I bought one of these in 2004. They were only made in that year. It has all the commemorative plaques, stamps and on.

What would be the value of the guitar now (it's in near mint condition)?

What is the general trend with limited runs made post 2000? Are they going to appreciate or stay stable - say in 10 years time?

That guitar has a real variable used price in the UK mate. They will accumulate value, however it's still too early to say accurately how much.
I saw one go for £1800, sold (I think it was Strings Direct but can't be sure). Another up for £2400 dunno whether it sold. I've seen em auction and not get above £900 too.

A lot of it depends on how much hype is circulating the model at the time. With the new Deluxes just getting to shelves I can imagine the demand having taken a knock. Still wait till folks see them N3's and the demand for the SCN equipped guitars will likely be back up.

Now really is not the time to sell, everyones skint after Christmas or booking holidays. Personaly I wouldn't let mine go for under £1100

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No no and no

Thanks Niki. Really valuable input. The only reason to sell would be making more space for a Tele that I'm keen to get - not a good reason I know.

So you think they are likely to appreciate then? I guy offered me £1100 in cash for it today. I'm not sure what to do. I don't like the guitar as much as I though I would. I have a Vintage 62RI which sounds much better. I hardly play the Deluxe and the only reason for keeping is an investment for the future. Given that it's a 50th Anniversary, it is part of Fender's history one way or the other...

You also touched on the SCN pickups. What is your opinion on them? To me they sound kind of lifeless. Are the N3's any better? I owned a Custom Shop with SCNs, which I sold - again because of the SCNs.

Rea

SCNs require proper adjustment to sound their best. In general, they need to be set quite low. I have all three of mine in my Strat set to 12/64" (bass side) and 11/64" (treble side) with the high and low E-string fretted at the last fret. They sound sweet to me.

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Bill

I think SCN's are the best Fender pickup in production today. Nice and level response with no mid scoop weakening the sound. As far as claims of lifelessness, well theres a lot more to it than the pickups. The S1 and deltatone don't really do them any favours. And yeah they do need proper adjustment. They also need you to operate the eq on your amp, not rely on a favourite setting for other guitars. My general rule is mids through the roof, treble at 9oclock bass around 3 oclock. I lower the treble to zero and max the bass for SCN's though. Thats on Marshall amps with the volume up.
Sounding like
http://www.carbonlogic.co.uk/artist/the-sidevalves/tush
Middle pickup.

I haven't spent enough time with N3's to accurately judge them. My first thoughts was that its another Vintage Noiseless.

As for selling your Deluxe, well I bought mine for the same reasons as you. I don't like the guitar, rarely play it. It's in the case waiting to be sold. £1100 would be my minimum price, if I needed to get the money now. I'd rather wait and sell it later if the economy recovers.

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No no and no

Out of curiosity, why do you think this particular model might appreciate? At the end of the day it's a normal Deluxe, the only difference being the commemorative plaque, stamp on the pickguard and stitching in the case - hardly features that would set one's pulse on fire. I can understand why a a 1952 Strat might be desirable but a mass produced 2004 model made with the same woods they would be using 10 years from now? If anything, there is an argument that there might be better woods and better pickups...

I mean, I would be happy if it appreciates, just not quite sure what drives it and what level it can reach (say in a 10 - 20 year time).

I think the CustomShop 54 from the same year with the thermometer case is a pretty safe bet to gain value.
This one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1954-Fender-Stratocaster-881-1954-40th-Anniversary-/110638822165?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19c2967315

A very good price on that. 881 of 1954 made. So it's limited, but there are a few around. Keeping the price low now. That will change over time. I'm tempted myself, but won't.

We have a real problem here. The pound is trying to deflate because no one has any dough. People just aren't buying and rightfully so. However parliament is trying to combat that by keeping intrest rates down and increasing tax. So what you pay over the counter isn't changing.
Their squeezing us at both ends. Causing everyone wanting a bargain and no one giving one. Everyone is looking back at old prices and basing their asking price on that. Every buyer is looking at the faux value of the pound in their pocket and thinking 'no way'. A very tricky time to buy or sell anything. The stability of the economy is dropping right away. Were seeing fluctuations in price like never before on day to day highstreet goods.
That will only get worse.

