about the Austin brand (updated 12/06/20)

Because it'll get asked soon enough: some thoughts about value.

As I'll repeat regularly, the editor of The Blue Book of Guitar Values, Zach Fjestad, stated a rule of thumb that I've since named Fjestad's Law. My version:

That last is "manufacturer's suggested retail price." Not many people in recent years have EVER paid "full retail" for an instrument, exceptions being those who bought a gift for their kid/grandkid from some local mom-and-pop music store, who in all likelihood threw in a few lessons, lifetime free adjustments, discounted strings, and other value-added extras... which are mostly part of a dim and fading past.

Many guitars, especially those aimed specifically at large chains and mall-based shops, went from the distributor to the seller at roughly 40% of MSRP. (I'll get into the gory details in a different thread.)

In the Austin instance, things are... messy. Though there are some AU variants on The Usual Suspects (almost always the Fenderoid clones) that are highly prized, most Austins you see are nothing special, with "mystery wood" bodies, and almost all Strads from the Era Standard group (see other thread) are nothing more than good inexpensive guitars, and a few million of them scattered around. If you want a decent-enough axe for backup or practice or a rowdy club, these AUs are a bargain, certainly superior (IMO) to Squier Affinity, & by keeping an eye open you might stumble across one of the better versions. With original price $200-$220, you can probably find one for MUCH less than half that.

But as you move upward in value, recent real-world prices creep faster. You may never see an AU998 jazzbox for sale, and certainly for AT LEAST the $699 "retail" tag; the thru-neck Eclipse Pro basses are almost as rare, and about 80% MSRP. I'm a fan of the AU-792, a very good PRS 22 clone that regularly gets $200-$250 (retail $449).

Trev Wilkinson seems to have had some active role in design of the AU series, and most of the early $399+ electrics had not only an alder body but some combo of Wilkinson pickups, bridge, and tuners, maybe all. Many sellers, though, are unaware of the details, and it's not unusual to see a used 931 ($419) priced like a 731 ($199) at maybe $75.

IN SUM (and subject to change) -- An "AU" Austin that's not a bottom-tier clone AND is in good shape AND is priced less than 40% of MSRP is worth serious considering. This includes basses and acoustics, and likely banjos and mandolins as well.