Hey Everyone! The electric guitar that I first bought as a beginner is a generic brand that cost me around $288 Dollar, and after not even two years, right now this guitar is already starting to fall apart. With that said, now I understand getting a cheap one doesn't mean getting the cheapest, it's extremely important to look for a decent fair quality guitar that's playable for a long time as well. Luckily, I got this friend of mine who's like a guitarist legend in our school that has a great knowledge of guitar and knows a lot of professional guitarists out there. More importantly, he knows a second-hand guitar seller really well that's trustable, which my friend got most of his guitars from him. Of course, when it comes down to buying a guitar, especially when it's second-handed, it's best to know a seller that's trustable. However, before I go check out the guitar, I still have a few questions in mind, hopefully you guys can help me out
1. My friend already called the guitar seller, he's got a 'Second-handed America Standard Fender Stratocaster' around the year 1990. Selling at the price $832.02 US Dollar. Do you guys think this is a fair deal?
2. Since I'm running out of budget, getting a second-handed standard fender was my plan, however, do you guys have a better model (doesn't have to be fender) in mind that's not so expensive and you would suggest me to buy?
3. My friend kept saying that buying this Second-handed Standard Fender Stratocaster is totally worth it, and part of the big reason it's b/c it's made from "America", which it won't hurt me to buy, because America guitars can usually be sold in a higher price in the future. Is this true?
4. Electric guitars made from Mexico and America, there's a huge difference in price, but is the quality of America guitars really that much better? A 'Second-handed America Standard Fender Stratocaster' around the year 1990 selling at a price of $832.02 US Dollar, should I get it without any hesitation, or maybe it's better if I just get a brand new same model guitar but from Mexico instead?
5. Is buying a second handed guitar good at all? and what are some things to look out for if I decide to go check out the guitar? is there any disavantage/advantage? how can I tell if it's a fake? lol.

That's all, I would really appreciate it if anyone could answer my questions! THANK YOU VERY MUCH

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Hi Jimmy25,
If you shop around at your local guitar stores or on line you will find that used Mexican Strats are going for around $300/$350 and new ones are $500. Used Americans can be picked up for around $650/$700 and new ones are $950. My suggestion to you is to shop around and do some homework. Your budget will dictate which way to go. Incidentally, Mexican Strats are fine instruments and a great platform to mod if you are so inclined. If you buy a used guitar, have your guitarist friend check it out for you. From what you've said about your budget, if you add just a little more you are in the ballpark to go new if you want. Good luck in your search and have fun.

Did you read your post before clicking submit....

(1) This is a Fender Forum, so we are not going to advise you to go and buy an Ibanez or a Gibson or PRS or whatever.

(2) $900.00 for a secondhand guitar when you mention you're on a limited budget doesn't make sense.

(3) This idea that American made Fenders are so much better than the Mexican made Fenders is just Myth and Conjecture. They are all Fenders, some made in various regions of the globe and at different price points.
I just played a Squier Classic Vibe 50's Tele at my local store two days ago. For under $500.00 it is exceptionally made and set up....And Yep, it is made in China

(4) Since you have only been playing for 2 years, I would say that you need to look into the $500.00 range of Strats, be they new or preowned. Save yourself the other $400.00 and use it to buy a quality Tube amp, like a Blues Junior or a HRD. You can find those preowned for around $400.00

(5) As far as buying from your friend's friend only... , suspicion is that you are cutting yourself short, do some shopping around and compare, you might find that that is not such a great deal when compared to what is available on the preowned market.
And...." NO " I would not pay $800.00+ for that guitar. There are better options out there .

(6) Do a Search ( top right hand corner of the Forum Page ) or FAQ just clicky click before asking and posting.. You should find that there are hundreds of similar questions and many will answer your post....

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How much do new American Standard Strats go for where you live? For me, $800ish would be steep for a secondhand one. I bought my American Special Strat for a little less than $800, brand new. I would look around and see if you can get something for cheaper. Don't limit yourself to American Strats, either. I've played lots of great Mexican ones, also. The Standard series is fantastic value for the money, and the Classic Player series guitars are just flat-out great axes.

Just saw an online vendor offering MIA Standards for not much more that you're quote for a used guitar. The recommendation for a Squier Vintage Vibe, or an MIM Standard, brand-new is a solid one and comes from a guy who really knows his stuff. I'm not going to get into the issues of your guitar hero but I would expect this person to be a bit more knowledgeable about used guitar pricing and have caring and respect for your funds.

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Hi Sunburst, after what has happened to my first generic brand guitar.. this time I'm definitely doing a lot homework on this. Although I'm really excited of getting a new one asap, but I'll take your suggestions and shop around, I think it's really important to do this and I'm willing to slow down and make sure/hopefully I get the best out of it. The only problem is, I don't think I'm good enough to really tell the difference between electric guitar.. perhaps I'll just have to bring someone who can tell the difference with me. btw, is buying a Mexican Strats then using the extra money to upgrade it a good way to go? thanks for the reply! I'll take time to do more research.

