I`m new to this forum and would like to start by saying hi to everyone here.

I have a 72 American hardtail strat that as some very dumb mods done to it and I would like to know what the value of it might be so I figured I would ask the experts.

First off I know its a 72 American hardtail because several years ago a removed the neck to get to the serial numbers and after matching it with online documentation I was able to confirm what it was.

So I bought this used for very cheap. The previous owner had obviously no clue what he had and did some bad stuff to this guitar.

Here is some pics of it:
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat001.jpg
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat002.jpg
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat003.jpg
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat004.jpg
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat005.jpg
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat006.jpg
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat007.jpg
http://209.160.12.180/photo/fender/72Strat008.jpg

Here is what is wrong with it (that I can see. You guys might see more)
- The original pickups were replaced with these weird ones.. Does anybody know what these are?
- To fit these pickups the original pickguard was carved...
- The body was also carved with a router. Not much wood was removed but it is still pretty sad...
- I`m assuming the knobs and switch are not original either.
- There is some tiny holes drilled in the headstock. I assume he had those locker things (dont know what that is called)
- Lastly, he removed the original Fender Logo from the headstock.

So my question is this. If I were to sell this guitar as is what do you think a ball park price would be?

And what if I were to restore it with new replica parts. (ie. Replica pick guard, new Fender pickups, new Decal on headstock). Would that make it worth more?

Im thinking of selling it because I don't really play any guitar. I woud love to get a good price for it so I could get me a Jazz Master bass.

Anyways, Thanks everybody.

Take a look at what a strat of that era goes for now (ones that haven't been raped like yours)...
Then you have to guess that this guitar will only bring maybe 50-60% or less than those go for...
one way of doing this is looking at completed listings on ebay of similar guitars...
hope that helps

*also keep in mind, I could be wrong... I am not the authority on this, the market is...

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explorationx

Personally I would think about $300 max.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I would tend to agree with this. those were some major mods. major, un reversable mods really put a cap on the value of the piece.

Not having the original parts (pickups etc.) hurts resale. If you plan on reselling a guitar, or even if you think you ever might, down the road,) it is a good idea to remove the stock parts, and carefully store them. replica parts aren't viewed the same as if the original pickguard had been taken off and stored, and a replacement had been hacked up instead.

sorry to say, but a stock guitar from that year, even if the body and neck were in worse shape would fetch a higher price than this heavily modded one.

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I'm finding values in the region of $4650 for '72 Strats in good condition:

http://www.vintageandrareguitars.com/we ... /item/3503

Sadly, this one ain't even through the gate of the ballpark. I expect those pickups seemed such a smart idea at the time.

On the other hand, it's for a guitar's owner to do anything he likes to make it play better, to his own taste. That's the advice we've all given out to owners of present day Strats many times...

Cheers - C

That is pretty high. If bss is right that I might be able to get 50% of what it's worth that would be great. Even 25% of that. Anything is better then 300$ haha.

It is pretty sad such a nice guitar was butchered like that and is now worth almost nothing...

Maybe with a new pick guard and actual Fender pickups it will go for a little more because at least it will look and sound like a Strat again.

Thanks guys.

Unfortunately even a new pickguard and Fender pickups would not get you much more than $300 because of the condition of the body and neck.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I was looking at the finish, and it looks to me like the finish was stripped, and done by an amatuer. Fender ususally laid out a nice smooth finish, whether it be ploy or nitro. This guitar has visable grain in the finish. That was never indicative of a stock Fender finish.
I have my doubts as to wether it is even a Fender Strat. Also, did Fender use stamped tuners on its MIA Strats? I thought that even as far back as 1972, they used Kluson vintage style, or diecast tuners, not the inexpensive stamped units.
Also, unless you refinished the neck and headstock, why would ANYBODY remove the Fender logo and model name???
Just some questions from someone who doesn't know everything.

If you like it, you should just keep it. I agree with Chet except I wouldn't pay $300 for it. If the neck is original or not refretted by a hack, I'd go $125 -$150 max. The body is seriously butchered.

Hi paisley strat: not my area of expertise by a country mile. But I notice that the Strat I linked to above has the same F logo tuners as Mr lupien's guitar. I'm presuming therefore that they're kosher on a '72.

Interested in what you say about the finish. Hadn't thought about that before, but you're right, that's far more than just lacquer sink, isn't it? Perhaps a colored body that was stripped to make a natural finish as those were starting to become fashionable?

BTW: did anyone notice two filled screw holes a couple of inches behind the bridge in the first photo? Almost as if that Strat had a bass style bridge cover fitted at some point. Bizarro...

Cheers - C

I saw those holes too ceri, don't know what to make of em. maybe a trapeze style bridge spent a little time there?

If oyu look closely, there is a lot to worry about. missing screws on the pick up rings(shows a real lack of care and attention imo,) holes on the headstock, was there a floyd type string retainer there at one point?or worse, one of those string dampener dealies, that were semi popular with shredders in the late 80's and early 90's? look at the neck plate, one of the bolts looks almost completely stripped? Does that mean someone had some issues with neck stability, and just tightened the hell out of it? There are way to many questionable points on that guitar, I can't see getting very much for it. maybe put it on Ebay, and call it a relic, and talk about Mojo?

What does it look like under the pickguard? I can't imagine it is very pretty, seeing what is visible.

I am glad the current owner 'got it cheap' someone really went to town on that guitar, and didn't take much care.

I agree with Chet I think if you bought a new pickguard and new fender pickups for it, you might not even be able to get the value of those purchases back.

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Just glanced back through this thread:



It occurs to me, you understand I'm not saying yours would get anything like that? I was just drawing a comparison with what it could have fetched, un-messed with.

I don't know, but the $300 previously mentioned for this Strat in its current state sounds fair.

You've not shown us the routing beneath the pickguard, but more than anything else that is what would put me off. Not interested in its "vintage" value, but it's the routing that fundamentally spoils it as a save-able instrument. Odd, cos that's the bit that doesn't show - but there you go...

Cheers - C

Well this isn't what I wanted to hear about my freak strat but it's what I expected...

I`m kinda of scared to take the pick guard off to see whats behind. But i will anyways. When I get home tonight i`ll take it apart.

The previous owner was a total douche. Spoiled guy that thinks he can build guitars better then fender..lol. I suspect there will be black eletrical tape in below the pick guard.... Maybe you can get a laugh from it

If I get a chance I`ll look for any serial numbers or whatever I can find.

Thanks. I knew this forum would have answers.

Whenever life gives you lemons........ Make lemonade!!!


Since the damage has been done. Use this guitar to experiment with making repairs/mods.
You might even end up with a guitar you love to play!

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Put a logo back on the neck, the right way then take it apart and sell the parts on eBay. You're likely to fetch more money that way, it'll just take longer.