Fender Custom Shop - Need your help *URGENT*

[Rainmaker]

Hey fellas,

If you guys have the briefest idea, I'd love to hear it. I'm wondering if this used CS Strat is worth the value its being priced at.

I went shopping for a Gibson but was lured to a used Fender CS Strat. This used CS Strat is selling for same price as a used LP Standard... the LP paled in comparison both tonally and playability wise.

The story behind why it's reduced it price was that it was traded with another guitar store (or something)... the shop I went to was selling it at $3700AUD but only recently reduced it to $3000AUD. Apparently the replacement value (is that resell value?) is $4700AUD.

Here is the link to the guitar. It's a 60s reissue Custom Shop Strat made in 97.

A Fender USA Deluxe Stratocaster in Aus sells for about $2400

A USA Deluxe Strat on MusiciansFriend is $1200USD. Using that price, the Custom Shop guitar I'm looking at is selling for the equivalent of $1565USD.

Comparing the price of the used CS guitar with a new USA Deluxe, can you fellas help me determine if this guitar is a bargain?

They are holding the guitar for me until Tuesday.

Thanks!

[Jeff_H]

I did a search on eBay for completes listings on 60's RI Custom Shop Strats. The one that sold for the lowest price was a 93' sunburst, and it went for $1725 US. A Burgandy Mist just like yours was offered, got to $1702 bidding, and did not meet reserve, BIN was $2500. A Fiesta Red sold for over $2300, but it was a relic. There is also one just like your's running right now, starting bid $1200.00

However, the real, important thing I'm seeing and hearing here is that you have found a guitar that you love. Love the way it plays, love the way it feels, love the way it sounds. It just passed "the boobie test". You can get it at a price that is significantly less than a "standard" USA Deluxe model....I think that's a no brainer. Not so much for the cost, but because you love the way it feels. Being a good deal is just the icing on the cake.

Having a Custom Shop Sticker on that will only help it hold its value. I don't imagine it's extremely collectable either, but it should devalue more slowly than "regular production" Fenders.

I think it's a no-brainer.

[Rainmaker]

Thanks for the advice and the market research, Jeff. I went into that store and the only word I had on my mind was Gibson. But the truth of the matter was that by the end of the day, I was disappointed with what I played in there, until I stumbled on the Strat.

I have to play it more, and listen to it carefully (acoustically). It feels great and LOOKS great, and that could've set me up to think it sounded better. The 'boobie' test... hahaha.

I've always wanted the Gibson tone - and never planned to go for the Strat tone yet. But I'm thinking, if this is a great quality Strat - I will need one in my collection, and this seems like a good opportunity to get one. Perhaps having this will lead me in a different direction or encourages changes to the way I play guitar. Playing my DD loaded Pacifica after getting back from shopping makes me realise that I should try play with a different type of tone.

Or... I could be over analysing it. Though I'm naturally timid at spending that amount of money, I have a hunch that it's a good deal. I just wanted to check with you guys, since you KNOW about pricing. The whole Aussie conversion thing can't be done using exchange rates, because we have to pay over that for customs and exise duties.

[Jeff_H]

Everyone needs at least one good strat in the collection, IMO. You were prepared to spend at least that much money on a Gibson, yes? Now you've found a guitar that plays, feels and sounds better, for roughtly the same price. To me that is the answer in itself...unless you are in NEED of the Gibson Humbucking tone for some upcomming project. Play it again, and if it's still the same, take it home.

Look at it like your avitar. You may have gone shopping for a blond Brittney Spears, but if the Brunette version walked up to you and said "take me home you naughty boy, and I'll do naughty things to you", would you really say no?

[Rainmaker]

LOL I love your analogies, man. They're hella fun but they actually make so much damn sense.

I think I have my answer.

[Johtosotku]

I'd definitely get the strat. Go for it, but do try it a bit more acousticaly and electrically. And maybe have them change some new strings on the strat and a gibson of your choice to get a better comparison. At least on the strat.

[Robert Delahunt]

Hey fellas,

If you guys have the briefest idea, I'd love to hear it. I'm wondering if this used CS Strat is worth the value its being priced at.

I went shopping for a Gibson but was lured to a used Fender CS Strat. This used CS Strat is selling for same price as a used LP Standard... the LP paled in comparison both tonally and playability wise.

The story behind why it's reduced it price was that it was traded with another guitar store (or something)... the shop I went to was selling it at $3700AUD but only recently reduced it to $3000AUD. Apparently the replacement value (is that resell value?) is $4700AUD.

Here is the link to the guitar. It's a 60s reissue Custom Shop Strat made in 97.

A Fender USA Deluxe Stratocaster in Aus sells for about $2400

A USA Deluxe Strat on MusiciansFriend is $1200USD. Using that price, the Custom Shop guitar I'm looking at is selling for the equivalent of $1565USD.

The serial number on the backplate is CN701770

Comparing the price of the used CS guitar with a new USA Deluxe, can you fellas help me determine if this guitar is a bargain?

They are holding the guitar for me until Tuesday.

Thanks!

My friend is a strat fanatic and he's all about the Player's Strat. If it's the one with the noisless cobalt-something vintage pickups, I think it's probably worth it, but I'm not as knowledgeable about this stuff.

[Lake Placid Blues]

If you don't get that strat, you will be kicking yourself, down the road.

[tubeman87]

Get The Strat!!!

[spacecaptain21]

Do it!!

[ErikH]

That is a GREAT deal.....no make that a STEAL of a deal. I wouldn't think twice about it. Get it if it plays, sounds, feels as you describe. It's a beautiful looking Strat too.

[larry_emder]

Jeff has a good point - as the very least, if you end up not liking it - it WILL hold its resale value (possibly even rise in value)

Just take good care of her!!!

[Corbic]

Get it!

[Rainmaker]

Thanks for the ideas guys

Just a question... if it doesn't come with a certificate of authentication, what should I do?

If the resale value is $4700AUD, I still don't understand why the store is selling it at $3000AUD. Shouldn't they be selling it for $4700AUD?

Anyway, any members in Perth should visit the store. The Gibsons weren't my bag, but they might be yours, and the staff member that helped me on the phone and in store was a very cool guy.

[Jeff_H]

All custom shop strats should have the custom shop decal (with a V in it) on the back of the headstock. Some are on the curled end of the headstock, some more towards the heel....however, it should have one. That would give me pause if it were not there. I wouldn't worry too much about the COA.

[ratherdashing]

If you like it, and you have budgeted for it, it seems to me like you can't lose. As already mentioned, you will have no problems selling that for almost what you paid if you change your mind.

[firebirdV]

A certificate is a slip of paper that comes with custom shop guitars. Without it, your guitar won't be considered mint as some of the "case candy" will be considered missing.

Also, Jeff was almost correct about the decal on the back of the headstock. Some older relics have an impressed custom shop emblem instead of a decal. This just means that they were one of the first generation of relics and were made by Vince Cunetto (and his team I geuss).

[Brow]

Hey Bee.

That Strat looks great!

Sorry I didn't reply to your msgs on MSN, my computer is playing up and isn't telling me when I get msgs come through!

Let us know how you like the guitar when you get it home