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Acrolites......Reverse Economics?

Posts: 1685 Threads: 529

OK, we all know the basic economics manta: Supply and Demand! When supply is low and demand is high, prices rise. When supply is high and demand is low, prices fall.

I have noticed that Acrolites keep going up and up and up in price. 10 years ago, you could find an Acrolite for $100-$125 any day of the week. Then they were around $150. Then $175. Now I see most Acrolites going in the $200-$250 range. They literally doubled in price in the last ten years. But why?

Acrolites are NOT in short supply. There are TONS of them still out there. And make no mistake, an Acrolite is a great snare drum and many drummers know that and have one (or have had one) in their arsenal at some point. But it just doesn't makes sense that, with the supply being relatively still high, that the demand (and price) keeps increasing.

Ludwig "reissued" them some years ago to the tune of $399 (now they go for $429). Wow!! Again, a fine drum, but I can't imagine paying $200 or $250 for an Acrolite, let alone $429! (And who is buying a new, reissue Acrolite when you can get an actual, real Acrolite that the reissue is based off of for half of that price?)

Do you think the Ludwig reissue had anything to do with the rise in price (for vintage ones)?

Also, I think we are definitely in more of a buyer's market vintage drum gear wise and gear wise in general, and I'm sure many of you would agree. So again, why would the prices be rising in a buyers market with a relatively high supply? It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Thoughts?

V

Posted on 4 years ago
#1
Posts: 417 Threads: 22

Ludwig snare drums have loads of mojo. Personally, I think they are generally mediocre drums with often quite poorly designed hardware (lugs, strainers), but for some reason, their mojo drives prices up.

Pearl snares, to me, are the exact opposite: no mojo at all, exceptionally well-built drums with fantastic hardware - but poor second hand value.

There is also a myth surrounding Ludwig that older is better and much more desirable, thus more expensive (keystone badges etc). AFAIK, Pearl is not burdened by such ideas.

/Magnus

Posted on 4 years ago
#2
Posts: 273 Threads: 6

There's someone on my local cl trying to get $550 (Canadian) ($410 U.S.)for an early 80's acro with case and the bottom part of the stand :eek:

Posted on 4 years ago
#3
Posts: 1014 Threads: 14

The acrolite at 100.00 125.00 was a great deal if you wanted an american made/vintage workhorse snare to use while you left your Joyfull Noise or Craviato at home while you were gigging,but if you get into 250.00 that puts you into Slingy COB territory and if you don't need american made gives you a bunch of better options IMO.

Posted on 4 years ago
#4
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