I just bought a used Strat from a friend but had it first checked at a guitar shop to get an idea of it's value. Guy there looked it up - serial number sez it was made in Corona in '02 - his concern was that it had a chocolate brown /satin finish on the body that according to him Fender never offered as a color choice for Strats. My question: Is this true? Or could this be a custom body color? It is definitely a Strat body - just not sure what I paid for. Thanks for any insight.

Pics are needed.

Satin brown finish....2002...made in USA...hmm...sounds like a HIghway 1. Fender offered a brownish finish on the first generation of Highway 1's. What's the serial number (what makes the guy think its a 2002)?

BUT, and that's a big but, I am just guessing. There is no way to know without seeing pictures. Post pics!!!!

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Thanks for the replies. Been trying to figure how to upload pics but have not been very successful. Any help would be appreciated. BTW -the s/n is z2224109. Thanks again!!

Nevin is correct, I did some checking and it is a 2002 Hwy 1 strat, Mint condition, but after reading some other forums it seems I might have given my friend a great deal at $500. Oh well, it's my first strat...I guess i could have done worst (actually has better tonal quality than my '08 Ibanez)!

@ Nevin - Really? So did I get a good deal @ $500? I was hoping that we both got a good deal...maybe I need to throw a few more dimes his way? So, first run Hwy 1 Strats - semi-rare? And when we talk value is it because it has that distinction (of being the first run production) or were they better crafted then the later versions? Thanks Nevin.

$500 would be a pretty average deal on these; it seems like they have pretty much always sold for $699 new - but these might have only been $599 new when they were introduced.

I wouldn't consider them semi-rare either; they were made from 2002 through 2005 - they changed over to the current model with the larger headstock sometime circa late 2005/early 2006. Fender just purges their model info when they release an updated version.

@ John - When I researched it - the info I came up with is that the '02 - '05 Hwy 1 sold for $699 new. Then in 06' when they came out with the revised model the price went up to $995. Albeit, you can find numerous web sites that offer these "newer" models for $200 to $300 less (bringing it more in line with the first run models.) However, my question I believe was would these guitars have any additional value for being the introductory model or better put the first of it's kind model? Thanks.

PS. How do I become a roadie? I know Sweet Swwet Connie - in her later years she always did roadies - not so much the boys in the band. But then I digress - she's a lot older now and does no one (except maybe herself). Bless her little ol' rock & roll heart.

There is a difference in list price and street price; for example a new Highway 1 lists for $999 and sells for $699 - except for the first 6-7 months of 2009 when Fender prices went up dramatically then went back down to the current levels the Highway 1 has always had a street price of $699 as far back as I can remember. I guess it is possible that in 2002 the street price on a Highway 1 could have been as low as $599.

I should have been more clear - just because this was a first year Highway 1 it shouldn't be worth more than one from a later year. These were produced in the thousands and designed to be a mid-priced model. While that was an unusual color that only lasted a couple of years it wouldn't be a collectable, plus it would be just a production line guitar and not made with any additional care than any other guitar on the line in 2002.