I've said this before, but the real culprit is "MAP" pricing, where MAP is "Minimum Advertised Price".
The way it works is that the prices are not allowed to be advertised below a certain price. You can sell for any price, but not advertise that price. We've seen the "Price Too Low to Publish" in the ads. Thats why.
MAP pricing is a way to fix prices for the big box high turn high volume stores. Ever wonder why EVERYTHING is the EXACT SAME PRICE in Lowe's, Home Depot, Home Mart, etc? Every tool, every can of paint, every bag of concrete mix, every light bulb, everything EXCEPT the store brand, or brands owned by the store. You can almost always be sure of sub standard quality on those items, so they can sell low and still make a buck.
Its the same with most electronics, cameras, computers, guitars, etc. They fix the pricing, and call it MAP priced.
Supposedly, the courts have found that MAP pricing is not price fixing. They are free to sell at any price. And, the big retailers say that MAP pricing is generous enough for small stores to compete, offering either the same price or lower, often with more personal service - afforded due to lower overhead. The courts agree, I do not. Its price fixing.
I'd like to see where this leads with Gibson... could be a whole new day for consumers.