A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Back a few months ago when I was having trouble getting an Epiphone 335 that didn't have damage/finish issues, my short list of alternatives was the Ibanez AS93FM and the Gretsch 5622T. While I've wanted a Gretsch for some time, I bought the Ibanez instead because I hadn't owned a 335 or 335-type guitar for several years and wanted to fill that void, and as wonderful as Gretsches sound, they don't sound like a 335. Also, I was getting a significant deal (about $100 off) on the AS93, and the Gretsch was out of stock everywhere, with no indication of when more would be arriving. I had been trying since the previous fall just to get a 335, or similar, so at that point I was doggedly determined that that's what I was going to get, dammit! So I bought the Ibanez and I told myself I'd get the Gretsch probably next year.

Well, I was tooling around the internet this morning with my coffee, minding my own business, not looking for anything in particular, when I happened to stumble upon a 5622T from some online retailer for $800, when I know for a fact that the price of that guitar back in April was $700 for the Bigsby version, and $650 for the non-Bigsby variant. At first I thought: "Good luck... those guitars cost $700 everywhere", but just out of curiosity, I checked Sweetwater, and sure enough, the price has gone up to $799.99, while the non-Bigsby version has increased by $50 to $699.99 (what the 'T' version used to cost). At least in comes in trans-orange now: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ange-stain

I think a $100 price increase over less than SIX MONTHS is a pretty significant price hike, considering import guitar prices tend to (generally) go up in $20 or $30 increments (I remember when the Squier Bass VI abruptly went up by $50 in price, and it met with a lot of grumbling on the forums). I'm not oblivious to the state of the world we live in now, but a $100 jump in price all in one go on a Chinese guitar is pretty hard to take... Who do they think they are? Rickenbacker?? (actually, no, it would be a $200 increase if they thought that).

But that's ok, since they're perpetually out of stock, I'm sure I can find a used one for $900 or $1,000.

Good thing you aren't a lefty!
Mine was $1200 (with case) several years ago.

I'm not saying this is price fixing, but I see this as something like what airlines do. Raise together and fall together. I would be surprised if other manufacturers didn't increase prices by the $100 range vs $20 now.
It's not normal until it is.

That is the trend overall. But on the good news side, I think the AS93FM is a far superior model. Great sounding, comfortable, and better looking IMHO.

There are consequences to the reckless money printing and spending from DC over the last 20+ months, plus the various attempts at lockdowns here and abroad that didn’t stop the virus from spreading. Extra money plus reduced supply is kicking inflation into high gear.

Inflation is hitting nearly all sectors of the economy at levels we haven’t seen since the Carter years. Food is up, energy prices are surging, and have you shopped for a car lately? Be happy it’s only up $100 so far!

The screwed up world shipping is probably causing a lot of it, COGS is going up like crazy due to the cost to ship a container.

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mickey wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:25 pm Good thing you aren't a lefty!
Mine was $1200 (with case) several years ago.

How did that happen? Did it come with a Bigsby? Just a few months ago, the left-handed version of the 5622 (without the Bigsby) only cost $700. Now it's priced at $800, which is a full $100 more than the right-handed version, and I consider that a criminal up-charge. Until recently, the lefties only cost $50 more than the righties, which has been pretty common across the industry for a long while. Now, the left-handed 5622 costs as much as the right-handed 5622T, and you don't get a Bigsby. There doesn't seem to be a left-handed version of 5622T at all, so if you want a Bigsby, it'll cost you $130-$150 on top of that (for a B70). Throw in a case, and that will get you close to $1,200, but that's with the newly inflated pricing.

Chocol8 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 5:28 pm There are consequences to the reckless money printing and spending from DC over the last 20+ months, plus the various attempts at lockdowns here and abroad that didn’t stop the virus from spreading. Extra money plus reduced supply is kicking inflation into high gear.

