I had a chance to play a very well worn (or real "road worn" if you will) '89 Strat Plus today at a GC. They had it at $899, but just marked it down to $699 with no case. It's out of my price range unless I do some "shuffling" of equipment. It has Lace pickups (Sensor maybe?) and the locking tuners and a roller nut. It felt so awesome in my hands and even with the little talent I have, it let me do no wrong.

Has anyone owned (or still own) one of these? I know without seeing it, a fair assessment can't really be given, but does this seem to be a fair price?




Jim

I have owned and played a 1989 strat plus with the gold lace sensors since, well, 1989.

These are just incredibly good guitars and were pretty much the top of the line production models when they first came out. I love mine and take very good care of it. At that price, I'd say it's a steal unless it's really beat up.

Here's a pic:

Nice rig, plumptone. The front of the guitar and the headstock that I looked at has some dings which I think aren't too bad for 20 years of use. The back of the guitar has buckle rash to the wood and a few dings on the lower bout that show the wood. In some ways it has a lot of character and in some ways, I think "man this thing is beat up." They have had this guitar since January. That makes me think that they either they had it priced too high, or others thought it wasn't a good buy.



Jim

Mine has a couple of dings on the top and side of the headstock from bashing into cymbals in small rooms where ther wasn't enough space. Other than that it's very clean.

The description of the one your looking at sounds like it's been either played a lot or not treated too gently. I don't think there's anything wrong, personally, with spending money on a guitar that speaks to you, whatever shape it's in. So long as all the important components are in good working order, and the set-up is decent, you will probably be fine. If it's sat in the shop that long, you're probably in a strong bargaining position, and I'd be inclined to offer the price they are asking if they also throw in a decent hard-shell case.

For what it's worth, I played mine for almost 10 years before I felt I needed to adjust anything on it. I never touched the set up at all. It's solid as a rock and still an absolute pleasure to play.

Good luck!

Let me also add that when I bought mine new in 1898, I paid $680 for it, I think. I still have the sales receipt somewhere. I'd say the value has held up pretty well. IMHO these guitars are keepers, and really have something very special going on.

They certainly look good!!

The one I am looking at is advertised as Blue, but I have seen them as either midnite blue or midnite purple. I'll keep you posted.



Jim

I have an ultra from '91... it's basically a strat plus deluxe with a few extras; the important parts of the guitar are the same, though -- they're not structurally different. As has been said: Excellent guitars! I saw one like Plumptone's on eBay recently and had to restrain myself from making a bid. My only reservation might be that it takes a lot to beat one of these guitars up, so the one you're looking at may have been subjected to some abuse. Then again, any guitar will show wear eventually... and if this one was gigged often, it's proven itself to be a good player. If it looks like honest wear rather than carelessness, I'd say it's a pretty good price for a great guitar.

Ibought my plus new in March of 1989. its vintage White with the 3 gold lace sensors. its a december 88 neck and a february 89 body I ordered for my birthday(march) I paid around 7 or 7 and a half with the hardcase. I love it. The gold laces have that old Buddy Holly tone with a lot less buzz. If you like the guit git the guit. I agree you should get them to throw in the case. I used to work for GC in the mid 90's what they do is they don't want the case when you trade or sell. If they do take the case you only get .01 cents for it. yep ONE PENNY. so if they have it make them throw it in.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

I went to look at the Strat Plus again after reading everyone's advice. Looking at it with a much keener eye, I discovered more issues than I had the first two times I looked at it. Several frets had dents or grooves in them. Also, there were at least three areas where the finish was bubbled up. Maybe it has been refinished at some point, I don't know. I just wasn't sure about paying $699 for it, even if they threw in a case. I told them I was going to take a pass on it.



Thanks again,
Jim