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FENDER GUITARS
STRATOCASTERS (Many Custom Shop models below)
Synth Guitar Package - Roland GR-20 Guitar Synth and Roland-Ready Strat - choice of Artic White or Sunburst upgraded with Vintage Noiseless. I have these two guitars, as well as two GR-20 units, but I've been so impressed with the ease of use, sound quality, and great tracking, that I'm going to keep one of the guitars and one of the GR's for myself.
2006 Fender Standard Roland Ready Stratocaster - Artic White, (front), (back), (headstock), (pickup/controls). A guitar that looks pretty much like a regular Standard Strat but paired with a Roland GR unit (GR-20 or any earlier generation) and you've got a set up with incredible power, far beyond any vast array of guitar effects. Imagine the possibilities - being able to play piano, organ, slap bass, trumpet, strings, or just about any other instrument, all on your guitar. The guitar features all the normal Strat controls but in addition, you have onboard control over the Roland GR with a built-in GK-2A synth pickup located just in front of the bridge, "up" and "down" buttons to change patches on the GR, and a 3-way mini selector switch to choose guitar only, synth+guitar, or synth only. What is normally a second Tone control on the Strat, serves as a Volume control for the Synth volume. There's also two output jacks: the regular guitar 1/4" out plus a Roland 13-pin output on the side of the guitar, both of which connect directly to the GR-20. In fact, that's all you need to hook up to get your guitar tone and amazing synth tones. Just plug the two cables into the GR-20, plug the GR-20 into your amp, done. Gone are the days when you needed a separate analog-to-digital converter, synth unit, floorboard, and outboard effects, if desired. The GR-20 is fully self-contained and, in fact, it even has built in effects. Best off all, the Roland-Ready have the synth pickup permanently installed in place. No cumbersome and unsightly outboard GK controller. This guitar is in beautiful condition with an excellent set up. A new Roland-Ready Strat will set you back $799 but this one's in super clean condition and just $879 WITH the GR-20 unit below.
1996 Fender Standard Roland Ready Stratocaster - Sunburst with Vintage Noiseless Pickups, (front), (back), (headstock), (pickup/controls). As above, also with the GK-2A, - except in sunburst finish - plus the pickups have been upgraded with Fender Vintage Noiseless, for a great Strat tone, without the hum of single coils. This guitar is in beautiful condition with an excellent set up. A new sunburst Roland-Ready Strat will set you back $799 but this one's in super clean condition and even with the Vintage Noiseless upgrade, just $979 WITH the GR-20 unit below.
Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer, (side/front), (close-up), (carrying bag), (stock pic). Until last year, this was the latest and most powerful version of the Roland GR-series, which combines analog-digital converter, synth, and effects, all in one unit. It's extremely to use. I opened the manual only to see which jack to plug the guitar into and I was up and running - just select a sound category ((Strings, Organ, Brass, etc.). As I noted a string that required a more precise pick attack than the others I opened the manual and quickly found out how to set each string's signal strength, boosted that signal, and everything was perfect. Some of the advanced features might require more reading but if you just want to play guitar and synth patches, you'll have everything set up in minutes. With 469 built-in sounds, you'll find the right sound for each song, and the tracking is far superior to anything I've ever used before. For once, I can't play faster than the synth. Rather than write a long description, click here for Roland's site. Here's a good overview of the unit on YouTube (link). Originally sold for $729, bundled with a GK pickup but since these guitar have the built-in GK, none is included. What is included is original box, manual, power supply, and 13-pin cable that attaches the guitar to the GR. Also included is non-padded case for free, but I have a new stiff and nicely padded case for $29 if desired.
2010 Fender American Special HSS Stratocaster, (front), (back), (headstock), (gigbag). New model for Fender offering the best value in a gloss finish American Strat. Fender chose some great pickups for this model including the Fender Atomic humbucker in the bridge, Texas Special single coils in the middle and neck, offering a great choice of humbucker and single coil tones. Controls are master volume, neck pickup tone, and bridge humbucker tone. Other features include alder body with Gloss urethane finish, 70's style large headstock maple neck with modern C-shape profile and CBS-era logo, rosewood fretboard with dot inlays, modern 9.5" radius, 25.5" scale, 22 jumbo frets, vintage-style synchronized tremolo, Fender standard cast/sealed tuners, 3-ply black pickguard, and all black plastic parts. This is an impressive guitar for the money. The finish is impeccable, quality tone, and a great neck that sets up with great action. New ones are going for $799 which is an unprecedented price point for a gloss finish USA Strat. This one is set up to perfection and at $625(HOLD-Richard T 7/15), it's just $125 more than a new Mex Standard. Includes original deluxe gigbag and trem arm.
2005 Fender '56 Stratocaster Relic LTD - Sonic over Sunburst, (front), (back), (headstock/neck), (neck pocket), (checking/arm wear) (case.) . As new - unplayed condition, all accessories, factory sealed accessory bag. This is a rare one, Limited Edition run of only 100 pieces. As some of you vintage guys know, back in the old days Fender would occasionally respray one of their bodies. It was usually a sunburst body since that was the stock color, and as it was usually a custom order, they were almost always oversprayed with a custom color. For some reason, a disproportionate number of these were shipped to the UK, which I discovered during my 2-year stay over there in the 90's. Anyhow, this is the basis for this Ltd model. Since it's an LTD model, they also exercised some creative freedom and included the three main features that today's players want on a vintage guitar - modern 9.5" radius, medium-jumbo frets, and RWRP center pickup for hum canceling in positions 2 and 4, all of which make this a player's dream for a "vintage" instrument. It also features a lightweight swamp ash body, rather than alder, which is found on most sunburst and opaque finishes. All other features are true to the original. Other than forearm wear, where the sunburst is most pronounced, this is a very light relic. Most that I've seen have dings all around the edges; on this one any dings are so slight they're barely noticeable. Like all relics it does have finish checking all over the body and aged hardware, but it does not have the wear on the back of the neck, only the front, with fretboard wear in all the right spots. Frets are immaculate. Although not spec for this model, this neck is covered in small birdseyes (as shown here). Specs include: premium lightweight ash body with thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish, 9.5" radius maple fingerboard with 21 medium jumbo frets, Custom Shop Texas Special pickups (reverse wound/reverse polarity middle pickup), one-piece maple neck with '57 Style Soft “V” Shape (not the fat 10/56 neck), tinted Nitrocellulose Lacquer neck finish,, American Vintage synchronized tremolo with “Ash Tray” bridge cover, Fender/Gotoh vintage tuners, 1-ply parchment pickguard, Custom Shop Ltd Ed decal, bone nut, all original detailing - built from original tooling, and aged plastic parts. All of this housed in a black vintage-style case with black crushed velvet interior and embroidered Limited Edition logo. This is an incredibly nice player with low action, excellent sustain, and accurate intonation. Includes factory sealed accessory bag with cable, ash tray, trem arm, etc. enclosed, as well as factory hang tags and strap. This guitar sold new for $3800, although G.C. has a "blemished" (how do you blemish a relic?) one for $3045. This one is virtually unplayed and if you missed the very brief runs of the '56 in '05, and 50's in '06, here's one last chance and it's priced $500 less than a stock '56 Relic at just $2450.
1991 Fender '54 Stratocaster Reissue - Fender Japan, (front), (back) (headstock), (body/neck markings), (upgraded electronics), (trem block). Throughout much of the past few decades Fender Japan has done dozens of reissues. While Fenders in this country are only reissued in several model years, off the top of my head I recall having Fender Japan Stat reissues of around 8 different years and if you look at the current Fender Japan catalog, they probably make around 30 different Strats. The differences may be minor as is the case with the '54, which is basically the same as the '57 except for a different neck profile. The '56 is slightly chunkier, i.e. more shoulders, with a softer V shape than the '57's hard V. This picture shows that the neck was lightly sanded and with some additional playing wear, it's worn down to the natural wood in spots and in the days when some players weren't proud to be playing a Japan Strat, someone sanded off the serial and "Made in Japan" at the base of the neck. Having looked inside of 100 Japan Strats I can say with certainty that this is an original MIJ '54 with all original hardware. The one change, and it's a good one for seekers of vintage tone, all electronics have been upgraded - a set of Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's pickups with cloth wires as well as CTS Pots and switch. The only other cosmetic flaws are a few very minor dings on the body (shown here); overall this guitar is very clean. Other features include Kluson-style vintage tuners, single string tree (original round tree installed upon request), early body contours, maple neck with black dots, first-style Spaghetti logo, Fender 50's Classic big block trem, white single ply 8-screw pickguard with white parts, and truss rod adjustment on butt end. Frets have been lightly dressed allowing a nice set up and at a lightweight 7 1/2 lbs., it's a joy to play. Fender Japan are highly regarded guitars, and these older models even more so. For $699, it's an excellent value, especially with these Custom Shop pickups. Includes form fit SKB molded case.