Inflation is hitting nearly all sectors of the economy at levels we haven’t seen since the Carter years. Food is up, energy prices are surging, and have you shopped for a car lately? Be happy it’s only up $100 so far!

I agree, but I think it's only partly driven by inflation... Or maybe I just don't want to believe that the dollar has devalued that much in just a few months.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 5:16 pm That is the trend overall. But on the good news side, I think the AS93FM is a far superior model. Great sounding, comfortable, and better looking IMHO.

Do you mean superior to the Epiphone 335? In that, I can totally agree. I think it's even better than a Sheraton, and it cost a little less. I haven't played the 5622 yet, though, so I can't make that comparison. My desire for that guitar is mostly driven by the sounds I've heard in review videos... and admittedly a bit of fanboyism. But I expect it to be on par, or a little better than the Ibanez.

honyock wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 6:27 pm The screwed up world shipping is probably causing a lot of it, COGS is going up like crazy due to the cost to ship a container.

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Since most, if not all major guitar retailers offer free shipping, that makes sense.

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:22 pm

mickey wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:25 pm Good thing you aren't a lefty!
Mine was $1200 (with case) several years ago.

How did that happen? Did it come with a Bigsby? Just a few months ago, the left-handed version of the 5622 (without the Bigsby) only cost $700. Now it's priced at $800, which is a full $100 more than the right-handed version, and I consider that a criminal up-charge. Until recently, the lefties only cost $50 more than the righties, which has been pretty common across the industry for a long while. Now, the left-handed 5622 costs as much as the right-handed 5622T, and you don't get a Bigsby. There doesn't seem to be a left-handed version of 5622T at all, so if you want a Bigsby, it'll cost you $130-$150 on top of that (for a B70). Throw in a case, and that will get you close to $1,200, but that's with the newly inflated pricing.

Well, that was the pricing when the 5622 was first introduced plus the lefty penalty.

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:22 pm Do you mean superior to the Epiphone 335? In that, I can totally agree. I think it's even better than a Sheraton, and it cost a little less. I haven't played the 5622 yet, though, so I can't make that comparison. My desire for that guitar is mostly driven by the sounds I've heard in review videos... and admittedly a bit of fanboyism. But I expect it to be on par, or a little better than the Ibanez.

I mean to the electromatic Gretches in general. They're fine, but as far as fit and finish and quality of parts, I strongly prefer my Ibanezes.

I just noticed the other day that the Blackstar Studio 10 6L6 amp I bought about 9 months ago for $599.99 has jumped up in price to $729.99.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... o-with-6l6

mickey wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:33 pm

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:22 pm

mickey wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:25 pm Good thing you aren't a lefty!
Mine was $1200 (with case) several years ago.

How did that happen? Did it come with a Bigsby? Just a few months ago, the left-handed version of the 5622 (without the Bigsby) only cost $700. Now it's priced at $800, which is a full $100 more than the right-handed version, and I consider that a criminal up-charge. Until recently, the lefties only cost $50 more than the righties, which has been pretty common across the industry for a long while. Now, the left-handed 5622 costs as much as the right-handed 5622T, and you don't get a Bigsby. There doesn't seem to be a left-handed version of 5622T at all, so if you want a Bigsby, it'll cost you $130-$150 on top of that (for a B70). Throw in a case, and that will get you close to $1,200, but that's with the newly inflated pricing.

Well, that was the pricing when the 5622 was first introduced plus the lefty penalty.

The thought had crossed my mind that sometimes guitar models launch at a higher price but get adjusted down to meet market response. I remember the first time I saw a Korean Epiphone Casino in the '90s, it cost $700... In the NINETIES! The next time I saw one was in the mid oughts, and it cost $600, and it stayed at that price for about 15 years. When it went up to $650 last year, I figured it was way overdue for a price increase. The Viola bass was a similar story, but I always suspected that those two instruments were not priced according to cost. I think there was a "Beatle tax" baked into the price, because a Dot only cost about $400 back then, and you have to figure there's more labor and materials involved in building that guitar than a Casino.

toomanycats wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 8:57 pm I just noticed the other day that the Blackstar Studio 10 6L6 amp I bought about 9 months ago for $599.99 has jumped up in price to $729.99.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... o-with-6l6

Yikes...

