54 Strat

Dan E. Hoff · Post by **Dan E. Hoff** » 24 Jun 2005 6:33 pm

"Well" Jim, me holding on to the strat was more a matter of luck than any thing else...But I have one guitar that I have kept because of liking it better than any of the others that I have ever owned--A TRINI LOPEZ GIBSON--- It is definitly a keeper.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 24 Jun 2005 6:36 pm

Greetings from the Philly Vintage Guitar Show, where I'm set up with a dealer friend. Larry, you should be happy that it's all 'Strat-Mania' here, with many asking prices far exceeding rated Vintage Guitar Price Guide values for excellent condition. Whether this is just speculative or actual retail sales is somewhat open to question, IMO, we'll see.

BTW, the VGPG for a 54 Strat is $30-33,000 in excellent condition, while a 55 Strat is $26-29,000. Big difference between first and second year Strats. Larry, by your description, you have a '55 Strat, I agree with Marty. It's not any older than the newest original part on it, IMO. I'm sure many would still advertise it as a '54, though.

Hey, on the '70 Tele in Blonde (standard saddles, not Bigsby which is worth less), the VGPG lists $3000-4000 in excellent condition. For custom colors, it's more than that. Of course, excellent means it must be in very good shape indeed. 70s and earlier Fenders have been skyrocketing the last year or two again. But condition and originality are critical. Refins, changed parts - any changes at all - can change this picture significantly.

I wish I had all the old Fenders I ever owned back - also Martins, Gibsons, or Gretsch for that matter. Still got a few, though.

Hey, if any of you come to the show, say 'Hey'. I'm set up at the Rainbow Music (of State College, PA, not Ireland) booth.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 24 Jun 2005 6:55 pm

Wish I was closer, I'd love to drop in on the show, Dave. The only old guitar I have now is a '72 Telecaster Custom, the one with the Fender humbucker up front and the standard Tele bridge p.u., and I love it but it's well-beaten... sure sounds good though. Seems like the most beatup guitars I've had were the best-sounding ones.

Daniel, you're killing me! I had 2 Gibson Trini Lopez models and loved them both. Had my first one stolen from me, found another in a pawn shop in Vegas and later traded it for something else. I'd love to have either one back, but I can say that about so many guitars it's sickening.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 25 Jun 2005 4:34 am

We all have stories about the ones that we let getaway that have become priceless.

But IMO, this is runaway inflation of vintage guitars is obscene.

These instruments were not made to reside in some wealthy collectors trophy case. They were meant to be played. These absurd prices are keeping them out of the hands of musicians.

Fortunatley the Asians are filling the void with affordable high quality guitars. Companies like Agile, Aslin Dane, and Raven are providing us with the tools we need.

These Asian guitars are a Godsend. Without them, none of us would be able to afford the tools of our trade.

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 25 Jun 2005 5:21 am

Mike and others, Asian guitars are not the only choice! I am not against them, but for way under a grand you can have a custom built Carvin, made in California, the quality which will rival 'most anything you could get at any price!. I currently am using a Godin exit22, made in Canada and New England, as well built and as great sounding as any guitar I ever owned,cost me $340 plus tax, including the best gig bag you can get!
Sorry for the topic drift,vintage prices are an artificial market, and way out of my league! JP

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 25 Jun 2005 6:41 am

I know we're talking about Fender guitars and I don't mean to hijack the posting but just thought I'd mention that I have a Fender Precision bass that I bought new in 1955. It's in great shape and I still have the original strings and the tag that hung on the neck.
Erv

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 25 Jun 2005 7:08 am

My father-in-law has a '62 (presumably made of '68 parts

) that has got some battle scars. It sure will look nice hanging next to my '72 Les Paul Deluxe.

I'll probably still prefer my $300 MIM Tele though.

And Mike's right about the Asian guitars; the Jay Tursers continue to blow me away. Robyn's got Turser teles for $120!!! GREAT playing and sounding guitar![This message was edited by Marty Pollard on 25 June 2005 at 08:21 AM.]

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 25 Jun 2005 8:27 am

Jim, we agree. Carvin's stiff is as good as it gets. But it's a lot more expensive than the Asian stuff. You can buy 3 Ravens for the price of 1 Carvin.

The Jay Turser's are inconsistant. I've been told that they are made at different factories, and the quality varies depending on where the guitar was made. I've seen some that were really good and some that were not.

The best Asian imports I've seen are the new Ravenwest guitars. I am now a Raven endorsee and my picture can be found at their web site. http://www.ravenwestguitar.com/ravguitar/elguit.html

I've never seen an Agile, but they have a reputation of being outstanding. Frank Estes has an Agile Les Paul and loves it. Frank and I don't agree on some things, but I trust his judgement on this.

Harmony Central runs a web site where people review their guitars. A lot of it is wriiten by teensm abd some of it is hype, but you can still get a pretty good idea of the qualty of the various brands.

http://www.harmony-central.com/User_Reviews/

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 25 Jun 2005 10:12 am

Carvin's stiff is as good as it gets.

I'm sure you speak from experience here.