Hi all, I have been offered an opportunity to purchase this Strat at $500 AUD.

It's a 1993/1994 MIJ 57 RI 2 Tone Sunburst Stratocaster

From speaking with the current owner, it sounds like the Strat is in all original condition as per factory specs but with only one repair to be done which is to replace the nut on the neck.

I have been chasing a 57 RI Japanese Strat for a long time.

Is this a good purchase at this price?

Are 93/94 MIJ 57 ri's a good quality made strat?

I only have this one pic so please be gentle with me..lol..

Thanks.

Does $500 AUD come in at around $550 USD? I am not sure of the currency conversion.

WHat I can tell you is the MIJ instruments are high quality, I had a MIJ Strat that I miss dearly and I recently bought a MIJ Tele.

I would find out how much the repair will cost and offer him $500 AUD - repair cost. I think $400-$450 is reasonable for this instrument, assuming the nut is repaired and all the electronics are working properly. I'd want it repaired first so I could play it before buying it, but that is just me.

Everyone will tell you different figures about how much to spend on a MIJ instrument, but you have to make that decision in the end. They are quality instruments though.

$500 AU = $458 US = £276

A real bargain in my book at that price.

Infact if you dont, let me know, I will.

Make sure they put some strings on it though

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No no and no

Yep, it sure is.

Yes.

If you decide not to go for it let us know - because I can get to the airport quicker than Nikininja.

- C

Hey Kineman, you are in Australia, tell us what you know about Kinman pickups? I am the forum spokesperson for them so I would love to hear your opinions!

And if you can get any discounts let me know, we will have to work something out!

Yeah but I've family on that side of the globe that will run round there and snap it up for me.

Seriously that guitar is well worth a closer inspection with the green in your back pocket. £276 for that, even with problems its a steal. Just make sure its strung up when you get there. It could be suffering from terrible neck-bow. Hence the lack of strings.

At the asking price, even thats not a deal breaker though.

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No no and no

My wife has so much family in Australia! And none of us want to argue with the MacAllisters!!!

Ooo - I feel a Gumball Rally type situation coming on. Who can be first to the MIJ '57 RI...?

Cheers - C

For that price you cant go wrong as that is a very well made guitar.

Yery nice strat....get it.
Let us know how it turns out for you!

HI All, Thanks for the positive replies.

Well this will be purchase #12 of Fender Stratocasters.
"I know I know, I have a problem"..lol.

As per the broken nut, that is the reason why the Strat didn't have any strings on it in the photograph.

The current owner assure's me that the neck is straight. If it is not I will bend his neck...

Once I recieve it and after I get it up to playing standard, I will repost with my feelings on it and yes with PIC'S...lol.

In relation to Kinman PUPS, I have been playing live music here for over 25 years and all the goss I've heard from other guitarist on Kinman PUPS is that they are really only easily accessable for the big boys club.

The general population of Axe Shredders in the Adelaide live music scene from my experience state that Kinman PUPS sound awesome but are too expensive.

This is unfortunate because I think they would do really well with being competitive with other PUPS on the market if Kinman drop their prices.

Well, Great news guy's......I now own this baby!!! woooo whoooo...

Soon I will repost with pic's and let ya know what my thoughts are on it's own natural voice.

I will be letting it sing through a Fender HRD 410...

Thanks again for your interest...

1993 MIJ Fender Tobacco Sunburst 57 ri Stratocaster....finally I've got one..

When you say the big boys club you mean people who know Chris personally?

I have played 3 guitars with Kinmans in the and the Broadcaster pups are simply unreal!!! I've never heard anything like them! The price isn't bad for what you get but still steep at $250 for a set. Still I think it is worth it for the tone you get out of them.

I've talked to others from Australia and they all said the same, that you need to really know someone to get a discount and the music stores even sell them at the same price as the website.

If he would lower his prices he would own the market. Other than the Lollar pups, no one else has anything on his product. Plus him being in Australia and not mainstream makes it a little bit more difficult, but Kinmans are the best kept secret for sure.

Thanks for the info.

If you have the cash, I'd buy it. The MIJ's are very well built guitars (plus I really dig a good 'burst)

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Hi Mate, Im glad you purchased that strat because that was a bloody good deal. I was in the market for a japanese fender but I am now in the process of buying a '93 strat plus in met. turqouise

$500AU is a bargain, I would expect to pay NZ$1000-1300 for this- well done

Are Japanese Fenders that much of a rarity up there Ceri and Nik?

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