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Post subject: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 3:18 pm
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Ok.. total newbie here, but I've been trying to research, but heck there are 20,000 matches for "stratocaster" on Reverb and that doesnt include eBay, Craigslist, Facebook, Guitar Shops..... Teaching myself guitar - picked up an '88 Washburn Dreadnought acoustic a year ago and looking for a Stratocaster now as my first electric.

I've considered MIM SSS as an option - seems like a ton of guitar for the money, but I'd rather have something a little nicer, possibly collectible, but something that I can play and goof around on.

Considering...
- American Standard
- Used Custom Shop
- New Custom Shop
- Vintage
- Special Editions

For instance, saw a mint 60th anniversary - not a CS guitar, but it looks nice to me for $1k.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 5627884054

But then I like the Gilmour CS, SRV CS and then the relic'd CS

So many to choose from.. so confused. But then .. I'm just an intermediate at best so I don't even know what to look for wrt to radius / pickups / etc...

At the end of the day, I'm thinking.. just get something nice that you can sell in a few years if it turns out I don't play it enough and recoup my money (or... even make money if I buy the right one)

Thoughts on what to consider/avoid?


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 5:50 pm
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Avoid anything with a HMA tremolo block.
HMA blocks are not fit for purpose, and they're not fitted to make the guitar sound better - they're fitted because it's a few cents cheaper to make because HMA costs less than steel.

Try and make sure any Strat you might buy has a steel tremolo block.

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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:21 am
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Anything new will depreciate. Anything second hand is likely to have bottomed out....but, as a complete Strat novice you are a prime candidate for being burned with a fake. This being the case I would suggest new and, as money isn't an issue, go for the Professional Series.

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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:48 am
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stratmangler wrote:
Avoid anything with a HMA tremolo block.

I respectfully disagree. A high mass alloy block won't kill a good guitar, and a milled high end tuned and blessed steel block won't turn a lousy instrument to gold.

But to the original question...
A "collectible" guitar keeps its value best when not played at all. As an investment, only vintage Fenders seem a sensible and somewhat justified choice, and even with those, it's a big investment/big risk.
For the play some years, get the money back in a couple of years purpose, I'd suggest a second hand MIJ "reissue" - eighties if you want to gamble a little, otherwise any year will do.
Or a MIM, a Highway One, a Lonestar (and there are plenty more), if you want a workhorse.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:21 am
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jmattis wrote:
stratmangler wrote:
Avoid anything with a HMA tremolo block.

I respectfully disagree. A high mass alloy block won't kill a good guitar, and a milled high end tuned and blessed steel block won't turn a lousy instrument to gold.

But to the original question...
A "collectible" guitar keeps its value best when not played at all. As an investment, only vintage Fenders seem a sensible and somewhat justified choice, and even with those, it's a big investment/big risk.
For the play some years, get the money back in a couple of years purpose, I'd suggest a second hand MIJ "reissue" - eighties if you want to gamble a little, otherwise any year will do.
Or a MIM, a Highway One, a Lonestar (and there are plenty more), if you want a workhorse.

I agree with jmattis.
Personally, I would go brand new MIM Standard to start out with, to see if you even like the Stratocaster. If you'd like to try a steel trem block...you can get them for $20 and switch it out yourself (it's easy). If you DON'T like it, you can get about $400 of your $600 back. You can move up (in cost) from there (and 'cost' does not always dictate 'quality').

Best thing to do if money is no object; go to a "hands on" guitar/music store and physically play and handle each one on your list and see what feels and sounds best to YOU. Keep in mind, a high end guitar may not give back a better ratio of money on your investment as the MIM---i.e. You buy a $1,600 Strat, and hate it later on...you might get $1,200 for it, but now you're out $400 instead of $200.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 10:12 am
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John Sims wrote:
Anything new will depreciate. Anything second hand is likely to have bottomed out....but, as a complete Strat novice you are a prime candidate for being burned with a fake. This being the case I would suggest new and, as money isn't an issue, go for the Professional Series.



John's advice is sound here.

I'd suggest the same, a professional series, or something right around that price range.

I wouldn't suggest to go with anything too expensive at this time, you might find out a stratocaster, while a fantastic choice, may not be the right guitar for you. you might at the of the day, find your hands / ears are more suited to a Les Paul, or an SG, or even a PRS, a telecaster, or any one of the dozens of great choices available..

having a few electrics of varying make/build is a pretty good end point too..

And remember, the hunt is half the fun.. Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 3:16 pm
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Thanks guys. I'm not saying money is no object... it is, but I'd rather not cheap out and lose money in the long run and I can afford to get a nice one. Would prefer something that I'll will want to hang on to, enjoy playing and that maintains it value even if I play it. Would like something that stays in tune using the Tremolo if possible.

So far, what I'm hearing is:
- Nothing wrong with a new MIM ($600). Low cost/low risk - It will drop in value losses are manageable. Maybe even a used MIM would be fine since its already depreciated.
- Professional series is a safe bet ($1350-$1600 new on Sweetwater)
- Buyer beware if I go with a used or allegedly vintage one.
- Vintage Fender could be collectible, but maybe not a great choice if I plan to play it
- Second hand MIJ "reissue" could be a good middle ground between collectible and just buying one to play
- Enough disagreement on the tremolo block that its probably more of a personal preference. Or I can swap out a HMA for steel with little effort.
- Go to a reputable hands on shop and play a few

Thanks for the advice!


