I'm looking at an MIM lefty Strat on Ebay. The Buy it Now price looks great. You can see it here. Just wanted opinions on it. I would probably want to replace the (probably ceramic) pickups with some stock Fender pickups. What can you tell me about the fit and finish of the MIM's?

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Forget all about that macho s**t and learn how to play guitar!

I believe you can get a MIM Stratocaster for that price on Craiglist that's made in the past 3 years when there have been significant improvements to the tuners, bridge block and neck.

If I were you I would look here (pick closest city) and get a newer and more improved model for that price.

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Electric Guitar #1: Fender American Select Mahogany Stratocaster HSS
Electric Guitar #2: Agile Al-3110 Les Paul
Acoustic: Fender CD200SCE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Amp: Line 6 Spider III 75 75W 1x12 Combo Amp
Piano: Yamaha M450

I've looked around on Craigslist -- it's hard to find a lefty. What improvements were made?

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Forget all about that macho s**t and learn how to play guitar!

Here's one near me for $275 and includes an amp. Too bad you're not around here.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/msg/2132461744.html

Unless the picture is mirrored, it's right-handed. I see a lot of right-handed guitars that are strung left-handed and advertised as lefties.

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Forget all about that macho s**t and learn how to play guitar!

There is nothing wrong with these guitars. I would recommend that any guitar you buy that you play it first, and on your amp if you can rangle it. Many times a guitar you play in the store will sound different when you get home.

For a lefty not a bad price. I'd be concerned about fret wear and neck twist/warp etc. on an older model. It looks like there is nail wear in the fret board so it has had a life. Craigslist is a better option for used, 'cause at least you get to handle and get up close with your potential purchase. I recently picked up a 2007 MIM mint unplayed with gig bag for $200. I would not have bought it sight unseen though. Now if you are talking "new" off ebay then it should be safe.

My two coppers FWIW.

I appreciate the insight to the later model MIM's. I guess I'm defecting to a Tele -- I found one on Ebay that I think I might win. I'll in about 34 more minutes. I've done a lot of business on Ebay and am confident buying used items on there. I've taken part in my fair share of disputes and have always gotten my money back when a deal was sour. Just gotta know how to use the rules.

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Forget all about that macho s**t and learn how to play guitar!