Anybody know much about Fender Custom Shop Custom Deluxe Strats?

imalrightjack

Can anybody advise on the value of one of these (in Ebony Trans)?  In mint condition.  Been offered it in trade and want to make sure I get the value right!

Thanks!

Whitecat

£1700-ish plus or minus depending on the weather would be my guesstimate on a private sale. 

musteatbrain

A few could be had for 1600 new in 2013, but prices have gone up a lot since then.
i paid a bit more for a custom shop pro at the time, but tried the deluxe and liked them.
both are a step up from the non custom shop strats from the same year. The quality of the deluxe was as good as several of the team built strats I tried on the day, it just had a poly finish and more modern neck if I recall 

jeztone2

It's a veneered top, like my Kotzen. Hmmmm

imalrightjack

Thanks, @Whitecat and @musteatbrain - seller is valuing around £2k, which seems steep.

imalrightjack

jeztone2 said:

It's a veneered top, like my Kotzen. Hmmmm

Is that bad, @jeztone2 ?

jeztone2

No, but I thought the whole point of the Fender Custom Shop was to make guitars to a higher spec? I thought that's what they were charging you for? 

imalrightjack

jeztone2 said:

No, but I thought the whole point of the Fender Custom Shop was to make guitars to a higher spec? I thought that's what they were charging you for?

Ah, you mean because it's just a veneer.  I suppose it's good that they don't hide the fact! #SmallConsolation

jeztone2

Yeah, I mean a Tom Anderson isn't a veneer?

Schnozz

*Whispers* Keep the PRS 

imalrightjack

Schnozz said:

*Whispers* Keep the PRS 

It's possible!

Whitecat

imalrightjack said:

Thanks, @Whitecat and @musteatbrain - seller is valuing around £2k, which seems steep.

Feels a little high and would certainly be an acceptable opening gambit in a negotiation, but I do feel the final price needs to be lower. £1800 maybe if it’s dead mint and lightweight...

dindude

£1600 - £1800 would be mu guess, £2k a tad too much

Philly_Q

imalrightjack said:

jeztone2 said:

No, but I thought the whole point of the Fender Custom Shop was to make guitars to a higher spec? I thought that's what they were charging you for?

Ah, you mean because it's just a veneer.  I suppose it's good that they don't hide the fact! #SmallConsolation

The description says the top is 3/16" thick, that's a bit more than a veneer to my mind... although they then call it a veneer in the specs further down the page.

I guess the point is it's cosmetic, not intended to affect tone (although as we all know body wood doesn't affect tone blah blah blah....)

imalrightjack

Thanks, guys.  It has a Bareknuckle Sinner in the bridge, original included too.

guitars4you

2K to much - a dealer would not ask that IMO - £1600 more like it on a  private sale - £1800 tops

whilst no longer made, similar spec today would be about 3K new

Majorscale

I sold my C.S.C.D. Strat last June for just £1450 in the end... I had a struggle selling it even though it was dead mint and Daphne blue! Had I not needed the money at the time I would have just hung on to it as they are good, but overlooked, instruments.

musteatbrain

guitars4you said:

2K to much - a dealer would not ask that IMO - £1600 more like it on a  private sale - £1800 tops

whilst no longer made, similar spec today would be about 3K new

That’s frightening they’ve gone up to 3k now 

fretfinder

Whitecat said:

imalrightjack said:

Thanks, @Whitecat and @musteatbrain - seller is valuing around £2k, which seems steep.

Feels a little high and would certainly be an acceptable opening gambit in a negotiation, but I do feel the final price needs to be lower. £1800 maybe if it’s dead mint and lightweight...

guitars4you said:

2K to much - a dealer would not ask that IMO - £1600 more like it on a private sale - £1800 tops

I’d have said £1400-£1600 tops. I don’t think they’re particularly desirable compared with other CS guitars and it could be difficult to sell for decent money if your plan would be to move it on.

richardhomer

The issue with a model like this is it’s right up against Tom Andersons and Suhrs in the ‘posh’ Strat market. In my experience, players of both of those brands tend to consider they are more desirable than Fender - while Fender buyers tend to want vintage style instruments. In that sense, it seems to occupy something of a no man’s land.

I think the issue is not so much what it’s worth, as how easy it would be to sell. You may need to wait a lot time to find a buyer - and take a bath on the price when you do.

imalrightjack

Looks like I've sold for cash so this won't be joining me. Some good advice, if I buy a Strat for cash!