The Cost of Hausers through the years?

[Michael.N.]

By any other name would sound as sweet.

[Neptune]

Did I read correctly in a previous post that Kathrin has made 17 guitars so far, and she is charging $20,000 each aleady? That's a valuable name!
Robert

I asked her last week what she alone is charging. the prices range from 10,600 Euro to 12,200 Euro.
Her father of course is charging more for his guitars.

[Julian]

I think she is selling the Hauser family name, not the guitar at that quality.

I listened to some of her guitars at youtube. To me, others sound zillion times better.

Julian

[Wayne S]

Julian I have to agree, I have listened to many great guitars that cost a lot less than a modern Hauser.

Luthiers all need to make a living but there comes a point at which prices don't match the quality of sound that a player would expect. I do think some luthiers are making money from the name Like Fashion houses and Cosmetic companies do.
It takes about 150 hours to hand make a CG and there is always the costs for wood, tools running costs etc, etc, after all that is taken out the luthier should make a reasonable hourly rate for their work and some profit.
The problem is that some makers charge way and beyond, I have seen prices from $25,000 to $50,000 for a CG. Luthiers have every right to charge any price they want of course, but prospective buyers are now well educated and want value for money.
I have played guitars that were half the cost of a $20,000 Guitar, looked just as good played as well and sounded better.
Cheers.

[Julian]

Wayne, that's what I meant.

I don't disagree the way luthiers charge their guitars. It is their rights and is fine the ways it is mostly: the material costs, the expertise, living costs.

But I do believe that when a luthier charge a guitar at a given price (high price in this case), the guitar (or sound in this instance) must be worth the money. Not just because of the name. (Or probably done so with some marketing strategy). I've proven that. I don't have a Hauser. Never seen one either. I only listened to Hauser sound through a recording of Hauser's ambassador: Julian Bream who is probably the most qualified Marketing Director for Hauser. But I have a Hauser derivative made by another fine German Fritz Ober. My Ober is simply a guitar of a century from my point of view with only costing me less than a half of Hauser which is probably no better than my Ober.

Let us admire and respect those luthiers who make guitars with love and passion, without calculating too much costs of living into the equation.


Julian

[Neptune]

Let us admire and respect those luthiers who make guitars with love and passion, without calculating too much costs of living into the equation.

I second that!

[Neptune]

This is a phenomenal sounding Hauser bought by Pepe Romero for $30,000. What a guitar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0yCbqjs ... ture=share

[simonm]

A quick look at the famous auction site this morning reveals a new Martin "custom shop" with Brailian RW for a $25k. Custom shop, or not, this is essentially a factory guitar. There is a another (used) which is no 49 from a "limited" edition of 500 for $8.5k.

In that context luthier classical guitars whether Hauser, or someone much less well know, are plain cheap.

[Supperconductor]

This is a phenomenal sounding Hauser bought by Pepe Romero for $30,000. What a guitar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0yCbqjs ... ture=share

I was there when this video was made, it's a spectacular sounding instrument.

[David_Norton]

I was there when this video was made, it's a spectacular sounding instrument.

For thirty thousand dollars, "spectacular sounding" needs to be the minimal qualifying standard!

[Supperconductor]

I was there when this video was made, it's a spectacular sounding instrument.

For thirty thousand dollars, "spectacular sounding" needs to be the minimal qualifying standard!

HAHA, I agree!

[Neptune]

This is a phenomenal sounding Hauser bought by Pepe Romero for $30,000. What a guitar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0yCbqjs ... ture=share

I was there when this video was made, it's a spectacular sounding instrument.

Did you get to play it?

[Supperconductor]

I was offered the chance to play this and several other very expensive instruments. I declined because I'm avoiding temptation. I could have wound up buying it. I know, this sounds irrational, but that's just how Impulsive I can be.

[Neptune]

What an inspiration to know that would be the only reason to decline playing that masterpiece! ooof!

[Alexandru Marian]

It's interesting that while having a beautiful tone, it doesn't seem to carry much punch. Perhaps it is the playing or the recording but to me it evokes a very delicate presence. If that's true, goes to show how nice is to have a solid reputation that trumps fashion. Lesser builders are constantly pressed (by both customers and other builders) to go louder and louder and louder...