Fender Stratocaster

[ZMAN]

You have some of the nicer relic guitars right in GB. Check out the web site of this guy. John Hornby Skewes. I have seen some of his stuff in person and they are really nice. When you compare them to Fenders. He has Wilkinson pickups and his Icon series feel and play very good.
http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html

My guitar tech had a custom shop relic done for almost 3000 dollars and it looks just like the white one on the end.

 

[Tone2TheBone]

Heck a tank of gas is less than the price of a Fender.

 

[thearabianmage]

Heck a tank of gas is less than the price of a Fender.

Move to England, you'll be 'pleasantly' surprised!

 

[just strum]

Which is why I buy used, both Gibsons and otherwise, much more often than not. I did buy one new Gibby a number of years ago, a P-100 LP Special (with the irrational model name "Les Paul Junior Special") on closeout for $500. My other 2 are both used, a Les Paul Studio DC ($525 w/hsc), and a Les Paul Classic ($750 w/ohsc).

You know Brian that is the way to go. If it's not used, then it has to be a good deal on a new one. All but one of my acoustics I use to own were used. My American Strat I purchased from Plank was at a good price and as I watch used guitar sales I think he gave me a better deal than I first realized (thanks Plank, still love that guitar). My Dot had very limited use and I got it for free, no better price (free is good). My ARC300 was picked up new, but at a good price and lower than I've ever seen it advertised since purchased and now that it is no longer in production, it makes the deal even sweeter, then there is the Epi SG another one that was free (company I work for paid for it).

So I've made out okay although some of it was not planned (the free ones).

 

[marnold]

I've never gotten anything used, mainly because the selection in this area is really bad. There's very little used stuff out there and the one store that does have a decent number of used guitars inflates the prices through the roof. For example, they were selling an SX bass for about $100 more than you could get one new from Rondo.

The ones I do have were all on major blow-out sale, though.
My Fender listed for $899 and was selling at MF for $699. I got it on closeout for $249.
My Floyd listed for $549 and was selling for $399 IIRC, about the same as a MIM Strat. I got it on closeout for $149.
My Squier '51 listed for $249. I think they were selling for ~$150. I got mine for $99 and it was a Christmas present to boot.

 

[thearabianmage]

I've never gotten anything used, mainly because the selection in this area is really bad. There's very little used stuff out there and the one store that does have a decent number of used guitars inflates the prices through the roof. For example, they were selling an SX bass for about $100 more than you could get one new from Rondo.

The ones I do have were all on major blow-out sale, though.
My Fender listed for $899 and was selling at MF for $699. I got it on closeout for $249.
My Floyd listed for $549 and was selling for $399 IIRC, about the same as a MIM Strat. I got it on closeout for $149.
My Squier '51 listed for $249. I think they were selling for ~$150. I got mine for $99 and it was a Christmas present to boot.

You blag! Fair play! :AOK:

 

[just strum]

You blag! Fair play! :AOK:

Okay, what' blag?

 

[thearabianmage]

HAH! Finally, someone's asked! The word 'blag' is probably one of the most useful words, because it has so many meanings.

to 'blag' something - similar to saying to 'bum' something (can I blag a ***?=can I have a cigarette?)

to 'blag' someone - to rant to someone, or 'bum' something (he gave me a fat blag - He blagged me for a ***, the cheeky bugger!)

to 'blag' on - to rant on (I'm blagging on right now)

a 'blag' is something that is easy (playing an E5 chord is a blag)

But in Marnold's case, to be a 'blag' means he got off easy or manages easily - that is a very positive thing by the way (Ricky Gervais is a blag in the comedy industry because he has probably never done a proper day's work or broke a sweat making it into the industry)

But, on the other hand, being 'a blag' can be a bad thing - Someone who is known to exaggerate things, talk a lot (me!) etc. is known as a blag.

Again, it's a very useful word!

