And factoring inflation in terns of what a gallon of gas, a house and a new car cost during that time not to mention what wages were then, that's like spending at least $1000 it today's money. It should be noted also that this was a period when the best products that were being made in Japan were all sent to the USA as Japan was in mode for expanding market share with higher end products that would compete with the best guitars we we're making.

   For example, people were routinely buying the Alvarez -Yairi 5060 and DY-85 models (same guitar) for $200-$300. Today those guitars are highly prized by collectors and selling prices well over $1000 is common. Same holds true with the JV Squire Stratocaster that sold for $149 when introduced in the '70s, today that same guitar rountinely brings over $1000 and many consider it the finest Stratocaster ever built.

      There are many more example like those cited but Hernandis guitars surely rand right there among them.