It is with a heavy heart that we, Rondo Music, announce the phasing out of most Sx Guitar models in 2024. For loyal fans of SX guitars and Rondo Music, this news may come as a shock, signaling the end of an era for a brand synonymous with quality and affordability. While we will continue to provide parts and warranty support as long as SX is able to supply us, restocking and new SX guitar models will largely cease. A limited selection of popular models, such as lap steel guitars, will remain available due to continued customer demand. We want to express our sincere gratitude for your incredible support of SX guitars over the past 30 years. It has been an amazing journey, and we believe our dedicated customers deserve a comprehensive explanation behind this difficult decision.
Several converging factors have led to this point, primarily centered around economic shifts and changes in brand strategy. One of the most significant factors is pricing. Many long-time customers will recall when SX guitars were incredibly affordable, often priced between $89 and $129, with very few models exceeding $199. This pricing offered exceptional value for the quality provided. However, to maintain profitability today, most SX guitar models would need to be priced at $250 or higher. Currently, some remaining SX models on our site are priced below this threshold and are being sold at a loss, or below the minimum profit margin required to cover operational costs. Import costs have also drastically increased. As recently as 2012, the cost to import an SX guitar was approximately $5. During the pandemic, coupled with a 25% tariff and soaring shipping costs, importing a single acoustic guitar surged to nearly $75.
Selection and order logistics have presented further challenges. Over the years, SX has significantly reduced their product range, discontinuing popular models such as ukuleles, resonators, classical guitars, rack cases, banjos, and guitar cases, among others. This reduction in selection has impacted Rondo Music’s ability to order full container loads of SX products, which is essential for maintaining reasonable shipping costs. Compounding this issue is the increase in Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) imposed by SX. Rondo Music has historically accommodated customer requests for specialized guitars—fretless models, unique shapes, left-handed multi-scale instruments, and more. SX was previously receptive to smaller order batches, allowing us to cater to customer feedback and suggestions. This flexibility is no longer available due to increased MOQ requirements for special models.
Changing consumer preferences and geopolitical factors also play a role. The “China factor” is increasingly relevant, with some customers expressing a preference to avoid products manufactured in China. While Rondo Music acknowledges the need to maintain a modern and updated website – and recognizes our website may not be as current as it was in 2005 – sales of SX guitars have declined even on platforms like Reverb, eBay, and Amazon, which have more contemporary interfaces. This suggests broader market trends are at play.
Finally, payment terms have become a critical issue. Established retailers typically receive payment terms from vendors, allowing them a period (e.g., 20-30 days) to pay for goods, similar to consumer credit card terms. This allows retailers to sell a portion of their inventory before payment is due. For orders from China, the lead time between placing an order and receiving the shipment is typically 4-5 months. A container shipment can easily hold 500 to 1000 SX guitars, representing a substantial financial investment. In the past, SX provided Rondo Music with 60-day payment terms, allowing time to inspect the product and generate some sales before full payment was required. This is no longer the case. Currently, SX requires prepayment for containers before they leave the factory, typically 45+ days before arrival. This prepayment requirement creates a significant financial burden, and SX is now the only factory among our suppliers with this stringent pre-payment policy. The combination of these interwoven factors has led us to the difficult decision to significantly reduce our stocking of SX products moving forward.
Regarding the timeline for SX guitars at Rondo Music, we will continue to sell our existing inventory until it is depleted. No new SX guitar models are expected for the remainder of 2023. We will, however, continue to stock certain models, such as the SX Lap Steel, through at least 2024.
It remains uncertain whether other retailers will begin carrying SX guitars after Rondo Music phases them out. Given the challenges outlined above – pricing pressures, reduced selection, and demanding order terms – it seems unlikely.
Rondo Music will uphold all warranty obligations for SX products as long as SX continues to supply us with necessary warranty replacement parts. We currently maintain a solid inventory of common warranty components.
Customers seeking to contact SX directly can reach their parent company, Team International, via their website: www.sx-guitar.com/. Please note that the website may not be fully up-to-date. Historically, SX has directed customer inquiries back to Rondo Music, and we remain committed to supporting our past SX customers.
The question of whether Rondo Music will replace SX with another brand is currently unanswered. We are still exploring potential solutions, although a resolution appears increasingly improbable, which prompted this announcement. The import market is presently challenging, with a growing national emphasis on locally sourced products.
Regarding potential closeout sales or significant discounts on remaining SX inventory, many SX guitars have already been discounted. Current sales velocity indicates that we anticipate selling out of most models by the end of the year. Rondo Music’s standard 30-day price guarantee applies; if you purchase an item and the price decreases within 30 days of your purchase, you are eligible for a refund for the price difference.
We understand this news may be disappointing and may sound like a series of justifications – and perhaps it is. However, the ultimate outcome remains unchanged.
Thank you once again to all of our wonderful customers for your incredible support over the past 30 years. We will continue to post updates and address common customer questions on this page as developments unfold.
