Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on October 23, 2011 at 5:59am

Do you have a website or something that you can provide?  People are going to want to see close detail shots of your work, especially if you don't have sound or video samples.  There's so much competition out there to choose from now that they'll want to see your stuff from every possible angle.  The add itself looks pretty damned good but you've got to put more info out there and make it only one click away from this.

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Permalink Reply by 3 String Blues on October 23, 2011 at 8:16am

i Put on the other listing in the 3 string group, but i wil put here, you need an email address....alot of folks will not call...plus make it a bit darker to make it easier to read on the bottom...other than that, they will sell, they look great!

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on October 24, 2011 at 5:03am

Your ad and build looks very good. Although, the price point may be a hard sell. You certainly need to have a video of this guitar being played. As you may have noticed, many of the CBGs being sold on ebay do not have videos. Considering people will not have the opportunity to play the guitar themselves before purchasing, a video presentation will help to answer many of their questions visually and audibly. Best Wishes on your endeavor, Keni Lee

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_63xbx2ank&feature=channel_vide...

 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ddduPASUPw&feature=channel_vide... 

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Permalink Reply by Dan on October 24, 2011 at 6:47am

I agree with Keni. For those of us who build these and know what the parts cost, yours is over the top! Shoot high, but aim low!!

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Permalink Reply by Andy Eight Spades CBG on October 24, 2011 at 5:12pm

But if you can sell it for that then don't let anyone stop you! Go for it. Build looks great as does the ad.

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on October 25, 2011 at 1:20am

You do not need quotes around "Great for that Delta blues sound ad easy to play in open tunings"  because you are not quoting anyone.  Just a period on the end.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on October 25, 2011 at 3:40am

Keep your price high, you will find a different level of buyer, I agree there are too many hours in them to sell them cheap, the parts may be cheap but the labor should not be. Yours looks like a nicely made CBG. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on October 25, 2011 at 4:01am

Lowatter,

Just a comment to echo what Country Boy Michael said. Yes, the parts themselves may be inexpensive; however, you may have awesome woodworking skills, and maybe put 30 coats of handrubbed French polish, or some such, into each one. Therefore, you should be compensated for your time and technique. At what rate per hour do you value your time, and how many build hours went into each individual instrument? You probably know the answer to both questions, and should price your instruments accordingly. Yes, this is a DIY "hobby," which means that some of your potential buyers may say, "Only $30 for parts?! Heck, I can build me one of those!" and some of them will do exactly that. Others will say, "Nope, I could never do that!" and purchase accordingly. Another group, which includes a fair number of people here, I bet, make their own instruments, but wouldn't mind purchasing one from another builder, either because they want to learn that builder's techniques, or simply appreciate his / her craftsmanship.

Stick to your pricing guns; the market will tell you pretty quickly if it thinks your pricing is fair.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Mitchell on October 25, 2011 at 4:54am

Hey there,  I don't know about the cost of parts,  in my mind it comes down to the quality of the sound and the build. (don't really on catch phrases,  the work has to be good). Like Josh has said I believe you would benefit from more pictures detailing how your instruments are worth the price you are asking. Logically then you need for people to be able to hear what your build sounds like. Video's are huge.....  Keni as usual is right on target.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on October 25, 2011 at 5:24am

Yes, man hours and the price of labor is the major problem. CBG parts in most cases are minimal. This is why today many products are being produced in China and not in the USA. People like the early US immigrants are willing to work longer harder hours for a much lower pay. In the past, China's quality control was very poor, but this is dramatically changing. Originally, they wanted to give you more of the inferior product for less. You can easily understand the metality of a country that produces goods for a very large population. The idea of getting more for a higher grade product was not as lucrative dealing with the common population. That market is drastically smaller. The quality of Chinese produced musical instruments has greatly improved over the years. It is only a matter of time until China will start exporting cars that will have the same quality standards as the Japanese. I don't know if you are aware of this, all the big name US car manufacturers are there building now. Today due to the financial times, the guitar market is down. A quick search on ebay will reveal, it is a buyer's market. People are selling off their treasures. I am not sure if a standard CBGs (no resonator /pick-ups) at this time in their evolution will command a $350 price tag easily. Considering they grew out of a time (The Great Depression) where money was tight and being frugal was the way to go. There has always been a debate here about building a CBG that is functional and inexpensive verses a higher end refined instrument out of a cigar box. I believe once you start building a superior box instead of using a real box, you already turned that corner. The next logical step would be to build a standard guitar. There are no rules. Regardless, my best wishes for your efforts. Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by Roosterman on October 25, 2011 at 6:25am

Remember this thread chaps?

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/thebritsarecoming/forum/topics/...

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on October 25, 2011 at 6:59am

It is not that working hard is the problem...but receiving no satisfactory compensation for your effort. You can either fund your hobby with a vocation or make your hobby into your vocation. Either way there is always a bottom line. Making things by hand, one at a time will require a higher return. This is already reaching out to a limited market that has the financial means to  appreciate and afford the higher cost. The larger market needs a product that is more reasonable priced. An assembly line product.

Here is an example:

I feel http://www.nationalguitars.com/home.html makes the best commercially made US resonator guitar on the market today. I feel the quality construction and tone  justifies the price. The catch is that they start at about $2000.

I recommend www.republicguitars.com to players because I feel although they are built in China, the ower Frank sets them up personally and makes sure you receive a good instrument. Starting around a quarter of the price, makes them more approachable for your average player who is a hobbyist.

 

Any business in order to remain solvent needs to produce a product at a price point that the consumer is willing to pay.

 

Why do think McDonalds is doing so well. Do you feel they make "the best" quality burger or just good enough for the price? Food for the masses.         

 

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