This is for sale at a local pawn shop. Here is the ad. rare fender a series guitar w/ 2 humbuckers, rosewood fingerboard, system 1 vibrato, rare sparkle copper color, in a black hardshell case...only$549.00
HAVE TO SEE TO APPRECIATE!!!

What do you think its worth? What do you know about it?

Thanks,
Fasteddy333

Looks like a circa 1985 Made in Japan (MIJ) Fender Contemporary Strat. These were issued during the time period right after FMIC purchased Fender from CBS - they did not buy the old CBS/Fender factory in Fullerton and it took them several months to get their own factory up and running so from say February/March until say October of 1985 there were no USA-built Fenders; only MIJ (and even when they got their factory up and running at the end of 1985 they were only doing reissues; they didn't start producing American Standards until late 1986 for sale in January 1987).

This was essentially the middle of the line Contemporary Strat if I'm remembering correctly; it seems like if you find one in good shape they are going for that $450 to $550 range. Be advised to check out the trem and the string lock carefully to make sure they have all the parts and all the parts are in working condition - that is a Fender System I trem unit and they have not been made for about 25 years. You might be able to find some replacement parts, but they are hard to come by. If the trem isn't is good working condition there are options for replacing it, but of course you should cut the price you're willing to pay for the guitar accordingly.

There is a pretty fair website on these 1980s MIJ Fender Strats called (logically) "Fender Stratocasters Made In Japan" - here is a link to their main page:

http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/history.htm

Here is a direct link to the page on the Contemporary Series here:

http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/cont.htm

I believe somewhere on that site there are links to things like owners manuals for the trem systems, etc.

I agree with John C. a few weeks ago I did some research on these guitars and everything he says sounds right to me. Good price too.

Got a New Blacktop Strat HH for less Money and its got a Fender tweed case---use to live down by Hornell,NY and bought Used Subarus from VanBortel in Victor and resold them

_________________
2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Thanks, for the your imput John C and paris. I learned something today. Wyoming T/A I bought a Subaru from VanBortel myself. I love it. I live in West Henrietta NY. I never been to Hornell. Does any of the blacktops come with a Floyd Rose? I will have to check.


Thanks,
fasteddy333

not sure

_________________
2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

the 80's contemporary strats are worth around $500 to $600 dollars. This one seems worth the money assuming everything is in working condition.