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:38 pm

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:22 pm Do you mean superior to the Epiphone 335? In that, I can totally agree. I think it's even better than a Sheraton, and it cost a little less. I haven't played the 5622 yet, though, so I can't make that comparison. My desire for that guitar is mostly driven by the sounds I've heard in review videos... and admittedly a bit of fanboyism. But I expect it to be on par, or a little better than the Ibanez.

I mean to the electromatic Gretches in general. They're fine, but as far as fit and finish and quality of parts, I strongly prefer my Ibanezes.

Maybe I should try one out before I get too excited about it, then.

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:20 pm Maybe I should try one out before I get too excited about it, then.

If you have that opportunity, absolutely! Otherwise, a good return policy is valuable.

So maybe next they will make the guitars 10% smaller like a box of cheerios

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:07 pm

mickey wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:33 pm

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:22 pm

How did that happen? Did it come with a Bigsby? Just a few months ago, the left-handed version of the 5622 (without the Bigsby) only cost $700. Now it's priced at $800, which is a full $100 more than the right-handed version, and I consider that a criminal up-charge. Until recently, the lefties only cost $50 more than the righties, which has been pretty common across the industry for a long while. Now, the left-handed 5622 costs as much as the right-handed 5622T, and you don't get a Bigsby. There doesn't seem to be a left-handed version of 5622T at all, so if you want a Bigsby, it'll cost you $130-$150 on top of that (for a B70). Throw in a case, and that will get you close to $1,200, but that's with the newly inflated pricing.

Well, that was the pricing when the 5622 was first introduced plus the lefty penalty.

The thought had crossed my mind that sometimes guitar models launch at a higher price but get adjusted down to meet market response. I remember the first time I saw a Korean Epiphone Casino in the '90s, it cost $700... In the NINETIES! The next time I saw one was in the mid oughts, and it cost $600, and it stayed at that price for about 15 years. When it went up to $650 last year, I figured it was way overdue for a price increase. The Viola bass was a similar story, but I always suspected that those two instruments were not priced according to cost. I think there was a "Beatle tax" baked into the price, because a Dot only cost about $400 back then, and you have to figure there's more labor and materials involved in building that guitar than a Casino.

I agree with you that frequently new models are introduced at a higher price & the 5622 was the first ever Gretsch semi-hollow guitar.
I have read that Chet Atkins fought all sorts of battles with Fred Gretsch (the father of the one who owns Gretsch now) trying to get them to make a semi-hollow, but failed.
Also, I disremembered to include that shipping was a part of the $1200.
I am NOT complaining, mind you, as I couldn't be better satisfied with the G5622T.
Must be because I play it way more than my G6120, which I usually refer to as my favorite Gretsch.

nomadh wrote: ↑Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:01 am So maybe next they will make the guitars 10% smaller like a box of cheerios

And think we are stupid enough to not realize it.

nomadh wrote: ↑Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:01 am So maybe next they will make the guitars 10% smaller like a box of cheerios

Gibson did that decades ago when they chopped 0.75” of the scale length.

I'm late to the thread, but the G5622Ts have been selling for that price for years. You can find deals at places like Adorama, but the regular retail has been around that price for quite a while. when you were looking last, it may have been a low point in the pricing. My G5620T was $899 in 2014 and my G5422T was $1099 in 2013, both were pre-orders. My G5420T, which was a Sweetwater special in Cadillac Green with the smaller headstock was $899 in 2018. I bought a G5622T in Aspen green last year for $899 and it seemed in line with what I'd been paying. The same guitar is now $799. Things have gone up in price lately, but the big increase on the Gretsch electromatics came around the time they moved away from the Gretchbuckers and started using the blacktop filter'trons.