I know a few of you out there have this model, You know if this is a decent price?

Looks like the knobs have been switched out, and the pickup config


http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/1420186731.html

Ooooooold Japanese Strats were just AMAZING quality... those early 80s models actually saved the company during the CBS-FMIC transition, because they were the only guitars Fender was selling in the US lol. Looks like a fair enough price. Haggle a little, but it's a good guitar. Of course, see it in person before you buy, and it it's something you like, pick it up.

Looks like ebay prices are about $350-400, so thinking it's a little high.

I already bought 1 guitar this week, a MIM telecaster for $90 that I'm supposed to pick up tomorrow.

It's a decent price, but it looks like he might have added in the price for the SD pups.

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

Nice looking guitar, if plays well I would have no problem with that price.

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Japanese strats are outstanding. China, Korea, Taiwan, wherever else - you're gambling. But the vast majority of bigger things that come out of Japan are some of the highest quality things you'll ever see. It's just their whole culture, way of life and absolute perfectionist/pride thing.

That price seems good to me. Not a great bargain, but when I buy a guitar I want a good price for the best, not just the lowest price. Big difference.

If those are the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbuckers pick it up, it's an excellent buy.

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I recently bought a 1985 Contemporary Stratocaster just like yours for $212 that is in good condition. It is a nice guitar, with high build quality and excellent playability. I think that $500 is a little high, so it should be in near mint condition (9.5-10). It should have the System 1 tremelo arm for that price. It is a hard item to find, as mine did not come with the guitar, and I am having a little trouble finding the trem arm. Good luck!!
Here is mine!!

I emailed the guy last night right after I posted it here to ask if he had the original arm and knobs with the "f" and he hasn't written back. So I guess he's not in too much of a hurry to sell it.

I bought my MIJ squier about the same time, and remember really liking the Contemporary Strats, but they were out of my price range. I was 17 at the time.

Here's some pics of the Tele I picked up today. It's a 2005 MIM, my first tele. The guy said the bridge pickup cuts out sometime, so I'll have to look at that and maybe replace it, has a few chips, one pretty good size, but neck is good, and cant beat the price. Got the SKB hardshell case for an extra $20.

[quote="JasonSD"]I emailed the guy last night right after I posted it here to ask if he had the original arm and knobs with the "f" and he hasn't written back. So I guess he's not in too much of a hurry to sell it.

You are correct about the "F" knobs. They are also unique in that they are only on certain models. In my photo, you can see that I replaced the stock knobs with regular stock Strat knobs. the original tone knob had the plastic disc that sits atop the knob missing, and it looked kinda wrong, so those are in the case, and I used regular knobs. The TBX tone control is pretty cool, in that it offers some nice variety of tones from just 2 pickups. All in all, I am pretty happy with the guitar. I just need to find the System 1 trem parts I need at a REASONABLE price. Good job finding the Tele!!!!

Yours has the TBX? My strat pluses have it, but I don't use it a whole lot.

Been playing the tele about an hour and it hasn't cut out yet, so don't know what the issue is yet.

So I finally heard back from the guy from the craigslist ad. I emailed him asking if he had the original knobs and tremolo. He wrote back and said he does.

So maybe I'll go check it out if I get a chance.

The HM Strat series has the f knobs and TBX. Those are the ones to get.
24 frets ,better locking nut,truss rod and same Japan quality.
I bought one new in late 80`s and still have it.

Your HM Strat must be a little different than mine. I have a 1990 HM Strat and a 1985 Contemporary Strat HH. While they do share the same "F" knobs with the rubber wrap grip, the HM has an HSS set up with a toggle switch for tapping or splitting the humbucker. I am not sure, as mine came with EMGs and a pre amp boost that is now hooked up to the stock toggle. I don't beleive the HM came with TBX tone controls, like my Contemporary does. If your HM came with the TBX circuit stock, that makes those much more like the Contemporary models from a few years earlier.
I saw the Contemporary Strats referred to as "Boxer" models in a Japanese catalog recently. Ever heard of a Boxer Strat??? Mine is a ST-555EX model according to the neck and body markings.