Crayon Sky Music

Value of Fender American Made Stratocaster?

I got an amer. made fender strat for my 16th Birthday in feb. of this year. it’s a 2009; from GuitarCenter.
i had to help pay a little for it, but the total was $1,050 (i got it b4 they went up $200)
im never planning on selling it, but i was just curious how much would it be worth in say.. 10, 25, and 50 years from now? and what most effects a guitars value?

Hello, Taylor! Having owned and played many Fender Stratocasters over the years (1963 to present), I can say from personal experience that my 1962 model cost about $200 and my 1969 model was around $400. Of course now they are worth many times the original price, but I do not know how I would feel about them if I was able to play them now (long since sold). To a collector, playability and tone is only part of the equation; more importantly is when the instrument was made and by whom, the rarity of that particular model, and the vibe created by the marketplace. The pre-CBS Fender guitars (before 1965) are usually considered by collectors to be the most valuable and desirable. An all-original parts, mint-condition 1954 Stratocaster is going to fetch a premium price, mainly because there are just not that many available anywhere! Up to about 1970 is where the line gets drawn between true vintage and the more modern instruments. The same woods and craftsmanship are generally no longer being employed, and overall quality becomes dependent on specific year manufactured. Granted, there are Fender Custom Shop and Limited Edition models that far exceed the build quality and hardware selection of the earlier instruments, but even those do not always escalate from their original cost. Now to your questions! First, I believe the value of your 2009 American Standard will gradually shrink and then stabilize at somewhere around 70% to 90% of whatever is the current selling price. I regularly see ‘80s and ‘90s Stratocasters advertised on Craig’s List and eBay in the $800 to $1100 range. Second, what makes these non-vintage guitars hold their value is proper maintenance (lubricating moving parts, polishing wood and metal surfaces, etc.), care in handling and playing (avoiding noticeable nicks and scratches), and above all, parts originality! I am one of the worst offenders for changing parts on the planet, having replaced major parts on every one of my Fender Stratocasters; sure, I have devaluated the guitars, but they sure play well and sound good to me! Hope some of this babble helps. Best regards, Dana

Fender American Standard Stratocaster w/ Texas Special Pickups