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Post subject: Need help identifying and pricing my Strat for sale.
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 2:06 pm
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I have had this guitar for years and now need a truck worse than the guitar. It has the smooth back with no millwork at all on the back. What do I call it when I sell it and what is the value? It comes in the case below it in the back.

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...and I apparently need help with pics...


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying and pricing my Strat for sale.
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 2:47 pm
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At first glance it appears to be an early 80's American Strat. The serial number and "Made in USA" on the headstock would help confirm so.
By 'smooth back' it also sounds like what is referred to as a 'hardtail'....i.e. no tremolo system, although the bridge appears to have a spot where the trem arm would normally go.
Value would depend on confirmation of these basic items, plus an overall description of the condition of the piece. It appears to be in pretty good shape, but how does the back look? Any damage or breaks on the guitar? etc, etc.
I took a quick look at the Vintage Guitar Price Guide and early '80s in 'excellent' condition are retailing for around $1500....give or take a few hundred either way. Before I'd tag yours with that kind of price though, you'd need to confirm some of what I've pointed out, and probably several other things.
Good luck in selling it!


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying and pricing my Strat for sale.
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 6:21 pm
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It does have a tremolo system and the back is in good shape. The whole tremolo is completely different from anything else I've ever had, very smooth. The resonance is better in my opinion and it has better sustain, possibly the extra wood? Will try and post pics if the back as well.


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying and pricing my Strat for sale.
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:13 pm
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That is the FreeFlyte trem system. Or whatever it was called! The springs can be found under the pickguard.

What is the serial number?

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My other guitar is a Strat.

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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying and pricing my Strat for sale.
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:25 am
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Don't really need the serial number - that is a 1983 or 1984 Standard Stratocaster from the end of the CBS days. They had a number of changes from the traditional Strat - mainly that FreeFlyte trem as orvilleowner mentioned that had the springs under the pickguard instead of having the traditional trem cavity in the back, a master tone control and having the output jack on the pickguard.

These were only made for a brief amount of time - if I'm remembering correctly they were announced about March 1983 and started hitting the shelves about May. Of course CBS started shutting down the Fullerton plant over the summer of 1984 so production of these ceased about September 1984.

The reason why I say serial number is irrelevant is that the vast majority of these had "E3xxxxx" serial numbers no matter which year they were built but there are some out there with "E4xxxxx" serial numbers (and a lot of them are the "bowling ball" finish that was done by the same guy who later did those "swirled" finished on the Ibanez JEM and Universe guitars).

While these were well-built guitars they have a reputation as being "cost-cutter" models. It is true that they were designed to meet a production cost point/selling price point as part of Fenders 3-series product strategy: USA Reissue models, the Elite models (which had dummy coils for noise cancelling and an active mid-boost), and these Standards. The Standards were designed to be a USA model at a reasonable price. As I say they are well-made but just have features the marketplace didn't embrace.

They have been coming up in price and recently some have sold on ebay for $800 to $1,100. It appears you have a later case; these came with a black plastic rectangular case.


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying and pricing my Strat for sale.
Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:59 pm
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It is indeed an E3xxxxx serial.
Where would the best place to sell it be, Ebay?
I also have a small collection (6?) of the 80's Japanese Modern Strats.
I am currently vehicle free and in bad need of a truck.
While I am collecting advice, what is the market on the old Super Champ?


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying and pricing my Strat for sale.
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 8:22 am
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I would suggest ebay for the guitar - as I say the last few that sold on ebay did go for as low as $800 and as high as $1,200.

I would also do a search of completed auctions to try to get a going price for the Super Champ.


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