Blondes more expensive; why?

[56jnr]

Yeah, I know, 'cause they're hot! But seriously you'd think with the time taken to do a 'burst they would be more costly.
I'm only asking because my ES175DN was £400UK more than a 'burst example.
Are 'bursts more popular therefore economy of scale comes into play because they make more of them?

 

[ultra]

I believe that they use a higher grade of wood for the natural blonde finish. This costs more from the outset whereas a sunburst finish can have defects at the outer rim and still be disguised to look great.

 

[J.D.]

Same with the ES guitars, blonde is always an upcharge, to this day. I suppose, as stated, it's because they pick premium wood.

 

[John B.]

Can't hide anything...

 

[shuie]

Because they are dead sexy and people will pay the difference for them.

 

[jeffc]

I believe that they use a higher grade of wood for the natural blonde finish. This costs more from the outset whereas a sunburst finish can have defects at the outer rim and still be disguised to look great.

But isn't it all cosmethic, that idea of higher grade wood ? - I mean were talking about plywood here - (es-175)

 

[Uncle Gary]

Yes, but the cosmetically perfect wood is still in shorter supply. Back in the '30's, blonde finished guitars were ALWAYS priced higher for that reason. They were also produced in much smaller numbers, which tended to keep used prices higher, as well.

I remember reading an interview with Ted McCarty, where he explained how Gibson offered various finishes in order to make maximum use of their wood supply. The best pieces were used for natural finishes, then sunbursts. The wood with cosmetic flaws or a bit of filler ended up under solid colors.

Sort of like women. Blondes are definitely more expensive.:rofl :rofl

 

[mingus]

Sort of like women. Blondes are definitely more expensive.:rofl :rofl

+1. And that's just the way it is. :2cool

 

[TomGuitar]

Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because...

 

[roadrunner]

Yeah, I know, 'cause they're hot! But seriously you'd think with the time taken to do a 'burst they would be more costly.
I'm only asking because my ES175DN was £400UK more than a 'burst example.
Are 'bursts more popular therefore economy of scale comes into play because they make more of them?

I think there's a couple of years in the '50's where Gibson made more blond ES-5's than 'bursts? Yet the blonds fetch more money.

Two iconic guitar players from the '50's played blond guitars: T-Bone Walker and Chuck Berry. That probably has something to do with it.

 

[j45]

Yes, there are exceptions but in most cases blondes are rare in comparison. For example in 1959 there were 521 sunburst ES-335's, 71 natural 335's. 270 sunburst ES-330's and 79 blonde 330's, etc.

 

[AndyC]

:bug :bug :bug

Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because...

 

[Uncle Gary]

Uncle Gary loves the blondes!:wow :wow :wow

 

[LowE]

Are 'bursts more popular therefore economy of scale comes into play because they make more of them?

Yes exactly, it's all the economy of scale coming into play. Particularly the D minor scale, I just weep when I hear that one.

 

[AtomEve]

Because they made fewer of them..... i.e. they are more rare.Smaller supply. :wail

 

[TomGuitar]

I think there's a couple of years in the '50's where Gibson made more blond ES-5's than 'bursts?

It does seem that way based on what you see come up for sale. But it's actually not the case, according to the shipping totals in Duchoissoir's book.

 

[p19978]

Dm, the saddest of all keys...

 

[The Boz 56]

Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because...

Wow that's a dead sexy trio. That blonde 345 is a miracle.

 

[Troels]

Hey guys... you are chasing the wrong track.

Blonde finished Gibson guitars are solely about build quality - NOT wood quality. Only 100% perfectly built guitars recieved natural finish.

The wood was selected anyway- but for other reasons. McCarthy told in an interview that the top of the line models 355 and 345 got the very best grade wood. Then 335 got the next grade and then 330 and so on. Anyway, close up looks at even the cheaper lines (ES 330, 225, 125, 120) shows that only fine materials was used at Gibson in the Kalamazoo days - including grade AAA spruce and mahogany for internal structures wood, hide and urea formaldehyde glues and finishes - not to mention employees.

And, ultra, ES guitars (including ES-175) is not only plywood... the neck, fretboards, and block, neck block, kerfed linings are all solid wood. The quality wood in the neck block may very well decide how old your guitar will get and so does the quality of most internal structures in an ES Gibson guitar without centerblock.

 

[ultra]

Troels,

You could well be right. The guitars finished without flaws could well have been candidates for a natural finish in the early days.

In later years, I am sure that figured and attractive wood was chosen to be built as a natural finished instrument (still encompassing build quality) and marketed as such.

Check out my Custom Shop '85 ES335 natural:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/558358/17507283/275808652.jpg