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Pricing my Geddy Lee

B

bkk130

Jan 23, 2008
39
1
#1
I bought myself a brand new Geddy Lee Jazz bass a couple years ago for $850. Today I noticed that they are now selling for $1220 at Guitar Center and none of the specs have changed! I was just curious what causes this fluctuation in the price. Does it have to do with a rise in labor costs in Japan? Were there changes to the guitar that i'm not aware of? Or something else?
 
#9
Fender's retail prices skyrocketed overnight several months ago. Terrible timing, as everyone was being hit with the economic crisis at the same time. I'm sure you'll find all kinds of stuff on it though the search function here - it drew alot of negative publicity. Not one of Fender's smarter decisions, to be sure. :hmm:
 
#10
I got mine for $535 brand new just about 4 years ago. It's certainly worth that. It is not worth more than maybe about $700 - that was the asking price by GC at the time. As much as I love it, I would never pay more than that for another one.
 
#11
It's kind of a double-edged sword... if you want one you'll more than likely buy used. If you sell yours, there's no way you'll be able to get a decent price for it because they are so cheap and so plentiful on the used market.

For the money I've put into modding mine I'm pretty much stuck with it.:)

I have no idea how well they have been selling at the new price point, I don't know if a new finish is enough.
 
#12
bigntasty said:
Fender's retail prices skyrocketed overnight several months ago. Terrible timing, as everyone was being hit with the economic crisis at the same time. I'm sure you'll find all kinds of stuff on it though the search function here - it drew alot of negative publicity. Not one of Fender's smarter decisions, to be sure. :hmm:
Click to expand...

This - both Fender and Gibson increased prices as a result of the failing strength of the dollar.

Since less people are investing on new guitars as luxury items, more and more people are playing the used market for bargains. The prices have decreased slightly because of the hits the big two are taking on sales - but they're still not as "cheap" as 2007 prices.
 
#14
I know a few years ago you could buy their MIM basses new for a little over $400 maybe less if you could find a good deal. Used in good condition you could but them for close to half of that. I bought a 4 string Jazz fretless and Jazz V for $225 and $250, both MIM. Now they're $599 at Musicians Friend. I just got another MIM fretless 4 as a gift. It was used but flawless cosmetically. It came with a hard case. The lady it was purchased from said she bought it last year and just didn't like playing fretless. It still had all of the paperwork and crap that comes with them in the hard case. I can't imagine my family paid anything close to what I used to buy them for used. It's a pretty damn nice bass by the way and it sounds awesome.
 
#15
On the MIM standard side of the spectrum, Fender tried to justify the price increase by tightening up quality control slightly, cleaning up the logo decal and tinting the neck.

They're definitely better players than the 2007 MIMs. Not $200 better though.
 

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