Ok, I took one of my cbg to work to show a guy that plays a guitar and I had 5 differnet people, one was my boss all wanting to know how much I would sell my cbg for. I took it to show my mother-in-law, she posted it on facebook and people are asking like crazy.
What is a average price people sell them for, I'm finding in my area there is alot of people that have a interest in buying one. Cost to make is around $35, I can make it in about 4-5days with the staining the wood, room to breath, glue to dry, etc.
I don't want to say somthing to high were no one wants them but I don't want to price them so low either.
I was thinking around $100 for a regular cbg and one that I add more stuff maybe around $150, is that to high or low?
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I've reflected on this again, and realised that I never set out with a plan to sell cigar box guitars, and at no point did I ask myself how much one if my guitars was worth, or how much I could sell it for. It's evolved over the years, and only now after making several hundred am I beginning to rationalise a little and try and figure out where I should be heading.
I know this may sound hypocritical, but trying to formulate plans about to make money out of making cigar box guitars and how much to charge for one is sort to the wrong end to be concentrating on. I started making them for the sheer pleasure and fun of doing it....I sold quite a few at giveaway prices, made some more, put the price up a little bit...and repeated the cycle dozens and dozens of times of a long period of time. I'm still not sure about my pricing, but I've built things up so I've got a pretty long waiting list, and am getting involved in various ways of getting my work out to the public, but at the root of it you've got to be making a good product that people like and you've got to be really into what you are doing in terms of the creativity and craftsmanship.
Pricing is a really difficult aspect, whether you are a hobbyist who wants to just sell-on the odd guitar, or someone who wants to generate a bit of handy income on a more regular level, or right the way through to having a goal of making proper money at it. I'd say I've gone through each stage, but what's remained constant is the drive to make my stuff better and better, and keep the spirit of fun and enjoyment on what I do. I reckon if you stay true to your ideals, it shows in the product and it will sell.
However, what's a good price for someone will be the wrong price for someone else....for example, I pitched up with one of my guitars at a local guitar shop (they'd asked me to bring one in), I told them the price...and they thought it was cheaper than they'd expected (about the same as a Classic Vibe Squier tele). The price works for me, but if I'd have sold it to them even with a modest trade discount, it would have had to be in their window at nearly twice my asking price for them to turn a margin on it.....it all gets complicated!!!
I suppose what I'm saying, it all takes time to settle in, there's a lot to be learned, and if you can weather the first hundred or so builds, then you might still be making them, enjoying it and making money.
I appreciate everything you tell me. You are so wise and I try to learn and gain as much knowledge that I can from the best.
Glad I'm retired and not wanting to sell my builds, as LJ said keep it fun. I have found over the years that anytime you take something you do for fun and turn it into a job, you tend to end up disliking the work. If you are doing it because you have a passion for the build, be it a car, an airplane, (yes, done that too), or a CBG you won't make anything near what you can in a "real job". I'm starting my 4th build, (2nd CBG) and don't intend to sell it or any that I build. They are like children, not for sale, though I may give some away in the future. :)>
Can they clean up around a shop? Could be worth a few CBG's for some cheap labor.
Based on design, quality and playability!
Let see, 10 -30 hours building time (or more) at ten dollars an hour! Hmm? Plus parts...$35-65 dollars..times four-the cost of materials. $140.00+ base models - $260.00+ for more advanced models - $500.00 & up for exotics.
Some luthiers can get thousands of dollars for their ukuleles that have less of a neck than these cbg's!
I have an idea! Based on design, quality and playability, let's everybody globally raise the prices on these instruments to what they're worth! Wouldn't that be nice. ;-)
When I started selling them I was mainly just trying to get money to buy tools and supplies to build more. Not to mention my wife didnt appreciate them piling up around the house. I sold the first couple for around 50 bucks. Because back then thats what people were doing on ebay. The next thing I knew I was working to build CBG's for people instead of me. It became more like work than fun. I raised my price to 100 dollars. And the same result. I was still pushing myself to get builds done for others instead of me. I was spending 20 to 30 dollars in parts and approximate 10 hours of building time. So here I was making about 7 dollars an hour and not doing something I loved anymore. I couldnt improve the builds, like add fretboards and inlays because the price didnt allow. As I built up the power tools I needed. I started to steamline the process and build 4 at a time. This was helpful when it came to the neck finish, headstock and tuner work, and different sanding levels (grits). This probably improved my build time but I never kept track after the early builds.I found myself working like a assembly line and not finding the early enjoyment I once had. I decided to start doing the things I wanted to do. No more 7 dollar an hour job. But do what I loved and do it for me. If i had instruments to sell fine. If I didnt I could pass them on to a buddy, or guide them to build one themselves. I ask 150.00 and up for my fretless 3 strings now. And I only sell what I am willing to give up. I would rather gift them or trade a friend for his than turn it into a job. I started building fretted instruments and I wont let one go for less than 300. Havent sold any so far!!!! But I did pay for a 300 dollar home inspection with one when my inspector said Ill waive the bill if you give me one of those guitars. I dont build as often as I like these days but when I do I keep it interesting and fun for me. I am much happier this way. Asking 100 to 150 isnt bad on any level of build as long as its solid and playable. Just dont get yourself in the position I found myself in. Let the intrigue, love and addiction be your guide not the money. Unless your looking to run a business. Good luck on the business part of this thing we love so much. Its very hard to make a buck on any craft.Especially when you start shopping your competitors. There is always the new guy selling his CBG junk or not for pennies on the dollar. Or the guy that is retired, has all day to tinker, and could care less about what he makes. You also have the burden of trying to sell something that gives so much more pleasure if you build it yourself.
I am not a newbie, Ive been doing this for years. I am trying to give you the best advice I can offer. This has always been a friendly,helpful community. And I wanted to point this issue out to you before you get into the rut I found myself in.
Just make sure you keep it fun for you brother.. Youll get a lot more out of it if you always make that your 1st rule.
Putting a price on your work can be hardest thing - one thing is for sure, only sell your stuff it it's playable and won't fall apart. I've seen guitars sold at almost give-away prices, but totally unplayable and really shoddily made - there's a huge difference between an instrument being charmingly rustic and being an unplayable heap of junk. This does the seller and the CBG movement no favours at all.
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