In my country's (NZ) version of Ebay (Trade me) someone is selling what they claim to be a new (un played) genuine fender mexican strat body with original pick ups made in may 2011.
However they have replaced the pickguard, knobs, neck plate, tremelo, jack, and strap buttons with new non-fender parts.
This is currently selling for about $350 US (including shipping).

Is this a suitable price to pay for this guitar?
Also, judging by the pics do you think this is real or fake (This guy is known for selling genuine fender guitars).

Here is a link to the auction:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =399821023

Thanks.

No, its not. You can get a whole guitar for that. And with replaced parts? who know what's fender on it, and what isnt. It may be worth it if they replaced the parts you mentioned with parts that are higher grade then what came on a MIM. Bodies should be cheap, and if you're looking at a MIM, might as well look at a Warmoth. Get either a 1-piece, or an ultra light one (they post the weights), for - less than $200. I have a MIM tremolo you can have if you want it. I kept it thinking I may need it, but its been in a box with other parts for a couple years now, and I need the space. Just PM me a shipping address if you want it. You can get really good pickups for about 150, then pots for $5/each. You're at $350, with a better body, free trem, and better pickups. done.

I certainly don't think so, and for the exact same reasons that windwalker (above) has cited. I've seen 100% genuine loaded Fender bodies going for $300-$325 on Ebay. I'd rather have something totally unmolested than a bastardized body with replaced parts of dubious quality.

JMO, YMMV, KDTTAH, etc......

Arjay

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Someone should point out that this may be a good price for the guitar, in new zealand. What I mean is, in the states, a good second hand but unused price might be what has been suggested, $300-$330, but i think the RRP of a mex standard in the states might be lower than in new zealand, not sure though. If it is, then depending on how much it is lower, the price asked on trade-me could be good relative to the RRP of a brand new one(in new zealand).

None of the above takes into account the mods done to the guitar, I can't give any advice about that. But I do agree that you don't know how the quality of the mods etc, you don't really know what you're buying.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0

This is true, find out how much of the price is shipping. Find out what the parts are that were put on. Like i said, it depends on what they put on it. If they replaced the MIM Trem w/Callaham, or KCG, or some premium upgraded trem, and the pickups are, well, any name brand pickup compared to the ceramic pickups they put stock in MIM's (I think they use ceramic, ), it very well may be a good job. I kind of glanced over the New Zealand part. As a rule, $350 is too much for a MIM body. Ask them what's on it. Though, i suspect, that if they replaced the tremolo with a Callaham, and dropped in Duncan, Fender Custom Shop, or Dimarzio, etc pickups on it, they'd probably point it out in the description, because it could only help sell it. The fact they dont mention it leads me to believe that they're probably not the best replacement parts. But, i could be wrong, the seller could just be a terrible salesman.

Anytime someone "upgrades" an insturment, the value remains the same as if it was never modified. With all the after market bodies and parts available, you should be able to make your own for that price or less!

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What does a MIM Strat sell for complete - in NZ?

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I don't think this is true, maybe if there is some "blue book" type thing. But just like with cars, those are just guides. Something is only, and always, worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. And I can tell you from personal experience (I've sold a couple import guitars I replaced pickups, wiring, nut, hardware), that there are many people willing to pay a premium price for a guitar thats had parts replaced with better quality hardware.
Maybe insurance will only cover out according to its stock replacement value.

+1

To buyers well acquainted with the Strat, an upgraded set of pickups or an all-steel Callaham trem block replacement represents added value. But such nuances are often lost on a high school kid merely interested in a "shiny new guitar" to impress his classmates. It's all a matter of perception.

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

That only makes sense since in America, we don't pay import fee's from Mexico. Many MIM guitars go for nearly the same as American counterparts because of the export taxes.

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