Shrinkflation ?
I too wonder how mass manufactured electric guitars could cost so much.
I could set up a CNC to cut blanks into guitars. Then just put the components into their routed slots, and sell it. So, where's the cost?
I wonder how many of them would sound good?
That said, the guitar industry is not selling as many, so the raise the price to keep the same income. Happens with all the "want" industries.
by the time I'm too old to play, an American guitar will cost more than my car
Maybe.
However, i believe we will revive small scale manufacturing on a wide scale in America. And then a new guitar will cost whatever you trade for it. Something that someone made that is about the same hours of craftsman time to build.