Bourgeois, poor time to purchase?

[Tnfiddler]

I was wondering the same thing when this merger was announced but then I realized that I’m not going to worry about it. I LOVE my Bourgeois and I’m amazed by it every time I play it. I have no plans on selling it and will pass it on to my kids when I’m gone and they can decide what they want to do with it.

[6L6]

Other than a Pre-War Martin D-45, I don't see guitars as much of a financial investment opportunity.

IMO, Chinese made Bourgeois guitars will not hold their value like an original made in the USA.

Many thought that Collings guitars would be more difficult to sell after the passing of Bill Collings and that ones built under his watchful eye would increase in value...

Neither thing happened. In fact, Collings RAISED their prices after Bill's passing and they are still selling very well indeed with no loss in the extremely high quality Bill demanded in his instruments.

You can save all of this worry by getting a nice Martin Authentic or Collings guitar that meets your sonic needs. Workmanship on both will be impeccable.

[Basalt Beach]

Jerry,

I have observed a pre-owned Bourgeois often sells for approximately sixty percent or more of it's original new purchase price, and please know there are definite exceptions to this discount amount for wood selection, age, HHG, condition, bindings, torrefication, etc. If you are buying new, you will already take a loss should you elect to resell.

Ask yourself, what do you realistically believe the potential discount below the current discount for a pre-owned Bourgeois due to the potential Eastman impact? Factor that impact into your years of ownership and enjoyment of playing the guitar which may be "the one" to determine that cost.

Presently, we have two Bourgeois OM's, a Slope D, and a SJ, and have no concerns for their resale value, breakeven or lose $, because we have throughly enjoyed them and will continue to do so. Best of luck in your decision...

[brencat]

Originally Posted by JerryM

Been considering the purchase of a Bourgeois Om one of my favorite makers, but feeling a bit uneasy about the future resale value if I decide to part with it later. Anyone else nervous about the future value of current USA models once the market gets hit with the Chinese models? From what I have found on the subject and reading the site info these new models will carry the Bourgeois name which concerns me a bit as the current om is not cheap, way over 5k and if new ones are floating around at half that next year may be a tough sell.
All procrastination but concerning and making my decision harder, I never make money on a resell and realize depreciation is reality but makes me nervous. Maybe nothing to worry about.

I wouldn’t be overly concerned, as the used market values may someday start to bifurcate into “Pre-Eastman/ Eastman” year Bourgeois. That said, there are no shortages of used/mint examples for sale, many of which come up here in our AGF classifieds. The financial hit from reselling a Bourgeois, Goodall, or Santa Cruz as the original owner is absolutely brutal. Let someone else take the first hit and buy used if you can.

[RP]

Is PRS suffering because they offer high-end electrics as well Pac Rim models?

[JerryM]

Thanks for the opinions on this, most pretty much mirror my thoughts, I am not purchasing with the intent to sell never have, but thru the years have parted with many and never made money to be sure, well aware of loss on new. The one I am interested in is discounted already even though new.
I have in the past had Bourgeois and they are on of my favorites. I guess when you compare to a new car purchase no danger..talk about loss, wow that's a whole other deal!
Was just curious about other folks impressions as I hate seeing more and more going over there and leaving the US workers left out but I guess that's the new world..thanks

[JerryM]

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

Jerry what you really have to worry about is that all the boomer men, like you and I, are getting older and aging out of the market. That is what is gonna make re-selling ANY boutique/luthier level guitar ever so much tougher in the years ahead.

The only thing you really need to worry about is a Cascadia Subduction Zone 'quake rocking your...and my...world before we "check outta here" {;-)


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

. Aint' that da truth!!!!!

[rwmct]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Actually I thought I read (cant find it now) that ones designed by Bourgeois, will be labeled "Bourgeois" (could be mistaken, or it was just speculation on the part of some article )

Curious what is it you think " happend" to, or why you think Breedlove is "ruined" exactly ? Given Breedlove Masterclass and USA made are more costly than ever before and are still selling ? And that their resale value was always low from the start, even before going offshore.

