[catullus]

Hello, I am in favor of winning an auction for an American Series 60th Anniversary Stratocaster at a significant discount - $850. However, I have not been able to locate and play this model and was wondering if anyone here has. Is is just for 'bragging rights'? Or are there a few significant upgrades to this model? I know its a $600-700 discount off list price, but I've only enough spare cash for one guitar... is this a good choice? Other helpful information - playing for 4 years (acoustic nylon, steel string, electric, banjo, dulcimer etc.. lol), and I definately want a stratocaster.

Thanks as always!

[Andy S]

It's shown on the Fender Web page under the Diamond anniversary logo (which is weird since I thought Diamond anniversary was either the 75th or 100th anniversary)

It only comes in sunbrst and rosewood fretboard. Hope this matches everything you saw on the auction.

Musicians Friend has the cheaper version for around $500. It's some shade of silver with a maple fretboard and probably made in Korea or Mexico.

List price on the Fender site for the American 60th was $1571. So if you can get it for $850, I would think it's a pretty good deal. I wouldn't go any higher than that, myself.

I have NOT seen any 60th Anniv. models at Sam Ash, Guitar Center or the other three main independents that still carry top line Fender stuff in the Cincinnati area. But that was as late as two weeks ago.

I'm over due for a "just looking" visit. How long before the auction is over? I may be able to make a run to at least two of the stores & see if there is one in stock and give you a brief review if it's there.

Also, I have a 40th anniversary model. One of the local luthiers (not just a guitar tech) said it would appreciate in value ONLY if I kept the playing to a minimum and held on to it for another 20 years. Otherwise, I would probably just get my investment back from it if I sold it. Hey! I bought it to be PLAYED!! Not just looked at And he said collectors that want the "commemorative" stuff would probably want just the 25th, 50th & 75th anniversary models. So they're a bit weird!

If you are really itching for a Strat, at that price, it's a good deal. But if it somehow slips away to a higher bidder, there are some other really nice Strats out there. New & Used.

Let me know on the time frame and I can make a run tonight or tomorrow and look.

[allthumbs]

You are really going to have to watch closely that you don't get sniped in the last few seconds of rhe auction.

[catullus]

Actually, the beautiful part about the auction is that its an old-fasioned auction... you know the kind that involves a big room, lots of items, a guy who talks real fast, and sometimes free popcorn. An older man who had been playing for years, created quite a collection of guitars and their accesories... including some late 50s vintage Fender tweed amps... like the ones Victoria Amps are recreating and selling for $2000+ (waaaaay out of my price range. lol). Anyways, his estate and everything in it is being auctioned off next week, July 18-21. Thankfully, I happen to know his grandson and his family quite well, so I can grab items before auction.

Oh, the specifics, yes, I didnt need to check the serial to verify that it is indeed a newly purchased American-made 60th anniv. Fender Stratocaster. The "cheaper" 60th anniversary strats are simply 60th anniv. "commemorative" Standard Stratocasters, and I believe they are only available in blizzard pearl.

You are not alone thinking that the "diamond" anniversary should be at 100. Actually, Fender has it correct afterall... imagine, their marketing prowess must be phenomenal. As far as the anniversary, diamonds are related to the 60th wedding anniversary. First caught on with the 60th wedding anniversary of Queen Victoria (English Monarch).

I hadnt thought of the ebay route, though I have all the accounts setup. Im always a little nervous about posting ebay auctions for people's advice, since that would undoubtedly give me some competition. Andy S, you mentioned some other really nice strats out there. Anything below 800, new or used? Im a college student. lol

Thanks as always.

[catullus]

Hey guys, Ive found an online auction for an Fender American Series HH Stratocaster, though its not labeled as such... the guy selling it obviously doesnt know his stuff. lol. There is no reserve and no bidders thus far. It looks great, comes with the hardshell fender case and everything. However, Im worried about the tone. It comes with 1 Black Cobra humbucker, and 1 Sidewinder humbucker... all in that S-1 Switching system. Ive read the product descriptions online which say its a revolutionary system which allows you to switch from humbuckers to single-coils "in an instant".

The delema is that I love electric blues, especially Texas style - SRV, Jimmy Vaughan, Albert Collins, and throw in JM3, Hendrix and a few others... most of whom favor the single coil pickups. Is the S-1 Switching system so versatile that Ill get the best of both worlds, or would I be sorely disappointed? All the stores around here dont have the HH or HSS in stock. :-(

[737blues]

http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0117100795

From this link to the Fender USA site, click on specifications and you will get a pop-up. Under 'pickup switching' they list the available combinations of pickups/tone/volume controls. It appears to me that you can get several combinations of pickups acting as single coils in both series and parallel configurations, so I reckon you would get pretty much the the best of both worlds. Only my guess of course ......