1988 Fender American Standard Stratocaster - '54 Pickups, (front/back), (headstock/fretboard), (pickups). Very clean example of an early American Standard, with an "E4..." serial number which was used mostly on '87 and '88 Fenders, although I have seen one American Standard from Nov '86. Contrary to some web info, E4 serials are not 1984 and, in fact, the American Standard first debuted at the fall '86 NAMM show. This one has been upgraded with Custom Shop '54 pickups, which sound better than the stock ones but I have plenty of original 80's USA pickups if you want it stock. Overall this guitar is in very nice shape, especially for 22 years. Front is very clean, back has some very light buckle scratches in the clear coat only, and the worst flaw are a few light indentations around the edge. I would rate it an 8.5. Frets have just very minor wear and are around 93%. It has one of the darkest fretboards you'll see on a rosewood Strat - it actually has the appearance of ebony. Set up is nice and low and with these pickups you can get a great SRV or Hendrix tone, especially on the neck and bridge pickups. Middle pickup is RWRP so it's quiet in positions 2 and 4. A very nice Strat overall and a good value in an early American Standard at $999. Includes non-original hardshell case.
1994 40th Anniversary American Standard Stratocaster - Ocean Turquoise, (front/back), (headstock), (case). Although they made these for a full year, there aren't many in circulation these days. Everybody who collects Strats is sitting on one and since the original cost wasn't at a premium, many of them have been simply played out over the past 17 years. Specs are the same as an American Standard, with the exception of a commemorative neckplate which is engraved with "1994" and "40 years...and still rockin'" - plus it has a red/white/blue badge on the headstock, both shown here. Overall excellent condition with the exception of one finish ding on the back edge, (shown here) which has been touched up and lacquered over. Overall it's in very clean shape for a '94. Even though Fender made 1000's of this model, virtually every American Standard during 1994, they certainly have investment potential over and above a comparable '93 or '95 with the same features. The good news is that at 17 years, they're still a good buy, selling just slightly higher than other Strats from this era and not priced so high that you're afraid to take it out on a gig. Just $899 in a fairly rare Ocean Turquoise finish and includes original "red badge" Fender case and trem bar. (Note: I also have a black 40th in stock)
2008 Fender Artist Series Eric Johnson Stratocaster - White Blonde, (front/back), (headstock/cross-section), (case/acc.). Beautiful EJ in white blonde in immaculate condition. I've had just about every USA Artist Series Fender has made. It's my opinion that the Eric Johnson Strats are the best of the bunch with better sustain and more of the bell tone you want in a Strat. Eric is notorious for his painstaking attention to detail with his tone and development of his signature model was, similarly, slow and exact. The guitar was in R&D for years. One example is the pickups, where 19 prototypes were evaluated before Eric was satisfied. Specs of this model include thin Nitro finish over '57 2-piece Alder body, body cavities exact to '57 specs, one-piece quaratersawn maple neck with vintage tint that's one of the chunkiest in the Fender line up, thinner vintage style headstock, flat 12" fretboard radius with larger American Series frets, thin neck cap, bone nut, master volume - neck tone - bridge tone controls, vintage trem with silver painted block, '57 style string recess, back not drilled for tremolo cover. These guitars inevitably set up incredibly and this one is no exception, with very low action and no fretting out on 3-fret up-bends. Accessories include vintage style G&G/Fender white case, vintage strap, ash tray, care kit, tags, manuals, etc. If you want Fender's finest Artist series, go with an EJ, and get a great one like this. $1449(HOLD-Gino A 11/1), with a setup that's better than factory.
2009 Fender 50's Classic Stratocaster - Black w/Maple Board, (front), (back), (gigbag). Get the feel, vibe, and classic tone of a custom color 50's Strat in this barely played '09 model. These 50's Classics in black are our best sellers, thanks mostly to the resemblance to Clapton's "Blackie" model. Features of the 50's Classic include alder body, vintage tinted one-piece neck with a soft-V profile, 7.25" radius with vintage frets, deep vintage body contours, "aged" plastic parts, staggered pole Alnico pickups, Fender/Ping vintage tuners, vintage tremolo with heavy block, and single ply guard. Also worth mentioning, this guitar is an exceptional player. If you like vintage Strats but aren't a fan of the higher action that vintage radius Fenders usually have, you'll find this one is plays much better than anything hanging in the super stores. This guitar has barely been touched without any scratches on the front or back, plastic film was removed from the pickguard but it's immaculate, zero fret wear, and the only flaw is a small ding in the clear coat on back that doesn't show up in pics; all in all, 9.9 condition. For all specs and info, click here for Fender.com. Includes the new style Fender deluxe gigbag, serialized hang tag, and sealed accessory bag. Don't pay $699 ($999 list) for a new one when this one is in dead mint condition, set up to perfection, and just $529.
2006 Fender Limited Edition American Series Ash Stratocaster, (front), (back), (headstock), (case), (electronics). I had a bunch of these, fresh out of the box and untouched, which sold steadily and now we're about out. We chose this one to soup up with pro features and it also happens to be the one with the nicest grain of any swamp ash body you'll see, with parallel bands of grain, consistently spaced, front and back, top to bottom, side to side. The upgrades include: replaced the stock Noiseless pickups with a brand new set of signed Custom Shop '69 pickups, and they're the sought after models that are actually wound and signed/dated by Abigail Ybarra. The tone, while not quiet like the Noiseless, is much closer to a vintage Strat tone with a bell-like chime and a more expressive feel. We replaced the stock nut with an Earvana compensated nut (info here) for better intonation and the stock Fender/Ping tuners have been replaced with a quality set of Hipshot locking type (mods shown here). Lastly, Martin hand-polished all the frets for bends that are silky smooth (as shown on frets on left side of this pic). We also changed the pickguard to a new Fender green guard and substituted a new TKL deluxe tolex case for the stock molded case. These are a factory special run (FSR) with the defining features being a desirable color and wood - Sienna Sunburst over light weight and resonant Swamp Ash - plus upgraded Noiseless pickups Other features include maple neck with modern C shape and 9.5" radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, 2-point trem with stainless steel saddles, parchment plastic parts, and solid ash body. These have all been killer players, with action set lower than factory spec (we can raise if desired). If you're looking for a great Strat that has some pro upgrades that are normally found on custom shop or deluxe models - with the nicest piece of ash you'll find - here you go, and at $1299 it's a couple hundred less than an American Deluxe but a nicer guitar. Includes upgraded case, tags, paperwork, strap, cable, polishing cloth, manual, and Allen wrenches.
2009 Fender USA Highway One Stratocaster HSS - 3-Tone Sunburst, (front), (headstock), (back), (Deluxe Gigbag). Flawless condition and the best value in a USA Strat featuring a nitrocellulose lacquer finish on the body, preferred by many players, but due to the satin lacquer finish, they're cheaper to manufacture and than a standard gloss finish. Other than the finish and the gigbag, the quality of the Highway series is the same as the American Standard. Specs include: Alder body with 3-color sunburst finish, maple neck with modern "C" Shape profile, rosewood fingerboard with modern 9.5" Radius, 22 Jumbo Frets, '70s style large headstock; vintage tremolo with stamped steel saddles; Hot Single-Coil pickups with Alnico 3 magnets in the neck and middle positions with a Fender Atomic humbucker in the bridge; master volume; tone 1 = neck pickup with "greasebucket" (rolls of highs without adding bass) tone circuit; tone 2 = bridge pickup with "greasebucket"; Fender Ping tuners. The thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish lets the body wood's natural tone shine through. Although it doesn't require the buffing of a poly finish, nitro is a rather expensive finish to do, mainly because of its long drying time - it's rarely found on a guitar in this price range. One upgrade we offer on Highways is a buffed out finish, which gives the guitar a high gloss finish and with the thin Nitro finish, more of a vintage look, as shown here, side by side. This guitar is immaculate other than a few pickguard scratches, set up better than factory, and a super value on a USA Fender at $599. Includes Fender Deluxe gigbag.
1989 Fender HM Strat - Flash Pink, (front), (back), (headstock/neck), (heel/serial), (touch-ups), (finish fade). All the same specs as the black HM below other than pickups are the common DiMarzio Super Distortion 3 bridge humbucker (hex poles) and a pair of American Standard Strat pickups in the middle and neck, and TBX/Tone pots rather than TBX/MBX. Finished in "Flash Pink" as listed in the '88-'89 catalog, and in beautiful shape other than two finish touch-ups (front and bottom edge). No buckle scratches or pick scratches, hardware is very clean, frets are in great shape. Finish has some fading with the front being strong pink and the edge and back being faded to a lighter colored pink. This is a great playing guitar that hasn't seen much playing time and if you're not too anal-retentive, an excellent buy at $550(SOLD-Philippe FR) with hardshell case.
1988 Fender USA HM Strat - Ice Blue, (front/back), (headstock), (detail), (case). Another great HM Strat and this one has is barely used. Save a small finish chip beside the strap pin (shown here), there is virtually no wear; no pick scratches or buckle scratches, with clean frets and overall a real beauty. Over the relatively brief run of the HM's, some were made in USA, some in Japan, and some in Japan of USA parts. They're all excellent quality guitars but this one is a USA model. The HM Strat was priced at $669 - $769 with case - which was actually $120 higher than the American Standard Strat w/case at $649. I'm going to go out on a limb and inform the public that all the HM's that are called Seafoam or Surf Green are actually Ice Blue. In none of my '88-'89 price lists do they list these colors and Ice Blue is the only blue or green color listed among the 5 color choices (others are Black, Bright White, Flash Pink, and Razz Berry) as shown here. I can see where the confusion comes from. In this pic of two '88 HM's (2 shades of Ice Blue) you'll see how the finish turns from a blue (pictured back) to more of a green (pictured in front). The "blue-er" one sat in its case out of the elements while the greener one was played regularly and lived outside of the case. Since nobody has ever given these guitars the respect they deserve, nobody has ever done truly extensive research. There are a few good sites that focus on or discuss HM's and I appreciate them, but they also contain a great deal of misinformation, much of it submitted by casual users. Features include HSS pickup configuration with a DiMarzio Super Distortion 3 bridge humbucker (hex poles) and a pair of American Standard Strat pickups in the middle and neck, controlled by Strat 5-way with an additional mini-switch to split the bridge humbucker which gives you all the vintage Strat choices, plus two humbucker choices. Other features include Kahler Spyder double-locking tremolo (licensed by Floyd Rose), quality Gotoh tuners, Kahler locking nut only (rather than the locking nut behind the standard nut found on the Kahler Pro, flat fretboard (17" radius) with 24 jumbo frets, 25" scale, Strat shaped body with the cutaways and heel beveled to provide maximum ease in playing in the upper register. Fender chose to include a tone control with this model, which is a welcomed addition over guitars like the Baretta that featured a volume control only. It also features a coil splitter mini-toggle, giving you two distinct tones Like most HM's, the fretboard is a very dark rosewood, very tight grained, that looks almost like ebony. The necks on these is very thin and wide, with only a sealer coat which provides a very natural feel and doesn't stick to your hand. The pots have a very even taper and gradually roll off the volume, or tone, evenly from "10" to "1". Cosmetically it's in beautiful shape and one of the nicer examples of an HM that I've found recently and other than the small finish chip (which we can touch-up if desired), it's a 9+. Beater HM's are going over $500 but you can have a real beauty for $699. Includes a beat square Fender molded case from my spares, not as nice as the guitar, modern Fender case in nicer shape, or new molded case.
1983 Fender USA Stratocaster, (front/back), (headstock), (Kahler Pro Trem), (Kahler Nut), (case/etc.). '83 Strats are frequently maligned, mainly due to the surface-mounted Freeflyte tremolo system that was, admittedly, ill-conceived, plus other cost-saving measures of the era including pickguard-mounted output jack and only one tone knob. While it took a long time for these to catch on in the vintage market, a few years ago they started to take off and now they command prices higher than a new Strat, which indicates there is some vintage value in there. The bottom line though, is many of these are excellent utility guitars. Fit and finish on these are actually better than the 70's 3-bolt Strats where "the gap" was commonplace, with a neck that didn't properly fit the body. Regarding the tremolo, the good news is the Freeflyte trems can be rather easily replaced with a Kahler Pro, as was done on this guitar. The Kahler Pro is an excellent system and along with the Floyd Rose, is the choice of top American guitars like Jackson. The feel isn't as stiff and it stays in tune very well. Kahler also offered two styles of locking nuts, both used in conjunction with a standard nut. One requires an Allen wrench to loosen while they also offered this style which loosens with a flick of the thumb. Overall this one is very clean for 28 years with no major scratches on the body and it's obviously been well cared for. Frets have been recently dressed and there is plenty of life left in the frets. One major upgrade is a set of Custom Shop Texas Specials have been installed and they sound great. It also appears as though a new pickguard was used when the pickups were installed. At 9 lbs. on the nose, this guitar is medium weight for an '83 - I've had many of them over 10 lbs. If you're looking for a quality utility Strat that is pretty much impervious to going out of tune, with quality Texas Specials installed, here's a nice buy at $799. Includes original Fender case.
2010 Fender Custom Shop '56 NOS Stratocaster, (front), (headstock), (back), (body), (pickguard ass.), (factory specs), (case and acc.). Dead mint - just built on 7/24/10 and unplayed condition with plastic still on pickguard and backplate. With that said, there was one alteration done to this guitar which will appeal to players who prefer the smaller '57 neck to the chunky '56. The neck has been replaced with a USA Vintage '57 (pic here). This is the best '57 neck I've had and it allows the best set up you've ever seen on a vintage radius. I have been holding onto it for years, waiting for the perfect guitar to put it on and this '56 NOS won. The guitar itself was a custom order, basically Clapton specs except for the mid-boost circuit. Specs include: NOS '56 Alder body with thin poly finish buffed out to a high gloss, blocked vintage tremolo, 1-ply white pickguard, 5-way modern switching, SCN pickups, and tweed case. If you're used to a compromise with vintage necks, i.e. higher action to allow for the rounder radius, this neck is sure to please you. It plays as well as the finest genuine 50's Fenders I've played. In addition, this is a very resonant guitar with a loud acoustic tone. Plugged in, these SCN's give you the character of a fine vintage Strat, but without the hum. Forget about Vintage Noiseless, these SCN's are in a completely different league. Although wired in the traditional 5-way fashion, they're wired to allow easy modification if you ever want to switch to a coil splitter or S-1 switching system. If you want the Clapton vibe without the additional electronics and/or prefer a less chunky neck than the standard '56, this guitar is for you. ...and you'll get the best playing 50's Custom Shop I've had. Pristine condition and a whole lot cheaper than ordering a new one from the factory at just $1750. Includes factory sealed accessory bag, leather strap, cable, factory hang tag, ash tray, factory-sealed custom care folder, certificate, and Fender/G&G tweed case.
2003 Fender '60's Classic Stratocaster, Sunburst, w/upgrade, (front), (back), (headstock), (upgrade). Get the 60's vibe and tone with this very nice 60's Classic. One noteworthy upgrade was done to this beauty - a new set of Fender Vintage 57/62 pickups in place of the stock Alnico set. Features vintage C-shaped maple neck with rosewood fretboard, solid Alder body, small headstock with spaghetti logo and vintage-tinted gloss neck, vintage synchronized tremolo with stamped steel saddles, aged plastic parts, and vintage 7.25" fretboard radius. This guitar hasn't seen much playing time and is in excellent condition with a great setup, especially for a vintage radius. With a list price of $999, these sell online and at the super stores for $699 with gigbag but why buy new when you can have this beauty for less, with a an absolutely killer set up and an upgrade that will run nearly $200 parts/labor from a qualified tech. Just $579 for this one. Includes Fender deluxe gigbag.
2008 Fender FSR Floyd Rose Stratocaster with EMG's, (front/back), (headstock), (EMG81/85), (low profile trem), (chunky neck), (Straplocks). One of the cooler Factory Special Run (FSR) Strats I've seen at this price. Made especially for the Sam Ash Music chain, it combines killer looks with a high gloss black finish, matching headstock, raised chrome logo, and pearloid pickguard with black knobs and tip. It just looks like an elegant rock animal, if that's not a contradiction. Looks aside, this model is outfitted with top of the line active EMG's, with the popular EMG81/EMG85 combination, controlled by 3-way selector, volume, and individual tone controls. It's an active system, with the 9V battery easily accessible via a back cavity cover. Although it won't appeal to everyone, it's nice to see a Floyd Rose model with something other than a skinny profile neck. This neck is chunky, with a soft-V shape that's considerably thicker than even a Standard Strat, much less a Metal axe, with 22 medium-jumbo frets. The licensed Floyd Rose tremolo is a good quality unit, double-locking with the strings locked in at the bridge, recessed into the body, Floyd Pro style with a low profile and angled back fine tuners. This guitar is all stock except for two tasteful upgrades: excellent quality Planet Waves locking tuners as well as a set of Planet Waves locking strap pins and strap locks. With a list of $1149, this model sold for $749 without case or gigbag. This guitar is immaculate, with a killer setup, includes Fender Deluxe Gigbag and Planet Waves hardware, $125 in upgrades. This is the only Strat I've ever seen with the combination of factory EMG's - Floyd - and large neck - and there were very few of these made. $599(HOLD-Ron M 7/6) for this beauty.
1983 Fender Stratocaster Elite HSS - Pewter, (front), (back), (headstock), (detail), (case). Over the years I've heard many discussions regarding guitar weight and how it applies to a guitar's sustain and overall tone. In the late 70's/early 80's the belief was that mass = tone; i.e. heavy guitars with heavy hardware, which probably had something to do with the Elite series, which are notorious for being heavy. In the following years the thinking has shifted and today many players believe that the lightest Strats are the best sounding Strats. Personally, I don't think a guitar's tone has anything to do with weight and a resonant piece of wood, light or heavy, makes for a good sounding guitar. This '83 Elite is a good example. At 10.8 lbs., it's heavier than the average Les Paul but it's definitely one of the best sounding Elite I've ever had. Strum a chord and pick individual notes while sustaining the chord and the notes ring exceptionally clear; the notes are fairly complex for an electric with desirable overtones, especially on overdriven amp settings, and the sustain is evident acoustically and especially when plugged in. As you can see in the pics this guitar has had one major mod with an early 80's DiMarzio Super Distortion replacing the original pickup, plus a coil tap switch was added, which increases the pickup possibilities from 7 to 10. The DiMarzio sounds excellent and only adds to the tonal pallet of this guitar. The only other change are the knobs, which are regular Strat knobs and, typical of Elites, someone tried the fine tuner nut and then removed it, thus the 3 small holes on the headstock. For general info regarding the Elite, click here for a page I've created which outlines features of this innovative model. Overall this guitar is in very clean shape with the worst flaws being a small finish chip on the treble side body edge (see arrow in "front" pic above) and a small ding just above it. Otherwise, there are minimal scratches in the clear coat, not through the finish, and only light fret wear. A very nice set-up this is a good choice for the player who doesn't want to pay top dollar for a pristine model that's too clean to take to a gig. A good buy for the Strat collector on a budget or player of average means - at just $999. Includes original Fender case with the typical one missing latch.
2005 Fender Showmaster FMT HH - Black Cherry Flametop, (front/back), (headstock). Killer looks - killer tone - killer price. Showmasters have traditionally been Fender's upscale Strat, with the most radical departure being a set-neck construction, plus a carved top and no pickguard. The Showmaster FMT's most notable feature is the beautifully figured carved maple top over deep cut basswood body - but look a little closer and you'll see some high end features in these beauties, most notably, a pair of REAL Duncans, with a ‘59 (Reverse Polarity) in the neck and a Pearly Gates Plus in the bridge. Other high-end features are set-neck construction, locking tuners, 2-point synchronized tremolo, Abalone inlays, raised chrome logo, smoked chrome hardware - plus 24-fret maple neck with rosewood fretboard, master volume and tone controls. With a list of $899 these sold online for $629 but this one is immaculate and a sweet SuperStrat at jut $479. Includes new and very well padded Fender gigbag and trem arm. (Note: I also have several of these in tobacco sunburst, unplayed in factory boxes, for $100 more)
Fender '60 Relic Stratocaster - Olympic White - I originally sold this as a "mint" '60 Relic (picture) in Olympic White...sold it to a regular customer who proceeded to strip the body (picture) completely...he traded it in one week later....and now it's been refinished in the original Olympic White (picture), although more of a Closet Classic with a mint body but aged hardware. John Fischer, our new local refin guy, did a nice job on the refinish, using original spec automotive Olympic White. Current pics and description: 2006 Fender '60 Stratocaster - Olympic White, (front), (back), (headstock/neck), (case/acc.). 1960 was a pivotal year for the Strat. Gone was the maple fretboard, replaced with a rosewood "slab" fretboard, clay dot inlays, and a smaller C-shaped profile, and larger truss rod. For many players this is the perfect choice from the current line up of Relics which include the '56, '69, and this '60. The '60 has the pre-CBS vibe with the spaghetti logo and green pickguard, but it's the only one with the popular C-profile. Hardware is oxidized nicely, with just a little bit of rust. Other features include 2-piece Alder body with proper tooling marks, 7.25" vintage radius, Custom 60's single coil pickups, cloth wiring, Fender/Gotoh vintage tuners, American Vintage tremolo system, nickel-plated hardware, and aged plastic parts. This is a very resonant guitar, even after the refin, and a nice medium weight at 8 lbs., with the classic bell-like tone and very good acoustic tone. The set up is fantastic with low action you would expect on a modern radius but even with this vintage radius, no fretting out on bends and all strings ring true. Original cost on this guitar when it was a Relic was over $3K but if you're one of those folks who doesn't like the factory wear but still want the vibe of a old Strat, the finish on this one is immaculate and just $1799. Includes original brown case, certificate, and misc. case candy (note: "Mist and Wipe" kit not included). Note: If you have a body that needs refinishing, we can now do pretty much any stock Fender color, just email for details and pricing.
Fender Custom Shop 50th Anniversary Stratocaster Relic...TRIO! (click to enlarge pics) Choice of a 1956, 1960, or 1965 (cert's) never retailed, unplayed, including unopened accessory bags and, of course, era-correct cases. All are "all gold" models with a Aztec Gold (nitro lacquer) and gold hardware, with light to medium relicing including checked finish and aged hardware with misc finish chips here and there, with the '65 receiving more relic wear than the other two. I confirmed with Fender that only 100 of each piece - WORLDWIDE - was produced, which makes this a very rare guitar for an Anniversary model. These listed at $4677-$4690 with discount pricing to $3500. One of these could easily be the centerpiece in many Anniversary model collections, to go along with your 25th, 35th, various 40th's, and production model 50th's.
1956 Stratocaster Relic 50th Anniversary, (headstock/neck), (sample of relic wear), (case&accessories). Features include Aztec Gold finish with gold hardware, gold anodized pickguard, V-shaped neck, finish checking and misc dings as well as fretboard "wear", aged hardware, and 50th Anniversary neckplate. Nice lightweight Strat at 7.8 lbs. Unplayed condition with Tweed case, opened accessory bag, and COA. Store priced at $3500 (would be higher with the new '09 price list), but this one's never retailed and perfect, and just $2799.
1960 Stratocaster Relic 50th Anniversary, (headstock/neck), (sample of relic wear), (case&accessories). Features include Aztec Gold finish with gold hardware, "matching" headstock - Aztec gold, C-shaped "slab board" neck with clay dot inlays, finish checking and misc dings, aged hardware, and 50th Anniversary neckplate. Nice lightweight Strat at 7.4 lbs. Unplayed condition with Brown Tolex case, opened accessory bag, and COA. Store priced at $3500 but this one's never retailed and perfect, and just $2699(SOLD).
1965 Stratocaster Relic 50th Anniversary, (headstock/neck), (sample of relic wear), (case&accessories). Features include Aztec Gold finish with gold hardware, "matching" headstock - Aztec gold, C-shaped neck with curved fretboard and pearloid dot inlays, finish checking and misc dings as well as "player's wear" in the belly contour, bold trans logo, aged hardware, and 50th Anniversary neckplate. Nice lightweight Strat at 7.6 lbs. Unplayed condition with proper non-logo Black Tolex case, opened accessory bag, and COA. SStore priced at $3500 (would be higher with the new '09 price list), but this one's never retailed and perfect, and just $2799.
2007 Fender '69 Stratocaster Relic w/mods, (front/back), (headstock), (body/neck markings), (pickguard assembly), (cert/plate), (case). All original '69 Relic with the exception of the body, which has been replaced with a USA Fender Highway One, nitro finish, buffed out and ready for a relic treatment. It would be a good choice for somebody who wants the tone and feel of a '69 but wants to play a clean guitar, pretty much like a Closet Classic. In place of the stock small vintage frets this guitar now has medium jumbo frets, Stew-Mac 154 fret wire, with a pro job by AL&M with $300 job order in the case. These frets are considerably larger than the stock vintage frets and compared with Dunlop 6105, the 154 fret wire is wider but not quite as tall (6105=.090 X .055; 154=.100 X .050). As is common with a refret away from vintage frets, it was also re-radiused away from the vintage rounded fretboard, now with a flatter radius to prevent the fretting out common on vintage radii. Other than the body and trem, this guitar is an original '69 Relic, including complete pickguard assembly with the famed Abigail Ybarra gray-bottom '69 pickups. These pickups really define the tone of this guitar, with a bell chime not found on the other Relic models. For a good demo of these pickups, click here for Fender. Neck is a very comfortable U-shape with typical finish checking on the headstock as well as some dings and scrapes - plus some moderate flame on back. Other features include American Vintage tremolo with large block and bent saddles, 3-way and 5-way switches included, Fender/Schaller F-tuners, Nickel/chrome hardware, 3-ply parchment pickguard, 1.65" nut width, large 60's headstock with truss rod at butt end, master volume, neck pickup tone, middle pickup tone controls. Other than a relic appearance to the headstock, this guitar is very clean and with the body buffed out looks more like a Closet Classic than a Relic. These Highway bodies have thin nitro finishes and relic very well if you want to make it a project. With the cost of a new '69 Relic at $3099, or even a Closet Classic at $2999, this one is around 1/2 the price, sounds as nice, and for players who don't like small frets has a $300 fret job to make it a much better playing guitar. Own this one or just $1550. Includes original era-correct G&G/Fender Tolex case with chrome logo and orange lining, Fender strap, ash tray, polishing cloth, certificate, 3-way switch (5-way installed), sticker, manual, etc.
1994 Fender Stratocaster Plus - Torino Red, (front), (back), (headstock), (pickup), (tremsetter), (case). The cleanest of the clean. Actual NOS condition in a 16-year old Strat, much the same as the '91 Black Pearl I posted a few days ago...except this one still has the factory plastic film on the pickguard and back cover! A true collector's piece - not a scratch, ding, or sign of player's wear other than plastic removed from the pickguard and there are, literally, only several pickguard scratches. The Strat Plus made its debut in 1987 and had a very successful 13-year run, ending in '99, which was the last year of the American Standard series. In '00 Fender debuted their new "American Series" (i.e. renamed from the "American Standard"). The Plus was replaced by the American Deluxe which was basically the same idea, e.g. upgraded pickups, locking tuners, and some non-standard finishes. When released in '87 the Plus was essentially a deluxe model American Standard, with upgraded pickups and hardware. It featured a trio of the new Lace Sensor pickups, which provided a vintage tone without the annoying noise associated with standard Strat pickups - and no magnetic string pull to kill the sustain of the strings. The Gold Laces (50's Strat sound) on this model are the same pickups used on the Clapton and Buddy Guy signature models and both player toured with their stock pickups for many years. The Plus also features precision locking tuners as well as a LSR nut, both enhancements to keep the guitar in tune, especially for players who use the tremolo to great measure. This model year Fender also employed a "Tremsetter" by Hipshot in the tremolo cavity, which further contributes to tuning stability, returning the trem to the "zero" position when not in use. You can play right-hand bridge harmonics, aggressive rhythm, palm mute the strings, or do bends without the other strings going out of tune and the bridge stays put. I predicted that these early silver-logo American Standards would be the next Fender to take off on the vintage market and they've been on a consistent upswing for the past few years. This beauty is 17 years old and as clean as a brand new floor model in your local store. At $1499(HOLD-Joe Z 10/18), it's the same price as a new American Deluxe Strat which puts in in the price range of working musicians - but for collectors, looking for the cleanest examples on the planet, this one's a rare find. If that's not enough, it's an excellent playing guitar with very good sustain and 7.6 lbs., very lightweight for an American Standard era Strat. Includes original "Plus" case, which has a different badge plus upgraded latches, case key, serialized factory hang tag, manuals, hang tags, etc.
1989 Massively Upgraded Fender Squier Stratocaster Project, (upgrades), (front), (headstock), (back), (pickguard assembly). Here's one for the DIY'ers, or just somebody who needs some quality parts. Normally we would just complete this here at the shop but with dozens of projects waiting in the wings, it could be years before we get around to it. This has some high-end upgrades: A trio of Rio Grande pickups - the "Muy Macho" set (Muy Grande in neck and middle with an STelly in the bridge); CTS USA electronics; an early model Original Floyd Rose with wood screws into the body rather than the later inserts; and Sperzel locking tuners. Made at the Young Chang plant in Korea in 1989, as a guitar, it's a solid, clean piece with a good neck and overall in nice shape. The string trees have been removed and plugged, in favor of a bar-type string tree. With quality tuners like the Sperzels you can get away with some fairly heavy tremolo use but for extensive dive-bombing you'd want to go with a locking nut. The pickguard will have to be cut slightly to accommodate the Floyd (overlap), which is slightly wider than the original vintage style trem. Rio Grande sells this prewired pickup assembly for $326 (link). I'm selling this whole project the for just $24 more than the cost of the prewired pickup assembly, $350.
2009 Fender Vintage Modified Squier Strat SSS - Metallic Red, (front), (headstock), (back). Top of the line Squier with classic looks, excellent playability, and nice tone. This one is a vintage modified "Vintage Modified", with the red MOTO pickguard and stark white plastic parts replaced with a parchment pickguard and parchment parts (stock look vs. upgraded look). Now this Vintage Modified more closely resembles a vintage model. The body is Indian red cedar, which is a departure from the usual alder, ash, or occasional mahogany, but is a good sounding wood in its own right. A trio of Duncan Designed Alnico V single coils sound very good. 22-frets maple neck with a rosewood board has a modern 9.5" radius that plays very well and doesn't fret out on bends. It has good quality hardware with die-cast chrome tuners and a vintage style tremolo with stamped saddles. This model sells new for $349. With all parchment parts, this guitar looks better than stock, is in super clean condition, and $100 cheaper at $249.
