The Gibson Class

A Gibson guitar is what many think of when one asks about the peak of guitar manufacturing. However, at ranging at $1000-$15000 grand a piece, one would ask if they're truly worth it. An Epiphone Les Paul Standard is anywhere from $400 to $600, about 10-15% of the cost of its Gibson counterpart, at $4,000. They are made by the same company, have the same inner cavities and same hardware, excusing the pickups. Epihpone pickups are $50 ea. Gibson pickups are $100 each. Somehow, I don't see how that becomes the criteria for a $3500 price hike.

The price creates a certain social class; if you are to own a prestigious instrument like a gibson you are to have mastered your instrument. The prices are increased further, because people will pay with their first born in order to become a part of that class. And as the price hikes, the exclusivity increases, making the class of higher and higher stature. One gibson guitar, named The Citation, has one pickup, and one volume knob. (most electric guitars have atleast two pickups, volume knobs, and tone knobs for each. This guitar, is literally the bare minimum of guitar manufacturing and versatility. While you would expect a guitar of this type be priced less than $300, this guitar prices in at $30,000. 300 year old Stradivari violins don't cost that much. This is little more than a polished garbage pile. This guitar is the epitome of materialism-based class structure, a piece of pretty wood that was so expensive that you're too scared to ever use it, only for the most 'elite' of collectors.