I wouldnt, but not because I think there is something wrong with it.

Notice the ad has some bad information. It lists the '62 Hot Rod and, then, lower on the screen describes the guitar as an Eric Johnson Strat. Im sure its just a mistake, though.

But ask yourself what is really unique about that guitar? How different is it from any number of other Strats that you can pay 1/2 as much for? Its basically an American Standard Strat with an alder/nitro cellulose body, 21 frets, some vintage pickups and tuners/hardware.

You could build that guitar yourself for much less money. You could buy countless MIM Vintage series guitars for $500 or less. If you swap the pickups out, you'd have 90% of this guitar for under $600.

That guitar is a marketing gimmick, in my opinion.

You mean youre interested in these pickups?????

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories

These tuners???

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Strato ... &_osacat=0

How about a nitrocellulose body???

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Strato ... &_osacat=0

How about a vintage bridge?

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Strato ... &_osacat=0

I havent included a neck in here because you either need to be very specific or just pick one. There are plenty of necks out there for under $300.

So, what did I miss? Pot circuits? Add another $35. Knobs, pickguards, etc? Add another $40.

All in, you can build basically that same guitar for well under $1000.

Get your self a basic "how to" book and a reliable tech and you are way in the money versus that $1700 '62 reissue.

I've built one Strat from authentic Fender parts. If you are tool-handy at all, you can easily do it. Its really pretty easy.

There much to learn though. You cant just "slap it together". There is a lot of very minor measuring and tweaking with lots of nuance about it.

But if you buy genuine Fender parts or the "licenced by Fender" products, you will be fine. If you venture into the used parts, you ought to be more careful. But if you buy NOS or new, you will be just fine.

I've said this about 1 million times. I highly recommend guys build at least one Strat. You will learn more about guitars than you ever imagined. Its quite fun. You will save lots of money. You will have exactly the guitar you want. That guitar will be "your" guitar and you will appreciate it much more. It will make you a better player.

There are many very talented, smart and informed guys on these boards. Most of them love talking about this stuff and really enjoy helping guys just like you.

I wouldnt, but not because I think there is something wrong with it.

Notice the ad has some bad information. It lists the '62 Hot Rod and, then, lower on the screen describes the guitar as an Eric Johnson Strat. Im sure its just a mistake, though.

But ask yourself what is really unique about that guitar? How different is it from any number of other Strats that you can pay 1/2 as much for? Its basically an American Standard Strat with an alder/nitro cellulose body, 21 frets, some vintage pickups and tuners/hardware.

You could build that guitar yourself for much less money. You could buy countless MIM Vintage series guitars for $500 or less. If you swap the pickups out, you'd have 90% of this guitar for under $600.

That guitar is a marketing gimmick, in my opinion.

I don't know which Mexican Strats you are referring to. The Classic Series don't go for $500 or less. Maybe a Standard. Isn't the Hot Rod Strat American? What if he wants American? There are differences between Mexican's and American's. If there is any truth to the idea that American Strats use a higher grade of wood than that is the biggest reason to buy that guitar instead of a Mexican. You can't upgrade wood.