There's a Blue 2003 American Standard Strat at a local pawn shop in very, very good condition for $550. Is it worth it? Will it appreciate? What is it really worth?

If it is in the condition described and without issues, $550 should be a good value! You would need a crystal ball and/or a great deal of time to determine appreciation... I would not bet on it.

Don't know the true value of an 03 Am Standard these days but I can tell ya that I bought a new American Standard in 03 for 750.00. I suspect that what you paid is a fair price providing the tress rod hasn't been fiddled with or even broken off in the neck and the pickups are all original! Standard American Strats do hold their value to a point but doubt they well ever exceed their original cost.

I sold my 03 a few years back as it just didn't want to bond with me. I now have an 08 AM Standard and it's a different creature and has more vib for me. I paid 845.00 for it new.

The SRP most stores sell these guitars for is way over the line but then of course Fender has driven the price up to a point where many young beginning players have to settle for less.

The market value of any guitar is only set buy the desire of a buyer willing to pay the asking price. Hence, you have to find a buyer for the price you are asking.

In my humble opnion, Fender has overloaded the market with solid body guitars and earily on captured the market with good product/s and created the ICON we see today! There mass production abilities to make such a fine product has met and exceeded expectations however, their price for a mass producted product has also exceeded the ability of many players who will settle for less...... Fender will hit the same slump many other instrument manufactures have hit before... Gibson, Gretsch,Harley Davidson etc. have seen better days.

If it sounds and feels good to you, go for it. I think it sounds like a fair price.

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

And if you get a proper Fender HSC.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Sorry, I do not know the answer to that question. I usually do not buy guitars for future resale value. I buy them to play, not to make a profit later down the road. $550 seems like a really good deal one an American Standard. Usually go for 1-2 hundred dollars more depending on the condition. How did it sound with and without the amp?

RK

Check the serial number at the back should have Z3, Z2 on the back.
Remember this guitar should come with a case. If no case it is suspect.

Its around the time that the Fender Highway One Strats had a that same shape headstock. So it could be that or a transplanted American Standard headstock.
In which case its not such a good deal at all.