Taylor Guitar Prices 2018 prices down?

[timfitz63]

I've been wondering something and I'm curious what everyone thinks. Do you think the prices of the current models (X-Bracing) will go down as Taylor rolls out the V-Bracing in the various series?  So far the only comparisons are the K24ce, PS14ce, and 914ce, but I haven't seen any change yet. I'm also wondering how the price will compare between 2 of the same models with the different bracings once they have rolled it out to the other series.

I know of at least one dealer who's doing a blow-out sale on some of their old stock, ostensibly to make room for the "V-Class" guitars.  Some of the guitars included in the sale are outgoing "X-braced" models like the 914 and K24.  Loyal customers of this dealer received an e-mail instructing them to call for verbal price quotes, as all of Taylor's dealers are contractually prohibited from from advertising prices below the standard 'street' prices.

Regarding prices on similar models of "X-braced" vs. "V-Class" guitars:  I personally wouldn't expect to see a huge difference.

That’s awesome for your dealer to offer something like that. My local shop just doesn’t have the type of inventory to even try that. It would be a great opportunity to get a guitar you otherwise couldn’t.

Yeah, the discounts were pretty substantial -- down to the point of dealer cost in some cases.  Still, not many invited customers seemed to take advantage of the sale; many of the offered guitars remain unsold.

One of the guitars is one I've got my eye on; it's a Custom GA that's been on the wall for about 3 years now.  The offered discount is excellent; but since I'm currently unemployed, I've really got to avoid high-dollar, discretionary purchases like guitars...

[StrummingMadMan]

I've been wondering something and I'm curious what everyone thinks. Do you think the prices of the current models (X-Bracing) will go down as Taylor rolls out the V-Bracing in the various series?  So far the only comparisons are the K24ce, PS14ce, and 914ce, but I haven't seen any change yet. I'm also wondering how the price will compare between 2 of the same models with the different bracings once they have rolled it out to the other series.

I know of at least one dealer who's doing a blow-out sale on some of their old stock, ostensibly to make room for the "V-Class" guitars.  Some of the guitars included in the sale are outgoing "X-braced" models like the 914 and K24.  Loyal customers of this dealer received an e-mail instructing them to call for verbal price quotes, as all of Taylor's dealers are contractually prohibited from from advertising prices below the standard 'street' prices.

Regarding prices on similar models of "X-braced" vs. "V-Class" guitars:  I personally wouldn't expect to see a huge difference.

That’s awesome for your dealer to offer something like that. My local shop just doesn’t have the type of inventory to even try that. It would be a great opportunity to get a guitar you otherwise couldn’t.

Yeah, the discounts were pretty substantial -- down to the point of dealer cost in some cases.  Still, not many invited customers seemed to take advantage of the sale; many of the offered guitars remain unsold.

One of the guitars is one I've got my eye on; it's a Custom GA that's been on the wall for about 3 years now.  The offered discount is excellent; but since I'm currently unemployed, I've really got to avoid high-dollar, discretionary purchases like guitars...

I hate when those situations happen. Even if you’re like me and consider your guitars to be investments, you still have to be wise with money. I once had a chance to get a PS16ce for about half price, but just didn’t have the funds. Hopefully you get a chance to get that custom once you’re working again.

[timfitz63]

I've been wondering something and I'm curious what everyone thinks. Do you think the prices of the current models (X-Bracing) will go down as Taylor rolls out the V-Bracing in the various series?  So far the only comparisons are the K24ce, PS14ce, and 914ce, but I haven't seen any change yet. I'm also wondering how the price will compare between 2 of the same models with the different bracings once they have rolled it out to the other series.

I know of at least one dealer who's doing a blow-out sale on some of their old stock, ostensibly to make room for the "V-Class" guitars.  Some of the guitars included in the sale are outgoing "X-braced" models like the 914 and K24.  Loyal customers of this dealer received an e-mail instructing them to call for verbal price quotes, as all of Taylor's dealers are contractually prohibited from from advertising prices below the standard 'street' prices.

Regarding prices on similar models of "X-braced" vs. "V-Class" guitars:  I personally wouldn't expect to see a huge difference.

