Good, excellent and Ripoff Central

I doubt I'm the only one who spends a lot of time on Kijiji looking for that next guitar or amp. Here are a few I've seen in the past couple of days that have caught my attention - though not always for the right reasons.

Some are great deals, some are great instruments, some are both, and others are ripoff artists and nitwits who are trying to rob you blind.  Posting links is pointless, since the ads will disappear before you read this (probably), but if you're keen you can find everything on here in the Ontario listings on Kijiji.

Ripoff: Mystery Stratocaster ($360?!?!?!)

I don't think calling this guitar a Stratocaster is fair to FMIC.  As you can tell form the pics, this is a bunch of parts thrown together, and not very well.  The posting says that the body is Japanese, and the bridge is American.  From the looks of it, I'd say someone tried to retrofit a US bridge onto an 80 Japanese body routed for one of those crazy Fender Japan trems.  Talk about square peg round hole.

The headstock looks pretty damn suspicious if you ask me.  Notice the graft on the end to complete the Fender shape?  The posted claims that it is an "MIK Fender" neck.  I can't recall anything coming out of Korea with the "Fender" marquis (correct me if I'm wrong).

For $360 bucks, this is a total ripoff.  Don't let someone else's bad life choices become your bad life choices.

Good: Fender Rustic Ash Stratocaster ($1200)

There isn't a whole lot that is special about this guitar other than the finish, but man what a finish.  I love the weird light blue with the unique "rustic" guard.  $1200 is a bit steep for this guitar if you ask me - it's an American Standard Ash with an FSR finish. It sure is pretty though, and looks alone might make up the value difference.  The grain is killer, and it's a new colour combo from Fender that isn't going to look stupid next year. Still, for $1200, you're in Strat Plus territory, and those might appreciate.

Good: Fender Deluxe Player Stratocaster ($600)

Again, the price is too high if you ask me, and while this isn't a particularly rare guitar, it does have some nice features you don't get on the standard Mexican Stratocaster.  A 12 inch radius, gold hardware, and noiseless pickups make this an interesting find.  I also think the grain of the wood is better than is typical of MIMs. Though it is posted as coming with a hard shell case, I still think $600 is too much. At $450 this gets snapped up - Gold hardware and 3TS is a bit gaudy after all.  Local Stevies on a budget take note.

 Good: 1995 Fender Jag-Stang ($850)

Never could I be accused of being a Kurt Cobain fan, but credit where credit is due - the only recognizable Fender model created after Nineteen Sixty something.  Yes, this is a 20 year old guitar, and no, that doesn't matter.  A cool guitar, in a cool colour, but seriously overpriced if you ask me.  The poster makes reference to "dings and bruises" that add to character...

Please.  You're either selling a collectors grade guitar (which MIGHT justify the price), or you are selling a player.  This is a serious case of the former in price and the latter in condition.

Sure, they're not made anymore, and owning one from the first run of them might make them worth something in 50 years, but there are better deals to be had.  I'd like to have one on the wall someday just to round out the collection, but it better be in better condition for that price.

Excellent: MIM Stratocaster ($425)

Normally, a MIM Stratocaster wouldn't be excellent at $425, but I'm reasonably sure this is a MIM "60's Stratocaster."  Vintage tuning keys, Lake Placid Blue finish, spaghetti logo? Correct me if I'm wrong.

At $425, I think this is an excellent price for an excellent instrument.  Sure, you may replace the pickups, and I highly recommend replacing the trem block, but for $425 I don't think you're going to find a better deal for a good Stratocaster.  With Long and McQuade selling these for $999, I may just have to scoop this one up despite the considerable drive and gas cost. 

Next time I promise I won't focus solely on Fender.  Maybe.