I'm saving up to buy an american standard strat, and I'm curious to find out if there is anything justifying Fender's price increase. Guitar Center is keeping '08 prices until April 1st, and I want to find out if there are any changes to the '09 models that warrant a $300 increase. Otherwise, I'll buy one now to "save" $300.

Thanks.

I think the price increase are more so caused by the fact that the materials are going up in price. Some major changes to the American Standard where done in 2008, so I wouldn't expect anything drastic for 2009. Now is a great time to buy one (I did =) )

Ok, so GC is still goin with the 08 prices, but are those the 09 guitars, or still the 08's they have left over?

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

They are NOS leftovers, some from 2008 and some even from 2007.

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You dig?

the price increase is because the economy sucks.

because the economy sucks, the price of wood and all other materials has gone up. and an economist will tell you that this directly correlates to a increase in price for the final product, because Fender is looking to make some profit.

Have you seen the price of wood lately? its damn near ridiculous.

Also, Fender has not raised prices in many years. You can turn this around and say that "Fender was keeping prices down low for as long as they could".

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

I just got an 08 AmStd HSS for $1,096 -- the old price -- at GC. The salesman (who I've worked with before) said he wasn't aware of any significant changes in 2009. The price increase is likely due to the economy.

For contrast, I saw that same model in the AMS catalog for $1,274.99 and an additional $145 for the Sienna Sunburst finish.

The only issue you may have is that the 2008 prices are good only on in-stock models. If they have to order for you, it will be at 2009 pricing. The supply of AmStd and AmDeluxe at the GC in Sherman Oaks (CA, part of LA) was getting fairly limited. They had a few sunburst, one white and one black and not much else. They still had quite a few MIM at the 2008 price though..

GC has low prices right now in the store (slightly higher than 08 but lower than 09) For example, right at the beginning of the month, I went in and bought a MIM standard (2009). Their website and others have this for around $550. In the store, it's $450. The 08 models are running a bit under $400. I went back in this week, they still have those same prices. But, I'd imagine they may push them up, since it looks like most places are selling them for around $550.

Thanks for all of the info.

Sorry for beating a dead horse with this topic, but I just joined the site and I haven't looked through the recent threads.

Materials going up in price! Who is buying them in a dead economy? Demand fuels price! Where is the demand? Seems like suppliers would have to cut prices to stay in business. No sales no business.

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Charlie P 5E3 Build 6-14
2x12 cab Build 16, 5e3 Built 3-4-16
6G3 Head Build 3,3,18
Fend HSS Am DLX Strat 08
Fend MIM Telebot Dlx 11 Tronical Tuner
Fend SupSonic 60 2010
Gibson Robot 08, Gib. Faded Ch LP 07
Gret. G5420 16, Peavey VK112 08,

this would be true, except the demand is still there. people still want guitars, no matter what the price is.

Price of raw materials has not gone up in the last year Wood cost is down. Many mills last year had to stop production becasue the price and demand was low and steel was way down. Lumber has been dropping since April last year and they are predicting it to stay down and drop more. Steel prices (Hot Rolled coil and plate ,Cold, Wire,) has beem dropping like an egg since July.
I think its just a case of end user company needing money. Follow the market and you will see most materials cost are down.

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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

Many California companies have had to cut costs/raise prices quite a bit over the past year. Materials have gone up, tax rates have gone up, fuel costs sky rocketed for a long time and so on. Even minimum wage went up two years in a row (07 and again in 08) after a 5 year moratorium.

I realize that same condition applies other states and countries as well but I'm most familiar with California. The fact is that I'd have been surprised had there not been either a material price increase or significant outsourcing of functions from Corona to elsewhere.

Bougt a new Am. Standard Strat in Olympic last week at GC. If you use the 10% off coupon on the back of the GC catalog, you can get one for about $925 out the door. Better do it now....this price is only good on "in stock" guitars only.

Materials prices
http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/? ... &months=60
http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/? ... &months=60
http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/? ... &months=60
I dont see where wood or metal have gone up at all in fact the opposite. I follow these things looking for investments and just trying to understand.

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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