Hi Group: i am in the market for a strat and have been doing my due diligence in the research department to buy what is best for me. My question is that it seems like many used strats are not that much cheaper than a new one when comparing similar models.
I understand the prices for the classics or unique or a particular year, but wouldn't one
be smart to pay a couple hundred bucks more for a new one than for a used (example) 2004
model. Kudo's to them for holding their value, but it sure seems safer to go down the new
road if all else is equal - enlighten please. Thanks - great site, have learned a ton from you all on this forum.

If all else is equal, why would you buy new...? For the warranty..? A guitar that has been treated with care is often times a better purchase than a new one.....
However when all is said and done it is about each and every particular instrument, how the impression is when handled, played, heard etc...etc....

My latest purchase was a new Aerodyne Strat, the one before was a preowned CS, the one before was also a Preowned.....
Most of my guitars have always been purchased preowned but.....

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

most of the guitars i have owned have been pre owned, i was having a discussion about buy new or used with the owner of my local shop and he said that he personally believes buying used usually out weights buying new due to the fact you can get a some what better discount and if the guitar was faulty or the workmanship was bad this would have happened already opposed to a new guitar thats lets say untested to everyday wear and tear (and also i am sure some guitars that are faulty slip into the stores).

nothing is really wrong with getting a new guitar but for some reason i like thinking about a used guitars history where did it get this bump, how did this scratch occur. I getting my first electric guitar, i played an ibanez and a fender mexican strat, and then someone gave my a used godin lg built in 1999 to play and the moment i placed my hand around the neck of it and felt how broken in and smooth it felt i knew that this guitar was for me it just had a nice smooth feel, better sound, was unusual, and just felt right. That was 4 years ago and its still one of my favorite guitars. i got it for 300 bucks and sound and built quality it matches my 62 reissue strat.

I know i sort of wrote a long piece here but i think what i am saying to you is getting a guitar is an adventure and limiting yourself to going online and buying it there would be a waste, go out and have fun and get a guitar that feels right.

I think if you're willing to look at instruments a bit older, there are good deals to be had. There are several nice late-90s strats on ebay for $6-800 right now. Or you can look even older. I got my '89 for $500. It's in that range where it's too new to be a "classic", too old to retain it's value. But it's after Fender became Fender Musical Instruments Corp. and generally got they're $@!& together, and it's a well-made instrument.

I bought this one used for $500. It's in better shape than alot of the new ones hangin on the wall at GC. I got lucky but just sayin'. 2011 Am Standard bought used but it's new.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

It's been my experience that Strats loose their value more so than other Fenders due to market availability. There's just so many for sale. The new/old cost ratio of Tele's and esp. Jaguar's are much narrower. So, if it's a Strat. your looking for, it pays to look at both new and used.

Considering the sheer cost of new Guitars and the depreciation, it's generally always better to buy used. There are always exceptions of course but by and large this has always been the case for me. I like a Guitar that has been broken in and with some cases of new guitars that I've bought, there have been some build and set up issues with them.

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2012 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
2013 Fender Pure Vintage 65 Stratocaster
2003 Gibson ES-355
2015 Gibson Les Paul Traditional
2002 Gretsch Duo Jet
1980 Rickenbacker 360/12 Fireglo
2014 Martin 000X1AE
2014 Fender Blues Junior III

I'll be the dissenting voice: I buy new because I can and want to, and because I love knowing that all the dints and scratches are mine. Proof of playing, if you will. My only used guitar is a Tele, and that was my younger brother's, anyway.

I currently own eight Strats. I only bought two of them new, the rest were all used in very good condition - I never buy beaters, no matter how low the price.

I am always checking out the Trade-In Corner at the local GC and I am a frequent visitor to the local Music-Go-Round. In fact, after four-wheeling to M-G-R through our big winter storm yesterday, I picked up a used Morris Hurricane EX-3, MIJ 1984-86, with original labeled hard-shell case for $150.

Don't overlook the used guitars - you might find a gem.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

I have had success with new AND used. Try before you buy; but, don't let the appearance in front of your eyes interfere with the sound in your ears -- that's the most important part.

Not sure how much you're looking to spend, but if you're in the market for a Custom Shop guitar bear in mind that if you buy new from an authorised Fender dealer you'll get a lifetime warranty through Custom Care.

Definitely worth having, but CS guitars do have a fairly hefty price tag...

Some used guitars are real gems. You can save money buying used ones.

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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Great posts guys, thanks for the input !

I like to look at everything in my price range, new and used. It helps to play everything in the price range to get the best guitar for the money. It could be a new MIM standard or a use USA standard. Just have to play them and stick that you can afford. Too many time I have seen guy spend only $200 for the "better" guitar only to be forced to sell it a few months down the road for half of what they paid for it.

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Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore, trust the physician and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility.-Khalil Gibran

Especially in our current economy, I think used is a viable option because a lot of people are selling their gear because they have to, not because they want to get rid of it. The guy I bought my strat from said he only played it 5 times. While I can't verify that, I can verify that it looked new so he was probably telling the truth. Saved $550 off what I would have paid new.