It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:38 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 26 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:58 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 4:03 pm
Posts: 39
Ok, I have a chance to buy a used 2009 American Standard Strat. The serial number checked out and matches the color, model and everything on the Fender website ( serial number search ).

I'm checking the guitar out on Saturday, what else should I look out for?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:26 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Mods, non-standard aftermarket parts, signs of abuse, damage, and/or neglect.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:13 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
Posts: 2238
Location: UK
Check absolutely everywhere you can for comparable guitars - eBay, Reverb etc etc. Look at all the pictures and note anything that looks different.

Look for wear and tear. If the frets are shot then you could buy a new MiM (which will be a comparable/better guitar) for the same money potentially.

The market is awash with used MiA's so don't feel any pressure to buy unless you are 101% happy.

_________________
John

After all this time I should be better.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 2:57 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 4:03 pm
Posts: 39
Thanks guys!

Here's a picture of the guitar I was planning to check out this weekend:

Image

and here's the serial number:

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 3:07 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2014 1:50 am
Posts: 5667
Location: Arizona USA
I have the same guitar except mine is much older. It's my favorite guitar. Good luck!

_________________
Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 7:26 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 4:03 pm
Posts: 39
Here's another one I was also considering, a 94 US Strat:

Image
Image

2 string trees?

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 7:38 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:28 pm
Posts: 1594
Location: SoCal, US
I think that's a '99 (N9xxxxxx)
Both look legit, depending on the price.
I like the blue one and the case candy is the icing on the cake.

_________________
-- Rich


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:49 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 4:03 pm
Posts: 39
CB91710 wrote:
I think that's a '99 (N9xxxxxx)
Both look legit, depending on the price.
I like the blue one and the case candy is the icing on the cake.


Yeah, both looks legit. The red one is a 2009 am standard, the blue is a '94 strat with '59 pick ups. the red is C$250 more expensive but has the OHSC. Blue has a gig bag. Leaning towards the red unless the Blue seller brings his price down by at least $100.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:09 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:39 pm
Posts: 1339
Yeah I would go for the red one.
More likely to be in better condition and may have less fret wear.
It looks well looked after and because it is more recent and has the case is worth the extra just my opinion of course :D


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 12:54 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
Posts: 2238
Location: UK
I think I would go with the red (I don't like red guitars generally) as I prefer a maple board.

Also I am nervous of the metallic blue. I have seen examples where the paint didn't adhere properly and, when chipped, comes off in large chunks.

Otherwise the guitars are very similar. If you could establish fret wear this could be the key factor.

_________________
John

After all this time I should be better.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 1:16 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 661
Location: Cambridge UK
Quote:
the blue is a '94
No, N9 is a 1999. The other is a 2009. The big difference is the edge radius on the '99 body will be a lot smaller/squarer, which some people (including me) don't like. The body shape on the 2009 will be original (or close to it). A work of art!

That's the case in GB anyway. The new (old!) body shape didn't start till 2000. Perhaps in the US you got 1999's with the new (old) body shape - I don't know - but I don't think you've got one here (looking at the headstock).

Or perhaps none of this matters to you at all! :lol:In which case, as others have said, fret wear is the main consideration.

Cheers - Peter.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 2:06 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:53 pm
Posts: 1642
Location: Space Station #5
Whichever you choose, ask the owner to let you watch him/her adjust the truss rod in both directions before you buy it. You don't want to buy a guitar with a broken truss rod.

_________________
"Today Atlantis, tomorrow the world!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:21 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:28 pm
Posts: 1594
Location: SoCal, US
Peter S wrote:
Quote:
the blue is a '94
No, N9 is a 1999.

This. In '76 there HAPPENED to be a series that were "76xxxxx", but starting in '76/'77, Fender moved to using a letter to indicate the decade, and the first number in the SN reflected the year.
It fell apart for a while in the 80s with the CBS sale and shift to Japanese production, but was pretty much back in place (for US production) in the 90s.
S7 = '77, S8 = '78, S9 = '79, E0 = '80... etc...
Notice the difference in font between the "N9" and the "4".
If it is being represented as a '94 and the seller is insistent, walk away, it is a '99

_________________
-- Rich


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 2:44 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 4:03 pm
Posts: 39
Thanks everyone for the replies. Really helpful.

I decided not to push through with the purchase, and will put my money on the new Strat Player instead. ( even if its a MIM at least I have peace of mind)

Factors that held me off on the purchase:

1. The ReD strat seller did not want to give me his phone number and address and want to meet somewhere instead.
2. The BLUE strat seller insists that its a '94. The backplate is missing as well.
3. The amount they both were selling the guitars for were almost the price of a new Player, with the Blue strat only a couple of hundred lower.
4. I really did not like the color of the two, I was after the "MIA" thing.

Your replies were really helpful in my decision. You guys are a great bunch! Good day to y'all!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What should I look out for? ( Buying used )
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 4:28 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:28 pm
Posts: 1594
Location: SoCal, US
BluesmanAsWell wrote:
1. The ReD strat seller did not want to give me his phone number and address and want to meet somewhere instead.

Not offering a phone number is odd, but personally, I will only meet at the buyer's home, or a neutral location.
Too many scams and dirtbags out there... I'm not going to invite someone into my home who I *hope* is going to buy one of my guitars or guns... and at that point, they are completely aware that I have many thousands of dollars worth of guns and guitars at that location.
Nope... not going to happen. Unless you are a personal friend, we are meeting in a parking lot somewhere.

_________________
-- Rich


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 26 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: