Most Attainable US Fenders...

[Silence Kid]

Had custody of a Strat Plus (late eighties/early nineties) for a short while; I'm dismayed by the price that those now fetch, not really wanting to drop so much cash on a guitar (and won't sell any of my others to facilitate it.)

Still want a Strat though, for some reason want it to be US, Corona made. Not wanting to spend over a grand, my options appear to be either a Highway One, or a Special. Maybe Big Apple Strats fit the bill? Are there any other models to search on eBay etc. as far as US-made, average in the $600 - $700 range (or less if I can find a deal?) For that matter, as far as Fenders in general (not limited to Strats,) what other lower-priced US models exist?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Most Attainable US Fenders...

You should be able to get a 90's Standard at that price.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Most Attainable US Fenders...

Errr. Plain sunburst AVRIs go below $1000 on Ebay. Easily the best if you don't want modern features.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Most Attainable US Fenders...

Most of the Highway Ones I see right now are overpriced for the shape they are in. I see good deals on American Specials on Ebay pretty often.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Most Attainable US Fenders...

Used American Standards sell here in Kentucky for $650-$850 all day long.
There is actually a 2016 Sunburst with a maple neck on Craigslist in Nashville for $950 and it's never been played..
I almost bought it this week but I need to stop buying guitars and guns for a while and spend some money on land..

 

[Mincer]

Re: Most Attainable US Fenders...

You should have your pick of US Strats at that price. Not current ones, but there are so many older ones on the market that you just have to pick what features that are important to you, and search for those. There are so many, it really is a buyer's market.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Most Attainable US Fenders...

H1s and Am Specials are made to a price by cutting corners on hardware quality.

The original production period Strat Plus was an Am Std, improved by the addition of locking machineheads but made worse by being constructed with pretty looking top and back veneers over multi-piece spreads of Alder.

3 x Gold versus Red/Silver/Blue Lace Sensors is a separate argument.

Some of the older artist signature models might be available. Regardless of your opinion of them as artistes, the Beck, Clapton, Guy and Malmsteen Stratocasters are all good instruments.