It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:17 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 21 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:38 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:36 pm
Posts: 6
Hi,

I want to buy a Stratocaster. Although I have been playing for some time I am not that experienced. I want to start playing again but I moved and I don't have my guitar with me. Therefore, I want to buy a used one.

I found a 1988 Stratocaster on CL. A portion of the paint in the front of the body (where your forearm rests) has been sanded down but other than that the guitar seems to be in good shape. I would appreciate your advice on what things I should be asking the owner to see if it's a good deal ($525). Also, what's your opinion about this guitar.

The link to the guitar is: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/3854963603.html

Thanks an advance.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:52 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14050
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Look nice , price is good IF frets have enough metal . Fret job is expensive, this is an "old" guitar. There a no close-up on frets

Lace Sensor pickups are not stock IMO but there are very very good pickups


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 1:58 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:36 pm
Posts: 6
Thanks for your input stratele52. It is very valuable.

I've read that [on occasions] it happens that body and neck aren't part of the same original built. Do you think it is worthwhile to ask for additional information to make sure it is an American Stratocaster? And if so, how can I find out?

Thanks again.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 2:03 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:26 am
Posts: 616
+1 Stratele52
Its looks the genuine thing from the pics as best I can tell. It should have the TBX tone control identified by the lower tone pot having a détente at the centre position.

If it needs a fret job id still buy it in a heartbeat at that price.

I have an 87 American standard, its a great guitar in my opinion.

....Al


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:07 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 8:25 pm
Posts: 1099
Location: A cloud of eider down
Looks legit, and with the case at that price, I'd be on it like a fly on...well you know :lol:
Even though it's a bit sanded, it looks like natural play wear for a Strat of that vintage, not some botched "relic" job. +1 on the TBX tone. I have one with an E4 serial, and paid close to that.

_________________
"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 2:06 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14050
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
spanish_tattoo wrote:
Thanks for your input stratele52. It is very valuable.

I've read that [on occasions] it happens that body and neck aren't part of the same original built. Do you think it is worthwhile to ask for additional information to make sure it is an American Stratocaster? And if so, how can I find out?

Thanks again.



More informations AND photos of frets .

To see if it is original neck and body , the owner must dismantel the neck from the body and send you picture of the neck pocket.There are some number which must be same on both,

Also some photos of electonics uned the pickgard to see if everything is American made or original except pickups.


I don't know how is the market at your place but at this price many people who don't kow about fret wear or American Stratocaster could buy this guitar before you have a chance to see photos .

IMO you have to look on web to see photos how look a guitare neck/ body pocket and Fender American made electronic AND what frets should be and go by yourself with cash money . If you have a portable PC you keep photo on it and bring with you.

With that if frets are good and guitar play like you wish , you can ask to the seller if he can show you the elrectronic under the pickgard and neck/body pocket are original , you'll buy it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 5:26 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:36 pm
Posts: 6
Hi Arnold, Stratele52 and Al 87...

...I am going to meet the guy to check out the guitar this week. I will let you know how it went.

Thanks for all the info. You guys were great!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:13 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14050
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
spanish_tattoo wrote:
Hi Arnold, Stratele52 and Al 87...

...I am going to meet the guy to check out the guitar this week. I will let you know how it went.

Thanks for all the info. You guys were great!



+1 and good luck


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:27 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:36 pm
Posts: 6
Hi all...

...alright, I went to see the guitar and I closed the deal. The only issue is that there is a crack next to the neck pocket. From inside the pocket I couldn't tell if it was the wood or just the paint. However, I couldn't resist and I bought the guitar for $450.

We took the neck off to check the dates. In the neck pocket there is a stamp saying 1989. There is also a stamp saying "Finished Goods" in red. Although the ad said 1988 I know that the serial numbers are often off and the fact that it starts with E8 doesn't mean it is a 1988. My guess is that the guitar was put together in 1989. And btw, the bottom knob has a dent in the middle position as you predicted.

I am extremely happy for now. I need to put on strings and I will be good to go. I know it is somewhat beaten up but it adds to its history and personality. Sorry, I haven't found a way to include images in the post, otherwise I would send.

Thanks a lot guys. Your advice was very helpful.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:37 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:43 am
Posts: 158
Location: Tampa Bay
The Laces may be stock after all--Deluxe American Standards were made fr. 1988-1990. I have one and like it a lot. You did well-pick that thang!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:01 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 8:25 pm
Posts: 1099
Location: A cloud of eider down
how to post pictures: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52777/url

So What did you find in the neck pocket, cracked paint or wood?

_________________
"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:04 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:11 pm
Posts: 2
Lucky you! I wrote that guy a week ago, he never wrote me back

-Jim


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:39 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14050
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
bobbya wrote:
The Laces may be stock after all--Deluxe American Standards were made fr. 1988-1990. I have one and like it a lot. You did well-pick that thang!


Those guitars should'nt have also roller nut ot the other steel made nut ?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:12 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:36 pm
Posts: 6
Ok... let's try this:

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

They guy who sold it to me was a very nice guy.

I hope you guys can see the pics. Some of them are blurry. In particular, the one with the date in the neck pocket (in black at the bottom).

Stratele52... I think I read this weekend that the metal nut was for a limited series intended for a Jeff Beck series. The deal fell through so Fender decided to put them for sale without the Beck signature. This guitar is not one of them. Now, years later, Beck got his own signature guitar.

Cheers.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stratocaster (1988): good deal?
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:41 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14050
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
[quote="spanish_tattoo"
Stratele52... I think I read this weekend that the metal nut was for a limited series intended for a Jeff Beck series. The deal fell through so Fender decided to put them for sale without the Beck signature. This guitar is not one of them. Now, years later, Beck got his own signature guitar.

[/quote]

No, Strat Plus and Strat Plus Deluxe or Strat Ultra ( not sure of the name) have LSR and other steel nut and are not signature guitar.

Here some pictures;
http://guitar-collector.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=546


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 21 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: stratmangler and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: