STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

[edi_87]

I bought this MIA Strat some time ago, previous owner didn't know what wood was used for the body or why the bridge is so weird.. Can you tell me anything about the value of this Strat? Any of you recongnize bride or (sic!) wood? Thanks guys

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

body is 3pc alder....odd for fender i thought all sunbursts were 2pc for the most part.

as for the trem, i've never seen that stock on a fender (i could be wrong though), but i have seen it as a low buck aftermarket replacement trem.

now that i look again, that pickguard route around the trem is odd too.

i think the_guy_who_invented_fire would know best hopefully he sees this.

-Mike

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

Hipshot trem I belive, Peavey has used them as well.
Can we get more pics of that body??

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

It's an '84, if that helps determine the value.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

that's NOT a hipshot trem...it's a variation of thos trem...

http://www.guitarjonesusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25_69&products_id=104

-Mike

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

It could be an old one...

 

[Voxman]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

Have you looked for any stamps or stickers on the body? There should be a stamp in the neckpocket and stickers under the pickguard.

 

[Voxman]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

It's an '84, if that helps determine the value.

Funny thing,my fender book says that(usa) E4+5 digits can be found on guitars built between 1984 and 1988.
Us serial numbers: E3 or E4 +5 digits.......1984-87
E4 + 5 digits ........1987
E4 or E8 + 5 digits.......1988
This will make the info seach a bit easier

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

It's definitely a mid-80's from the period right before CBS shut down US production. I've actually seen a similar one with that same trem, so I would bet it's stock. Can't tell you much more than that unfortunately.

As for collectibility value, pretty low. Strats from that period aren't very highly regarded, and have no value from a collector's perspective. That doesn't mean it's not a good guitar though. Do you like it?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

Aftermarket ABM-Müller trem, old design of the 5200 with the bass knife edge flat. Quite a good unit actually, funnily enough it predates the PRS trems by a few years, Paul could have saved himself a bit of work if he wanted to

http://www.abm-mueller.com/tremolo.html

 

[edi_87]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

Sure, I love it ! It has nice classic sound but is noticeably warmer.. 2 SSL-1's + JB jr.. Sounds like hell !!!
I only don't know what about the tremolo.. should I replace it or leave this one? I have no idea how would it sound with original fender trem, maybe better maybe worse.. This one is very heavy for a trem.. What do you think? Leave/replace?

 

[midnite_man]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

If the tremelo works fine for what you want it to do, and the guitar stays in tune, you might as well keep it.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

If the tremelo works fine for what you want it to do, and the guitar stays in tune, you might as well keep it.

+1, if it ain´t broke, why fix it

 

[shredaholic]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

As for collectibility value, pretty low. Strats from that period aren't very highly regarded, and have no value from a collector's perspective.

People said that about 70's strats, and look at them now

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

People said that about 70's strats, and look at them now

Well, that's a result of 60's Strats skyrocketing in value.

Once the 70's Strats get priced out of range then the 80's Strats will be the next logical buy.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

The funny thing is, there is nothing remarkable about the 70's or 80's Strats to make them valuable as a collector's item. In fact, most would argue that some of Fender's worst guitars came out in the 70's. Chalk it up to collective collector stupidity.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: STRAT veterans.. what can you tell about this guitar?

collective collector stupidity.

Is that anything like the department of redundancy department?


That's a sweet looking strat. If it plays well and sounds good I'd call it priceless and hang on to it.