2006 Fender Standard Stratocaster - Black w/Maple Board, (front/back), (headstock), (pickup/pots), (case). To many this is *the* look in an Strat, black with a maple fretboard, favored largely due to the Clapton "Blackie" vibe. I just posted an identical American model last week but here's one that's just as nice but more affordable. As we always have plenty of spare pickups laying around we did one nice upgrade, changing the bridge pickup to a Custom Shop 50's with cloth wires. Since a lot of players use the bridge pickup 90% of the time I figured this one pickup would give the most bang for the buck. It also features USA pots and switch so you're guaranteed no hassle with the electronics for a long time. Included is the original pickup and a new trem bar (pic here). Standard Strats are very good quality and I've seen quite a few guys in bar bands earning money playing their Mex Strats. This one is in beautiful shape with no noteworthy flaws and one of the best setups you'll find with low action all the way up the neck as shown here at the 12th fret. Great setup, nice tone, beautiful shape and even with the Custom 50's, priced less than a new stock one at just $429 with gigbag.
2003 Fender American Series Stratocaster, (front), (headstock), (back), (case). The classic look in an American Strat, black with a maple fretboard, for the Clapton "Blackie" vibe. I've posted 100's of USA Strats over the years and most of you know all about them. Prior to the satin finished Highway Series, these were the best value in an American Strat and remain largely unchanged since their debut in the fall of '86. In '00 Fender re-named them, going from American "Standard" to American "Series" and incorporated a few changes, doing away with the "swimming pool" pickup route, incorporating more detailed fret and nut work, hand-rolling fretboard edges, pickups became staggered pole, and new staggered-height tuners which eliminated one of the string trees. Whether it's the 80's/90's Standards, the '00-'07 Series, or the current Standard (again), these guitars represent the evolution of the original Strat created in 1954. Fender has made some stumbles along the way but they definitely were back on track when the American Standard was released. This one is in beautiful shape with no noteworthy flaws and has seen very little playing time. Great setup, nice weight, an a lovely American Series for $775. Includes SKB molded case that's identical to Fender other than the badge says "SKB".
2007 Fender Classic Player 50's Stratocaster - 2Tone Sunburst, (front/back), (headstock), (info tag), (gigbag/acc.). (Whoever inquired last week, I just found the last one of these). Never retailed - not a scratch. This guitar was designed by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Dennis Galuszka and features a blend of the old and the new, something Fender has been featuring throughout much of their line the past 2 years, and like the Baja Tele I posted yesterday, this whole series uses top quality pickups, electronics, and hardware, at a price that's around 1/2 of an American Vintage series. In my opinion, these guitars are 90% as good - at 50% of the price, i.e. an excellent value for your money. Features include a very thin poly gloss finish over 2-tone sunburst, alder body, maple "C" shape neck with modern 9.5" radius maple fingerboard, 21 medium jumbo frets, 3 USA Vintage '57/'62 pickups, 5 way pickup selector, chrome hardware with Gotoh vintage style locking tuning machines, custom 2 point vintage style tremolo bridge, Custom Shop designed neck plate and aged plastic parts. When Fender lowered their prices on most of their guitars this one dropped from $1109 to $799 which made it a very sweet deal. Sweeter still is this dead mint beauty priced at just $679 - and set-up better than factory specs. Includes Fender deluxe gigbag, tags, and sealed acc. bag.
2000 Fender '60's Classic
Stratocaster - Lake Placid Blue, (front/back),
(headstock), (case).
Get the 60's vibe in a cool custom color, Lake Placid Blue Metallic, in this
extremely clean 60's Classic. Features vintage C-shaped maple neck with
rosewood fretboard, solid Alder body, small headstock with spaghetti logo and
vintage-tinted gloss neck, vintage Alnico pickups with staggered magnets,
vintage synchronized tremolo with stamped steel saddles, aged plastic parts, and
vintage 7.25" fretboard radius. This guitar looks like it was played
for a month and put under away in the closet for a decade; no player's
wear at all. With a list price of $999, these sell online and at the super
stores for $699 with gigbag but why buy new when you can have this beauty for
less, with a an absolutely killer set up and INCLUDES a nice TKL case, which is
in mint condition except for a small crack in the lid. Just $569
SOLD-Local for
guitar with the case.
2003 Fender Classic 70's Stratocaster, (front/back), (headstock/fretboard). Fender waited for years before they came out with a 70's reissue. Years before this model, Fender capitalized on the popularity of Pre-CBS era Strats with this 50's and 60's reissues. Eventually, the early 70's Stag pole, white guard Strats started soaring in price which was an indicator that a large headstock/"bullet" truss rod model would be well received. Features all the classic appointments of the early 70's including F-tuners, large headstock with bullet and CBS-era black/gold bold logo, skunk stripe neck, 3-bolt neck attachment with "micro-tilt", stag pole pickups, U-shaped maple neck, 3-ply pickguard and vintage tremolo. This one in Natural finish also features a lightweight swamp ash body. This guitar is hard to beat in terms of vibe and tone at this price range and it's in super clean shape. This came in as a very mediocre player but Martin spent a few hours transforming it into a guitar that's really nice to play. List on a new one is $999 but this beautiful barely used one is $529 with Fender gigbag.
2004 Fender Standard Stratocaster Floyd Rose 1HB, (front/back), (headstock), (Floyd/DiMarzio). Higher end member of the Fender Standard Series, with all the features of a Standard PLUS factory Floyd Rose double locking tremolo including Floyd Rose nut. This one has been slightly modified/upgraded with a single DiMarzio humbucker in the bridge with custom ordered 3-ply tortoise pickguard and backplate, and only two controls, volume and tone - original configuration was Hum-Single-Single Mex pickups with 3 knobs and 5-way. Other specs include Alder body, modern C-shaped neck, Fender Ping tuners, and neck tilt adjustment via neckplate. Olympic White finish is immaculate except for one tiny touch-up on the back edge of the belly contour (shown here) and the normal small lacquer crack in the cutaway, worth mentioning only because this Strat is otherwise extremely clean. This model features an excellent quality Floyd Rose, made by Ping (specs here), which is identical to the Original Floyd in specs and the only licensed model which is allowed to carry the Floyd Rose logo. This guitar has an excellent setup and the DiMarzio makes it especially good at rock/metal tones. The stock HSS Floyd Rose sells for $699 but for many of us, this single DiMarzio is cooler and better - for just $499. Includes Fender gigbag.
Fender MIK Yngwie-style Stratocaster, (front/back), (headstock). This was previously a Korean Standard Strat, with the serial and country of manufacture rubbed off, as shown here (this headstock is pictured over a non-modified example). The defining characteristic of this guitar is the entire fretboard has been scalloped, which has been used by great success by Neo-Classical great Yngwie Malmsteen. Cosmetically, the scallop job is good, although probably not professional, but it's a lot better than I could. Functionally, it works flawlessly and will allow you to do trills by just pressing down on the fret rather than the side-to-side conventional method. Finished in vintage white, which has the appearance of a yellowed-out Olympic White, this guitar is also accented by a tasteful combination of gold and chrome hardware, such as the bridge which is chrome, with gold saddles and gold wood screws. I'm not sure what kind of bridge this is, but it's definitely a quality unit, with a large tremolo block of steel rather than the cheap mix that would have been stock on this model. As far as the rest of the hardware - gold output jack and gold tuners, which are excellent quality tuners from a Japan designer series Strat, made by Gotoh and feature pearloid buttons. Since most players who like Yngwie style music will stick to the bridge pickup, that has been changed to a DiMarzio Fast Track DP-181, a high output Strat pickup which provides the single coil tone, with hum-canceling side-by-side coils. Not pictured but included are a back cover. Cosmetically the guitar has a few small finish chips (shown here) as well as a few fine finish cracks in the normal cutaway area, and by each strap pin. If you're looking for the essence of a Malmsteen signature model, this one's almost $1K cheaper and an excellent playing Strat. $399. Note: We can install a '69/'70 vintage logo for additional cost if desired.
1983 Fender Stratocaster Elite, (front/back), (headstock), (case). Rather than using long descriptions, click here for a page I've created which outlines features of this innovative model. This guitar is all original and overall pretty nice shape for its age with the worst flaws being two small finish chips, shown here, which we can touch-up and lacquer over if desired, at the customer's request. Unlike many of the Elite models I've had, this guitar has been played rather than spending its life in the case. There are normal scratches in the clear coat, not through the finish, and average fret wear but with a nice set-up this is a good choice for the player who doesn't want to pay top dollar for a pristine model that's too clean to take to a gig. A good buy for the Strat collector on a budget or player of average means - at just $1050. Includes Fender case but not original trem arm.