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 3:55 pm
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I personally own 14 Fender strats.

If you're will to spend $1300 for a Professional series, I'd recommend trying to find a late 80's or early 90's Fender strat plus.

If you look hard enough, you might find a good example for as low as $800-$900 .

This would be a guitar that will offer you A LOT of tonal possibilities and should hold it's value if you ever sell it down the line.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:24 pm
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Quote:
and should hold it's value if you ever sell it down the line

Having just sold one in poor, unoriginal condition for virtually what I paid for it (OK, I bought it donkey's years ago, but I've had good use of it), I agree Strat Pluses do hold their value for not too great an outlay. And they are nice guitars!

My only dislike was the sharp-radius 90's edges. They just don't look as nice as the 'Original Contour' bodies, in my opinion. You might also say the Lace Sensor p/ups don't look as nice without pole-pieces - not that that bothered me. If you're OK with those points, however, yes, a decent Plus is good all round, for playing and as a reasonable investment.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 6:41 pm
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Peter S wrote:
Quote:
and should hold it's value if you ever sell it down the line

Having just sold one in poor, unoriginal condition for virtually what I paid for it (OK, I bought it donkey's years ago, but I've had good use of it), I agree Strat Pluses do hold their value for not too great an outlay. And they are nice guitars!

My only dislike was the sharp-radius 90's edges. They just don't look as nice as the 'Original Contour' bodies, in my opinion. You might also say the Lace Sensor p/ups don't look as nice without pole-pieces - not that that bothered
me. If you're OK with those points, however, yes, a decent Plus is good all round, for playing and as a reasonable investment.


A little over a year ago, I was able to pick up 3 '90 Fender Strat Plus guitars.

1 I got for $325, and the other 2 I got for $800 each.

I think they're well worth what I paid, and should have no problem getting my money back on them if I end up selling them down the line.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:35 am
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Quote:
I think they're well worth what I paid, and should have no problem getting my money back on them if I end up selling them down the line.
This was the point I was making. And you've paid prices that us Brits can only dream about! :D Even over here they're a good buy!
Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:01 am
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Getting your money back if you sell after a few years is a terrible return on investment. It's the same as keeping your money under your mattress. Worse than a savings account -- and a savings account is a bad investment. Buy mutual funds for an investment.

Buying a vintage guitar is a speculative investment. Historically that's had a good return on investment, but there's no guarantee that will be true in the future.

Otherwise, a guitar is a commodity. You buy it because you enjoy it.

People spend lots of money on bigscreen TV's and computers, knowing they'll drop drastically in value as soon as they take them out of the box. Knowing that they'll be outdated in a few years, and eventually they'll just be broken trash.

People pay financing fees for cars. They pay a bank more than the car's purchase price for the privilege of driving something that loses value with every mile. And that will most likely end up in a junk yard eventually. A couple of sets of nice tires costs as much as a good guitar.

A guitar will outlive you. It'll never be outdated or obsolete (unless you buy some weird modeling guitar-thing).

The return on investment is the joy and pleasure it gives you. If you end up losing 50 cents a day, big deal.

Find a Strat that makes you say "wow, I want that one!" Play it. Polish it and stare lovingly at its beauty. That's much more rewarding than breaking even, or even making a couple of bucks.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:43 pm
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The Strat is the most common and copied guitar on the planet. If I had any sense, I would have kept my 1966 Strat. That would have been an investment. They were still fairly rare back then. It's not that way now. Find one you like and play it. It will last you a lifetime, but don't buy it hoping it will maintain value.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 4:29 pm
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Quote:
That's much more rewarding than breaking even, or even making a couple of bucks.
Couldn't agree more, and you'll note that I did say that I'd got almost the same money back on what was basically a knackered Plus, but that I'd had it donkey's (so inflation meant that I hadn't really got 'almost the same money back').

If the repair of that Plus had been economically viable, believe me, I'd have had it done, but it wasn't. The only point I was making was that - even declaring and showing all its faults - I still got an amazingly good price for it.

And that's one of the OP's questions, assuming he's not going to buy one of Jimi's Strats or similar. And even then, as you imply, you'd need to be lucky to make a real killing. A Plus is a reasonably priced Strat (even in GB) on which - if you forget inflation - you could well get back what you paid.

Didn't want to stir up a hornet's nest with this; just giving an opinion which hopefully might help the OP!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Looking to buy - what makes a strat maintain value
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:37 pm
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Go to shops , play a bunch of Strats, then buy the one that speaks to you. Then, take very, very good care of it, put in the case when you're not playing it (you did buy a case, right?), and don't modify it in any way, at least nothing that can't be reversed easily. Which is the beauty of a Fender bolt-together guitar. But remember that, like anything else, be it cars, houses, etc., if you pay a bunch of money to mod something, you will never ever get your money back out of it.

Get a sunburst, try to get one with the body seam down the center, keep all of the case candy and paperwork, and get a rosewood fretboard, because they will soon disappear, to be replaced by something cheaper. Don't use any so-called "wood-care" products, especially anything that contains silicone (with an "e"). Use an old, soft, cotton t-shirt to wipe it down before putting back in the case. Use common household white vinegar (dirt cheap) if you really need to de-grime it. Don't *pour* anything on the fingerboard, put it on the cloth first.

And whatever you do, NEVER put your guitar anywhere you wouldn't put your dog. If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your dog, and it's too cold for you guitar.


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