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The Soundgear Club

#1,821
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360728907.774208.jpgSR500 MK4 Bart pre paint by Wilkens
 
#1,826
I just noticed that the SR700 in amber has suddenly jumped in price among certain retailers. The standard price used to be $749. Guitar Center and Musician's Friend are now pricing the amber version at $834, while the brown version remains at $749. To confuse things even more, Sweetwater has both colors at $749. It doesn't make any sense to me. Did the amber version suddenly get that much better. GC and MF also do price matching so they would have to sell the amber for $749 if asked. I don't see the point in jumping up the price if other retailers are not. In addition, the newer (and prettier) SR800 in amber is retailing for $849. Why wouldn't you spend the extra $15 for a higher grade. Is someone trying to discourage sales of the 700?

I know the probable answer as to why they are raising their prices is "because they can". However, I was hoping that someone in the know could shed some light on the situation. I've been wanting a 700 and would like to know if I should jump on one immediately or if there is still time to save up first.
 
#1,827
flashboom said:
I just noticed that the SR700 in amber has suddenly jumped in price among certain retailers. The standard price used to be $749. Guitar Center and Musician's Friend are now pricing the amber version at $834, while the brown version remains at $749. To confuse things even more, Sweetwater has both colors at $749. It doesn't make any sense to me. Did the amber version suddenly get that much better. GC and MF also do price matching so they would have to sell the amber for $749 if asked. I don't see the point in jumping up the price if other retailers are not. In addition, the newer (and prettier) SR800 in amber is retailing for $849. Why wouldn't you spend the extra $15 for a higher grade. Is someone trying to discourage sales of the 700?

I know the probable answer as to why they are raising their prices is "because they can". However, I was hoping that someone in the know could shed some light on the situation. I've been wanting a 700 and would like to know if I should jump on one immediately or if there is still time to save up first.
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Interesting. Maybe the Amber version is more popular? I bought my SR705 last week from MF and it was $799 (charcoal brown). They were running a "Winter Sale" and I saved another $60 for a final price of $739 with free shipping. Not sure why the SR700 would be more than the 5 string version seeing how the 5 string "should" cost them more to manufacture. This is why I am thinking it may be due to the popularity of the Amber finish. They both use the same type of wood so can't be a shortage of a specific species.
 
#1,828
I have no idea, but maybe they're trying to take advantage of the new 800 model having a similar colour to the amber 700 so they're trying to confuse the buyers a bit and maybe sell a few of the older ones at an overpriced number.

The real issue with these online retailers is (IMO) that you don't know what specific model you're getting, because they don't provide the actual serial number of the instrument. A 2007 or 2009 SR model is very different from a 2012 model, for ex. The big names move a lot of merchandise so the chances to get an older model are slim, but still, it's a bit of a gamble...
 
#1,831
If they do, they lose their greatest advantage over the competition: best value/money ratio.

I've noticed they're trying hard to get rid of the "fit only by metalheads" label and forcing their entrance in the high end field lately, but IMO that's a mistake that will cost them dearly in the (near) future. A lot of brands can make great instruments for a crapload of money, but not many can create a high quality bass for a moderate price.

Upping prices will not get them new customers, but might alien their current supporters. After all, why paying full retail prices when you can buy the same bass at half the price on the used market? There's a good reason to why Ibbys and Wicks have a terrible resale rate - they are everywhere. If they want to convince ppl to buy new, they need to step up their game.
 
#1,834
IngerAlb said:
Upping prices will not get them new customers, but might alien their current supporters. After all, why paying full retail prices when you can buy the same bass at half the price on the used market? There's a good reason to why Ibbys and Wicks have a terrible resale rate - they are everywhere. If they want to convince ppl to buy new, they need to step up their game.
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Very well put, IngerAlb. Those are my feelings exactly. I really like the SR700 and the $749 price point was not unreasonable. I usually buy used but I felt it was worth it to pay retail this time. However, if they want to jump up nearly $100 for the exact same model, then screw 'em, I'm no longer interested. There are a lot of other basses out there. If you are patient you can eventually find something used and I don't mind waiting. The retailers don't make a penny from a used gear sale so it seems foolish to drive away customers that want to give them money.
 
#1,837
flashboom said:
Those are my feelings exactly.
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I've bought all my SRs new from our local Ibby dealer. It felt right to support the company making the basses I love.

I was hoping for something new this year, but unfortunately that was not the case. I was looking forward to see the SR25X models becoming available worldwide, but noo...only a Premium with a new top. So I've bought a used K5 for half of its retail price instead. And guess what? I'll keep doing it because there's no point in buying new anymore.
 

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