2007 Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster - Black, (front), (headstock), (back). Great playing Squier. The Affinity Series are, by and large, very good playing guitars with a proper set up but this is another one of those "one in twenty" that has a great neck that allows for a set up with low action. We had to do a little work to get it this way but Martin has this thing playing as well as many USA models at 4X the cost. Squiers have come along way since the early Korean and Mex models and the Affinity offers the most bang for the buck in a guitar that you can play well into the intermediate stage of your playing. In fact, we've done upgrades to these that cost more than the guitar itself because underneath it all you have a solid Alder body and a maple neck with rosewood board. Sometimes we'll drop in a set up Duncans and a vintage logo and most players wouldn't guess they're playing a guitar that originally sold for under $200. This guitar is in beautiful shape with no cosmetic flaws to speak of, has a classic Strat tone and, again, plays fantastically. Don't buy a mediocre one off the rack when you can get this beauty that's guaranteed to be one of the best for just $139.
Fender Bullet Strat 1HB - Black w/upgrades, (front), (headstock), (back). Nice playing budget Strat with two cool upgrades. The stock pickup on this model is, well, not good. This one has an Ibanez V8 bridge pickup, taken from a Prestige RG1570, and it really sings. Most stock Bullets tend to sound shrill at best; lifeless at worst. This one sounds like a good guitar. The other upgrade is strictly ego. The headstock has been stripped of the Bullet logo and a vintage style Fender logo in its place. With the small headstock, it has the look of an '82 "Smith" Strat. This is a hardtail model, a better choice for players who don't use a trem. It stays in tune during bends and double-stops, and doesn't go out of tune if you break a string. With it's all-black looks, it's a good choice for the seeker of dangerous looking guitars. Overall in beautiful condition, other than some wood chips around the tuners where another set of tuners was once installed. For a guitar with nice action and frets properly finished, a lot of guitar for $99.
1994 40th Anniversary Fender American Standard Stratocaster, (pic2), (pic3). Everybody needs one of these in their Strat collection. Not really rare, other than they were only made for one year, and specs are all American Standard, with the exception of a commemorative neckplate which proclaims the year, model, and phrase, "40 years...and still rockin'", as well as a red/white/blue badge on the headstock, both shown here. Overall excellent condition. We've buffed out the body to a high gloss, removing 95% of the light scratches; frets show only minor wear on the lower few frets. Not dead mint but what I'd call very nice for a lightly used guitar. Even though Fender made many 1000's of this model, virtually every American Standard during 1994, they certainly have investment potential over and above a comparable '93 or '95 with the same features. The good news is that at 17 years, they're still a good buy, selling just slightly higher than other Strats from this era and not priced so high that you're afraid to take it out on a gig. A very collectable and very clean 40th is a very good buy when they're less than a new one; this one's just $850. Includes similarly nice original "red badge" Fender case and trem bar.
1989 Fender (Korea) Squier II Stratocaster, (front/back), (headstock). Folks seem to really like the Squier II series, which was Fender's second run at the Squier series, after the Fender Japan Squiers proved to be cost-prohibitive. As the 80's came to a close, Japan's economy was thriving and the increased labor cost forced Fender to search elsewhere for manufacturing the Squier Series, leading them to Korea and the Young Chang corporation, where this guitar was built. During this same timeframe Fender was also producing a lot of the Contemporary Squiers, which came in different pickup configurations and featured a body with different contours and no pickguard. The Standard Squiers, such as this model, are widely regarded as being superior to the Chinese and Indonesian models which followed in the 90's and 00's. Just one change to this guitar - original pickup covers have been swapped out with solid (no visible poles) covers (shown here), which, along with the black body and maple fretboard, give it the look of a Clapton Blackie. Overall nice shape for a used guitar, with fine scratches front and back but nothing through the finish and the body shines up nicely. Nice Strat for $239 with gigbag.
Fender Deluxe Powerhouse Stratocasters - from the Deluxe Series come these upscale Standard Series with all the vintage features you know and love, with the main difference being *tone*, namely the Fender "Powerhouse" ultra quiet pickup system, with pickups designed specifically for this model. The other feature that sets this one apart is the active mid-boost circuit (9V battery), adding up to 12db of mid-boost, much like the Clapton signature Strat. You can still get the Strat shimmering clean but turn up the mid boost and the guitar fattens up to a tone that's almost like a humbucker. Battery will last for a year or two if unplugged when not in use and is easily accessible via a "door" on the back of the guitar, a much-improved system over removing the pickguard to get to the battery. Get all the info here, at Fender's site. I have a number of these in stock, all in mint or actual NOS condition and each includes deluxe Fender gigbag and paperwork - plus a pro setup that's better than factory. With a regular Mex Standard Strat selling for $549, these are better guitars and $50 less.
1997 Fender Deluxe Powerhouse Stratocaster, (pic2), (pic3), (pic4). Candy Apple Red with Rosewood board. This one's dead mint with Fender deluxe gigbag etc. for just $499.
1999 Fender Deluxe Powerhouse Stratocaster, (pic2), (pic3), (pic4). Candy Apple Red with Rosewood board. Sells new for $599 ($857 list). This one's dead mint with Fender deluxe gigbag etc. for just $499.
2000 Fender Deluxe Powerhouse Stratocaster, (pic2). Black with maple board - Clapton vibe at a fraction of the cost. Sells new for $599 ($857 list). This one's dead mint with Fender deluxe gigbag etc. for just $499. Note - we can change the pickguard to white if you want a "dead ringer" Clapton Blackie.
2005 Fender Satin Fat Squier Strat, New, Old stock and unplayed. Very nice Strat for the money. Solid Mahogany body with a very cool natural finish and satin lacquer which allows the guitar to resonate better and has a broken-in feel to boot. Pickups are very good for this price range with a Duncan-Designed humbucker and a pair of Alnico single coils. Other features are matching headstock, chrome knobs, and no-pickguard design that looks pretty classy. Specs are on the Squier Site here. These are a $415 list and sell everywhere at $249-$299. This one is new-old-stock and perfect and priced at $229 WITH a free Fender gigbag and a nice setup.
Fender Squier Neck-Thru Showmaster Deluxe, (front/back), (headstock), (double-locking lic. Floyd Rose), (neck-thru). New—never retailed and perfect. I just *found* this guitar in a mis-labeled box where it had set for several years. The Showmaster Deluxe is an excellent quality import from Korea. Don't let the Squier name throw you. The early models were called Squier but a year or two later the same guitars were produced without the Squier label. Man, I wish they had guitars of this quality when I was coming up. Back then you had to spend $500 to get something decent, or $300 got you a very poor guitar. This one is quality all around: Neck-thru construction, good hardware including an excellent licensed double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo, good quality pickups, immaculate Shoreline Gold Metallic finish. Although labeled "Stagemaster", this model was actually called the "Showmaster", which distinguished it from the bolt-on model. List price when produced was $583 but this one will come to you fully set-up, never played, and just $299
2004 Fender Showmaster FMT HH #957, (pic2). Killer looks - killer tone - killer price. Showmasters have traditionally been Fender's upscale Strat, with the most radical departure being a set-neck construction. The Showmaster FMT's most notable feature is the beautifully figured carved maple top over deep cut basswood body - but look a little closer and you'll see some high end features in these beauties, most notably, a pair of REAL Duncans, with a ‘59 (Reverse Polarity) in the neck and a Pearly Gates Plus in the bridge. Other high-end features (pic3) are set-neck construction, locking tuners, 2-point synchronized tremolo, Abalone inlays, raised chrome logo, smoked chrome hardware - plus 24-fret maple neck with rosewood fretboard, master volume and tone controls. With a list of $899 these sold online for $629 but both of these are unplayed with an in-house set up that is sure to please, and $100 less at $529. Includes new and very well padded Fender gigbag.
