Three Experts Discuss the Non-Vintage Collectible Fender Stratocaster - Part One, Allan Clarke

by ALLAN CLARKE and Tom Watson

Part One of a three-part series in which experts Allan Clarke (Outside Sales Manager and Custom Product Specialist, Guitar Center's Certified Reserve Collection), Frank Glionna (owner, Music Gallery, Inc.) and Steve Pisani (Custom Shop Guitar Specialist, Sam Ash Music) share their opinions about the current state and future potential of non-vintage collectible guitars.

In addition to his general opinion about the non-vintage collectible Stratocaster market, each participant was asked how he would invest $50,000 in such instruments.

The Non-Vintage Collectible Stratocaster

by Allan Clarke
Outside Sales Manager and Custom Product Specialist, Guitar Center, Inc.
Guitar Center's Certified Reserve Collection

Guitar collecting today, as a whole, is one of the safest investments going. I like to think of it as collecting "functional artwork". Many modern and contemporary guitars are definitely works of art. Since these artforms also serve as musical instruments that are meant to be played, I think the phrase "functional art" is very appropriate.

The year 2004 marks the 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster, and the "Strat" has never been more popular. Highly sought-after instruments include any of the Stratocaster anniversary-year models - 1979 (25th), 1989 (35th), 1994 (40th), and, of course, now the 2004 (50th) - but other gems include many of the artwork-type guitars.

By "Art Guitars" I mean limited edition Strats with engraved or painted characteristics. The Harley Strat, the Ford Mustang Strat, the Playboy Strat, the Aloha Strat and the Southern California Strat would be a few examples of Art Guitars. And of course, we can't forget the ever-collectible artist-endorsed or tribute models, such as the new Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Strat, the Robben Ford, Dick Dale and the Hendrix Monterey. I must get five or six inquiries a day from people looking for such instruments.

I think the most collectible of all the contemporary-era Strats will probably be the SRV Tribute Stratocaster, introduced at the recent 2004 Winter NAMM Show. Given SRV's incredible popularity and the fame of his "#1" guitar, the idea alone of a Custom Shop Master Built "clone" caused immediate and widespread interest. The 100 such instruments to be made in a limited run by the Custom Shop were pre-sold almost instantly before even a price tag was put on them. This is one Strat I would truly love to own.

Personally, I absolutely love Stratocasters. The balance, the feel, and the tonal varieties - it's just an incredibly versatile guitar design.

As far as collectibility is concerned, I'd have no problem investing $50,000 in modern or contemporary models. I'd pick up a Playboy Strat, an SRV Tribute Strat (if I could find one), a Mark Knopfler signature Strat, and a 2004 50th Anniversary Custom Shop '54. I'd then have a Custom Shop Master Built one-of-a-kind "dream guitar" made for me. I'd also shop around for some "oddball" Strats, maybe a MOTO (MOther of TOilet seat), a Hellecaster and an Elite. That would be a pretty good shopping list.

While there are many manufacturers out there building high-end, collectible guitars, the Fender Strat is still, after 50 years, leading the way. With its design, beauty, feel and tone, the Stratocaster is second to none.

Allan Clarke
March, 2004

[Images, from top to bottom: Allan Clarke; 1994 Fender Custom Shop Playboy 40th Anniversary Stratocaster; SRV Tribute Stratocaster on display at the 2004 Winter NAMM Show; Aloha Stratocaster (popup); Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top with a Southern California Stratocaster (popup); and MOTO Strat, Tele and amp set (popup). All images copyright 2004, Guitar Center, Inc.]

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About Allan Clarke

I love guitars. That sounds like a fairly obvious statement but one that needs to be made right up front. My love for music was sparked at an early age. There was always something playing in my house as I was growing up. For the past fifteen-plus years, the guitar has been my real passion, my instrument of choice. I feel it is one of the most soulful and expressive instruments.

My love for the guitar pulled me away from my chosen profession, a commercial artist, and drove me to start working in music stores. I wanted to learn everything I could about the instrument. What made it sound the way it did? Why was one wood better for some things than others? Pickups, strings, fret wire, maple, rosewood, mahogany, set neck, bolt on, dovetail, amps, tubes: I wanted to know what made them tick - how my favorite recordings sounded the way they did. The guitar consumed me. I went to work for a music store and was happy for quite a while. Dealing with a lot of "used" merchandise gave me the opportunity to try everything, and over a five-year period I gathered a ton of information and experience. I achieved many goals, became a store manager and won several awards.

Then Guitar Center found me. The thought of expanding my knowledge with the largest musical instrument retailer in the nation, while at the same time providing my fellow "gear junkies" with my own personal brand of customer service, excited me so much; I had to consider the move. After many conversations and much soul searching, I chose to start a new chapter in my life - the GC chapter. I've been with the company more than three years now, have won a few more awards, and have had a blast doing my job. And I have to say, I'm happy to be here.

The Certified Reserve Collection is an amazing gathering of guitars most people would think existed only in catalogs or on calendars. These are some of the finest instruments ever produced, both in appearance and playability. Some of the guitars are flawless replicas, others are truly artwork, but all are pure modern masterpieces. I take the time and care to detail each piece meticulously, so I know them inside and out. Once that is complete, each guitar is then put on display, behind locked glass, until I show it to a customer or check the setup. I want every guitar to be as playable as the customer might imagine it would be. My job truly is a pleasure.

Contact Information

Website: Guitar Center's Certified Reserve Collection
E-mail: aclarke@guitarcenter.com
Telephone: (001) (714) 241-9140
Address: 18361 Euclid Street, Fountain Valley, California 92708, USA

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