MIM Fender Strat question

[eakinj]

So I'm looking at a craigs list add for a MIM Strat that looks to be in good shape, is 275 a good price or is it too good to be true price, or over priced? I've never really prices any fender so I've no idea. It has the ugliest pick guard on it which is great because if I were to buy this it would become my David Gilmour Strat. I'm just not sure if this is a good or bad deal

[Nimitz]

link?

[DonP]

$250 is normal for a MIM Strat. I paid that much for a "Blackie" from a retailer. Neck was very dried out and fret ends were poking out. A little file work and a few weeks in a normal humidity room and it turned into an awesome player. The cheap bridge ceramic single does a fantastic Lynch tone through my DSL100, but the middle and neck I'm trying to get more glassy.

[eakinj]

this is the one I'm looking at, looks decent, i want to put in the DG set of pickups,

http://modesto.craigslist.org/msg/5388062831.html

but if they normally go used for 250 then i'll hold off for now

[toejam]

$275 seems like a good deal to me. It's even got a real Duncan Hot Rails in it which you could probably sell for about $50.

[eakinj]

damn, it's sold. oh well. time to check ebay. kind of obsessed with David Gilmour right now

[toejam]

Well, that's a bummer. Good luck in your quest.

[PowerTube]

Go to www.guitarcenter.com and type "Fender Strat" in the search box. It'll pull about 50+ pages. Click to sort by price. They have TONS of MIM Strats and a 30-day return policy so you can't get screwed.

As for your original question, yeah, $250.00 to $300.00 is about right for a decent MIM.

EDIT: Also, if you don't like it for any reason when it arrives, you can just decline to accept it and they'll refund you on the spot. I declined a Splawn 4x12 a couple of years ago and they refunded me completely, including shipping.

[pianoguyy]

I have never seen them listed for $250. But they sell for $250.

[PowerTube]

I have never seen them listed for $250. But they sell for $250.

Exactly. They list them for $399.00 and let you talk them down to $250.00. Guitar Center, of course, has their "fixed pricing" model so you can't negotiate, but they're still usually reasonable on used Strat prices.

[straycat]

Find a used MIJ strat they tend to be better guitars.
Most MIM have anywhere from 6 to 9 pieces of wood in the body.Better chance of getting a tone turd IMO.

[eakinj]

cool, thanks everyone

[Tetsuo]

Exactly. They list them for $399.00 and let you talk them down to $250.00. Guitar Center, of course, has their "fixed pricing" model so you can't negotiate, but they're still usually reasonable on used Strat prices.

They do? I have a,ways negotiated with them

[PowerTube]

They do? I have a,ways negotiated with them

In the first part, the "list for $399.00" part, I was referring to individuals, like on Craigslist.

But Guitar Center is fairly firm on prices. They can run to a manager and he can adjust and negotiate somewhat, but it's definitely not like a pawn shop.