Hey guys (and girls),

If you want to buy a used stratocaster guitar and the owner claims to be a limited edition, and charge you a bit more for that, but have no proof of it, what would you do?

If you are familiar with the Fender concept of limited edition, you already know that some of the limited edition product have a few ways to prove it (official CS limited edition certificate, printed back bolt on plate) that are given when you buy it and some product do not have any proof.

I would like to have your point of view on buying a used limited edition and also why Fender CS do not always give a clear way to identify each limited edition guitar.

Thanks,
Magic

If the instrument has features you like and cannot find elsewhere (or cannot find those features for a price as agreeable as the guitar you are considering), go for it.

If you are buying it solely for it's collectability and it has none of the "Papers", take a pass. There has been much debate here regarding the fact that individuals will sell the neck plate or certificate of authenticity from a Custom Shop instrument, which could aid a counterfeiter greatly in misrepresenting an instrument.

I would liken it to buying a dog that supposedly has a good pedigree but has no proof (no AKC papers)...it you like the dog as a pet and are willing to pay for him/her, go ahead. But if you are buying the dog to breed and try to make some money on his/her pedigree, you will lose.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

That's a good way of putting it SA.

In fact I have this guitar, I bought it this summer (stratocaster 56 relic limited edition 2009) and I was wandering what would be a buyers point of view, if I wanted to sell the guitar.

I like the guitar and I am okay with paying more because it is more "unique" than the others. I though I had limited edition mention on the certificate when I bought the guitar.

I have contacted consumer relation about this matter and they told me that it is a limited edition of 50 guitar of that color BUT they do this 4 times a year. That makes 200 guitars.

Now if I want to sell it I would like some advice or explanation about the fender concept of "limited edition".


Thanks in advance for your time people,
Chris

I am seriously curious about that situation. That is why I sincerely ask your opinion guys.

Thanks

Breeding guitars is tough. Most of the time they don't get the good genes. (Maple fretboard+a really chunky maple capped neck) I see how Fender can have some difficulties here, as I have bred guitars before.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

A limited edition but they make them four times a year WHAT That makes no sense!

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

+1

Sounds like outright hype to me!

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Mine is called "Custom Classic Stratocaster Limited" .... of course they won't make hundreds of Surf Green guitars every year

It never interested me how "limited" this is. It's not like the Campilongo Tele which is absolutely limited to 50 or so.

Cheers

David

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"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

I agree David, don't you think the CS should provide some sort proof of the Limited status of the guitar?

You pay more for the guitar, the least the CS should do is to give a proof that only a certain numbers was made?

Does anyone know why CS give certificate to certain limited guitar and don't for other limited guitar?


Thanks for your post,
Magic

[/quote]A limited edition but they make them four times a year WHAT That makes no sense![/quote]


Here is a part of the email I received from Fender.


... the certificate would not say anything about this special edition. It was limited to 50 of each color, but we do these limited runs every quarter of the year ...


Chris

Sounds like the email itself establishes some sort of provenance for your guitar. Do we assume it's a Fender Custom Shop guitar?

The 2 limited edition guitars I own (Not Fenders) were just pimped out models from the standard range. Even when new they didn't have certificates.

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

When I read that, it makes me think that they have four separate limited runs per year...not four runs of your particular guitar, but maybe a Strat run, then a Tele run, then a different type of Strat, etc...

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

You have to put them in just the right mood and environment...some soft music (no synthesizers) and a little bit of String Eaze, maybe some graphite for the nuts and saddles...sometimes it gets weird, with straps and capos, but thats just with BC Rich or Traben guitars...

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

[/quote]
When I read that, it makes me think that they have four separate limited runs per year...not four runs of your particular guitar, but maybe a Strat run, then a Tele run, then a different type of Strat, etc...[/quote]


Maybe you are right, my English is not perfect, that is why I ask.

Thanks