Any value to this thing?

[jnewlyn]

Guy I know wants to sell this to me. It's pretty cool but, I don't know. Not sure I'm into it but if I can make some $$ off it, maybe I'll buy it. What do you think? I can tell you it is dead mint. Not a fricken scratch. I've never seen a 50th anniversary like this with gold hardware. Always the silver black in the 50th anniversary.

[Good Guest]

Looks more like an investment more than anything..get a good deal and store it properly and leave it in your will to your children..It's beautiful and can't be played...Looks to be gold plated everything except the pole pieces and I'm sure there is more info on that especially with gold going thru the roof.

[rgorke]

It'd look really good with some stripes.

[jnewlyn]

REAL GOLD PLATING? Not just polished up brass? Actually, as I look at it, you might be right. It's too dark of a gold. Brass polishes up to a lighter color yellow. I don't know much about guitars and stuff but in this mint condition, I'm thinking it may go up in value. Who really knows? I'll have to do some research I guess. No kids for me so it will be mine until or unless I sell. If I even buy it at all. Oh and yes, I will have to play it but I won't gig it. I don't try and gig anyway these days.

[jnewlyn]

It'd look really good with some stripes.

There you go. Now I'm thinking.

[somethin'else]

Wow, that's a beaut. MOP inlays (abalone?), the burst, the gold. I second what Good Guest said. Snag it and file it away.

[JimiJames]

Yep That's a good'n.
If it comes with the matching case that's a plus !
There were two models easily distinguished by the back plate. They're both 4 bolters... The other is a regular back plate and twice the $$$ which was a Custom Shop '54 50th Anniv.
They are a solid guitar built exceptionally well and is a great representation of modern meets classic. The S1 switching sounds killer and evokes many tones. I have since sold mine but picked up an entinre S1 pickguard assembly because I liked it that much. I'll slap it into something later. The S1 switching was married with specially designed hum cancelling pickups by non other than Bill Lawrence. They were designed to be a 1954 single coil without the hum. An article in Fenders Frontline mag states that in a blind test that fool the purists.
Mine sold for near $1300.00 on eBay, I think back in '07.
Don't bastardize this one. Keep the pickgaurd assembly intact and store it. Purchase new parts and an authentic Fender pickguard and wire it normal or to taste.
If I remember correctly I don't think it was routed out for a hummer. So, if you're thinkin' humbucker.... check.
Hope that helped.

[dirtycooter]

That sure is a purty strat. I think its really gold plated hardware like stated above. I wouldn't finger bang her too much as I think its gonna be one of those rare collector pieces. Good place to call is Elderly Instruments in Lansing MI. They will give you an approx value maybe over the phone as they handle lots of instruments over $50000+. Check out their vintage vault. It has dwindled lately but they have some of the most prized stuff from time to time. Even the EC acoustic gained value since it came out as well as the rare hollow body PRS guitars. Don't have to be ancient to gain value.
They also produce a listing book of all their stuff thats got prices they may mail you. Good to skim through for market value thinking. The owner is a collector obviously. I am sure he has some great toys he will never part with.

[jnewlyn]

Hell yeah that helped. Great info. I had no idea about the switching. I just played it and it sounds pretty good. I've heard single coils that have sounded better but its not bad. Seems to lack some high end and clarity a little (which is strange for single coils) but pretty good overall. No hum. You are on the money with that. I thought that was pretty cool.
No. I would not bastard the thing at all. It would remain untouched. So $1300 in 07 would mean $900 for this thing now would be pretty good. That's how much this guy wants. I could probably flip it. I don't think I'd keep it. I absolutely hate pickups in the middle position. Always in the way when I'm digging in. Drives me nuts.

[jnewlyn]

That sure is a purty strat. I think its really gold plated hardware like stated above. I wouldn't finger bang her too much as I think its gonna be one of those rare collector pieces. Good place to call is Elderly Instruments in Lansing MI. They will give you an approx value maybe over the phone as they handle lots of instruments over $50000+. Check out their vintage vault. It has dwindled lately but they have some of the most prized stuff from time to time. Even the EC acoustic gained value since it came out as well as the rare hollow body PRS guitars. Don't have to be ancient to gain value.
They also produce a listing book of all their stuff thats got prices they may mail you. Good to skim through for market value thinking. The owner is a collector obviously. I am sure he has some great toys he will never part with.

Cool. I appreciate your input. Interesting stuff for sure.

[Coot Boy]

I just played it and it sounds pretty good. I've heard single coils that have sounded better but its not bad. Seems to lack some high end and clarity a little (which is strange for single coils) but pretty good overall. No hum.

A no hum single coil pickup that sounds as good as the passive noisy ones has not been invented yet.

[MrBeasty]

Pretty ...

[jnewlyn]

Probably why is sounds like it does. It's OK to good at best. Definitely heard better though. The more I look at it and play it, the less I like it. Won't stay with me if I buy it. That's for sure. The trem block looks like some cheesy little P.O.S. Why 2 pins into the body instead of the traditional 6 screws for the trem? Don't like that either. The saddles are OK, I guess but different.