That’s awesome for your dealer to offer something like that. My local shop just doesn’t have the type of inventory to even try that. It would be a great opportunity to get a guitar you otherwise couldn’t.

Yeah, the discounts were pretty substantial -- down to the point of dealer cost in some cases.  Still, not many invited customers seemed to take advantage of the sale; many of the offered guitars remain unsold.

One of the guitars is one I've got my eye on; it's a Custom GA that's been on the wall for about 3 years now.  The offered discount is excellent; but since I'm currently unemployed, I've really got to avoid high-dollar, discretionary purchases like guitars...

I hate when those situations happen. Even if you’re like me and consider your guitars to be investments, you still have to be wise with money. I once had a chance to get a PS16ce for about half price, but just didn’t have the funds. Hopefully you get a chance to get that custom once you’re working again.

Agreed.  Even when employed and I have quite a bit of discretionary income, I've never been one to spend before considering the price vs. the return.  In the end, I've found that if it was meant to be it'll happen.  I've let a number of guitars 'walk' because something just didn't suit me right about the overall deal.  Sometimes that's worked to my advantage, as the price continued to improve; other times, the guitar went to someone else.  We'll see which it is with this Custom GA...

[deepermagic]

I am noticing that the Taylor Guitar prices for 2018 has gone down.

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2018-Final.pdf
https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2017.pdf

I'd be curious to see what the 2012 list would be. For my guitar I paid way less than the 2017 price and only a few dollars less but pretty much equal for the 2018 price. Makes me wonder if prices just went up and then came down back to normal?

[timfitz63]

I am noticing that the Taylor Guitar prices for 2018 has gone down.

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2018-Final.pdf
https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2017.pdf

I'd be curious to see what the 2012 list would be. For my guitar I paid way less than the 2017 price and only a few dollars less but pretty much equal for the 2018 price. Makes me wonder if prices just went up and then came down back to normal?

Attached are the older price lists that I have.

As "TD2" pointed out, I think primary difference between the 2018 list and the older ones is Taylor is now publishing Manufacturer's Advertised Price (MAP) vs. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).  The 2018 MAP appears to be lower than the 2017 MSRP, which is consistent with the difference between the 'street' prices and the MSRP that I've seen in the past (i.e., the guitar is tagged with MSRP, then the 'discounted' price for which every Taylor dealer is advertising the guitar).

It's all marketing smoke-and-mirrors.  The prices really haven't changed drastically.  And in fact, they may have gone up slightly -- which a change to MAP on the official price list would be cleverly masking...

[Earl]

I couldn't agree more, Tim.  MSRP, MAP, actual street price -- it all reminds me of "dealer invoice" and other games at car dealerships.  The only thing that really matters is making a deal that you can live with, on a particular guitar that you want.  Not vital whether it comes shipped from a forum sponsor, used from a private party, or new at your LGS.  I've done all of those over the years.

[StrummingMadMan]

The only thing that really matters is making a deal that you can live with, on a particular guitar that you want.  Not vital whether it comes shipped from a forum sponsor, used from a private party, or new at your LGS. 

Perfectly said. You broke it down to the only details that matter.

[deepermagic]

I am noticing that the Taylor Guitar prices for 2018 has gone down.

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2018-Final.pdf
https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/TaylorGuitars-PriceList-2017.pdf

I'd be curious to see what the 2012 list would be. For my guitar I paid way less than the 2017 price and only a few dollars less but pretty much equal for the 2018 price. Makes me wonder if prices just went up and then came down back to normal?

Attached are the older price lists that I have.

As "TD2" pointed out, I think primary difference between the 2018 list and the older ones is Taylor is now publishing Manufacturer's Advertised Price (MAP) vs. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).  The 2018 MAP appears to be lower than the 2017 MSRP, which is consistent with the difference between the 'street' prices and the MSRP that I've seen in the past (i.e., the guitar is tagged with MSRP, then the 'discounted' price for which every Taylor dealer is advertising the guitar).

It's all marketing smoke-and-mirrors.  The prices really haven't changed drastically.  And in fact, they may have gone up slightly -- which a change to MAP on the official price list would be cleverly masking...

That makes sense. Like I said, the 2018 list was much closer to what I actually paid. I certainly didn't pay the MSRP from the 2012 price list!