I've found this '89 usa strat with lace sensors for 500 (american) good deal, but the problem is, I'm not a fan of the color, I'd like to paint it hot rod red, is it a bad idea to get it painted? Will it decrease the value? Also I'm going to replace the pickgaurd with a worn one, will that affect the value as well? Thanks guys.

Yep and Yep.

My advice. If the guitar is that good the guard and the colour don't matter. That works either way though. Whether you alter it or don't. Sadly not all people are as objective.

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No no and no

If you care about resale value, don't repaint it.
It's like Nik says.


But if you don't care about resale value, and the only thing keeping it from being perfect for you, go for it.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

What color is it. It sounds like it's a Strat Plus.

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

Its not going to bring the value down. It may be pricey to strip it and shoot it, but i did it with a one piece body for a few hundred with a nice thin nitro. In a color from that era; gun metal blue, that they dont make anymore. Worth it.