Fender Stratocaster

[JackHammer]

I'm bidding on this fender strat used but in good condition for $200. Is that a good deal? Anyone? The bid closes in 30 minutes.

[dbax791]

Originally posted by JackHammer
I'm bidding on this fender strat used but in good condition for $200. Is that a good deal? Anyone? The bid closes in 30 minutes.

That sounds like a good deal...just make sure that it is a real Fender and not a knock-off. Also, Fender had a cheaper line of strats out, "squire", I believe that if I remember correctly are not as good as the real strats.

[JackHammer]

The guy did not say squire. He just said Fender Stratocaster. Also, how do I know if it's a kncok-oof or not? It says Fender on the head.

[hoey222]

get the serial number - it will tell alot about when and where its made

if it starts with m - made in mexico
mexican strats are cheaper products - not saying it wont sound bad -

there are a couple other places that they're made but i cant remember at the moment

if he cant get you a serial # - i would think its a knock off

you can buy just the logo - and stick it on a headstock and try to rip someone off

[ribitch]

post a link to the auction so we can check it out. i doubt anyone here will bid on it.

[hoey222]

that maroon one - ?

it looks like a made in mexico - year 2000 -

not a bad lil guitar - other made in mex seem to be goin for round 300.

no case tho - good luck

[attgig]

the mexican strats you should be able to buy new for 250ish...

not worth it...
there's some 'better' mexican strats that go up to 400-500, but....still not worth it imo.

[JackHammer]

Thanks fellas. I didn't win...heck I didn't even bid. I think I'm just going to go to Sam Ash and try some out before I buy.

[mojo]

i'd focus more on the seller for a guitar in most cases. in some cases you might get lucky and find someone that doesn't know what they have and get a good deal. but usually you'll just wanna make sure you don't get things like cracks in the body, changed pickups, etc.

the strats you might wanna check out are the srv strat (wider neck) and the one with the tex-mex pickups (jimmy vaughan used to endorse, i think). of course there are the other variables, like the pre-cbs lines, the different woods used for the body and the neck, etc. the question is kinda vague without that info.

if you really wanna learn about what makes a good guitar, go to your local luthier if you have one (guitar maker...preferably a shop that makes their own to sell in their own store) and just start shooting the breeze. if you catch them at a slow time and act like you wanna buy something (wouldn't hurt if you did...if they're good you'd be better off than with most mass-produced lines), they'll just unload a bunch of information. those people tend to like what they do, and like most people that do, will enjoy talking about it. you can just do something like hold up one of their solid guitars and ask "so what would be the difference between this, say, and a strat?" if you ask in a way that shows real interest, they won't be offended and you'll prolly end up there for a half hour or so with a free lecture. of course much of the lecture will prolly be exactly what you're asking now...how to tell a good one from a knock-off.

anyhow, good luck with your axe purchases in the future ;)

[JackHammer]

I bought this Mexican Fender Strat off of ebay and I got a few question about it. Is there a way of checking where the body is made? The neck has the serial number and all but what about the body? Also the serial number starts with MN5....that's a 1995 mexican, right? Cause the seller said it's an 1998 Mexican.

[hoey222]

ya it looks like a 95

found this - hope it helps

http://www.vintage-bass.com/Informations/Fender_Dating/fender_dating.html