Given the discussions recently about second hand prices and how they seem to be rising, I thought it might be interesting to give a flavour of what gear is available second hand on Australia.
Both second hand and new prices seemed much higher than the UK when I arrived 5 years ago and the range of gear was much more limited, which pretty much cured my GAS!
These are all available within a 100km radius of the Sunshine Coast in QLD where I’m living (just did a quick current conversion based on today’s exchange rate);
Marshall Satriani JVM - £925
Hi watt 1970 DR103 - £2350
2003 Les Paul Std - £2150
Orange TH30 - £665
Laney Ironheart 120H - £385
Kustom Coupe 72 - £500
Prs Se Soapbar - £475
1988 ‘52 RI Tele - £1660
Taylor GS Mini Koa - £700
Fender MIM Strat - £665
Mesa Express 5:50 combo - £775
Boss RE20 Space Echo - £200
Line 6 DT50 head - £610
Peavey 6505 - £415
Hardwired Super Reverb clone in 2x12 cab, plus 4x10 cab with WGS Veteran speakers - £500
The Laney looks like it might be a bit of a bargain... I actually snagged the last one on the list last weekend - it sounds mega and is much more portable than a 4x10 combo.
Comments
Best price in bold type.
Yamaha A5S: London $2050. USA $1790. Melbourne $1795.
Remember that the US prices need to be adjusted for local taxes. Average income in Australia is slightly higher than in the UK, but will vary a lot depending on your profession. For practical purposes, call it the same. Average yearly income of professional musicians averages about minus $5000 a year, which is probably the same everywhere.
PS: I spent ages trying to nail down prices for a made-in-Europe guitar in the same three areas, but failed. Furch is probably the most widely available European guitar make, but they are very hard to find in Oz, and rare as hen's teeth in the USA. After an hour or more of trying to find a single model in stock somewhere in all three continents, I gave up.
The cost of living figures in any price comparisons.
When I was regularly on the Seymour Duncan forum, there was an Australian youth, griping about the prices of brand new Gibson SG guitars and Marshall half stacks. He did not seem to understand that international shipping costs money and distributors take a generous cut on top.
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/57632/
Smaller population spread over a larger area.
Also the distributor network is very tight.
When I moved here in '01 I couldn't believe how much cheaper things were here.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Accommodation in Australia is usually more expensive unless you want to compare living in the sticks to living in London.
Sydney is especially.
Melbourne and Brisbane are pretty expensive too.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
This is $650 a week, walking distance to Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach- works out around £1500 pcm.
https://www.domain.com.au/2-44a-allens-parade-bondi-junction-nsw-2022-14909863?topspot=1
FWIW I used to rent a similar property in the same street- in '95 I was paying £100 a week.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Made a mockery of the prices in Brighton.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com