Hey all, I'm a Marine and currently deployed to Iraq. I'm looking to get a Strat and get it shipped out to me to play, so no sense in buying something brand new. I'm looking for all single coils (not an HSS), maple fretboard, something with a relatively beat up body but still playable.

The problem I'm having is all the "worn out" strats are going for thousands of dollars, because it's the cool thing to have. So, is there any hope to finding a beat up strat that isn't going to cost me a ton?

I was only going to be out here until June, but now it looks like an extension until mid 2010... I'm jonesin' for a Strat! Help anyone?

Places like http://www.zzounds.com/ will ship to APO, not sure if they carry used.

Yeah, I've checked them out... they don't carry used though, More or less looking for somewhere that might not be popping up on search engines and such... Shipping APO isn't the biggest deal either, If theres a place that only ships to the US I can get it sent to my family in Ohio and have them ship it out here for me.

Either that, or if someone has an old Strat their looking to get rid of, I'd do that too! Thanks alot though, I need all the help I can get!

I'm sure you've tried eBay and Craigslist.

Check Elderly http://elderly.com/brand/30U_fender.html

They always have used stock there.

I have seen tons of worn looking guitars on ebay

Yeah, I'm slightly wary about e-bay, never used it before... I've heard horror stories and stuff..

Have you tried http://www.daddys.com/ ? I haven't bought from them but I know they carry used gear.

Good luck with your search, sir, and thank you for your service!

I've got a couple of questions

1) What is your price range?

2) Are you gonna leave it or take it back home with you?


....also, just out of curiosity, do you have an amp over there?

I will trade you my worn MIA SSS Olympic white/ maple strat for an Iraqi AK-47 that has never been fired, and only dropped once.

I'd like to keep it below 300 if possible, like I said MIM would be ok. I plan on taking it home with me, and I'm going to get an amp as well, but those are a little easier to come by than the guitar I'm looking for!

Thanks a lot!

I'd do it, but I think they might stop me at the post office... Thanks though!

Thank you for your service Chief and best of luck on the guitar and all you do!

_________________
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

Do NOT use eBay if you're in Iraq! A number of the military chapels in Iraq have MIA Strats and MIA P-basses on hand. If you're not on a FOB that size the local merchants can get Yamaha Pacificas at cheap prices to tide you over until you get back -- you might even get one on base as a hand-me-down, that's what we did with this acoustic guitar I played while I was there. If that doesn't work have someone Stateside check out a couple of stores/pawnshops, chip in collectively and send one to you. But stay away from eBay while you're deployed!