I have a MIM 1999 seafoam green Fender Stratocaster (MN9 series) that I bought the year it came out retail for something like $600 (I was 15 at the time, not realizing the difference between mim and mia models). It has a minimal amount of barely noticeable dings and small stratches, none of which penetrate down to the wood through the paint, but the back of the neck and the rear corner of the headstock have some unsightly damage.



Here's the damage. It's a nasty looking gouge, but it's not deep at all. It really just went through the clear enamel and barely touched the wood itself.



I want to trade it for something else, a drum set or toward a new Gibson LP Studio or toward a Telecaster and I'd like to know a fair value for this guitar in this condition. I know it does have one thing going for it, which is that its seafoam green which is somewhat of a rare color unlike black, red or sunburst. Oh an it'd come with the black strap locks...as if that'd up the price any....I wish.

Any educated appraisals would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Naseym_Falk,

Looks like a "Classic Series 50s" Strat, and those are nice guitars. If you could clean up, and smooth the look and feel of the spot on the back of the neck with sandpaper or something to minimize the damage, you could probably get close to $350 or more on eBay. I would expect to get much less than that on a trade at GC.

Are you sure that is "Seafoam Green", and not "Surf Green"? They haven't used the Seafoam color in a while.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

+1

Sea Foam Green has a more "neon-esque" glow to it and was never offered on the MIM Classic Series.

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

I'd pay 350 for it as is. Or I'd trade my Tele project. Great guitar though.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

I could swear I remembered it being called seafoam green when I bought it, it's the only color I've ever called it by. I wasn't aware of the difference. It could easily be surf green, but I have no way of telling myself.

Retroverbial, are you positive that color was never produced for the MIM CS? I'm only asking because if you're positive about that, then I'd stop called it seafoam green. I only call it that because I've only ever known it as seafoam green.

But $350 is the consensus then? Is that "$350, good, done deal, I'll take that right now, would've even taken it for $450 if you played hardball" or "$350 and not a penny more"? I know price can be subjective depending on the buyer, but how desirable is this model in this color be it seafoam or surf green? Being that its a classic series did they produce less of them than other MIM Strats of the same period (99-00)?

Also, the serial number guide indicates that a MIM 99-00 Strat should have the SN: MN9 + 5 digits. But my guitar has 6 digits: MN9 392190. Typo on the part of the website or just a really late production?

And also I didn't intend on trading it in at GC or anywhere else, I meant that I wanted to try and find someone willing to trade on craigslist. GC and SA will always take you for a bit a of fool. First they'll credit you less for trade than the thing's worth, then ontop of that you'll still have to pay near MSRP, which is why I'd rather trade it with an individual instead of a corp.

Thanks everyone for the help.

I'm positive that the 1999 Frontline catalog (issue #26, page 43) lists the available colors for the '50s Classic Re-issues as "Two Color Sunburst" (03), "Daphne Blue" (04), "Olympic White" (05), "Black" (06), "Dakota Red" (54), and "Surf Green" (57).

Arjay

_________________
"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's "$350, if you're lucky."

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

In my neighborhood, MIM Strats in nice shape are selling for $300 to $400 tops, so a MIM with a damaged neck would probably go for around $250.

I'd probably be willing to spend $200 to $250 for it but only because I already have a spare neck to swap onto it and I kinda like the color. The 99's weren't known to have very good pickups and they're just MIMs. There are thousands of em listed on CL right now and nothings selling.

Unfortunately for you, that neck damage is a real deal killer.

Thanks, Arjay. Just wanted to make sure you were sure.



Understood.



The funny thing is I tried selling it about three months ago on CL and though not many people were biting at the price I was asking (I think it was about $450) one guy was just dying to have it. I pulled out of the deal last minute because I wasn't sure that it was a 50's classic re-issue and I was worried the guy would get all pissed off for falsely advertising. Or maybe that's just the ostensible excuse my mind made me believe when really it was just the force of nostalgia. Either way, I'm regretting having not sold it now. Good to know, thanks everyone.

I have an MN-serialed MIM '50s Classic in 2TSB from 1999, purchased new in December of that year. The store was kind enough to furnish me with the Frontline catalog that featured these guitars and their complete specs.

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

WOW!!!

I just took a tour through the MIM Strats on todays CL and prices have dropped again. Lots of nice guitars in the $250 range and several Mint guitars at $300. Theres even a mint Olympic White /Maple MIM Strat loaded with Gilmore EMG's for $300. A near mint/near new Rosewood EJ SIG for 1200 and a 1996 Bonny Rait Strat with delux case for $1200.

The market here is so soft that that EJ (That sells for $1800+Tax) has been sitting on the lists for weeks but no one has any money and really, who needs a guitar? I'll bet that when"after Xmas" bills start coming in, you'll be able to buy MIM Strats for $100 to $150 each.

I would think that if you really want to sell that guitar, you'd better be very aggressive with your pricing and then take the first good offer.

You wouldn't happen to know a link to a PDF of the '99 catalogue would you?

Sorry, but I don't.



On the bright side though, I don't think the specs have ever changed for these models over the years (aside from some finish colors being discontinued). Any Frontline catalog from '99 forward will contain whatever info you need.

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

That's what I typically do on the more expensive things I sell on CL that I don't NEED to get rid of ASAP. Then I'll just refresh the ad every five days or so until something hits. So if used MIM strats are selling in the $200 range, given that mine's damaged, wouldn't you say $400 is plenty aggressive? The people in this thread have already said they'd pay anywhere from $200-350. I had it at $450obo until I read the responses here. I lowered it, but you're probably right about pricing it aggressively. But I think if you price it too high people tend to think you're stubborn about the price or just out of your mind and they don't even bother making an offer. I really just want to find someone willing to trade though.

Actually, I meant just the opposite.

When I sell something, I'm aggressively looking for the SALE!

If really nice to near mint MIM Strats are selling at a $300 level in my area (And they are.), I'm the guy asking $275 and moving the merchandise. Remember, I said that I would only spend $200 to maybe $250 for your guitar and truthfully, I'd really have to think hard before paying $200, because a good replacement neck is going to cost $100 to $200 and the guitars current maximum value (If it was in cherry condition!) is in my estimation and after checking market listings, only about $300 now and by Winter, it will be less

What I was trying to communicate to you is this... The market for inexpensive guitars is totally flooded and prices are dropping pretty quickly. Therefore, if you continue to ask top dollar for that guitar, you'll almost certainly keep owning it.

As always, YMMV and Good luck.