I am old enough to remember when post CBS 1970s Strats were considered junk, and nobody(even me) wanted to pay much for them. Now it seems that they have increased in value, or at least perceived value. They are still the same guitars, but are just veiwed differently.
I think the same thing is happening now to the Fender Japan products. When I bought my '72 RI MIJ Strat in 1988, I paid $330, now it is valued by some publications at over $1000. But when I bought it, it was just a Japanese Strat, and was veiwed as lesser than an MIA Strat. Time has shown the E series MIJ Strats to be excellent guitars, and excellent values. Rivaling MIA products of the same vintage. The big difference between MIJ and MIA is that the Fender Japan axes were not produced and imported in the same quantities as the MIA Strats. They are harder to find, and if my economics classes taught me anything, high demand + low supply = increase in value.
It all comes down to this, my wife tells me that my guitars are only worth XXX amount of money IF I sell them to somebody who wants it badly enough. If I offer a Strat for $1,000, and my best offer in hand is $650, is it still worth $1,000???? Who knows. I would have to find the person willing to pay the amount I am asking, and that may never happen.
Very interesting topic. Good Show!!

That's right, very unpredictable.

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VG maybe, the Big Block Strat, the American Deluxe Mahogany Strats I can see being valuable, whose to say. The next great guitar god might choose the Cyclone as his guitar of choice, sending the prices of that skyrocketing.

haha thanks man. I try to make it a point to know as much as possible about Fenders and their values.

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I think the OP was meaning collectability if you read the first post- not investment potential. If you want investment potential = custom shop masterbuilt. team built holds there own, but you can still get a good deal on a 10yr old guitar.

I personally, right at this point would get a better return on my money with the bank on a long term savings account.

I consider my ultra collectable- people are looking for them and there isnt a lot out there. So it's collectable. Is it an investment? Hardly. Well- not now at least. Give it some years and maybe it will be.

Didn't Gilmour use a 70's strat?

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The So-Cal Speed Shop is sure to be collectib;e. I want one everytime it pops up over there→

I would invest in a guitar before a bank with this economy in a blink of an eye. Just a few months ago people were lining up to take there money out for fear of a total collapse. And am I crazy or did the government just sink like a zillion dollars in them to keep them afloat.Blertyles I really think you might have to rethink that one over and grab that 80s reissue 57 or 62 because in five years I can almost guarantee the 3 plus grand you put into the guitar will have a profit that will dwarf the 3 plus grand you put in the bank. My sister has a solid 2 million dollar buisness in which she even owns the building and the bank just turned her down for a mortgage for a house. They got all this help and were giving themselves 10 million dollar bonuses while people were getting laid off and losing there homes. Forget Wall Street, Banks and the big three i would rather take a chance with Fender ,Gibson and PRS if I had to.

I guess if you send it to Egypt and have them stick it in a pyramid to be rediscoverd many many many many many decades from now Yeah good investment.

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There are three main reasons for a guitar to be collectable:
1) It's a rare guitar
2) It's a great quality guitar
3) It's associated with a great player

Sometimes poor quality guitars are collectable just because of their rarity or novelty.

But if you can tick all three boxes, you're onto a winner!

I agree with the comments about Strat Plus (et al)... not least because I own one.

Also, there's some great MIJ guitars around late 70's and early 80's (not just Fender). These can be picked up pretty cheap and my prediction is that they will be very collectable in 10 years time. If you've never played a MIJ Aria Pro II, give it a go... shockingly good quality, especially the necks.

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I guess your banking system isn't returning an 9%p.a on an ordinary savings account.. then again, I could put it in managed funds and get a 19%p.a return. Or even real estate- for a 30%+ p.a return...

are you saying that I would get a better return sinking my money on 80's re-issue strats than putting it in the bank? if it was an american bank- then maybe.. because at the 1.7%p.a BOA offers, id rather put it in my mattress.

Because about 80% of our banks are subsidarys of Australian banks- we havent suffered any financial collapse not anywhere near as bad the extent of the US.

Move down here mate- your greenback's will go a lot further than you would imagine

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Im banking NZ from now on. Who's the most reliable/stable bank round your end Blertes?

I was only getting 7.8% when things were good.

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No no and no

Hmmmm.....I know Ritchie Blackmore used 70s strats exclusively.

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Blertles you had my mind boggled till I realised you come from N.Z. Here in the U.S people were running for the hills to pull there money out of banks for fear of a total collapse and since the Government only insures each person up to $100,000 things just went bust. I have not seen as bad a time here in my 47 years on the planet. Then to top it off I live in N.Y which is one of the most expensive cities in the world to begin with it is just a mess. Then to add insult to injury we have a mayor who is worth over 20 Billion Dollars and you have to here him yaping about how it is tuff for all of us and we have to ride it out.What the hell does he know about roughing it when he is one of the richest guys in the world who came in and raised the price of everything from parking tickets to cigarretes which are just about $10 a pack now. I would also like to know how he came into office 8 years ago worth 5 Billion and in 8 years quadrupled his money while everyone is going broke. Yes Mr Mayor thank you for crunching Park $@!&# in with 500 high rise condos. I guess we know how you made that money and how you totaly disregarded term limits and said you were not leaving. TALK ABOUT BALLS

If the right person plays them, or if someone new breaks it big with one--sure--they will be worth more, and be more collectible.

So if you have one and want it to be collectible--get famous using it.

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