Years ago for an anniversary gift for me, we bought a Standard Strat, MIM, Modern C, Rosewood fingerboard, alder body, Crimson Red Metallic. I loved it, but never played it, too much guitar for me, the neck just never felt "right"

With a few notable exceptions, the MIM's generally depreciate by half their selling price the moment you leave the store with it. Nothing known on heaven or earth can change that. Coupled with the fact that a dollar today is not worth the same dollar from ten years ago, the re-sale value of these instruments on the secondary market is typically a third or less than their original MSRP. I would add that I think your guitar might command a skosh more than $150 though, contingent upon its condition.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Ah, man! It's like a car then, you drive away and it loses value. I always assumed guitars were "collector's items" gathering worth as time marches on. Is an American-made guitar different? Or does it depend on the make and model. (an VIN lol)


Does putting faceplate on it diminish value even if you still have the original faceplate?

Sorry for all the questions, just curious. Thanks for all the great info. As a beginner I appreciate the wisdom of others.

I'm assuming you refer to the aftermarket pickguard.

Typically no, for a contemporary instrument -- especially if you have the original and the instrument was not altered to accommodate the new one.

A true vintage-era instrument (say, a Strat built in 1964) will be worth a small fortune. And used US-made Fenders usually (but not always) sell for more than used MIM's. Exceptions would be the Mexican-made artist models, special runs, and the '50s/'60s/'70s Classic re-issues.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

typically the american made guitars, be it fender or gibson, hold their value much better (from what ive seen)...

A typical American strat could be brought for £1000 and later sold for somewhere around £700, you still have lost 300 but compared to the mexicans i think its slightly better... However, you do have to make a bigger investment

Pickguard... I knew that, I really did. Thanks for the correction.

Thanks I would have thought the Am made would be a little better also.

I have seen some of the older models be worth 10,000 on some sites, that's just insanity, but technically it's a piece of history, so I totally understand it.

Unfortunately, MIMs are not rare. There are thousands, maybe tens of thousands out there in the world.

Unless you are planning on buying one of the few short-scale Fenders available, before you give up on your MIM, take it to a good guitar tech and have it professionally set up for you to your tastes. You may suddenly find that it is really easy to play and sounds great. Much cheaper than taking a bath on a sale and spending more money on a new guitar. I have a 2009 MIM Standard Strat that I have heavily modified and love it.

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Bill

Its not just the cheaper models.... I can think of many guitars that will depreciate from about 30-60 percent as soon as you pay for it...

This is exactly why I always buy used guitars... Every guitar I own now, I bought used... In fact I can only think of 1 guitar that I ever bought new in my entire life...

I know those new Gibson Les Paul Studios with the p-90s have a small depreciation..

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

+1

Only a couple of my fifteen guitars were purchased new. And the remainder were all self-assembled using "used" parts.

I'll never buy a new off-the-rack guitar again.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Mostly it's 9+% unemployment, and an uncertain future... The MIMs are solid instruments and the quality of build is very high, especially for the price...

Yours is a beautiful instrument. I like the shiny look...

You've got me puzzled though, the shallow "C" Strat neck is one of the narrowest, shallowest necks I've ever played... what in the world are you looking at that is more comfortable for smaller hands (FWIW, size XL gloves USUALLY fit me, if they're cut loose<G>)

I'm got an MIM Special Edition that I love... with the shallow C, while my son's Squire has the deeper "C" style...

His is OK, but I've never grabbed it first when I got the urge to play something<G>



I'm pretty sure that quality isn't the issue... I've yet to see a poorly fitted or finished MIM... I suspect that it's too short a distance from the home office for inspectors looking over the production and guarding the Fender name<G>

I bought my MIM after auditioning a wall full of new and used Strats, Teles, and various Gibsons...

With a couple dozen other guitars from Squires to Vintage Teles only one jumped out at me.

It felt right, played like a dream, and sounded great through every amp I tried... (it's usually making music through an '86 Princeton Chorus these days)

BTW, it's a friend's store and he pretty much lets me play to my heart's content, sometimes even the ones that aren't for sale if I ask nicely<G>

Here's a look at my MIM...

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Still looking for that One Guitar To Rule Them All since 1964...
FSR Fender 60 Anniversary Strat HSS MIM, Gibson ES 335, Taylor 555, Ovation Custom Balladeer-12, Baby Taylor, Fender Princeton Chorus (stereo), Fender Champ 600

This is excellent advice and info - I will keep the adjustment info - I don't know why this didn't occur to me.
Thanks for the compliment on my shiny guitar - she's very pretty, I liked her a lot.

Remember that guitar was gift to you and for that reason alone you shouldn't sell it. Take the other posters advice and have it professionally set up and see how it feels to you then. I know that one day you will regret selling it believe me, so save yourself the heartache and keep it.

Thank you everyone for the advice - I have indeed decided to keep it, I've loosened the strings to put it away for about 3 years in hopes that my son when he is eight will have the inclination to go for it... if not my daughter will come up soon as well... you never know! Thanks!

Don´t loose the strings on a guitar you´re not going to play for 3 years. The neck will be back bowed then.
Wipe the guitar clean every month if you store it in a case.
It´s better for the guitar to be played.

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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Really??? I thought if you loosened the strings then it wouldn't bow because it would have no tension, but you are saying it's the opposite. Could you explain further please? I appreciate it!!!!! THANKS!