2004 Fender Showmaster FMT HH #354, (front/back), (headstock), (features). Identical to above in features. Never retailed and perfect, $529. Includes new and very well padded Fender gigbag.
2004 Fender Showmaster FMT SSS, (front/back), (headstock), (features). Identical to above in features except instead of the Duncan '59 and Pearly Gates, features the more traditional 3 single coils (SSS) with SSL-1's in middle and neck, with an SSL-5, with reverse wound/reverse polarity middle pickup for noise canceling. Never retailed and perfect, $529. Includes new and very well padded Fender gigbag.
USA Customs Stratocaster w/Fishman Acoustic Bridge (close-up pick depicts actual green color), (pic2 - back pic taken with flash to show color), (neck pic - shows orangish vintage tint). For those of you who aren't familiar with USA Customs, they've built a solid following, initially via Ebay sales and more recently directly from their web site, www.usacustomguitars.com, offering quality guitar parts and completed guitars, made to order. I've had 2 of them in the past, both excellent guitars, but it worked out such that I needed to part them out rather than sell them whole. I'm going to give this one a try as a complete guitar and begin by stating that the quality is at least as good as USA Fender, definitely pro quality in all regards. Starting with an Alder body that's a nice light/medium weight, with a pearloid pickguard loaded with Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups - with CTS pots and switch. You might recognize the bridge (pic here) as being identical to a PRS bridge and you're correct - It's a "Mann Made", the same suppliers for PRS bridges. This particular bridge is the Fishman VMV Mannmade, which has piezo saddles which offer a pretty nice acoustic tone out of an electric guitar. The output jack is a stereo jack and with a Y-cable, which can be included, you can send your electric tones to one amp; your acoustic tones to an acoustic amp or mixing board. There are also a number of wiring options which can be used but for now it's wired in the most basic layout. This guitar has seen very little playing time and is in really nice shape. Last owner paid $1200, which is reasonable for a quality USA guitar with these features. If you want some great Strat tones, with the flexibility of an acoustic bridge, here's a really nice way to go - just $850 with case. Note: Fender vintage logo can be installed for $25 to $50 (including parts & labor), depending on the style of installation. This is a very nice Strat and...did I mention...just 7.2 lbs!
1990 Fender USA Squier Stratocaster, (front/back), (headstock). Very lightweight for this model - only 7 lbs. on the nose. Fairly rare model, although I get in one every other year or so, but these were only made from around '89-'90 and from my understanding, were made for export only so any that are circulating were originally sold outside the USA and at some point were repatriated. These are good quality guitars for the money with many features much the same as the American Standard of the era including the swimming pool route under the guard and Fender/Ping tuners on this model, although I've seen Fender/Gotoh and Gotoh on other examples. This is a killer player and it's highly recommended for guys and gals who like their action low - or players who want a Clapton without the Clapton price tag. Overall pretty nice shape with no major flaws and a good value on a USA Strat, and the lightest USA Squier I've had, at $499 with modern Fender case.
2003 Fender Squier Jimmy Shine Showmaster, new—never retailed, Ltd. Ed. model to commemorate Calif. Speed Shop Owner Jimmy Shine, features the SO-CAL logo on the guitar and a matching T-shirt. The guitar itself is a cool, straight-ahead rock animal with just a single screaming humbucker and volume control. Strings-thru-body for increased sustain, reverse headstock, black hardware, thin & fast 24-fret neck with rosewood board, best value for a new Fender and includes padded gigbag. Listed at $499, Sale price $239. This is an excellent playing guitar that I recommend for the player who wants simplicity and one good tone, rather than versatility. Includes original gigbag, tags, and T-shirt.
Fender Foto-Flame Stratocaster, (pic2), Squier Standard neck on a Foto-flame body - not original but read on... Every now and then you get a great neck on a Squier, and this is one. If you're looking for an exceptional player, something with lower action than most USA models, here you go. We were going pito change out theckups as well but rather than sell it for $100 more I wanted to keep the price lower and let the new owner decide. If I've ever seen a player worth additional upgrades, this is it, and we'll be happy to upgrade to USA pickups for $75, including parts and labor. This is one in 100 as far as playability on this model and I guarantee the new owner won't second guess their decision. What's more - it's a cool looking foto-flame flamed maple body. Nice Strat for $279 w/gigbag.
1990 Fender USA Squier Stratocasters: How about a pair? USA Squier #684 and USA Squier #338 (#338 is sold). These are pretty rare models, made for a year or two 20 years ago. Both of these are insanely clean with the only notable flaw being some very minor finish checking that was minor that it was impossible to photograph. Both of these have rosewood fretboard with the vintage style truss adjustment at the butt end and the body route, like the American Standard from this era, is the swimming pool which will accommodate any pickup layout without modification. These guitars are basically identical with the only difference being aged covers and knobs on #338. Setup on both is excellent and are a cool and cheaper alternative to an American Standard at $450 with gigbag.
TELECASTERS/ESQUIRES:
OTHER FENDERS:
2007 Fender "Ford" Sonoran SCE and bonus Ford Watch, (front/back), (headstock/v-neck), (side/preamp), (bonus watch). The Collector's Edition watch by Milan, sells for $49--free with this guitar--and features a "Ford Tough" metal casing, Japan quartz movement, and steel belt loop with leather conecting strap. Whether you're a Toby Keith fan, Ford fan, or just a player looking for a nice acoustic/electric, the Sonoran SCE is a good value for the money. Part of Fender's "California Series", which are reissues, based on acoustic models that Fender built in the late 60's/early 70's. The most distinctive aspect then - and now - is Fender's Strat headstock shape and 6/side tuners. The Sonoran SCE features a solid spruce top, laminated mahogany sides and back, dreadnought body shape, V-shaped mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard, onboard Fender CE-300 preamp with a separate easy access 9V battery compartment, checkerboard soundhole rosette, rosewood bridge with compensated saddle, multiple body binding, and vintage style tuners. This particular model is a limited run issued to Ford dealers to coincide with Toby Keith's advertising campaign where he played this model. I've seen these Ford Limiteds selling for $499, which reflects the usual upcharge for a limited edition model. This one is in pristine condition and plays better than anything hanging in the stores. If you're a Ford nut who plays guitar, this is one of the coolest things you can add to your collection...for just $379.
Fender Squier Set-Neck S-73, as new, excellent Korean model with an eye toward the SG. The Squier S-73 is a double cutaway solid mahogany guitar with a set mahogany neck. The rosewood fingerboard has jumbo nickel silver frets and newly designed block inlays, and a 24 3/4" scale length. This guitar features two very good sounding Seymour Duncan-designed humbuckers. List price on new is $726.99 but this one is dead mint with plastic still on the pickguard and back plate for just $299.
2005 Fender CG-7 Classical, new-old-stock, good quality classical that features Spruce top and Meranti back/sides. If you don't have a nylon string in your guitar collection, here's an inexpensive way to get started. Fender builds quality into all their guitars, even imports such as this one, but the price is around what you'll pay for an off brand at $129. Ships set-up but never retailed, in original factory box.
Fender Stratacoustic - Black, good choice for electric players who want that familiar feel when they switch to an acoustic guitar. Features laminated spruce tops, one-piece fiberglass bodies, and electric guitar necks - with the classic Fender headstock. Amplification provided by a good quality Fishman Classic 4. These aren't particularly nice acoustic guitars, but plugged in, they do an amplified acoustic quite nicely and can do the job for that one or two acoustic songs every set. New, old stock, and unplayed - plus a setup prior to shipping that's guaranteed to be better than factory - including dressing the fret ends when necessary. Includes Fender gigbag with tune-up kit with wrench, extra saddle, and shim. List price in '05 was $428 - these are nicely discounted to $249, set up and ready to gig. Listed at $428, discounted to $249.
Fender DG-22CE acoustic/electric, beautiful flamed maple all around with a good-sounding Fishman preamp, overall in nice shape other than dings on the back of headstock by a sustaining clamp. List price was $730 but this one's in very nice shape for a used guitar and just $225(HOLD-Ron M, local 1/19).
