vuduchyld -> RE: Why are Flamenco guitars so expensive? (Feb. 24 2011 3:02:54)
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As has been pointed out, there is something of a supply/demand issue. There really isn't enough demand drive the price down. You can't get to an economy of scale that allows for money-saving manufacturing processes...and if you did, the purists would not touch the guitar, anyway. Personally, I think that the larger issue is all about expectations. More specifically, people who play flamenco guitar do practice a fairly demanding form of music. They tend to, most likely, have very developed musical ears. And they probably tend towards perfectionism in many of their ventures. In reality, for most players, I'd suspect they are going to play mostly for themselves, family, and friends. The frequency of important acoustic gigs or recording sessions will be few and far between. While I'd love to spend $4000 on the perfect guitar, chances are pretty strong that I will not see the financial value in it. That said, I'm a beginner in the flamenco world. My opinions are subject to change. Right now, I'm playing on an Eterna (made by Yamaha, but bottom end...like, from the 1980s and I think it was $100 brand new--just a crappy plywood guitar) classical guitar. When I upgrade to a $1000 guitar, it's going to be a new world for me. I have played many, many rock and bluegrass gigs with my $400 Epiphone E-335 copy or my plywood Alvarez steel string, or more recently with my $1000 Taylor steel string. I've never been self-conscious about it once or wished for a $4000 Les Paul. I can't imagine the same won't be true with flamenco. But I guess we will see.
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