no offense but i think the prices are perfect since he is an individual maker trying to make a living. the prices of guitars in us and in europe are very different i'm afraid so people get confused. my gutarmaker has the same going on with his prices, yet over here, his guitars are less expensive then the other luthiers in switzerland..... so i think its a question of ''if you like his designs and you like the makers ideas and crafts, then go for it whaterver he charges, you are buying a dream in some ways, a unique handcrafted instrument and this has a price... blackmachines are gorgeous, i'm very tempted myself to go for a 7 string of his.... Got to save some money