BeerBorg

I found a g'tar much better than the one I have. I'm hoping some of ya'll can give me a ballpark on the price for it. It looks brand new, but after some research on it, I think it is WAY above my head. What do ya'll think a red, Fender 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster is worth? Made in america. I want a Strat to replace my Star as it has the usual problems a cheapie comes with. I'm thinking after reading about it, it would be a waste in my hands as I will never be very good, I just like playing them without a ton of feedback like mine has. Oh, don't buy this one from under me until I decide if I want it or not, please. Here's the link if ya'll want to look at it:

Purty axe

Hmmm...

The year was 2004...

All standard production line Strats for that year received the 50th. Anniversary Commemorative Neck Plate. People often attempt to pass these off as the limited edition models...

(The one that you are looking at appears to be a standard MIM production model from the pics, although without a serial# and close up inspection, it might not even be a strat... Gotta be careful!)

In addition, four limited edition models were built... These were the Custom Shop 1954 replica, the 50th Anniversary American Deluxe, the 50th Anniversary American Series, and the 50th Anniversary Golden Stratocaster (the last from their Mexican factory).

Most are not that collectable but the 1954 Replica however IS the hot one and has much more value...

Also, aside from the Golden Strat, the Commemorative Models were all two-tone sunburst with ash bodies and maple necks, single ply parchment pickguards and knobs. The '54 Custom Shop came with the original design form fitting case while the American and Deluxe American came with a special edition tweed case with gold interior and a 50th plate in the inside cover. The pickup were different also, with the American Deluxe Series using SCN (Sumarium Cobalt Noiseless) with S1 switching and the '54 CS and American Series using the Vintage Custom Wound Authentic pickups.

Here some info from Sweetwater:

Limited Edition Player's Guitar!
Fender's American Series is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stratocaster® with the 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster guitar! This 50th anniversary model features three new Custom Shop Vintage 1954 single-coil pickups, a special commemorative 50th anniversary neck plate, and "Parchment" knobs and pickup covers. The 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster also utilizes the "Delta Tone" system, which includes a high output bridge pickup and special no-load tone control for the middle and bridge pickups and it includes a Deluxe Tweed Hardshell case. The solid ash bodies with polyurethane 2-Tone Sunburst finish, maple neck and parchment pickguard evoke the classic look of the original 1954 Stratocaster guitars, while the FENDER® American Series synchronized tremolo bridge, custom staggered tuning machines, 9.5" radius fretboard and medium jumbo frets add a modern touch. To give the 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster guitar even more of a vintage vibe, the 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster will feature the same 1954 replica pickups used on the Custom Shop model. It will also feature a special engraved neck plate that celebrates the anniversary. The 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster will be available only from January 15th thorough December 31st, 2004.

And... Found this on the Strat Talk Forum... Hope it helps...

http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/stratoc ... aster.html

Finally: This reference has what appears to be the original press info for the release...

http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/ ... 00111.html

I'm sorry I'm not a Strat expert and I don't know the minutia of Strat specs. I do know that a lot of my fellow professional musicians have taken a Mexican Strat and turned it into a killer guitar by changing the hardware and pickups. I don't like to buy any guitar sight unseen because every guitar can be radically different than one that has exactly the same model and year and place of manufacture.

I like very light and resonant solid body guitars. If it sounds good acoustically ( un- plugged ) then you have a good chance of getting a great electric.
Fender guitars are very easy to modify because the parts are largely interchangeable and custum hardware and electronics are widely available.

All I know is that I love my strat. I have had it for over 20 years now. The neck & middle pick-up are single coil and the bridge pick-up is a hmbucker. Nice locking wang bar too!!

I agree!! You to need to actually play the guitar to know it is right for you. Just like guns one size does not fit all.

I don't know much about this one specifically but I thought the 50th year in business, they put had a tag on every strat.
Offer him $500 and see what he says.

I have a 1974 maple I've had redone twice since then. I don't play that one much but I paid over $400 in 74 and last year someone offered me $1800 and I said hell no!

Thanks guys. I wonder if he is trying to sell it as an expensive one to someone like me that does not know the difference. If I can get a reply from him I will low ball him on it and see what he says.

Sorry I can't help on pricing your Fender. I am a Gibson guy. That was until my Les Paul Custom was stolen. As far as having a pricey guitar and not thinking your playing is equal to it, I say get what you want. I view a guitar as a piece of art. Having an expensive one may not make you play better, but it may make you happier. I learned on a cheap Epiphone and upgraded to my Gibson but found myself playing my cheap first guitar just as much. Get what you want and enjoy it, and if you enjoy it you may play more and better!

All this talk made me put new stings on my acoustic and on 2 electric guitars. They were badly needed. Now, even I sound pretty good!

Just because I want to, I'll post my electrics here.
On the left is my Hagstrom Swede which I've customized with 2 Seymour Duncan pups. The middle is the 2006 Paul Reed Smith Mcarty and the right is my 74 Strat. Got a deal on the Hagstrom on eBay a few years ago. $375 case & shipping. 2 weeks later the same one was $775. The PRS cost me a fortune but Guitar Center wanted to get rid of it so they gave me $800 off! Still paid a lot for it and put in 1 new Seymour Duncan pickup. It plays very smooth but I'm still not 100% happy with the sound.
Got 3 acoustics. 1 Yamaha my son has at college. A Zagar that wasn't cheap but plays well and got a great deal on a Takamine G Series 18 months ago that I use almost every day.

I love those Paul Reed Smith guitars!

I can't play any instuments...just not very musical. But I must say Paul, the one in the middle is absolutely beautiful. The tiger striping in that wood is awesome.

Did a lot of reading last night, thanks for the links, I got schooled some on Fenders. Very interesting for sure. The guy messaged me back and told me he drop'd the price to $700. Is that a good price? I messaged back asking if he would trade a Remington rifle and ammo worth easily $700, we will see. Do ya think $700 is out of line for a standard run 2004 american made strat? I saw some on fleabay for $350, but I would never trust anything on there.

I've seen them online for much more than that and I've seen many for about $600 but they had some marks and wear on them, so $700 isn't out of line if it's in good shape.

This one looks new, has not been played much, he prefers his eric clapton fenders. He won't trade but has gone down to $600, should I grab it? Comes with a hard case and new strings I think.

Play it and see how it feels. Check the neck to see if it's warped. It likely needs new strings but if he has an amp to run it thru, make sure the switch works like it should. If all is good, I say grab it.