When I think Breedlove now, I don't think boutique, higher end guitar. I think good quality imported mass market guitars. They make more affordable guitars that many people like a lot. IMO, they are undoubtedly a lesser brand than they were.

Yamaha makes expensive higher end guitars. But IMO, few people think of those when they think of the brand. They think the excellent value low end acoustics you see in every music store.

[Earl49]

Given the constant distinction of MIM versus MIA for Martin or Taylor guitars that many folks seem to fixate on, there likely will be a difference between them in terms of desirability. The Made in USA versions will likely always command some premium, or at least sell easier.

But as has been pointed out, used guitars do not hold their value well. You are lucky to get 50% of the new price when selling a prime example used. I say buy for sound, playability, sound, decoration and sound. Leave any worry about the future for later.

[BrunoBlack]

First of all, many of us will have an opinion about the future prospects of DB guitars. However, the reality is that none of have a clue. So, given that, I guess it depends on why you are buying it. If you are buying a guitar because you really like it, then buy it. I’m not sure (based on facts) why you would not buy it. The playability and tone should drive your decision, not some imagined tangential outcome — IMO. My DB Signature OM is one of the best guitars I’ve played and I could care less about market forces when I’m using it to make music.

[rokdog49]

I can’t see how the value of a Bourgeois built in the U.S. would ever be affected by a Chinese version one way or the other.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by budglo

Honestly I have never made a purchase based on resale value. Guitars are a really poor investment anyways.

What he said. It's like getting a pre-nup before marriage.

[Methos1979]

Eastman making Bourgeois guitars...

So, the new guitars would be under the Beastman name?!? It has a ring to it...

[hamburg325]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Actually I thought I read (cant find it now) that ones designed by Bourgeois, will be labeled "Bourgeois" (could be mistaken, or it was just speculation on the part of some article )

Curious what is it you think " happend" to, or why you think Breedlove is "ruined" exactly ? Given Breedlove Masterclass and USA made are more costly than ever before and are still selling ? And that their resale value was always low from the start, even before going offshore.

I've owned several American Breedloves, starting in the 90s. I loved them, and still do. Their higher end models, while being excellent instruments, suffer, I believe, from the perception that Breedlove is now much more of a lower-end guitar company. You can't be a Lexus and Toyota at the same time. Breedlove elected to go the mass-market Toyota route, hurting the value perceptions of their "Lexus" guitars.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by rwmct

When I think Breedlove now, I don't think boutique, higher end guitar. I think good quality imported mass market guitars. They make more affordable guitars that many people like a lot. IMO, they are undoubtedly a lesser brand than they were.

Ok that is your opinion
Didn't we already go through this in the other thread ?

Yamaha makes expensive higher end guitars. But IMO, few people think of those when they think of the brand. They think the excellent value low end acoustics you see in every music store.

Ok perhaps with so with Yamaha but of course that is irrelevant, because Yamaha is not Breedlove, nore vise versa . That notion is falling into a typical "association fallacy" type argument

Originally Posted by hamburg325

I've owned several American Breedloves, starting in the 90s. I loved them, and still do. Their higher end models, while being excellent instruments, suffer, I believe, from the perception that Breedlove is now much more of a lower-end guitar company. You can't be a Lexus and Toyota at the same time. Breedlove elected to go the mass-market Toyota route, hurting the value perceptions of their "Lexus" guitars.

"Suffer" is a vague and ambiguous term. (have Breedloves sales of US made guitars gone down ?) And "suffer" is only your opinion. I have one Breedlove Masterclass and it does not seem to suffer at all. I guess I am at a loss to understand why someone would think their perception is automatically a general one.

And in point of fact the company can and is a Lexus and Toyota at the same . The analogy is pretty funny given that the Lexus division of Toyota is the largest selling "premium" vehicle produced in Japan