to keep or not to keep...

[Ben...]

That case is neat. I like how it has a headstock outline.

[allcree]

DK2M Blue Bengal a fair offer?

[quadperson]

Yeah, the case is cool. I like the fact that is relatively small, taking up way less real estate than others.

[mccullpl]

I'd do the Dave Murray treatment on that one if it was mine

[Spivonious]

Beautiful guitar, but I totally understand the whole single-coil aversion.

I'd trade it for something you would play.

[DonP]

Put it this way, I have a MINT 1996 MIM Strat, that is a fantastic guitar, which I have played maybe 12 time?

I bought it for the wife who doesn't play.

[Newc]

Nice Strat, but as was stated, there's billions of them out there.

Sell it and buy a black SoCal and put a white pickguard on it if you want the Dave Murray look, otherwise sell it and grab either a Slime Green Charvel or one of the other limited color SoCals. The Teles aren't showing retention as much as the Style 1 and SoCal are, so those will lose value very quickly.

The others might lose value, but at least they won't lose it as quickly.

[quadperson]

I've been offered a very nice BOF DK2 w/HSC that I'm probably gonna take. Resale down the road might not be the same, but it would make me happy right now!

[speed monkey]

Life is too short.

fuck resale and collectibility.

Get what you want today and grin. You can't take them with you, may as well really enjoy them while you can

[quadperson]

Kinda what I was thinking...sending the pm right now...

[Firebird V]

I'd do the Dave Murray treatment on that one if it was mine

me too. if you cant bear parting with it and only need it to have some humbucker tones then just get a new pickguard and some new pickups,pots and switch and pull the other off. You will only need to unhook the ground and the 2 jack wires. This way you can start fresh, have a great playing guitar the way you want it, and still keep hanging on to it as an investment. my 2 cents...

[John C]

I can't see the photos here (blocked by IT) but I'm assuming you have an American Standard Strat from 1996. All 1996 production line Fenders had the little "50th Anniversary of Fender" medallion on th back of the headstock. There were special edition guitars and basses, but they were American Standards with flame maple tops. At any rate the "50th Anniversary of Fender" medallion doesn't add any value to a regular American Standard Strat; it's worth the same as any 1995 or 1997 American Standard in the same condition (or any other model if you have a '57 Reissue or a '62 Reissue).

[quadperson]

You are correct, sir.

[quadperson]

Ok, since I can't give the thing away...I've decided to keep it. Any suggestions on new p/u's? Maybe a chrome jb in the briddge and a single coil at the neck? Locking tuners? YJM prewired pickguard?

[T@rgetDrone]

I kinda feel the same way as you and for similar reasons. I always seem to somehow end up w/a pretty nice American Strat. As is the case now. A 60th Anniversary MIA Lake Placid Blue. Maple board. I like its sound and it looks good. It's the damn neck radius that always has me looking to sell or trade a Strat. I can play em. I just don't prefer em. So unless I'm using it for a specific sound (recording mostly), it just sits. I don't record THAT much. So.... it sits. All the while I am looking at SG's, MIJ Ibanez, new SD 1's and SoCals.

I can swap pick guards til I'm blue in the face but it will not change the neck radius. So I'm contemplating a new guit or maybe a neck swap for the MIA Strat. Otherwise, it will continue to mostly sit.

I feel your pain!