Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: martinw on July 31, 2009, 09:58:18 AM

Title: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: martinw on July 31, 2009, 09:58:18 AM
A friend of mine is looking to sell a US Fender Strat, and I'm wondering what these things go for on the used market at the moment. I don't have any pics, and the info I have is a bit vague, but I hope you'll still be able to help.

I believe it's about 8 years old (+ or - a couple of years), finished in a kind of dark metallic silver, RW board, skunk stripe, SSS pickups, 2 pivot trem with milled saddles, Schaller tuners, parchment plastics.

It comes in a shaped hard case, not one of the rectangular ones, so maybe that helps date it a bit?

I played it and it has a great low action, with a flattish fingerboard radius and big frets. The shape was a slightly flattened C, and it has a satin neck. The weight was nice.

What's it worth? Ta!  :)
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: TheIronBeast on July 31, 2009, 10:09:03 AM
Is it just a US Standard? I see them sell for roughly £400-£500 on eBay now and again, maybe a little more for an older one.
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Twinfan on July 31, 2009, 10:14:01 AM
Sounds like a US Standard to me, and I'd say £400-£500 depending on condition and how desireable the colour is...
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: martinw on July 31, 2009, 10:58:37 AM
Yes, it's a US Standard (I think) in Inca Silver.

The condition is mint.

As little as £400-500? Blimey.  :?
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Ian Price on July 31, 2009, 11:02:36 AM
As little as £400-500? Blimey.  :?

yeah - quite low unfortunately. I recently sold my '57 Vintage US reissue for £680.00 - less than I was hoping for but it did have a few marks on it.
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Twinfan on July 31, 2009, 11:10:59 AM
It's a tough market for everything mate!
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Ian Price on July 31, 2009, 11:13:40 AM
It's a tough market for everything mate!

Tell me about it! One down two to go!
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Philly Q on July 31, 2009, 11:32:33 AM
I got £400 for my 1999, Inca Silver, rosewood board American Standard Strat.

It was a hardtail though, which I guess makes it more or less desirable depending on your point of view.
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: mikeluke on July 31, 2009, 11:47:35 AM
Would agree with Dave - £400-500 - you can get a 'new' one for £800
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: blue on July 31, 2009, 02:50:05 PM
a guy at my girlfriend's work was looking to sell an early 90's american strat, dark metallic silver with 3 single coils, and he heard i played and offered it to me.  he was adamant that he would settle for no less than £900!!! last i heard he still had it...
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Ian Price on July 31, 2009, 02:55:43 PM
a guy at my girlfriend's work was looking to sell an early 90's american strat, dark metallic silver with 3 single coils, and he heard i played and offered it to me.  he was adamant that he would settle for no less than £900!!! last i heard he still had it...

Sounds like he really know his stuff!!
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Prawnik on July 31, 2009, 08:37:02 PM
There are a lot of sellers in denial about the market value of their "treasures."

[insert stock photo of Gollum here]
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: martinw on July 31, 2009, 08:39:39 PM
Thanks for the pointers, chaps.

Fighting off the urge to put an offer in now!  :D
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Twinfan on July 31, 2009, 08:55:49 PM
Don't bother mate - it won't be any better than your Strat  ;)

Only upgrade to Custom Shop, and only then if you have to.
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Ian Price on July 31, 2009, 09:06:53 PM
Don't bother mate - it won't be any better than your Strat  ;)

Only upgrade to Custom Shop, and only then if you have to.

Yes indeed

Fender custom shop = quality.
Fender US = not much above MIM IMO.
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: d1dsj on July 31, 2009, 09:19:15 PM
I sold my USA Std deluxe for £550 and that was mint. Mind you, I replaced it with a G&L Legacy which is superb.... if you can get past the strange headstock they are superb instruments!
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: Philly Q on July 31, 2009, 09:41:48 PM
I sold my USA Std deluxe for £550 and that was mint. Mind you, I replaced it with a G&L Legacy which is superb.... if you can get past the strange headstock they are superb instruments!

They certainly seem very nicely made - but when I tried a couple I really disliked the necks.
Title: Re: Strat Experts: Need help.
Post by: d1dsj on July 31, 2009, 10:32:14 PM
I sold my USA Std deluxe for £550 and that was mint. Mind you, I replaced it with a G&L Legacy which is superb.... if you can get past the strange headstock they are superb instruments!

They certainly seem very nicely made - but when I tried a couple I really disliked the necks.

I must admit, they DO vary alot! I've had 5 G&L's, all VERY well made and sound pretty good off the shelf. But you have to find one with a neck that suits you... the one I have now is the second best Strat type I ve ever played. The other was a '69 ala Hendrix.... sadly I didn't have £2500 at the time!