The Collectible Fender Stratocaster Market in the United Kingdom

by ADAM NEWMAN and Tom Watson

Strat Collector News continues a series of articles that examine the collectible Stratocaster market outside of the United States. In addition to his opinion about the state of the market in the United Kingdom, contributor Adam Newman was asked how he would advise a client who wanted to invest $50,000 USD in collectible Strats.

The Collectible Stratocaster in the United Kingdom

by ADAM NEWMAN

I would say that the vintage-guitar market in the England is similar to that in the States, only smaller. In the time I’ve been selling guitars, values of vintage American makes have risen at a very steady rate. All the classic US makes, especially Fender, Gibson, and Martin, have increased in value year after year without fail. Also, the likes of Rickenbacker, Gretsch, National and Epiphone, which have increased less quickly until recently, now seem to be making up for lost time.

There doesn’t seem to be any let up on this increase in values. The worrying thing is not the running demand but the dwindling supply. We’ve always had many young, new bands come through our doors, and, traditionally, they have cut their teeth on seventies Fenders and Gibsons, or sixties Gibson SGs, Fender Jaguars or Jazzmasters. However, with prices on the increase, most sixties guitars are too expensive, leaving only Fender Duo Sonics, Mustangs or Gibson Melody Makers within their budget.

Always in demand, the Strat has to be one of the most popular collectors' items. When I started, even though it was still a relatively expensive guitar, it was still within the price range of most collectors and/or players who were looking for something to keep into their old age. I remember a very clean original sunburst model from 1962 going for £6,000. At the time this was considered “all the money”.

Just six years later, you’d probably be looking at the best part of £12,000 if you could find one, and, as we all know, that’s a very big "if". The problem is getting a good, steady supply, and I think it is inevitable that high-end pieces will continue to increase. Custom Colors are also very popular, with Fiesta Red, Sonic Blue and Olympic White being among the favourites.

As to new or more recent "non vintage" Strats, I have noticed that people have starting to enquire about Limited Edition Custom Shop models. Recently, we have been asked about the 40th Anniversary Hank Marvin Model, the Jaguar Racing Green Stratocaster model (that’s Jaguar the car, not the guitar), and the Hendrix Monterey model. While this has only been enquiries, it does show that there is an interest developing in investing in something new.

I’m sure the new Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute Strat will be a great success, and we have already had several people asking for more information. The Master Built Strats that we’ve had have been very popular and always sell well. I think these have a better chance of being future collectibles. As a range of guitars, they are not so limited in numbers and more people are aware of their build quality and pedigree. They are readily available to those prepared to wait for an order, and when used ones come onto the market they sell quickly - always a good sign.

Finally, if someone asked me to invest $50,000 USD of their hard earned cash, I would have no hesitation in suggesting either a first-year Strat or a clean pre-CBS Custom Color Strat. Black-guard Teles are also a personal favourite of mine. For the Gibson lovers, I'd consider a '54 to '56 Les Paul Gold Top (I think you might be lucky to pick up a '57) or a Custom. If you have $5,000 or $6,000 left, then a good Fender Tweed Bassman or Twin would fit the bill nicely. A catholic choice, I know, but these guitars have consistently been in demand, and I see no change to this in the near or far-off future.

Adam Newman
April, 2004

[Image: Adam Newman with vintage Strats (left to right) '59 refinished White, '59 Sunburst, '64 Olympic White, and '62 Fiesta Red. Image courtesy of Adam Newman and copyright 2004, Vintage and Rare Guitars.]

About Adam Newman

After following the Clash around Britain and Europe as a kid in the late seventies, I got a taste for the road! I became a roadie more by accident than design, and did my first tour in Norway in September, 1979, just to help some friends who had a band but no crew. One tour led to another, and I was soon getting regular work, learning along the way.

I quickly got into guitars, but it took a couple of years before I started to realize the significance of the older models. It was a fellow named Kirk Brandon (a guitarist I was working with at the time) who first started to point out the differences and advantages of the older guitars, and that’s where my interest started. I got a copy of Andre Duchossoir’s Gibson Electrics and Tom Wheeler’s American Guitars - about the only books available on old guitars at the time - and read them religiously from cover to cover.

Kirk had a thing for old Gretsches, which weren’t that easy to get in England at that time. I found out that Kirk was getting his from Chris Trigg, who was bringing them over from the States, so that’s where I first hooked up with Chris. I carried on working on the road, and started to help out Mick Jones, who had just finished with the Clash. I soon became his guitar roadie, and again the old guitars were always the ones he would save for special gigs or to record with.

After eighteen years on the road and a family at home, it was time for a change, so after a chance meeting with Chris Trigg I started my new life in retail with Rare and Vintage Guitars. The rest, as they say, is history.

Contact Information

Contact: Adam Newman
Company: Vintage and Rare Guitars
Address: 6 Denmark Street, London, WC2H 8LX, England
Telephone and Fax: +44 (0)20 7240 7500
Email: enquiries@vintageandrareguitars.com
Website: www.vintageandrareguitars.com

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