ilovefuzz.com

So some of you may have saw the teaser pic of my forthcoming budget model.
This idea has lead me to ponder the following and I'd like your opinions.
What if I were to offer all of my models in two versions. The first being the regular versions as we know them. The second would be a totally stripped down version with minimal trimmings and a satin finish which could be had at a pretty reasonable savings.
I've been noticing a lot of folks expressing how they'd like to own one of my guitars but money is tight.
So are there folks here that would dig the idea of a Nelson that would be a basic, no-frills workhorse that woukd give you the sound, feel, and overall look without the other things (for example gloss finish and aluminum guards) that add to the cost?

Yeah, that sounds like an interesting idea. Might be into that.

Eivind August wrote:Yeah, that sounds like an interesting idea. Might be into that.

2nd'd

I'd like to see your budget model. And, I think it is a good idea for everybody to offer a budget somethin'. I wouldn't make that available for my whole line, though. Also, I think the aluminum pickguards are a distinguishing feature of your guitars. I wouldn't want to lose stuff like that.

Well perhaps the aluminum guard could be an upgrade option. It would maybe add an additional $70. Keeping it off would keep the price point lower for those that don't care but it could be available for those that do want it.

Good idea. Gibson>epiphone. MIA>MIM.

Smart moves

I'd be into that. A one pickup workhorse would be neat, with maybe esquire-like tone options to still cop neck-ish tones?

colossus wrote:I'd be into that. A one pickup workhorse would be neat, with maybe esquire-like tone options to still cop neck-ish tones?

That would be a good way to save on costs.

Yeah, that would be awesome.

I think your current production is not that expensive.
Compared to Fano, Koll, Duesenberg, PRS, Gibson, ...

If you have something like the Provocateur with a mahogany body (maple top)... wide fat neck , longer scale.
I would be interested. But for me the problem is the custom/brocker fees.

70$ more for a cool pickguard, is not something that would stop me.

Budget line would definitely be cool.

But I think Sylnau has a point; maybe consider a "deluxe" line. Make it super pricey and appeal to the gear page blues lawyer market.

colin wrote:Budget line would definitely be cool.

But I think Sylnau has a point; maybe consider a "deluxe" line. Make it super pricey and appeal to the gear page blues lawyer market.

I can see it working both ways.

Also, $1600 isn't exactly an insane amount to pay for a really nice guitar that's hand-made one at a time.

On the other hand, consumers are very conscious of future resale value. I know this first hand as a low-volume manufacturer of pedals under a brand that isn't exactly nationally recognized. So I'm not just bitching as a gear flipper (although I'm that, too), I actually run into this on the business side. I've had several people ask if I would send them a pedal "just to try" since the prices aren't exactly low and you can't try them in Guitar Center. I understand both sides of this problem all too well.

I'm likely willing to take a 40-50% hit on value for most pedals that I'm interested in. But I'm a lot less likely to do so as the value of a piece of gear approaches $1k and over. That's kind of my personal line in the sand regarding risk. Everyone (who operates on any sort of budget) has a different limit, of course. But that's where mine is.

Here's a great example from real life. In January, I bought a Les Paul Standard for $1250. Great deal and it was a cool guitar. In June, I had some home repairs flare up, and I had to sell some gear to cover costs. I sold the Les Paul for....$1250. I think I could have gotten more if I didn't have a pressing need and could wait longer. I knew this when I bought it, which made the purchase decision a whole lot easier.

So I'm a lot more likely to buy a $900 Nelson and hope that I like it and never need to sell it than I am a $1600+ Nelson. And that goes for any of the smaller luthiers. I'm not just picking on Nelson here.

Budget Attaché? Very interested.

What, no poll? You tease.

Well the Attache is discontinued. I have a few pickguards left in case I ever feel like using them up but I'm not sure I'll make more.
The folks that bought them really love them BUT by far the public reaction was a resounding "meh, what else ya got?!" So I think I'll focus on developing models that get more people excited.