When did Strats top $100K?

[wintermoon]

I know back in the guitar boom days some got up to 75K but didn't know they've jumped that much lately.
granted this one is a 1st year example so there's a premium attached.
whew, makes archtops seem cheap in comparison.

1954 Fender Stratocaster Solid Body Electric Guitar – Gryphon Strings

[jim777]

I've seen 57's for $75K, but I would guess they'd sell that one for less than what they're asking. Maybe if it was one of the rarer sassafras bodied 54s it would pull that, but they'd have said it was sassafras if it was I would think.

[omphalopsychos]

I like Gryphon and respect them in their area of expertise, but I don't feel that their appraisals for electrics are well calibrated. I've dropped off some things for consignment and their prices have been all over the place.

[wintermoon]

and not even 100% orig.
I did benefit from their lack of expertise in a vintage electric archtop I purchased from them a few yrs ago, waaay underpriced.
shhhhh!

[omphalopsychos]

and not even 100% orig.
I did benefit from their lack of expertise in a vintage electric archtop I purchased from them a few yrs ago, waaay underpriced.
shhhhh!

Yep, and someone else benefited from their ludicrously low pricing of my 1959 Gibson ES 350T at my cost. They bought it at probably less than the cost of the PAFs. Sold before they could even list it. Meanwhile my other 350t with p90s sits on the rack. (they never even listed the amps i left with them nor contacted me about whether or not theyve sold)

I've learned that gryphon is good to shop at but not good for archtop sellers. I mail my consignments to Crandall now.

[wintermoon]

Yep, and someone else benefited from their ludicrously low pricing of my 1959 Gibson ES 350T at my cost. They bought it at probably less than the cost of the PAFs. Sold before they could even list it. Meanwhile my other 350t with p90s sits on the rack. (they never even listed the amps i left with them nor contacted me about whether or not theyve sold)

I've learned that gryphon is good to shop at but not good for archtop sellers. I mail my consignments to Crandall now.

I'd have to know what the consignment price would be before the sale.
Btw, I'm digging the 350T

I keed, I keed!!

[Stringswinger]

These prices inform me that cats with too much money are chasing too few guitars. What happens when the cats that have too much money to spare are not interested in guitars? 3-4K will get you as nice a Strat as you could possibly need. 120K? That is bragging rights territory and sorry, I am unimpressed.

[jads57]

Totally Concur with Stringswinger! Even newer Fender CS Masterbuilds are in the $8k and above. This has really become something Leo Fender would probably shake his head at.

These were originally built for the “Working Player” And built as practical tools for the trade. I’ve never ever in over 50 years of playing played any Fender worth more than a couple of thousand at most!
Gibson were more traditional guitars and even then they weren’t crazy money!

[ccroft]

What about this 58 Paul? I know these have always held a premium for rock-stars and wealthy collectors. I guess that strat's in the same boat. Looks like it's in better shape too. Whatever the market will bear...

[Doctor Jeff]

I know one person who will be happy…Dave Rogers…

[Cunamara]

Back in the day when I lived in La Crosse (35 years ago, now), if there was something to be known about Stratocasters Dave Rogers knew it. Seemed like that was his favorite guitar, by far.

[Jabberwocky]

I know one person who will be happy…Dave Rogers…

Says me auld girlfriend, "All I see is a bunch of old things that I find at the flea market ..."

[jads57]

Somehow I don’t think Dave Rogers started collecting for the Stock Market reasons many others do. I’m sure he’s happy that it’s a good retirement fund whenever he chooses to do so.
But insurance for that collection must be quite EXPENSIVE!

[burchyk]

I feel lucky that I have very little sentiment towards vintage instruments. Most of the ones that I've tried just felt old and overpriced. Some were great but not to the point where I thought that nothing modern can beat it for my liking. There probably are some fantastic specimen around. But my personal experience gives me an overwhelming preference towards a decent custom shop or a well made independent luthier build from decent woods, ideally used and slightly broken-in. The price difference is a bonus, sometimes a huge one.

I also know enough about guitar parts and their impact on the overall feel and sound to the point of rarely being satisfied with the stock configuration: pot values and tapers, pickup magnets and wind, wiring, pickguard, bridge construction and materials, tuning heads, setup and frets. Feels wrong to change anything on a vintage specimen.

To me their prices are simply a function of supply and demand, and having almost nothing to do with utility.

I could see myself purchasing an old guitar of an artist that I respect, if I had the spare funds burning a hole in my pocket. Other than that I'd pass.

[Cavalier]

I think Gryphon changed hands, back in March I didn't see any of the old crew and the archtops had been moved to by the repair counter.

[FourOnSix]

I think Gryphon changed hands, back in March I didn't see any of the old crew and the archtops had been moved to by the repair counter.

Not so. Gryphon is still owned by Richard Johnston and Frank Ford. And the archtops have been behind the repair counter for years.

[Cavalier]

Actually the archtops used to be in the electric/amp room which is now solid bodies? with the high priced ones in the cases/ alcoves either side of the room. Depends on how far you go back, I suppose. Haven't been in there for a year or so but I used to pass through 2-3 times a year before the pandemic. Certainly on the day I was there no staff from before the pandemic was there, of course that could have been timing. Lots of layout changes too.