How to Buy a Fender Stratocaster Part Two: New Instruments

by Tom Watson

The threshold questions considered in Part One of "How to Buy a Fender Stratocaster" were: What is your budget? and What purpose will the instrument serve? In Part Two we take a look at how to buy a new Fender Stratocaster.

New or used?

Putting aside the subjective aspect of this question, the answer depends upon price (budget) and availability. If the model you've decided is right for you can't be found in any dealer's new stock, or NOS (new old stock - guitars that have aged a bit, have been discontinued by the manufacturer, but are still in "as new" condition from a new-instrument dealer), the only choice is to buy used. Likewise, if your budget does not cover the price of a particular model from a new-instrument dealer, you'll have to turn to the used market.

Shopping for a new Strat

From Paul Huber, Huber and Breese Music:

There is a Stratocaster for everyone, from the first-time player to the professional. Reach for the best one that your budget will allow because the more you pay the more you get.

For the serious musician, look at the Custom Shop Strats. There is a real difference in the tone and playability of the Custom Shop instruments. For the person who has all the standard type of Strats already, consider designing your own guitar. You can have one of the Fender Custom Shop Master Builders put together your own special Stratocaster. Every one of our customers who has had a personal guitar created has thanked us later for the direction we helped them choose. We are one of only fifty dealers in the country that can order a Master Built guitar.

Overwhelmed by the variety of models currently offered by Fender? You're not alone.

Do your homework

The Fender "Frontline" catalog is the place to start your research. The 2004 "Frontline" is a beautiful piece of work. It is available from authorized Fender dealers. You can also ask to be sent a copy by calling Fender at (001) (800) 447-8940, or you can order it online. Although the catalog is free, expect to pay a shipping-and-handling fee if ordered over the telephone or online.

Of course, if you're online you don't have to wait. Fender's website provides all the information you need. Browse the "Products" pages. The site features photos and specifications for both Custom Shop and production-line guitars. If you are interested in other Fender-owned brands, the "Products" web page has links to the sites for Squier, Guild/Benedetto, Gretsch, Jackson/Charvel, and Rodriguez.

Nevertheless, it's still worth getting a copy of "Frontline" as it has a good deal of interesting information and images not found on Fender's website (though the website will provide you with all the model-spec information you need to do your homework).

You'll also benefit from browsing the online Fender price lists. The figures are manufacturer's suggested retail prices. Anticipate spending substantially less at the dealer.

What to expect from an authorized Fender dealer

You can find the closest authorized Fender dealer using Fender's dealer finder.

Do your homework before going to the dealer. Have as clear an idea as possible of the different models that might suit your needs, and ask the salesperson to direct you to those models for a test drive. Test driving should be your only concern at this point - you're still trying to determine the Stratocaster model that will work for you within your budget.

Be careful. Not every dealer stocks every available model, and some salespeople might try to steer you toward what they currently have in stock, regardless of how appropriate the model is for your demands. Hopefully, before your trip to the dealer you did your homework and, based upon model specifications and your budget, you've narrowed down the choices.

From Frank Glionna, The Music Gallery:

The first thing I try to find out from a player is how much they think they will be using a Strat. Because Fender has a guitar in so many price points. They quality of pure Fender tone goes evenly with the price point.

So before we even talk price, I like to qualify the player. I will find out what kind of guitars the player has. That tells me how serious he is with his other instruments. Usually a player that plays a '59 Les Paul and is searching for a Strat might not want to start with a Mexican Standard Strat (even though it is a great Strat for the money). Plus, many players, just knowing there are better guitars out there, will always be restless until they have the best.

Fender has all different levels of great Strats that are American made and justifiable at every price point. Budget will always dictate what guitar the player will eventually buy.

Now, if the player doesn't have a lot of guitars it isn't that hard either. Let's say it's your first electric guitar. Any USA Strat is a safe purchase. So if you get a salesperson like myself who can explain the differences between one model and the next it is pretty much the buyer's budget that will dictate which one he buys. I can't think of one model that is overpriced. It is pretty easy to explain why a Custom Shop Time Machine '60s Strat costs more than the vintage reissue. And why it sounds so much better.

So it is important that you find a salesperson who can walk you through all the models. Also I think it is important that the store carries a full selection of the Fender line. Whether it is an online store or your neighborhood one. Many online stores have excellent service: I know our store is very helpful with customers over the phone. What is important is to see a full representation of Fender Strats. It shouldn't matter if the person who helps you through the maze of Fenders is your local dealer or someone you find online.

But find a dealer who knows the products. Believes in the products. Services the products. He usually will be the most helpful. And he should be the most flexible when you get to the price. If he knows that much about his products he should have a good idea of the "street price". I know I do. Once you know what it is you want it's not to hard to get that street price or at least a good idea of what that price is, especially now with the Internet. The hardest part is finding out the right guitar for your needs. There is no set discount that I can really use. Somewhere between 30 and 40 percent off the list price is a fair, competitive price.

If a salesperson is helpful in putting the right guitar in your hands that will meet all your needs and expectations, and if he can offer you the guitar for around the street price, he did his job and deserves the sale.

Service

There's more to buying a new guitar than finding "the right one". New guitars often need to be set-up to your playing requirements, such as string gauge and action, and then adjusted for proper intonation. If this is not something you feel comfortable doing yourself, find out if the dealer is willing to include a basic set-up as part of the sale. If not, at least know in advance what it is going to cost to have a professional do this for you.

Warranty and Satisfaction

From Allan Clarke, Guitar Center's Certified Reserve Private Collection:

The buyer of a new Fender Stratocaster gets two warranties from Fender: a limited non-transferable lifetime warranty that basically applies to the neck and body, and a limited non-transferable one-year warranty that applies to other instrument components, such as pickups, switches, jacks, controls, tuners, as well as gig bags and cases. These warranties mean that Fender is saying that the new instrument is free from defects in materials and workmanship.

But remember, these are limited warranties from Fender, not the dealer, and only apply to certain situations. Also remember that they are available only to the original buyer, who will need to provide his original sales receipt in order to make a warranty claim. For more information about Fender's warranties, you can read them online from the warranty page on the Mr Gearhead site.

The great thing about this type of dealer guarantee is that it gives the buyer a real opportunity to make sure the new guitar he or she bought is really "right" for them. That can be hard to determine inside a busy guitar store.

Related Article

How to Buy a Fender Stratocaster, Part One