 

[just strum]

Geez, I thought I could go to England and know what everyone is talking about.

 

[thearabianmage]

Geez, I thought I could go to England and know what everyone is talking about.

Ha! Good luck. I lived here for years before I understood anyone (but the Somerset accent doesn't help. . .)

 

[marnold]

You blag! Fair play! :AOK:

Thanks. Part of it is being fortunate. Part of it is also following various guitar-selling websites way too closely even when I don't want anything. Plus when you have very, very little discretionary income, you've got to do some smart shopping. I probably wouldn't have gotten my Floyd if someone on the Jackson-Charvel forums didn't offer to take my Model 7 off my hands for a very decent price.

I also managed to get my EX-7 brand new on evilBay for $149 when it normally goes for $199.

I've already warned my wife that if I ever see a Charvel Model-something super strat with the firecrackle finish, the credit card is coming out

 

[thearabianmage]

Thanks. Part of it is being fortunate. Part of it is also following various guitar-selling websites way too closely even when I don't want anything. Plus when you have very, very little discretionary income, you've got to do some smart shopping. I probably wouldn't have gotten my Floyd if someone on the Jackson-Charvel forums didn't offer to take my Model 7 off my hands for a very decent price.

I also managed to get my EX-7 brand new on evilBay for $149 when it normally goes for $199.

I've already warned my wife that if I ever see a Charvel Model-something super strat with the firecrackle finish, the credit card is coming out

Fair enough! I've got a Jackson-Charvel that I'm fixin up at the moment, but to be honest, I doubt you'd want it. Do you know much about Jackson-Charvels, because I'm not sure how much to sell this for. I've already got a kid lined up to buy it, a guitar student of mine, for £150 - but I'm thinking that may be too cheap. Not so sure - it's Charvel CX692 - know anything about them?

 

[Danzego]

Hey everybody. I knew this thread would start a bit of controversy. . . sorry about that.

I ain't got no problem with Fender - but sometimes with reading text, it's a bit difficult to know how the writer 'would be saying it.' I am not raging with Fender, but I think it's rather 'cheeky' of them. They are a business, though, after all. I worked in tourism for a couple years, and God only knows how much we had to jack the price up on things.

Krashpad was right with his 'educated buyer' point. Too true.

Rev Rawk was right with the 'session' point.

hubberjub hasn't really got a point - yes the £ is up on the dollar, but add the price of shipping a guitar overseas, plus the 20% import fee on anything over £200 in value, and you are usually looking at the same price on both sides of the pond.

Denzeg is right as well- if I don't like it, then I shouldn't buy it. And I won't. So I guess I shouldn't complain about it, then. But I would like to express an opinion - and if you don't like that opinion, you don't have to read or respond to it. (that isn't meant nastily, honest)

I'll shut up now.

No, no....don't get me wrong. I'm not ranting either and certainly not throwing a "if you don't like it, don't buy it" thing out there by any means. I'm simply saying that the things that you've pointed out about Fender is just a small part of their overall business. I certainly don't care for the whole whacked out price repro's (and even to some degree, signatures), either. What I'm saying is you've focused your complaint with laying into them for those things, but really...is that all Fender is really about? Not at all.

They have a full line of guitars from cheapies on up to the signatures- something for everyone and their budget- and, in general, their quality is actually rather good across that spectrum. THAT'S Fender, by and large. Also, go have a look at Gibson's signatures and repro's and then come back and have another look at Fender prices (except for the repro's, which are still outlandish). Custom shops and signatures from just about anyone are out of line.

I think if you just didn't put so much worth into those two aspects and put things into an overall perspective, you would find that Fender has a lot more positive going on than you're giving them credit for in your original post.

 

[thearabianmage]

They have a full line of guitars from cheapies on up to the signatures- something for everyone and their budget- and, in general, their quality is actually rather good across that spectrum. THAT'S Fender, by and large.

You hold a very good point there, my friend. :AOK: