Crayon Sky Music

American made: fender stratocaster new or used?

Im planning on buying an american made fender stratocaster from my local guitar center store. they have them for about $999, but i wasnt planning on spending this much money when i first started looking for a new guitar(this will be my 2nd guitar and im planning on keeping it for a long time)
i also considered buying a used one, but i was told that if u get a used one that it could be “used-up” and not worth buying.
Is the fender strat really worth 999? or does anyone know of any similar guitars that are a bit lower in cost?
and no i dont want a squier strat

Hello! Once you look at the overall quality of the components, fit, and finish of the American-made Stratocasters, you will see that current models are definitely worth the extra money. These instruments will also retain their value better over time, making them more desirable. As far as whether to buy new or used, it depends on your willingness to spend the time to find the right guitar. Some people will buy or receive a brand-new Stratocaster as a gift, play it for a brief period of time, lose interest and then just want cash out! Finding these guitars takes time and effort pouring through Craig’s List, eBay, and local advertisements, but it can be worth it. Pawn shops and used equipment outlets are probably not going to get you a better deal, as they are generally not in a hurry to sell. Decide beforehand what body color and neck options you will accept, and don’t deviate. Other inexpensive aesthetic components of the guitar, like the pickguard or knobs, can be swapped out later. When looking at a pre-owned guitar, check the straightness of the neck, the fret wear, cracks or missing material in the body or neck, operational smoothness of the machine tuners and bridge, and functionality of the electronics. Make sure to check the serial number against the Fender charts (see http://www.fender.com/support/usa_instruments.php ), just to make sure you are getting what is being advertised. Less important to some are nicks, scratches, and worn paint; however, this can be an indication as to how well the instrument was treated and maintained. Never pay the asking price, unless there is a line behind you with people interested in the same instrument! A polite request to the seller, asking if they could do better on the price, can work wonders. Hope some of this helps. Best regards, Dana

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