Would you? (Part 2)

This RG is a Premium model, made in Indonesia.

Its sibling here is a Japanese Prestige model.

Both guitars are sporting the same price tag, which one would you choose?

It's none of my business to keep guitar prices in check (distributors are free to mark their own price tags accordingly) but the RG1570 is a tier above the RG970 & would easily be a preferred choice in terms of standings & arguably, features. Why is the RG970 priced as much? Since the instrument was manufactured in Indonesia, shouldn't it be priced more competitively? Is the wenge/bubinga used for the RG970 hiking the price up?

We should also note the fact that the RG1570 is a discontinued model & should be priced to clear. Why are distributors reluctant to give reasonable discounts for discontinued models? What are the plus factors of keeping discontinued models considering the fact that some of the instrument parts/ features are extinct & no direct replacements are available off the shelves? You'd mention the fact that some discontinued models become prized inventories but I'd remind you the fact that demand/ supply factors are not always dictating this. 

On a personal observation, I notice American & European stores do not hoard discontinued models in general. They make it a point to clear out of production instruments & offer attractive discounts. I would say this is a positive practice. Once older inventories are cleared, that very same space can be used to store newer models, the ones which possess a greater probability of being sold. Also, that extra room would allow distributors to accommodate a more extensive selection of instruments, this way, buyers would be exposed to the real range in the manufacturer's offerings; not all Ibanez instruments available at the manufacturer's website make it to the store, for instance.

Business figures still over-ride real commercial enthusiasm, that's basically the bottom line.