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Post subject: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal?
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 7:16 am
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Hello everyone,

My first post here, apologies if this is the wrong forum for a question like this...

So I'm a complete newbie and shopping for my first electric guitar - I was planning on buying a Squier Strat as my "learning" guitar, but then I thought I would consider checking CL for a low-priced used MIM. I then found the following ad on Craigslist:

"2002 MIA Stratocaster. I have replaced the pots and still have the original pots, and comes with a HSC."

At first glance this would appear to be a great price to pick up an MIA. But the cynic in me is saying "If it sounds too good to be true...". Used MIA's usually go for much more, and I would assume the seller knows this...

The color is not really for me (Red), but I'm thinking this seems to be too good to say no, especially with a HSC. Should I be concerned about the Pots being switched?

Would appreciate the forum's feedback and see if you guys think I should snag this before it's gone, or if there's other factors I'm not considering...

Thank you!!!


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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 7:50 am
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If he's replaced any parts at all then the guitar (even though it is MIA) has automatically lost a lot of it's value. An exception would be made though if the replaced parts are considered to be an upgrade.
The first thing I would be asking is if the pick-ups or any other parts were changed in ANY way as well. Being an MIA, it would have most probably had a "Delta" No-Load tone control or maybe a "Greasebucket" tone circuit...whatever it had in it, if he's replaced the pots then you need to know if he replaced them with the same Fender parts (due to the last one being faulty) or with another brand (in order to change the guitar's sound). Also, if you live nearby to the seller you ideally should try to go and take a look and play yourself. If you find that the guitar still sounds and plays great and you aren't too concerned about re-selling and just using for own enjoyment then I would grab it. On the other hand, if you are buying it with the main intention being to re-sell it for a profit I would do as much research on it as possible before deciding. Like they say "If something's too good to be true then it usually is" the price could be that low for a very good reason. It could be a modification job gone bad...who knows!?!
Good luck anyway!
You never know, you just might have found yourself a real bargain.
:D

PS: There is another possibility. It could be a cheap Squire body with a USA neck bolted onto it! You never know! Sounds crazy but I have heard of it being done, with the intention of hopefully fooling some poor chump, but they'd probably ask for as much money as they could scam, so being a lower price than usual that is unlikely.

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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 7:57 am
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Dan999 wrote:
If he's replaced any parts at all then the guitar (even though it is MIA) has automatically lost a lot of it's value. An exception would be made though if the replaced parts are considered to be an upgrade.


Thanks so much for the detailed response! I will see what kind of pot mods he made and if anything else.


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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:10 am
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Dan999 wrote:
If he's replaced any parts at all then the guitar (even though it is MIA) has automatically lost a lot of it's value. An exception would be made though if the replaced parts are considered to be an upgrade.

No, even then, it loses value.
Replace $80 pickups with $160 pickups, and the value of the guitar will drop.
Even if you bundle the originals, it may drop. It can never become "virgin" again.


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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:36 am
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arth1 wrote:
Dan999 wrote:
If he's replaced any parts at all then the guitar (even though it is MIA) has automatically lost a lot of it's value. An exception would be made though if the replaced parts are considered to be an upgrade.

No, even then, it loses value.
Replace $80 pickups with $160 pickups, and the value of the guitar will drop.
Even if you bundle the originals, it may drop. It can never become "virgin" again.


Not in every case though. For example, you could take a MIA Standard Strat and upgrade the tuning keys. I can't imagine the value going down because of that especially if they used parts from the Fender Custom Shop.
Or, as another example, you might have a new MIA Standard Tele and prefer the more traditional 3 way brass saddles on the bridge. I know of a few people that have done that and because it's a personal preference it might add value to some, but decrease with someone else...you see what I mean?
8)

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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:57 am
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One thing to keep an eye on is if it's an American Series or if it's a Highway 1 - some of the earliest Highway 1 Strats have a 2002 (i.e. "Z2xxxxxx") serial number, plus they will have the small headstock and vintage-style logo like an American Series Strat.

If it has a 6-screw vintage-style bridge, 2 string trees, and a matte finish then it's a Highway 1. That would be a good price for a modded Highway 1 with a hard case. A 100% stock Highway 1 in mint condition would probably top out at $500 these days (and they came with a gig bag, not a hard case).


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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:29 pm
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The price is on the low side everywhere, in my 'hood that's a steal even for a Highway One. And BTW, those seem to be rocketing in value :wink:

But if the origins worry you: the forum is usually competent to point out fakes, so posting pics here would be the way to go.


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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:11 am
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Could be a made in Japan American series which would go for around that price.


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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:13 am
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Quote:
"made in Japan American series"

Don't know of such an animal. :shock:


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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:43 am
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First of all, welcome aboard!

It's a CL sale so go check it out and play it. If it sounds good to you and plays well then go for it.

My guess is a tricked out Hwy 1, but only a guess.

Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: 2001 American Strat for $425 on CL - is this a good deal
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:57 am
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Thank you very much for your feedback everybody, I really appreciate it!

I decided to hold off and actually found a better deal.


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