Call for Pelican Connection: Looking for a US Strat

[GeorgeK]

Lemme explain:
My son (13 now) has been playing piano for 9 years and is getting good enough thath he can play by ear, and replay something he hears on the radio.

Last summer he grew the idea of playing guitar. Electric guitar. A Strat.
I made a deal with him that first he would have to show us he is willing to put the hours in and show something for it, with an old Yamaha acoustic that had been in the family since forever.

Well he did. Along the way he has been reading up on the guitars and seems set on a US made Strat.

So here goes: Who has a lead on a well priced Fender Stratocaster, US made? Would someone have one for sale?
Asking can't hurt.

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

I've bought from Dave's Guitars. They have good stuff. A little pricey but worth it.
https://davesguitar.com/products/fender/type/electric/condition/used/

This one is for sale on local CL for $700. I bought a '92 Eric Clapton Strat from this guy. If you want, I can see if it's still available and if it's as advertised. Would be willing to buy it and ship it to you.

https://shreveport.craigslist.org/msg/d/shreveport-american-standard-strat/7115542200.html

[Shuie]

I am not buying so much these days, but I am always looking for stratocasters and telecasters. Does he want any particular features or model, or just a US made Fender?

The Guitar Emporium on the site below is my 'Go To' for guitars for many years.
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php

This is also a good resource with a ton of stuff:
https://reverb.com/

Dave's (link above) is an awesome shop. Wildwood is another great shop.
https://wildwoodguitars.com/

The options can get overwhelming. Ash/maple, Alder/Rosewood, '50s, '60s, '70s, reissues, custom shop, team built, artist series, roadworns, relics, thin skins, etc. all with different neck carves, fretsize options and pickup configurations. I don't know how many stratocasters I've owned, but I've been buying, selling and taking them apart and rebuilding them since I was old enough to have a job. I am a total nerd for this stuff and I cannot keep track of all of the different models Fender has put out in just the last few years. Factory parts are easily available over here too so I wouldn't rule out just buying a neck and body and putting together the one I wanted.

[LWJ]

I have had more than a few.

Last US strat was a complete dud. Maybe 1990's?
Best ever was a grey market Japanese 1962(or 1963) reissue made in 1985. Bought new and NEVER should have sold it!
Have two mexi strats now. One is very nice and one is an appliance.

I would counsel shopping and playing.

[!pse203]

^^ that looks like a good deal. Most (non-collectible) are around the $1500 mark on Craigs here.

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I have had more than a few.

Last US strat was a complete dud. Maybe 1990's?
Best ever was a grey market Japanese 1962(or 1963) reissue made in 1985. Bought new and NEVER should have sold it!
Have two mexi strats now. One is very nice and one is an appliance.

I would counsel shopping and playing.

LWJ has a good point re: shopping and playing. I have a '54 reissue MIJ hardtail Strat my dad bought me new in '91 that is as nice as some custom shops I've played. Still have it just had to have it refretted and added a Callaham bridge. Some of the Mexican Strats and Teles are very well made and play great.

[Shuie]

agree 100% on the MIM stuff. My favorite tele has a MIM neck on it. I've bought a lot of necks and bodies from the ebay seller below. It looks like they will ship internationally as an FYI.

The STRATosphere | eBay Stores

[Chocaholic]

Here you go. This is on another Forum that I frequent (ADV). Have bought and sold many things on their Flea Market page without issue. Good guys.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/american-stratocaster.1445040/

[GeorgeK]

Thank you all,
Susprisingly, it seems that finding a US Strat here in Europe will not be more expensive. I will keep looking and revisit if needed.