Is Boutique Overhyped?

[wharf rat]

I played guitar as a kid and strictly played production stuff and cheap copycat guitars (Jay Turser, etc). I took about a 10 year hiatus and got back into it about 3 years ago. My observation; the market is saturated with tons of boutique guitar, amp, and pedal alternatives to the stuff I was accustomed to revering as a kid.

I jumped back into the market with a EBMM Cutlass RS HSS (super expensive) as I was led to believe it was going to be an order of magnitude better than the standard production stuff available these days.

I’ve since sold the Cutlass and picked up a 1991 Yamaha Pacifica 912 in the Emporium and have been quite happy with it as an alternative to the Cutlass in both quality and value for money.

I’m constantly drawn back into boutique thoughts though, to the point where I’ve been stalking $3k Tom Anderson, Suhr, and Xotic guitars on Reverb.

So I ask: is boutique overhyped or is there a noticeable difference (worth the minimum $2k increase) in quality, durability, and playability?

 

[Sean French]

That's relative.

 

[wharf rat]

That's relative.

I get that, and I definitely understand that there will be people who pop in and will state that plenty of people are able to make great music with a Squire Classic Vibe and a Boss Katana.

But for those that would never be caught dead playing a Squier and a Katana, why is a Suhr plugged into a Redplate amp better? Or is it?

 

[pbz]

What did the Yamaha do that the EBMM doesn’t? What are the Suhr, Anderson, etc going to do that the Yamaha doesn’t?

The practical reality is we’re in the golden age of guitars and if you’re strictly after performance then you can get acceptable professional level for a few hundred bucks. Full stop. If you’re after a tailored instrument that has certain features, comforts, or “pedigree”, then you’re going to pay for it. There is no right answer, just what’s right for you. If money is a concern stick with the Yamaha. You’re not going to get $2k+ of extra “performance” with anything.

 

[Lonnie00]

Only you can answer that for yourself. I have 10 guitars that range in price new from just over $200 to just a hair under $3000. The $200 one I hate to admit, plays and sounds almost as nice as the most expensive one.

 

[Benz2112]

I voted no, but there are caveats. Obviously, the price range of what is considered boutique varies a lot. A Nacho Tele or a D'Pergo strat is in a different stratosphere compared to some other builders mentioned. As it goes with anything, it is diminishing returns as you go super high priced. The second is that ultimately we can only speak in generalities so much, when you have to judge an instrument on its own merits. The one guarantee is that the instrument will have high quality components, but that doesn't magically make the spec of the instrument what suits you individually.

 

[jb_abides]

Leaving the quality of the wood and componentry aside, for me it's mostly a feel thing: some just seem 'off', particularly neck shape.

Example: Fender gets it in MIM, but Squiers felt... off. I've played an Affinity Tele that just felt off to me, which I could not accommodate.

 

[wharf rat]

Leaving the quality of the wood and componentry aside, for me it's mostly a feel thing: some just seem 'off', particularly neck shape.

Example: Fender gets it in MIM, but Squiers felt... off. I've played an Affinity Tele that just felt off to me, which I could not accommodate.

I’m with you here.

The Cutlass neck (despite being incredibly narrow at the nut) was phenomenal compared to the Yamaha (which I love, but not in the same way).

 

[wharf rat]

Only you can answer that for yourself. I have 10 guitars that range in price new from just over $200 to just a hair under $3000. The $200 one I hate to admit, plays and sounds almost as nice as the most expensive one.

and this is kind of thought I'm trying to pick at; why own the $3k guitar if the $300 guitar does the trick? Is it just because?

 

[Urobouros]

For me, no. The boutique builder I like makes exactly what I look for in a vintage tele or strat @ a 10th of the price of their pre-CBS inspirations. That’s just my $.02 & some folks would say the same of a number of small builders. You can still find good production guitars but products made in small batches by talented producers/manufacturers are often done better than large production just due to scale.

 

[Urobouros]

and this is kind of thought I'm trying to pick at; why own the $3k guitar is the $300 guitar does the trick? Is it just because?

I’ve never played a $300 guitar that could truly compare to any $3K guitar except for maybe optimistic Reverb pricing on the latter. If a $300 anything does as good a job as the $3K version, spending the extra money is either pointless or just because you can. IMHO of course

 

[DRS]

A boutique guitar is just a guitar.
It doesn't play itself.
It doesn't come up with musical ideas.

That said, it is nice playing a well built and appointed guitar.
I think a pro set-up which would include a complete fret level and dress will make most decent guitars feel good.
Boutique guitars are a response, decades ago, to a need for something better than what was available back then.

I think the latest crop of guitars from big makers like the Fender Ultra or Pro II Stratocaster or Ibanez AZ Prestige, etc. that sell new for around the $2K mark are a tremendous values.
I would say that one of these guitars would be 99% of a boutique offering.

Now if your into the whole exotic flamed tops, historic recreations, relicing, etc. that's a different story. You're paying for a collectible.

 

[OotMagroot]

It's three sides of a coin. The boutique guitars I'm interested in cost upwards to $5000 now. I think that is a tad outrageous even with all things considered. BUT.....the builders gotta eat, pay bills, and deal with health issues just like all of us. And finally, they're the peeps that are gonna spend the money.

 

[Lonnie00]

and this is kind of thought I'm trying to pick at; why own the $3k guitar is the $300 guitar does the trick? Is it just because?

I got the expensive one at a substantially lower price used.

 

[ixnay]

and this is kind of thought I'm trying to pick at; why own the $3k guitar is the $300 guitar does the trick? Is it just because?

If you can't tell the difference between a $300 and $3000 guitar, then you should get the $300 guitar.

 

[Nicolson]

For me, I've found that the $1,500 to $2,500 range is just about right. I haven't been able to perceive much improvement above that range. I think most of us have found a number that fits best for them.

 

[bluejazzoid]

I’ve since sold the Cutlass and picked up a 1991 Yamaha Pacifica 912

Those early Pacificas are superb. I had a 912 for years (bought new when they came out) and loved everything about it... wish I still had it!

 

[thebadger]

I think two things can be true at once: there have never been more great playing and sounding mass produced guitars, amps and pedals. Boutique guitars, amps and pedals can be a cut above.

 

[Guitarworks]

My answer is no, boutique is not 'overhyped' in the least. I have point-to-point handwired big iron boutique tube amps made by experienced small business amp artisans who have perfected their craft and circuits over decades and large numbers of amps. I ordered them with custom features and selectable quality components, and paid competitive prices that were well below full retail of what a major manufacturer with huge advertising budget and employee health insurance overhead would need to charge.

In essence, I got a level of quality and superior modern sound that no mass-producer would allow the consumer to have, and if they did, they certainly wouldn't let them have it for what I paid.

 

[Otter351]

Do you look at an instrument as a mere tool to make art? Or, is it an inspirational piece of art in itself? There is no wrong answer