Three Somogyi guitars compared

[John Link]

That is an interesting rant, Dave. And you are not the only person that has voiced such objections to Somogyi's prices (and that of other makers at his level of pricing). Our friend Brian Burns told me he was the one who encouraged Ervin to charge more and more for his work, given that Ervin was way behind with fulfilling orders.

I remember when I first started building some of my friends (and acquaintances) would expect me to make them a guitar for less than what Yamahas sold for (about $100 those days), because I was one of "the good guys". I would tell them it cost more than a Yamaha to buy the parts I used.

In the case of the two Somogyi BRW gits, they use the real thing, not "stump wood" about which we can be certain only that it was cut from some species of stump in Brazil (assuming we trust the vendor). A good set of "the real thing" cut in the old days when the best wood was harvested for instruments, with reasonably straight grain but spider webbing as well, runs several thousand, if you can find it. Martin lists their current copy of the 1936 D-45 that uses "the real thing" BRW for $60k. The only other BRW Martin offers is the D-100 for $115k. I suppose these must really make your blood boil.

What this pricing difference suggests to me is the way factory guitars seem to have the upper hand in the minds of players. The fact an instrument was made in a small shop by one or just a few participants is held against it, price wise, even when the shop is of stellar reputation. (There may be exceptions - I'd welcome the opportunity to learn about them.)

[ken cierp]

Gosh Dave I thought you might have a couple of those hanging around the house.

Seriously -- craftsmanship -- to art -- than to nonsense. But free market capitalism what can you say if they are willing to pay? I think the truth is even some hand made guitars can be very disappointing sound wise, I think John Greven makes mention of this in one of his Healdsburg Festival assessment.