Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

[jrbowen81]

Hey guys... Someone just posted this on my local Craigslist and I'm wondering how legit it is. Looks like it needs a lot of TLC regardless. I'm trying to save up for something else, but this is mighty tempting.

http://odessa.craigslist.org/msg/5270618005.html


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[uOpt]

Re: Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

No, there are some oddities.

Truss rod cover screw holes.

Saddles in trem.

Modern tuners with 1-ply pickguard?

 

[ledzef]

Re: Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

Possible '57 reissue which could explain the 1 ply guard. But yeah those saddles aren't stock and the screws where a truss rod cover isn't stock either.

 

[ItsaBass]

Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

Well, one thing is for sure: he's a liar. He definitely did NOT pay over $1,000 bucks for it. They were $350 guitars back then, brand new, at most. Even less used. By the '90's they retailed for around $400. At that point, even American Standards were below $1,000 (and Mexican Strats were about $250 to $300 IIRC; MIMs were not as well made back then; they filled the approximate role that Squier Classic Vibes fill today). Even up into the late '90's and early aughts, MIJs were priced about like Mexican Fenders are today (around $500 for "standard" models, $600 or $700 for the higher end models). Given the horrible "relic" job, the overall poor condition, and the dishonesty of the seller, I wouldn't even think about buying it.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

Well, one thing is for sure: he's a liar. He definitely did NOT pay over $1,000 bucks for it. They were $350 guitars back then, brand new, at most. Even less used. By the '90's they retailed for around $400. At that point, even American Standards were below $1,000 (and Mexican Strats were about $250 to $300 IIRC; they were not as well made back then). Even up into the late '90's, they were priced about like Mexican Fenders are today (around $500). Given the horrible "relic" job, the overall poor condition, and the dishonesty of the seller, I wouldn't even think about buying it.

Excellent points there.


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[stevie_bees]

Re: Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

I reckon the neck used to have the string clamps which is why there are holes on the headstock. Probably originally paired with a System 1 bridge.


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

I reckon the neck used to have the string clamps which is why there are holes on the headstock. Probably originally paired with a System 1 bridge.


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That's the only thing I can figure, since there were some of those "Contemporary" Strats around at that time.


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[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

I'd steer clear of that one. Perhaps if you can get him down to about half that it would be worth it but it looks like a money pit to me ...

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Fender ('85?) MIJ Strat

I'd steer clear of that one. Perhaps if you can get him down to about half that it would be worth it but it looks like a money pit to me ...

Yeah, probably needs a lot of work that I can't afford.


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