Quick Fender Stratocaster question??

[jgcable]

I have the chance to score a 2001 Fender Stratocaster Hardtail in Chrome Red.

From what I could tell, hardtails are pretty rare. Anway, its of course a USA model but from the research I did online I read some refer them to USA Standards and others refer to them as American Series. Whats the difference? How can I tell which one this one is?

I am not that familiar with Fender Stratocasters. Thanks!

[Shawn Lutz]

there not that rare. If you like it buy, rarity shouldn't factor into your decision.

Some of the USA guitars the parts were made in the USA but assembled elsewhere.

[jgcable]

Is it worth $800.00? Thats what the guy wants for it.

[Axewielder]

I would say that is right in the zone for a USA strat in good condish. I had GAS for a hardtail strat for a while, and I'd have to say they are relatively rare (as rare as a production Fender can be, anyway). I almost snagged a Billy Corgan sig at the ATL GC a few years ago.

[DonP]

Is it worth $800.00? Thats what the guy wants for it.

I'm not to hot with that price. $650 sounds better. Then again, I must admit that Fenders do little for me, and I see MIM Fenders being just as good as USA Fenders.

[straycat]

I tend to like the MIM strats just because of the price difference pretty close in quality.

[xenophobe]

$899 is what an AmStd used to sell for brand new at most retail stores, if I remember correctly. I'd ask $550-$600.

Apparently there was a price increase of about $100-$200 somewhat recently, so people are trying to ask for more for the older models. Check ebay though, there are a bunch of new ones at $899-$950, but most of them are $1050 or so now.

[jgcable]

got it. I thought the price was a little steep. I offered him $700.00 and he declined. No sweat.

[xenophobe]

$700 is definitely a fair offer. Oh well...

[sambencuda]

How about a 2006 Ash American Standard with rosewood, HSS, and S1 switching? It's Sienna burst and pretty mint sans one ding. I'm helping a friend list it on eBay. The owner was their son who passed away. I'm thinking about making an offer to keep it myself. What is a fair offer? I'm not looking for a steal as I want them to get fair value. I was thinking $800 was fair. Is that too high? Even if I don't buy it, is that too much to tell them they can expect? It's heavy for a strat. I'm kinda diggin it.

[xenophobe]

How about a 2006 Ash American Standard with rosewood, HSS, and S1 switching? It's Sienna burst and pretty mint sans one ding. I'm helping a friend list it on eBay. The owner was their son who passed away. I'm thinking about making an offer to keep it myself. What is a fair offer? I'm not looking for a steal as I want them to get fair value. I was thinking $800 was fair. Is that too high? Even if I don't buy it, is that too much to tell them they can expect? It's heavy for a strat. I'm kinda diggin it.

I think $800 on a guitar that originally starting around $899 is a bit high, but that's just me I guess... I think 600-750 if it's minty. If it were a USA Jackson, you'd have to knock at least 50% off the price for it to sell.

[Axewielder]

I think $800 on a guitar that originally starting around $899 is a bit high, but that's just me I guess... I think 600-750 if it's minty. If it were a USA Jackson, you'd have to knock at least 50% off the price for it to sell.

The cost-shaved Highway Ones and American Specials can be had for that, but American Standards start at a grand and go up from there. The 50% rule works for some guitars like CS pieces, but not all. Look at the used Pro Mods: they are reselling for way more than 50% of the original sale price.

[jgcable]

The seller is telling me its an American Standard. Serial number starts with Z110xxxxx
I believe that calls out a 2001 American Standard but I could be wrong.

[jgcable]

The cost-shaved Highway Ones and American Specials can be had for that, but American Standards start at a grand and go up from there. The 50% rule works for some guitars like CS pieces, but not all. Look at the used Pro Mods: they are reselling for way more than 50% of the original sale price.

From what I saw online and on Ebay these guitars sell for at least $800 used and up to $1100.00 in some cases. The guy just emailed me and he is taking me up on my $700.00 offer. Its not a guitar that I will ever play but I think its a good solid investment and excellent trade bait down the road.

[xenophobe]

The cost-shaved Highway Ones and American Specials can be had for that, but American Standards start at a grand and go up from there. The 50% rule works for some guitars like CS pieces, but not all. Look at the used Pro Mods: they are reselling for way more than 50% of the original sale price.

Dude, a no-reserve KV2 just sold on ebay for $760. Almost every SL1 that's sold on ebay has been in the $900-$1100 mark. Everyone here thinks a USA Charvel needs to be dead mint to fetch over $900 and they rarely fetch more unless there's something unique about them. I guess you haven't checked completed listings recently.

There are at least a dozen brand new, old stock American Standards on ebay right now for $950 or less. Why? Because that's the old price. They were $899 for years at GC until recently. I know, I've tried many dozens of them looking for something that said buy me. The new price appears to be around $1250, give or take.

19 current results for "American Standard" in guitars, brand new, from $850-$950. Here, take a look:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Guitar-/3858/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=1000&_from=R40&_nkw=american%20standard&_pppn=r1&_dmpt=Guitar&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=800&_udhi=950