Christmas Day Goodies

No, not stuff under the tree. As I've mentioned, Christmas is a particularly active time - kids with money, kids with not quite enough money (so they sell at a bargain), etc. Here's a few more to think about, and Merry Christmas to all.

1979(?) Fender Stratocaster - Sold ($2K?)

I remember in the mid 90s when people scoffed at late 70s Strats - three bolt necks, bullet truss rods, big headstocks. They weren't early 60s, so you couldn't be SRV in the mirror I guess? This one came with original parts, thought the neck and middle pups had been swapped. Some people have an issue with that, and if you're dealing with a 1958 example, I sort of get it - you're buying an investment, not an instrument. 

In this case though... Who. Cares. The patina on this is just about perfect if you ask me - the wear of the board against the darkening of the headstock is excellent. Love this example. It's already sold.

Mesa Boogie Stiletto - $900

This one was listed for $800 as a one day only price, but if you ask me it can still be had for said price. This was Mesa's answer to Marshall, and I've heard mostly good things (although a few comments here and there about Mesa type eq'ing not going well with the nature of the preamp design (or some such cork sniffing).

 Aesthetically I've always loved these amps - Mesa knew what they were doing going with the very British green. Once again though, this seller is suffering from the trend toward much smaller platforms. At 50 watts (and boogie watts at that, which are louder to my ears for some science related reason?), this thing will more than keep up at medium sized gigs, to say nothing of your bedroom or basement. Still, if I had $800 to burn and did something more than basement jamming...

Hello Kitty Strat w/ Dimarzio Tone Zone ($325)

People have many opinions of Mr. Scott Grove, and mine are for the most part positive. This I blame on him though (in a good-natured sort of way..) Yes, the Hello Kitty Strats were better than the $99 they were getting blown out for years back, but they're not this good.

 I actually like pink, and the inlays and the HK guard it a cool touch. This owner has added a Tone Zone though, which while a great pickup, misses the point of this guitar. This is supposed to be a low cost collectible. Also, a white pickup would have made a ton more sense dummy. Now Hello Kitty looks like she's wearing a giant band aid on her head.

Hamer Californian - $350

The other guitar player (Ralph) in the first band I was ever in had one of these in red. I remember it being a nice guitar, and while $350 is a bit steep, it seems to be in very good condition. I'd inquire as to the model of the Floyd - for $300 you might end up with a much better guitar than the same $350 would get you in an LTD or a Jackson. Also, it is pronounced "Hay-mer", not "hammer"... I think...

Fender Showmaster HH - $525

Remember when PRS was becoming crazy popular in the mid to late 90s? This was Fender's response I guess (though I think the response came a few years later). Fender's custom shop started doing super fancy versions of these, while Korea turned out some pretty low cost examples that ran you around $800 (don't quote me on that). Neck through construction is unusual for Fender.

 I think $525 is a bit dear for this guitar, though it does come with a 59 in the neck and a Pearly Gates in the bridge and seems to be in tip top condition. Actually, the more I think about it, a guitar like this would just about fit perfectly in someone's budget Fender collection, right beside the Celtic Telecaster. $400 would be a steal, so make your offer accordingly.