimate quality or finish. It's a factory guitar, but a good one (like a Conde or a Yamaha, maybe great maybe not, but pretty good at least).
Buying a 'concert' guitar for $7,500 because it has the name of a guitarist on it is lame but buying a guitar because a concert guitarist uses it, as a matter of genuine preference, makes some sense. It is probably at least a good guitar and it may hold its value. We can get all arty about it but knowing it'll hold value is not a bad thing.
Luthier-built guitars, in my opinion, are works of art. And we get to make music on them, for years, which is great.
Only one name is required... the name of the builder.
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Date Oct. 4 2012 21:23:49
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z6
Posts: 225
Joined: Mar. 1 2011
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RE: Another "Artist Model"... (in reply to HolyEvil)
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I would add that by 'factory' I mean sub $1,000. If there is a gap in the market, that's where I see it. So much crap to wade through at that price while we know that decent guitars 'can' be built for that price, in a factory, if quality control is earnestly applied.
I think the other, practical, problem this luthier is setting himself is his choice of name. Maybe his guitars are well worth $7,500 but not with Del Monte written on them. Very few people spend that much on a guitar and those that do tend to frown on such things.
In fact, I expect many would feel slightly embarrassed "really, I know it sounds lame but it's a great guitar, in spite of this stupid name on it."
Doesn't sound like good business, for the luthier, to me. He's the one taking all the risk. If he built a great Guitar for Del Monte then Del Monte should just thank the guy by paying him and giving him a hand to reach a wider market.
Unfortunately, as we can all observe, the Spanish economy is tanking. The Germans will do everything they can to keep them in the euro (as the euro was always just a way for the Germans to keep their currency low and thus benefit in the export market, and they like the power, of course).
But when Greece, then Spain and Portugal, Ireland and others exit the euro, there will be super-cheap guitars galore. This will take some time but it will happen. American builders had better get creative because Spanish guitars will go for a song (in hard currency; Just like they used to.)
This not something I relish, by the way. Just stating it.
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Date Oct. 4 2012 21:53:22
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z6
Posts: 225
Joined: Mar. 1 2011
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RE: Another "Artist Model"... (in reply to Leñador)
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Then (Lenador) I can't figure why the luthier would do such a thing.
There's nothing at all wrong with a guitarist helping a luthier but why would they think his name on the guitar would help?
It doesn't make any sense. This is a 'low-end' strategy. I can't see how this wouldn't hurt a sale at the high end. I may be overly self-conscious but If I tried a guitar, and liked it, then saw it was a 'Paco' model, my heart would sink.
Anyway, I hope it works out for both of them. It's a hard business.
Strangely, your remark that del Monte uses a lot of instruments puts me in mind of what I'd like to see, or 'rather' see. Guitarists making a point about all the great guitars current builders are producing. There's far too much weight given to 'old' or famous names. People end up with fixed ideas (man, if I had a..... my life would be complete).
I haven't tried all the guitars in the world but when I used to try a lot of guitars I found most of them okay to very nice. I was seldom bowled over. But I have a feeling that luthiers are better now than they were. Why wouldn't they be? But we hold onto the 'legends' because there is no way to 'prove' anything. (In fact, I've seen people waxing lyrical over old planks because of the name on them... the builder's name.)
I used to be fixated on Fletas cause I tried two that were better than my wonderful Fleeson (years ago). But the guitar I have now I am sure is better than the Fletas I tried.
But I used a cheap guitar (£200) for 20 years and it was fine. I've tried guitars that cost huge amounts that were not markedly better than my old beater.
But the name of a guitarist on a guitar is, I would have thought, more likely to repel the high end than attract them.
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Date Oct. 4 2012 23:12:41
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Leñador
Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles
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RE: Another "Artist Model"... (in reply to z6)
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quote:
Then (Lenador) I can't figure why the luthier would do such a thing.
As I had mentioned before I believe he makes most of his sales building vihuelas, bajo sextos, guitarrons etc.. he may want a bump in his flamenco clients. As well, I had never heard of Candelas being mentioned outside of LA until today in this forum so I think it may have worked. As for Adam, who wouldn't want their own signature guitar? It's like another line on a resume.
I'm from the same school of opinion as you when it comes to purchasing a guitar. I play 'em, if I like 'em, I like 'em. I thought tomatito's guitar didn't compare to the used Raimundo I ended up purchasing. BUT, I know a lot of people who I consider collectors more then musicians who spend crazy amounts of money on guitars and toys just to have them. Signature models are big for these people. I have clients at work that own all kinds of crazy instruments that run 10K plus and can't play a thing. Half the time I laugh at the money they spent cus when you play it, it's not worth it, they bought the name. In short, real muscians don't make up the entire instrument economy, fortunately for the luthiers, cus most of us is broke sumuma bi*ches.
_____________________________
\m/
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Date Oct. 4 2012 23:37:49
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