What does 'high-end' mean to you?

[colins]

Originally Posted by FrankHudson

High end is a relative term. Some have already mentioned that various people have different budgetary ranges, so the dollars-range survey may be more reflective of that, which may be what the OP was after.

As a relative term it's probably most appropriately used in a relative context. Like unto the related term "height." Being twenty floors up and looking out the window in many places would be high up -- but then there are taller buildings yet, and mountains, and airplanes, and orbiting the earth etc.

So, if I buy an Alvarez or Seagull etc and say I considered "high end" instead, meaning a standard series Martin, we understand. If one buys a standard series Martin and says I considered a Collins or something from other pricier builders or a custom order, we nod. If we buy a Collins and say we considered a pre-war Martin collectable, we can say we considered a high end purchase, and again we all will understand.

Well put Frank.

It’s also the environment in which we ask the question. Asking it here on the AGF will elicit a different set of responses to asking it in a group of non-guitar players (or classical musicians trying to afford violins!). And it goes without saying that asking it in a wealthy suburb will be different to asking it in an impoverished suburb etc.

In the context of the AGF I’d say high-end meant the single luthiers and small shops that are in the top 10% of prices paid by the AGF community.

[Rolph]

The last time I was in Nashville I had the pleasure to hear at least 15 different bands. I don't think I saw a single guitar that those here would consider 'high-end'.....I saw a lot of Guild, Alvarez, and beat up Gibsons, and each of them sounded great.

[PassingThru]

It is the nicest guitar you have that you play the most and play it with your friends.

[rllink]

I use the terms "high end" and "high dollar." Are those two terms synonymous?

[fedexnman]

What does " Highend " mean to me , probably any Taylor brand guitar because they lack " Lowend "

[Joe Beamish]

Originally Posted by Rolph

The last time I was in Nashville I had the pleasure to hear at least 15 different bands. I don't think I saw a single guitar that those here would consider 'high-end'.....I saw a lot of Guild, Alvarez, and beat up Gibsons, and each of them sounded great.

I’ve owned a high end Guild and a high end beat up Gibson for sure.

[EZYPIKINS]

Originally Posted by fedexnman

What does " Highend " mean to me , probably any Taylor brand guitar because they lack " Lowend "

Taylor's are expensive, for sure. But I wouldn't consider them high end. I never played one I like.

I've said it many times. I'd love to like one. They're gorgeous.

Just don't sound right to me.

[fedexnman]

Originally Posted by EZYPIKINS

Taylor's are expensive, for sure. But I wouldn't consider them high end. I never played one I like.

I've said it many times. I'd love to like one. They're gorgeous.

Just don't sound right to me.

Drink some more coffee , you didn't catch my joke ....

[guitargabor]

IMO "high end" denotes a custom made boutique instrument.

An Olson,Applegate,Somogyi etc.

Those have an entry point of $8K.

Is a $10,000 Martin "high end".Not in my view,

This category should be one wherein the customer has direct contact with the builder.It should be a much more personal experience.Having an intermediary dealer arranging a custom order with a corporation is not "high end" IMO...


Taylor and Martin produce "entry" instruments with their names on the headstock.

Their idea is to lure customers to purchasing the "name":"Yeah, I also own a Martin! (X series....).

Steinway is "high end".They also sell entry and moderately priced pianos.Thise don't bear the Steinway name but are the Essex and Boston series,maintaining the "high end"image received for the Steinway name...

[foxo]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

IMO "high end" denotes a custom made boutique instrument.

An Olson,Applegate,Somogyi etc.

Those have an entry point of $8K.

Is a $10,000 Martin "high end".Not in my view,

This category should be one wherein the customer has direct contact with the builder.It should be a much more personal experience.Having an intermediary dealer arranging a custom order with a corporation is not "high end" IMO...


Taylor and Martin produce "entry" instruments with their names on the headstock.

Their idea is to lure customers to purchasing the "name":"Yeah, I also own a Martin! (X series....).

Steinway is "high end".They also sell entry and moderately priced pianos.Thise don't bear the Steinway name but are the Essex and Boston series,maintaining the "high end"image received for the Steinway name...

Assuming the category that comes before high-end is mid-range, then it seems an awfully high amount of guitars produced fit in the middle. Basically by your definition I would surmise 40% of guitars are budget/low-end, 59% are mid-range and less than 1% are high-end. Doesn’t look quite right to me.

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

IMO "high end" denotes a custom made boutique instrument.

An Olson,Applegate,Somogyi etc.

Those have an entry point of $8K.

Is a $10,000 Martin "high end".Not in my view,

This category should be one wherein the customer has direct contact with the builder.It should be a much more personal experience.Having an intermediary dealer arranging a custom order with a corporation is not "high end" IMO...


Taylor and Martin produce "entry" instruments with their names on the headstock.

Their idea is to lure customers to purchasing the "name":"Yeah, I also own a Martin! (X series....).

Steinway is "high end".They also sell entry and moderately priced pianos.Thise don't bear the Steinway name but are the Essex and Boston series,maintaining the "high end"image received for the Steinway name...

I think this definition is way too elite. For most people, high-end denotes 'professional standard.' There was one boy at my school who, it was rumoured, owned a Telecaster rather than a Yammy or good copy (which were already pretty high end for us!). In my book, if you have a standard series Martin, Taylor, Larrivee, Gibson, Japanese Takamine, Lakewood, etc., you've hit the high end. You're playing the kinds of guitars that pros use onstage and in the studio. Al di Meola used to play an off-the-wall Ovation Custom Legend and a Godin Nylon Multiac onstage. High end guitars.

[TBman]

Dollarwise I said $5,000 and above, but you can get a lot of guitar for $2,000+

[Joe Beamish]

Seems like “high end” ($1,000 and up, with lots of focus around $2K - $5K) in the general market is mid-level to many folks here.

https://www.musicradar.com/news/best...oustic-guitars

https://www.guitarworld.com/features...oustic-guitars

[usb_chord]

The flagship American guitar models is where the "high-end" starts, in my opinion. D-28, 814ce, J-45, etc. . . 3k range.

[xaxinojo]

Luxury is a state of mind.
-L’Wren Scott