But yep, limited edition CustomShop pieces like the one above are where the investment is. Whether that will be a increase in actual numbers behind the £ sign. Or a relative increase based on the value of the £ in the future compared to the value of the £ today, I dunno.

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No no and no

i have one w/o papaers.
the guitar was bought and stored, but never played.
somehow the papers came up missing over the yrs. i paid $1,100 for mine and havent looked back since. ive played mine like twice since. i love the guitar and the finish.
not a breath mark on it anywhere. i like niki love the pups and think they are of the highest quality anywhere.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

So how would you guys rate the 50th Anniversary Deluxe compared to a stock Am. Deluxe Strat made in 2010 (apart from the N3 pickups, than we touched on already). Would you say the quality of wood, construction and attention to detail would be comparable, worse or better?

I bought a 2004 American Deluxe 50th anniversary this past January - it was DEAD MINT- the plastic still on the guitar and the case goodies still wrapped in the bag. Seriously I don;t think it was ever played- I love this guitar. I paid $ 1250 for it and feel it's worth every dime. the quality of the wood, the abalonie (spelling) inlays on the neck, the hardware- TOP quality- all separate it from the pack. a regular American Deluxe is also very good- although the hardware's not gold- which looks really awesome with the 50th color scheme. I've seen these go for as much as $ 1800 around my area - Minneapolis. Playability is awesome too- the neck is fast, smooth and well shaped. I wouldn't hesitate to get one if you can find it!

In 2004 I bought both the AMSE and the deluxe.
I still own the AMSE.
Both fine guitars, the amse just had a sweet vintage tone to it and I love the two tone burst, 50's look to it (think buddy hollies first record).
Sorry Fender didn't give us a vintage bridge with the Limited editions, it would have realy looked the part !
My amse has the sweetest neck I've ever played.

The cool tweed case and emroidered patch inside was a real nice touch too

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Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

here is a picture of mine next to a frankenstrat I built

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Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

And a picture of me with my 50th

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Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

I bought a pure-mint Limited Edition 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Strat for investment with all labels/tags/stickers intact & unopened case candy - even still has the transparent green covering over the case locks. I'm assuming a pure-mint unplayed 50th Deluxe will accrue in value more than a used or even near-mint example because its in pure collectable condition. Can't comment on value - it's anyones guess as to what makes any Strat collectible & appreciate, but these are limited editions and they are extremely well regarded. I bought if for £775 and would guess its probably doubled in value.

But re features, you're missing some - it has gold hardware, 2-point push-fit (not screw) tremolo, maple neck/board, staggered locking machine-heads, gold 50th anniversary heel plate (it's amazing the number of people who think this alone makes their Strat a 50th anniversary! - it doesn't because Fender put 50th plates on all its strats in 2004!), special one piece parchment scratchguard with laser etched 50th logo, Bill Lawrence SCN p/ups, 2-tone vintage sunburst, alder body, abalone dot inlays, S1 switching system50th anniversary tweed case with 50th emblazened patch.

If it doesn't appreciate or attract buyers say 10 yrs on, I'll probably just use it - it's one of the nicest, sweetest sounding Strats I've ever heard/played (in case you're wondering, I played several in store before buying mine).

There were only 3 true versions of the American 50th Anniversary strats:

Custom Shop 1954 replica,
50th Anniversary American Deluxe
50th Anniversary American Series, and
50th Anniversary Golden Stratocaster (the last from their Mexican factory that came in a smart gig bag).

Anything else is NOT a genuine bona-fide limited edition 50th anniversary Strat. See here for relevant specs:

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Fender-2004-5 ... 0012114321

Rich

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"I started out with nothing ...and I've still got most of it left!" (Seasick Steve)

I have the deluxe and have compared it to a few non anniversary deluxes that I also had in my possesion. The 50th always sounds sweeter and yet cosmetically is not much different, even my partner has commented on its mellow tone.
The SCNs don't seem to have the presence that some of the custom pickups have but are quiet.
I have seen the genuine 50th deluxes go in my country for as little as 900 pound. Times are very tight and it is currently definitely a buyers market so not the time to sell.
However my thought is if you are not that keen on the guitar sell it and get something you like e.g. that yuri birdflower tele
Modern mass produced strats are unlikely to appreciate to the degree the old strats did.