In every hobby, pastime or avocation that is at all "gear" oriented there's always a sizable market for brand-name products that are:
A) Just Like what all your friends' have (i.e. the right brand...Martin, Taylor, whatever) and
B) Different Than what all your friends have (i.e. different wood or an extra logo or a "#22 of 150" label) in some way or another.
It's because people assign meaning to ownership of certain brands and value a sense of belonging to the in-group who own that brand and at the same time they want to one-up all those other owners for bragging rights with the in-group.
Either that and my father was correct...a fool and his money are soon parted.
__________________
Grabbed his jacket
Put on his walking shoes
Last seen, six feet under
Singing the I've Wasted My Whole Life Blues
---Warren Malone "Whole Life Blues"
|