What is this worth? USA Strat

[quadperson]

I have the opportunity to buy a 50th anniversary strat. It's black with a maple neck. The only thing that says anything about 50th is a little circular sticker on the back of the headstock. The guitar is in excellent condition except for a ding on the lower horn and a small neck pocket crack, finish only I think. The neck plate only says "Fender". If this is in fact a 50th, what would it be the ballpark figure? If it's just a USA standard, approximately how much would it be worth?

[Bengal]

About the same, I think. 600-700 bucks. Just because it's a "50th" doesn't really mean anything except what year it was made.

[Chasbo]

Is it the 50th Fender or 50th Stratocaster Anniversary? They are both different years. The 50th Strat anniversary had a neck plate that wasn't rectangluar and was engraved with a 50th anniversary symbol, had gold hardware and was issued in 2004 as a sunburst only color American Deluxe model (deluxes also came in other colors that year obviously) or a Mexican model in gold. If I remember right, other strat models that year had an engraved neck plate as well that commemorated the strat's 50th. 1996 saw the release of the 50th aniversary of Fender in general. I thought 96's had a little emblem on the headstock. Maybe I am wrong, but it did have a oval sticker on the back of the headstock. So the one you are asking about sounds like a 96 model. They go for 600-800 while the newer 2004 anniversaries go for a bit more than that, in fact i sold my 2004 last december for 950.

chuck

[sonicsamurai]

yeah? i was gonna say the 50th anniversary ones were 2 tone sunburst only!!

[Spaceace]

[IMG][/IMG]

Guitar in question JCF Fantasy football winnings a few years ago......ahhhhh smells like victory

[pjg]

Another 50th. A little less than a grand I think...

[quadperson]

Ok, I think it must be a '96 model then. I'm really on the fence on this thing, it's a pretty good deal, I just ain't a single coil kinda guy. I hate to let it pass by though. I thought about going ahead and grabbin' it and then tryin' to trade for an SL3 or something. I'll get some pics put up and you guys can give me some advice on which route to take.

[sonicsamurai]

most modern strats come routed for hums these days

[quadperson]

yeah, I thought about that...volume knob kinda gets in my way though.

[Jack FFR1846]

American Fender prices are dropping like a rock right now. Where this might have had an asking price of $1100 3 months ago, I'm seeing them all over for $500-$600. The economy is bringing them all into the market. I would not be surprised to see them hitting high $300's by winter.

jack

[Chasbo]

American Fender prices are dropping like a rock right now. Where this might have had an asking price of $1100 3 months ago, I'm seeing them all over for $500-$600. The economy is bringing them all into the market. I would not be surprised to see them hitting high $300's by winter.

jack

Let me know where you are seeing them at that price man, because a quick ebay and gbase search turned up only one 96 american anniversary strat for 709.00, the rest were all 800-1100 dollars.

chuck

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

I bought a USA strat during thanksgiving for an Xmas gift to my self. Been under the bed until a week ago. This was before I knew about the Charvels being reissued or I would have held off. Damm

[quadperson]

Went ahead and got it. I'll try to get pics up tomorrow. It plays...WELL!

[Skully]

I made the mistake of buying an EC sig as an investment because I got a killer price on it. Turns out it's not a player because of the 2 x 4 V neck, now it just sits in the case waiting for my son to turn 18 so he can have it. I bought my Custom Shop because it plays like a dream and I would of gave double what I actually paid for it. Lesson: Screw all the aniversery, siginiture, special addition hypes - buy what plays well for you! IMO

[quadperson]

From what I can tell, it's nothing more than a USA strat made in 1996. With a sticker on the back of the headstock. Still, for what I paid for it, and as well as it plays, I didn't get hurt.