RE: Jamming Alone
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I imagine in Tokyo it’s probably just as expensive to do that as buying a good guitar.
Is there some sort of mark up or something there? I picked up a cheap Ibanez from Amazon UK and planned on getting pedals too but then went and traveled around. Once I settle down I'd love to also get back into playing, also build up a collection of pedals. This is making me remember the wishlist I have on a European music site, so many guitars on there...
I can see why people would only buy mid range and lower and mod them though. Spending thousands on a body is insane (unless you are doing paid performances) with some of the maintenance you have to do just to ensure the neck doesn't get ruined over time.
Which model did you pick up?
Japan doesn’t really have a competitive market for some things, not because people are nice but because most people look for jobs at big companies and so there aren’t many people fixing guitars and things like that. Most people work regular jobs and so these kinds of things cost more because sellers know that anyone who wants that has money to spend.
Art is a seen as a hobby not a lifestyle here.
My neighborhood is different, it’s one of the most artistic wild places in Japan but even with 15 live venues there are only two places I can buy guitar pedals and they’re very small and limited, used pedals cost 85% the price of new sometimes.
Basically sellers feel entitled because there is no competition. And it’s hard for them to survive because their costs are always high (rent etc) because landlords feel entitled, since space is so limited. So you can’t even blame the sellers and craftsmen for charging so much. They need to live too.
This is what happens when nobody tries to start their own business.
It’s ok, we will!
Just the cheapest thing I could find that worked. A used guitar from “Legend” which I’ve never heard of. I think I got it for $10 from an old guy who didn’t know if it was broken or not hahaha
my last point negates my first one hahaha
There are good deals to be had but they are very very rare
ah but used books in Japanese are always cheap as hell!!