Weekend Roundup (From the Archive)

Here's a roundup from about 2 years ago that for some reason went unpublished.  What interests me the most is the SGJ, which go for much more than $400 currently.

Fender Esquire GT w/EMG 81 ($450)

I'm not including this because I think the price is particularly good (it isn't).  Still, this (along with the Esquire Celtic) were very cool Korean variants with a single volume/humbucker set necks with unique finishes (the GT had the Shelby Cobra finish, the Esquire some inlay that the Lilith Fair crowd goes for).  Made in Korea - not that it matters.  People ascribe too much value on place of manufacture rather than the quality of the instrument itself.

I don't feel one way or the other about the EMG 81 - they're good pickups, but they're a one trick pony... They're really good at that one trick, but still.  That finish is killer though, with the matching headstock, and $100 less would be a steal.  I'm watching this one carefully.

Digression:  The Celtic Esquire seemed like a seriously flawed premise now that I think about it.  A "Lilith Fair" looking inlay at the 12th fret on a hot rod single pickup style instrument?  What was the market here?  The GT makes much more sense to me, and it's too bad this didn't stick.

Fender Contemporary Stratocaster (Best Offer)

Of course, I already have the top of the line version of this guitar, in better condition.  This example has a neck finished in black to match the headstock, two humbuckers, and a System 1 (?) tremolo instead of a System 3 (No opinion as to whether that is better or worse).

Since this is the lower end version of this model, I can't imagine it would go for much more than $400.  At that price (or lower, say $300), you can say you own a little part of Fender history - a bizarre and short lived part of it - but a part of it nonetheless.  

1991 Fender Stratocaster Plus ($1100)

There are two things I'm after right now (and will sell what I must to get) - A Les Paul Classic, and an early '90s Strat Plus.

This looks like a really clean example in Candy Apple Red (one of my favorites).   Not as great as the Mystic Blue that came up last week for $850 and lasted less than 48 hrs, but still nice.  I'd offer $900 just to see - this seller is in a bit of a remote location, making it possible that they are more likely to deal if the buyer comes to them.  Always something to keep in mind.

Les Paul Studio ($875)

A good price for a Les Paul Studio, and in a finish that is pretty unique (notice I'm not saying "rare").  With Gibson prices getting stupid, and Les Paul Studios commanding over $1K on a semi regular basis, this seems like a steal.  I'm a sucker for cool finishes though - the teal flip flop is much cooler than the Ibanez "Chameleon" if you ask me.

Gibson SGJ ($400)

American made for $400 without negotiating?  The owner lists this one as brand new, and while that may explain the condition, this is definitely a pre-2014 example (emg style covered pickups are the giveaway). The white finish is the best of the available options for this year, as it sets off nicely against the all black pickups. The 2014's went for the zebra coils and made the bursts the colors to get.