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1959 Fender Stratocaster - $30,000 (Acworth)
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Here’s the story:
1990, I was looking for a Vintage Strat when I walked into a small music store in Bristol, CT. I don’t remember the name of the store, and it’s no longer there. The place was full of vintage guitars, all of them right around the $7000 mark. This guitar was alone in the corner, and I asked about it. “Why is this one only $3500?” “It’s a player,” was the answer. “But that’s what I want!I’m a blues player, not a collector.” All of my heroes played beat-up Vintage Strats and I wanted in. The tuners were changed out, 5 position pickup selector the way God intended, and the finish appeared to be re-done, rather badly. But it looked great, played great, and sounded great.
After a few years, I updated the bridge, the old one was worn and rusted. I changed the saddles to Graftec graphite saddles because I kept breaking strings, and I never cared about resale value. I didn’t save the old parts because I didn’t think there was any collectability. Jesco Vintage Frets are still very useable.
A few years ago, I took the guitar to the legendary guitar tech Mike Mascagna in Orange, Ct. I asked him about the authenticity of the guitar. The neck heel is marked 4/59, and the neck plate has 23635 (1958 serial number) stamped on it. He said it was common for Fender to overlap the date like this, and the wiring and pickups are consistent with the 1958-1959 era. No date is stamped on the pickups. Alder body, very lightweight and resonant.
After 35 years, a lot of bars, clubs, and blues jams have aged her nicely, but it might be time to let my best friend go. She’s become an extension of my mind, body and soul, but she needs to be in the hands of someone who will play her constantly and live the bar life that she’s accustomed to. So the question is; do I hang onto the guitar and let the value increase, or do I say goodbye to my best friend?
I’m asking $30k for this guitar, as you know an all original is worth $60k. I regret not having the original parts for the collectability, but the playability is unmatched.
Many videos are available on youtube featuring this guitar in various situations, small blues clubs to large outdoor venues. I can send links on request.