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Post subject: Re: which Strat to choose?
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:47 am
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Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:38 am
Posts: 12978
Location: Canada
I'm not sure that we can even assume one Strat will have a better or worse value, except for rarity and collectables. In any case it is more likely that supply and demand will dictate the most. (Hey, with electronic music at our doorstep, seemingly more prevalent outside of N.A. for the moment, along with sampling, looping, and whatnot, next gens may relegate our beloved axes to the wall as art (and that would affect the value. Surplus and rarity would be instrumental for another reason. Modern axes and players are sure to make a whole new claim on the stage. This opens a Pandora's box for a shift in what is valuable.)

Here is a case where new is often better made, and more valuable:
Along side my Amn Strat, having a set of mid 60s English and American drums from day 1, made no difference that these exact copies (something drums generally are - unlike most guitar copies) were Buddy Rich's (chrome plated) and Keith Moon's (nickel plated) choice. Both values decreased only to see brands from off-shore increase to the state where some of the very best are now made in Japan (where all traps were once junk). My cymbals, however, have held some value and, in some cases, increased in worth.

Back to guitars - As for guitars, few could argue that most later guitars progressively improved over most earlier ones; still, early guitars, being what they are, can fetch a tidy sum, and it is not based on model or brand or price paid alone.

Even exotic woods' price may fluctuate if supply and demand changes,. Popularity has shown oak, once favoured, has flipped back to walnut. Musicians have discovered that their prized guit-box would not be taken or sent across borders because of wood import/export restrictions (this of course, could decrease or, more likely, inflate demand).

Are CBS Strats worth more or less? Both.

Is the colour rare today and maybe not tomorrow? Could be.

Are the pickups your sound? Were they back then? Will they be tomorrow? Are they not easily available now? Are they going to be reproduced later? Is a new design more to one's liking? Who can say?

There are some very collectable Frankensteins with parts from all over the place.

In some ways, everyone is right and everyone is wrong (myself included). Trends come and go, knowing that a Sears axe can be collectable, I'm not prepared to place any bets on future value, regardless of origin (there are calculated guesses and perceptions though). I would not be surprised to see some rare Squiers gather a following and, therefore, increase in value. Very often collectables become what they are simply by being overlooked and discarded.

In the end, the most valuable axe is the one you own or desire. :D

Old Chinese proverb: A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting.

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