1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

contiContiCONTI

contiContiCONTI

New member
Hello again trusty advisors!

So I'm selling/trading my 2012 Gibson SG because I never pick it up and play my Pacifica 112 all the time. I just prefer the neck and single coils. Feel really uncomfortable playing the SG, and these are my only guitars. I want to trade for a USA strat.

So I got offered a 1988 all original sunburst strat with rosewood fretboard. Very beautiful, you can see the wood grains pretty evidently in the light shades of the burst. The owner leaves close to me so I will try before I buy but in general, what are the thoughts and experiences behind late 80s stratocasters? I heard Fender started making excellent guitars in the 00s, does this mean the early post-CBS was a draught of some sort?

Also got offered a 2017 Mexican Strat Deluxe in Saphire blue with maple fretboard. Also looking for opinions on this!

P.S. I'm not looking for advice on the trade or the SG, just on the strats.

Cheeeeeeerz
 
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Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

I know there are some weird 80s models out there. Which one is your exact variation? This guitar would interest me more than the 2017.


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Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

astrozombie said:
I know there are some weird 80s models out there. Which one is your exact variation? This guitar would interest me more than the 2017.


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Click to expand...

Its just a '1988 Standard Fender Strat' as it seems. All original apart from pick guard and back plate (replaced the white with mint green which I prefer). Here's a picture of it for reference.

Screenshot_20180815-124105_Facebook.jpg
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

I’ve played one or two fenders and I found the late 80s ones like that to be great! (Also bear in mind that many musicians were using strats in 70s and onwards so although some are a bit odd, most are awesome) I’d say go for it :)
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

I would play both the '88 MIA and the '17 MIM before making a decision. Both should be solid guitars but Strats can play quite differently even if having the "same" specs. Go with the one that feel and sounds best to would be my suggestion.
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

My '98 Fender American Std. Strat is a very well-built guitar and my first U.S. Strat. I wouldn't sell it all...taking it to the grave with me.;)



;>)/
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

As mentioned above, try them both and make a decision from there. 80's strats are great, and the newer mex stuff is also really good (player series iirc).
The two gats on offer will play and feel different to each other - the maple vs rosewood fretboard is just the start - but both will likely be great.
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

Nice, but don't give em any sort of collector value pricing

Price it against other American strats
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

Late 80's Strats are great, but are you a fan of the two point trem? I prefer the vintage Trem, but many players prefer the two point. I had a 1988 Strat plus with the two screw trem, that had all sorts of issues involving the guitar going flat, which were related to this hipshot tremsetter device that came with it. The techs at the shop I bought it could never get it set up right, but I'm told that my situation was not the case for most people. I did love the medium jumbo frets.
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

mojosman said:
Late 80's Strats are great, but are you a fan of the two point trem? I prefer the vintage Trem, but many players prefer the two point. I had a 1988 Strat plus with the two screw trem, that had all sorts of issues involving the guitar going flat, which were related to this hipshot tremsetter device that came with it. The techs at the shop I bought it could never get it set up right, but I'm told that my situation was not the case for most people. I did love the medium jumbo frets.
Click to expand...

But I think this situation is 99%
.........
Danzho
 
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Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

mojosman said:
Late 80's Strats are great, but are you a fan of the two point trem? I prefer the vintage Trem, but many players prefer the two point. I had a 1988 Strat plus with the two screw trem, that had all sorts of issues involving the guitar going flat, which were related to this hipshot tremsetter device that came with it. The techs at the shop I bought it could never get it set up right, but I'm told that my situation was not the case for most people. I did love the medium jumbo frets.
Click to expand...
It is often the studs that are worn that causes it to hang just that little bit, or the chrome on the softish baseplate that is worn through and also can cause hangs.
On my now sold CS JB Strat I changed the vibrato to a Gotoh one, cured all my problems.
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

Fender just opened up their Corona, CA plant in 1987 and were kicking butt with the STRAT PLUS guitars. Fender had to compete with what Fender in Japan did while Fender USA was moving from Fullerton. So, that Strat is a very serious USA axe. It was simply the alternative version for traditionalists that didn't want to try the Lace Sensors or the roller nuts. Other than those 2 things.....same axes. You can't go wrong with that STRAT unless the guy left it in his basement for years.....or in his cart trunk for the same amount of time.....or possibly at the bottom of the swimming pool for some reason. EASILY some of the best Strats during that time period.
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

'88 Strat makes me think of Mr. Eric Johnson's famous show of the same year in Texas. Great performance!
I was only 1 year old then lol so no, I did not see that show live ;)
 
Re: 1988 USA Stratocaster, thoughts?

My favorite guitar I've ever owned is an '87 USA Standard Strat. It's an incredible guitar, and I'll spend my life watching for deals on more of them.

<---- That's its scratched up back.
 
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