Want to buy a Fender American Standard Strat?

Question

My new guitar teacher has one, and I really like it, but I haven't really heard how it sounds...I will this weekend...anyway

She said that she got it for around $1800

I was looking at it on eBay and It was like $1000-$1400

Why is that? The guitar is new and everything

And do you think its safe to buy something like this off eBay?

Cos, now i will get $50 every week, and I already have $200, so I can get the money, but still its better if cheaper, cos I need the money for an amp too and I dont want a crappy one...

Answer 1

You should do what you want to do, but I would never buy a guitar I had not had the opportunity to hold in my hands and play for a while before I parted with my money.  If I were you, I would put $100 in my pocket and go to every pawn shop in town and every yard sale, and pick up and play all the guitars you find until you pick one up that just "feels right".

B.B. King paid $30 for his first guitar!

If you buy a "new" guitar it won't have any interesting stories to tell you!

Answer 2

People are always trying to cut deals on eBay, I've bought about 7 guitars off there and everything went OK, but you have to be real careful.

If you like the look of the strat, look at the squire brand.  They are licensed by fender (same people who make the strat) but most are made in Mexico, with wood that is a little cheaper.  You can get one for around $100-300. It won't sound exactly the same as a "real" fender, but will be pretty close, and will leave you with enough to get a great amp (a good amp is priceless).  That way if you end up not liking the sound after awhile, you're not out much cash.

Just remember that the single coil pickups have a thin twangy sound, where something like a les paul style guitar has humbuckers, and will have a fuller, darker sound.

Best advice is to play what you can at a music store like Guitar Center, decide what you like, and try to find a deal either through the store or online.

Oh yeah...fender American standard Strat's  on Musiciansfriend.com are going for just under 1,000.  Your teacher got ripped off. Unless you're not in the US