You already had 1 offer from Australia Sorry about your grand father

Another great American company (Harley-Davidson) has a program where the company keeps (or buys back, in the case of older models) one example of every model that has ever been produced, all the way back to the #1 from 1903... perhaps you could convince someone at Fender to start the same thing. (If they haven't already) Looks like you have a fine example of Fender's #1 Strat.

Grandpa's memory will always live on in that guitar.

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Well, yes, I am a pirate
A few hundred years too late
The cannons don't thunder
There's nothing to plunder
I'm an under 40 victim of fate
Arriving too late...
Arriving too late...

Im no expert but it looks like someone may have a very rich Nanna. I'd still like to see a still headstock picture, but damn it looks pretty with the moving slideshow.
Lionshead im sincerely sorry about my earlier impatience, scepticism and doubts. I hear stories every week and its made me cynical.

sorry again mate.

p.s are there any nefarious deeds your granma needs doing, im trying to get money together fast, to buy a new/old guitar.

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No no and no

WE all hear these stories and I'm sorry too!!!

Thank you kindly, all. I truly appreciate the warm words.

Yea, the offer already received was a tad low.

We had discussed the possibility of Fender wanting it for archives, etc., but I have to believe that a private collector would be willing to pay more. You never know though...

No worries on the earlier skepticism. I would be too.

Now, time to find a buyer... Unfortunately, my grams doesn't have enough time left on this earth for anybody to do chores to work it off...

Er, well I truly am not the man to be authenticating anything, least of all over the internet. But assuming someone who does know their stuff gives it the thumbs up, then, wow! Number 0385? June 54? Good Lord!

What I do know, Lions-Head, is that you must not think of touching those cracked pickup covers. Removing or changing anything will adversely affect the guitar's value. When real experts to get to see it they are going to be checking all kinds of very small details, such as the solder joints on the wiring harness. Leave it just as it is (though you could put the strings back in their correct slots on the nut, up near the top of the neck. Nobody will object to that).

How fascinating. Have you approached any auction houses or vintage guitar dealers yet? Be most interested to hear what they have to say.

And if it ever does go up for sale, in a shop or at auction, do let us know. It is absolutely not OK to use this website to advertise a commercial sale. But it seems not unreasonable to merely inform us what's going on, perhaps with a link (though I will retract that if Brad thinks differently).

As you can see from six pages of chatter, there's everything from deep scepticism to a wide-eyed desire to believe on this Forum. At any rate, folks are very keen to follow this story, if you'll let 'em!

Best of luck - C

Ah well all the best with it mate.
Out of intrest, please sell the guitar to fender. It looks like a very good example. No fretboard/string issues as were discussed earlier in the thread. Original pickups, trem arm, and the ageing on the back of the neck is divine. I dont even like pre-aged guitars but that neck looks tremendously stained.

wish your Gran all the best from england, sell the guitar quick and take her on a world cruise let the old dear live it up a bit.

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No no and no

Thank you, Ceri.

That is exactly how my grams discovered the full value. She and my granps took it in to their church for maintenance, and the guy said that he would change the strings and "nothing else". He informed them that they had a "classic" worth a lot of money. No "maintenance" has been done nor will be.

I have contacted a few places that were referred to me by the kind folks here. Preliminary negotiations have begun, but they just got the pictures today too.

I will gladly let everybody else know how this progresses. I have received a lot of guidance here; so, it's the very least I can do to return the favor. I hope this story has a very happy ending...

Thanks, Niki. I will definitely entertain any interest from Fender.

Yes, the wear on the stain is amazing to see up close. It still sounds exceptional too.

I keep telling her to "spoil herself" with the money she makes. She has done for tohers all her life, and it's time to enjoy whatever time she has left. She says she will feel guilty...

Since I was the one who believed Lions-Head from his first post, do I get $20 or something ... ?

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

LOL! Good question, 01GT. You definitely have my full appreciation. I would gladly float you $20 from the sell, but I am working for free here.

What's going on with the strings between the tuning pegs and the nut? It looks like you've got some in the wrong grooves. But the bridge and fretboard pictures look normal.

Could you post more pictures? I know we'd all get off on some more Strat porn.

orvilleowner says it looks like a '54.
A well used one!

No early case though? An original poodle case would have capped it off.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Hey Lions-Head, Your guitar looks as original as one can be. I wish you best of luck with the sale, check all options possible and entertain as many offers as you can before deciding who to sell it to.

Now after watching the slides.....i began to salivate.That's a real beauty Lions-head.It looks really relic'd and seasoned over the years......god-damn beautiful!