So there is a big fire in my neck of the woods to the north and it got me thinking, I would not be able to move all my guitars out in time if I had to evacuate. So I took my American Special and Blacktop to my local guitar shop.

My sales guy asks me what I want to do. I told him I wanted to use my 2 guitars as a trade in on another guitar. He plugs them in, plays them, messes with all the knobs and switches, and asks me what I want. I said something with a burst and rosewood neck. He asks if there is a Pickup configuration I want. I said I preferred HSS, but it wasn't a deal breaker.

I am expecting him to go over to one of the MIM Deluxe's or to pull off the only Highway 1 off the rack...no he goes to the back and brings out a brand new American Standard still in the Fender box. He unpacks it, opens the case, and says, "I want you to be the first to touch it."

First let me tell you it is one of the most beautiful 3 tone burst I have ever seen. I am thinking to myself I am going to have to run by the bank if I want this guitar. I play it...sweet. One of best sounding American Standards I have heard in a long time.

So I ask how much the guitar was, he says $999, which what I was expecting to hear. So I ask how much credit I was going to get for the 2 guitars I brought in. (Keep in mind that I bought these guitars there too.) He says $599 for the American Special and $300 Blacktop. I quickly figure $899, I am $100 dollars + tax shy. I tell him I need to run to the bank to get the cash (100 dollars plus enough to cover the tax.)

I come back, he has it all ready to go, says that he put my preferred strings on it (I love these guys). He rings it up and says, "I like you, you have been buying gear here for the past 5 years plus you have sent us business over the past 5 years as well." "With your trade-ins and tax you owe $75." I was figuring at least $250. Astonished, I asked him if he was sure about the figure. He says I could pay more if I want, but yes this is what I owe.

I walk out of the store extremely happy.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Nice guitar... i played a highway one and a american standard SSS strat and they are remarkably the same sound

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________

Musos can be a pain!!!

But if you have 15,000 they will give you free Fenders

There is a local shop that knows how to build and maintain a customer base!

A stunning and timeless Strat - you are a lucky owner.

BEAUTIFUL!

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Shirley Has The Blues

Blacktop P Bass
mim Deluxe P Bass Special
mim P Bass
Ibanez BTB405

Nice score RK. Great grain in the body.They are fine instruments..........

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Good looking guitar and a great story. Congrats on the new guitar.

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Deyr fé
Deyja frændr
Deyr sjálfr ið sama
En orðstír
Deyr aldregi
Hveim er sér góðan getr

hi rkreisher

Not the best predicament be in but way to go turning it into a positive experience. The guitar is a beauty and so refreshing to hear of a store that looks after its customers and rewards their loyalty, past business + great customer relations = future business.

Well done!!!!!

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ukraider
"money cant buy you love but it can buy guitars!!!!!!"

Congratulations on a very nice guitar! All the guitar you'll ever need. Enjoy!!

I love reading great stuff like this. Congratulations and may you enjoy it for many years to come!

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You dig?

That wasn't too long a story and as a college English major, I really appreciate it when people put their writing into nice, neat paragraphs.

You get an A on your story and composition and a big +1 on the guitar!

Congrats.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Well done RK enjoy that baby.

Beautiful guitar, and I love the HSS That one is a keeper for sure.
----Danny,

Great looking Strat and congrats on a great deal! Its good to hear about a positive guitar-buying experience... sounds like a great dealer you got there.

Nice trade there, RK!
Happy trails man!

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FIGHT!

Thanks for the replies. Absolutely the best the best shop in town and the friendliest group of people I have met.

I love my new guitar. I had a chance to really let loose today. I cranked my Mustang V up to 8 on a clean setting and ran my guitars though several different pedals…all I can say is WOW! I am impressed with my guitars and amp. If the American Standards I tried back in ’07 and earlier this year would have been this nice and sounded this good, I would have bought one instead of my Highway 1 or the American Special.

For a stock guitar, it gives my highly-modified Highway 1 a serious run for its money. I love the crunch of my Dimarzio SD humbucker for some stuff I play and I love the crisp sound of the Diamondback humbucker for others; 2 different voices throughout all the pickup switch positions between the 2 guitars. Overall the American Standard has a bit brighter tone than my Highway 1. A lot of love, sweat, and tears have been poured into my Highway 1. I cannot decide which will be considered my # 1 “go to” guitar at this time, only time will tell for that question.

I left the tremolo of the American Standard floating and used it as well today, nothing extreme just some light vibratos and some mid dives. I usually deck my Vintage tremolos. Until yesterday, all my Fenders have been 6 screw and not the 2 point tremolos. No pings or anything, unlike my Highway 1 when I first got it. I had to take it in and have it worked on as soon as I got it. The nut on it needed the G slot cut a little wider to keep the string from binding. The American Standard’s nut was cut perfect.

I have already put strap locks on it, and plan to put one of my spare sets of locking tuners on it. It does not need it; it is just a personal preference of mine to have them on. But that is where the modifications will stop for this guitar.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head