Fender StratoCaster

The most expensive guitar in the world is a Fender Stratocaster that was auctioned in 2010 and ultimately brought in $3.7 million for tsunami relief. It was signed by icons in the music business which is what put the value as high as it was plus the fact that it was donated specifically to raise money for the tsunami relief fund.

We have all heard about “Blackie”, Eric Clapton’s mid-career Stratocaster, which sold at a Christie’s auction event in June 2004 for $959,500. The guitar was sold to fund Eric Clapton’s addiction treatment center in Antigua, Crossroads Centre, which provides free and assisted treatment.

Today (Jan 1, 2012) on Ebay I saw a Pre-CBS 1965 Vintage Fender Stratocaster Olympic White Electric Guitar from the 1960′s that had a “Buy it Now” price of $8,770. I will keep an eye on it and see what is actually goes for.

In 4 minutes, a Fender Stratocaster Vintage  ’57 reissue Anniversary Mary Kaye Blonde USA V171982 is going to sell for at least the current bid of $1,200. Not too bad.

Fender Stratocaster Vintage  ’57 reissue (1997) Anniversary Mary Kaye Blonde USA V171982 just passed through with no bids at an asking price of only $350. This seems like a pretty reasonable price but no takers especially since the guitar mentioned in the previous paragraph is selling at $1,200.

Here is a Fender Stratocaster made in Mexico 1998-1999 that has seven bids and is going to sell for $300. That one is followed by a 2008 American Standard that is selling for $607 with seven bidders. Does this make any sense to you? Why is one Strat that is older selling for half the price of a newer Strat with no history?

Fender Stratocaster Shoreline Gold

Also listed today on eBay is a 1965 Fender Stratocaster Shoreline Gold RARE. The asking price is $16,500. It has a few road dings but has otherwise been completely restored. Plays pretty well, too. Excellent tone. Sweet action. Very strong bite over the bridge. The current owner is an expert on guitars in general and the Fender Stratocaster in particular and feels that this particular Strat may be a freak of nature because of its extraordinary sound.

And there is the secret of Fender Stratocaster value — the sound and the history or story. The $16,500 Fender on eBay did not have a great history (or at least it wasn’t revealed in the sales pitch) but it did have incredible sound. Also, it was priced at $16,500 where a 1965 Shoreline Gold in original good condition is worth around $55,000. A 1965 Shoreline Gold in original good condition with history would be valued for far more.

Frankly, for me, when I get teary-eyed over a memory of  Jimi Hendrix playing his Strat and I’m sitting in a seat at the auction, someone better put a hold on my checking account or starve me for oxygen until the auction is over because my sentiment will let me write a check with as many zeros as it takes to bring a Jimi Hendriks Fender Stratocaster  home.

Ain’t it the truth!

Fender Stratocaster

Fender Stratocaster