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Boutique guitar industry still strumming despite high prices: ironically, professional musicians can't afford $3,000 to $4,000 instruments.

Article Excerpt
There's a joke that describes San Diego's boutique guitar industry all too well: "What's the difference between a professional musician and a pizza? A pizza can feed a family of four.

So, it's no wonder when Kevin Kinnear, general manager of Buffalo Bros. Guitars in Carlsbad, said that those customers who buy acoustic guitars in the $3,000-plus range aren't professional musicians, but professionals of a different ilk.

"A lot of the people buying guitars ... in law, medicine or otherwise," said Kinnear, who added that many are beginning-level musicians making a commitment to learn by dropping lots of cash.

"Up here we're surrounded by affluence, and it certainly shows in our customers."

To local guitar luthiers, such as Taylor, Goodall (which recently moved its local facilities to Hawaii), and Dell Arte Guitars, this means big business.

Last year, Taylor Guitars released its R. Taylor line of low-production, high-end guitars, selling 55 at Buffalo...