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Hi 53magnatone, sorry I'm new to the board and that was my first post. I'll make sure to keep that in mind. Actually, I'm looking for to see what I can get with a budget of $800-, the amp I think I already have one that's good enough. I'm trying to see what's the best model electric guitar I could get with $800-, do you have any suggestions? any name of the model? and thanks for the reply! I'll make sure to check around the FAQ as well.

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I have a 1990 or 91 American Standard that I bought second hand for $399 just 6 years ago. I wouldn't pay over $600 for the guitar at any rate unless it was something special. As for quality difference between USA and Mexico Fenders......there really isn't that big of a difference. The USA models usually use wood with tighter grain, with fewer knots and blemishes, and the electronics are better, but not by much! Much of the hardware is the same, except the USA bridges are made of slightly better metals.

Hi prolog, I'm living in Thailand Bangkok, and I think the American Standard Strats here are around 5000 baht which is $1600 US Dollar I'd say? that's what my friend told me, which I don't think it make sense now, because that's like two times more than yours.. I'll go check out the shop around on my own once I have time. I really should keep looking around, thanks for the reply!

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Hi ZZDoc, what website are you using to check out online guitar offering? now I think I have to go talk to my friend. Or I'll just have to go find a better pricing guitar on my own. But I think there's a huge difference in price too when you buy guitars in different countries? like for me I'm buying in Thailand Bangkok.. thanks for the reply!

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Jimmy: I was going through my mail early this morning and just surfing through their holiday sale offerings. I was surprised to see these prices well under $1000 US. Unfortunately I don't have a 'save' on this one. Being overseas, as you are, import duties might wipe out any advantages. Most replies may have assumed that you were on this side of the pond. In the US, that kind of money for a used MIA Standard would be considered high.

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Prices vary based on the region. I have an American Special, not a Standard (Specials cost less), and the Standards here range from $1000-1200 (CDN), when not on sale. So it depends.

Go to http://www.siglermusic.com. and click on guitars. You'll get an idea of what one vendor is doing with some pre-modded MIM Fender guitars that will likely give you more bang for the buck brand new than what you are presently chasing. Maybe there's something there for you?

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"Another day in paradise!"

I cannot really say what you should get...it is so subjective. What guitar you may like today may be not tomorrow's best choice.
You are really going to have to do both research on the net ( save some footsteps ) but also and most importantly go and pick up and play as many guitars in your price range as possible.
One critical bit here is to try them all out on the same amp. Not always possible but there is a way you can do this.
Get a Fender Champ 600, for a $100.00 it is a great little amp, ( there are mod threads to make it perform like the champ of old but that's not the concern as of yet.)
The reason I say this is that it is really difficult to assess a guitar when you are playing it thru various amps at different stores or secondhand sellers. The small champ will allow you to hear each and every guitar on the same platform and you can really hear the differences. If you can get it at a store that has a wide selection of new and used Strats..all the better. ( they'll like you for buying the amp there and will be much more conducive to assist you since you are also looking to buy a Strat...If that doesn't work...at least make sure you are sampling guitars thru very similar amps....Fender Tube amp or whatever but try to stay with the similar amp and don't mix brands, they are vastly different.

As far as Models....The Squier Vintage series as well as the Mexican series...But since you are in Thailand I suspect MIA or MIM Fenders are going to be more expensive, only on the Cache of the name and that they are from North American Continent....( Rubbish ) Don't let anyone fool you that because it says MIA or MIM it is of a higher quality, that is no longer true and hasn't been for more than a decade. The Fenders built in your part of the world are excellent, actually there are quite a few models from Japan that we cannot get stateside...You may want to ask " Blertles " he's in Australia and did a thread on Japanese Fenders so I suspect he has a few bits of info to share...

You also may want to check out the Nutter's Build Thread. It is a compilation of Forum members various builds, lot of usable info, for myself I did a double build thread " Stratopartster I and II " point was to prove that you could build a great strat from various parts for under $500.00...

Here's what I have....
2004 MIM Players Strat crimson red....pups switched to SCN's total cost $800.00
2001 CS 56 NOS Time Machine Sunburst Strat........................................ $ 1,800.00
2008 Aerodyne Strat transparent Blue Seymour Duncan Pups................. $ 700.00
Stratopartster I Strat Build..Vintage pups................................................ $ 270.00
Stratoparster II Strat Build Seymour Duncan HB and Vintage pups.......... $ 250.00

Those are reflective costs but since I every so often change components around the costs my be higher except for the CS which is not to be altered since it's a special run...
I would say be patient and once you have found what you want...sleep on it before plunging in..

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Offer him $150-200 less than he's asking. If he says no; give him ur phone number. Chances are he'll call you within 2 days.