I got a black 2001 with maple board last summer for $225 with a hard-shell case. I felt like I stole it at that price as it is in absolutely mint condition. I'd go up to $300 for a '01 MIM standard if I just had to have it and it was in perfect condition. I think $250 would be a nice deal again assuming great condition.

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Again just my opinion as always and certainly a highly subjective one at that but, I think a lot of it's more due to the economy more than any thing else in particular. At the serious risk of offending someone, I think this is what sets of a real musician (regardless of playing experience) from the wanna be's, but I've just heard it so often..."Lost my job" or "car broke down" or "kid needed braces" and a thousand other stories about people who sold their guitars because they needed the money. The "music" seems to come second to everything else where as a "real" musician would sell the car or loose the house or whatever long before the guitar ever went. I dunno...I guess it's the difference between "dedication" and a "hobby".

The funny thing is, I've been there myself. Back when my wife went through her run with cancer, for a while there we were flat broke and two months behind on the bills with -no- income at all, yea...I had thought about selling some of the gear but fortunately my wife (who's a musician herself) talked me out of it. We did make it through and I'm glad to say that my wife is ok now...and we still have all of our music gear as well.

As far as why the rosewood strats are going more than the maples...hmmm. That would be a hard one to guess at (I do have a guess, but I'll keep it to myself for now).

Peace,
Jim

I paid $285 including shipping (from North Carolina to LA) on EBay about 3 months ago for a 2001 MIM in VG+ condition. It has just a few light marks of use, no noticeable fret wear, no dings or gouges and one scratch on the back that didn't break the paint.

When I bought my 00 L/H Strat new it was only $290,that price is a bit out of whack.$350 would be the absolute top price for an absolutely mint MIM with a case.I got this estimate from the Vintage Guitar Price Guide.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

It's just as well. I was not too fond of the rosewood anyway.

The search continues.

For our 3 MIM's I paid the folowing:

2001 - Deluxe super strat, sunburst w/ super fat PU's - 325. With that I got a small amp, deluxe bag, and cords, along with a buttload of extra strings. I figured with it being nearly flawless, and a deluxe (same as the deluxe players) and with the raree super fat super strat pups, it was a decent deal. CL find.

2000 standard, bone stock - 170, also flawless condition. Another CL find.

2003 standard, satin finish, w/ texas special pups, otherwise stock - 250, another CL special.

right now I own 4 Fender Mexico guitars, all bought at pawn shops or flea markets.
1996 Standard HSS in rare Red sparkle paid $300 w/ SKB deluxe ABS case
2001 Standard SSS in Brown sunburst, paid $175 no case
2002 Standard Telecaster in Brown sunburst paid $212 w/o case
2004 Classic 50's series Stratocaster in Daphne blue paid $212 w/ basic case
All guitars are in very good to excellent condition(the Tele is spotless!!), and after a complete refurbish and set up, they all play beautifully. 2 are stock, and 2 have replacement pickups. MIMs are very solid guitars for the price, and if you tweak them just a bit, they can play and sound great.