Official Luthiers Forum!

I’d like to get to the point where I’m selling guitars on a regular basis, but I’m not there yet. I would like to know how other people arrive at the price at which they’re guitars are sold. I’ve seen some very nice name-brand guitars in the stores and I’ve noticed that the ones with the nice wood grain are usually quite a bite more money than the painted models, but the cost of material, and production time is really not all that much more, so this would suggest that the higher price is driven largely by aesthetics. I would like to hear people thoughts on this.

no way. you're payin for the nice wood for sure. paint can only take longer can't it? i would say for a start, you gotta cover costs and add a little for yourself. i've been offered wall space in a couple of locals which is awesome. but i guess the kids are gonna go for the cheapo name brands over yours or mine everytime so i figure to get your name out there you gotta compete with budget prices until your product is championed by the store folks. i was originally thinking cost + £100 a day, 3-4 days turn around on a natural oil finish solid guitar or bass, but now i'm coming down to earth and realistically only expect to cover cost + maybe £100. so if any one wants a beautifull mahogany padauk purpleheart jet black gabon ebony 7 string with kent armstrong for about £400, you know where i am!

really, really good question.
i've made a few electrics, and when i total up da costs, well, it is about $500. pickups=200, tuners=100, wood=100(?), misc. and sundry items=100, time=aaaccckkk!
i saw an elec git made by a small company, and it cost about $2500.
it looked like a robot made it.