i'm choosing between two second hand strats i found online. im counting on you fender aficionados to tell me which one is more worth it. i haven't tested it out yet so disregard that factor for now.

candidate 1:
http://www.soft.com.sg/classified/guita ... n-usa.html
it's a highway one stratocaster, 4 years old, has serial z3xxxx, agreed to sell for 800 singapore dollars(650 - 700+ usd).

candidate 2:
http://www.soft.com.sg/classified/guita ... burst.html
an american standard stratocaster, 14 years old, has serial n6xxxx, 1200 singapore dollars(900 + usd)

so what do you think?
thanks in advance!

Hi gcsupernova: the prices on both those guitars sound high to me, but I don't know the market in Singapore so you must decide for yourself if you think them reasonable. Given the choice of the two I'd take the American Standard, assuming it's only the plastic parts that have been swapped, not electricals. If the pickups have been swapped too then I'd need to know more.

To be clear though, most of my choice would be based on cosmetic differences: I just prefer gloss lacquer and maple fingerboards. Neither of which might be an issue with you.

Mind you, in your part of the world I'd be looking at Japanese Fenders before I spent this sort of money on a second hand guitar. Might that be an option?

Good luck - C

PS: am I missing something? The "supersize" pictures on that website are not very super in size, are they?

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thanks for replying. i would also choose the american standard if not for the age, does it really matter? but to be honest, the condition's pretty great for a 14 year old guitar though. im just not sure if the price is justifiable for a guitar that old, does the price depreciate with age?

After 30 - 40 years you might expect the price of a guitar to start rising a little. Though we don't know whether it will still work that way for a 1990s Strat - there were a helluvalot of them being made by then. And any modifications hurt the price a lot.

So as far as the prices on these two guitars are concerned you'd expect them to be well below that of new ones. Just out of interest, how much does a new American Strat cost in the shops in Singapore at the moment, please?

Cheers - C

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Ceri is right. I don't know about prices in your area but around these here parts I can get new models of the guitars you're looking at for about the same price you are quoting for the used ones. Check the new prices in your area.

Good luck and hoping you find and get what you want my friend!!

In your area of the world I'd be looking for a nice MIJ or CIJ 57 or 62 RI model. They are some great guitars!!

they cost a lot actually, a famous guitar shop sells an american standard strat for 3000singapore dollars+ and 2100+ for a highway one strat. but im sure the prices are way over inflated.

anyway, i might go with the highway 1 for now and buy a brand new american standard strat for less than half the price overseas

Wow! I thought Singapore was a free port? I remember seeing good prices on this sort of stuff in HK - and that was for genuine gear, not the fakes.

Oh well: then the prices on these used ones don't look so bad, I guess.

BTW: FHopkin's advice is good, I'd have thought? Are not Japanese Fenders available where you are? I know they get them at good prices in New Zealand - which of course is far from you but a similar ship ride from Japan. Have a look at the CIJ catalog: they make some great stuff.

Good luck - C

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nah, singapore's pretty messed up when it comes to imports. anyway,i changed my mind and im going with the us strat. thanks for the advice guys!

I had the same hwy 1 as that one and it is not the satin finish like the newer ones. I would go with the hwy 1 is was a very nice guitar to play.

If I were in your shoes I'd opt for the American Standard even though it costs more.The maple neck IMHO feels and looks better and requires less maintenance/attention plus I really like that sunburst with the black pickguard.

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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.

In the U.S. those prices would be quite high for both those used guitars, especially a 14 yr. old American Standard. That being said, the American Standard definately comes with better pickups than the Highway 1. I'd probably go with the Am. Standard for that reason alone, out of those two.

I had an American Standard but I traded it in for an American Vintage '57 Reissue. I'm a sucker for those Vintage Reissues and besides that, I didn't care for the neck on the Am. Standard.

I like the body of the highway one, but I would prefer to have a maple neck.

Yeah those prices are high. I can get a 2006 american standard right now for $600.

Wonder what shipping is to Singapore from the states? Maybe you can find a guitar on Ebay that would be willing to ship overseas?