State of the Vintage Stratocaster, 2005, by Richard Friedman and David Davidson

by Richard Friedman and David Davidson

Talk about the Ferrari market heating up in 1988, there has never been as much forward movement in Stratocaster values than this year. Last year, a maple neck 1957 Stratocaster went for $15,000 - $17,000. Today, that same guitar has so many new and old time collecters fighting for every last one prices have reached $20,000 - $30,000.

Forget about Custom Color vintage Strats - find an original and name your price. 1965 Stratocasters are going from $12,000 to $15,000; 1966 Sunburst Strats $9,000 to an unheard of $13,000. Some dealers won't even sell their stock of vintage Stratocasters for any price and are on a wait and see mode.

1954 Strats with the serial number on the back tremolo cover are $75,000 and up, with $50,000 for a '54 with the serial number on the four screw neck plate. Tweed cases: $1,000 - $2.000; brown cases: $500 - $900.

1968 Stratocasters are going for $8,000 and up to $25,000 for lefty maple cap Custom Colors. Early '70s 3 bolt Strats are now bringing $3,000 to $5,500.

Yikes! But hold on, the ride is not over yet.

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About Richard Friedman and David Davidson

Richard and David are the principals of We Buy Guitars, LLC, in Bellmore, NY. They have extensive experience in the vintage guitar market and were the vintage guitar buyers for Sam Ash Music and Manny's.

Richard Friedman contributes to The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide and the Orion Blue Book, has contributed to The Gretsch Book, The Beauty of the 'Burst and The Guild Guitar Book, and has served as a consultant to Christie's, Sotheby's and Leyland's auction houses with respect to vintage guitars. He and his family have sold guitars to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, The Who, Pink Floyd, U2, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Rod Stewart, The Allman Brothers, Bruce Springsteen and many others.