The real value in imported real Fender strats lie in the MIJ models that were abundant at very low prices in the 80s. These have actually gone UP in value over the years, the one exception being the horrendous silver-gray metallic with humbuckers models where the silver-gray has aged into a strange looking green. Those can be the true sleepers of that bunch, though, not attracting the high prices at all yet still having the exact same wonderful C neck and the same ash bodies on them. Matter of fact, changing the pickup plate to one that has the three single coils on it is an easy job because the bodies are already routed for it.

It is just that ugly sick greenish color that the paint aged out to be. A very hard refin, since the finish is covered in heavy layer of clear plastic-like finish.

Still, for recording only, nobody has to see the doggone thing at all and the sound and quality would be there with a lot less cash outlay on the part of the owner.

The 80s MIJ strats are the guitars that actually made the president of Fender almost cry real tears when he saw how much better built and finished they were as compared to the made in USA models of the same year. His words, not mine, it is in the Fender Book.

These guitars run rings around the MIM stuff. Built in the Takamine mountains by the same luthiers responsible for some of the Ibanez, Yaire, etc. guitars. Only they have the Fender brand on the headstock and are true Fenders in the sense that Fender Japan is the source.


--Mac

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