Fender Strat Prices - What they're not telling you!

[@hoganshideout]

Note that there really wasn't a gradual increase in adjusted price of MIM Strats. The notable price increase happened in 2018 with the introduction of the Player Series, which did include some meaningful upgrades like a two point bridge and alnico pickups.

[@geraldineklingbeil1809]

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[@kootenaystringworks1765]

The old system of pricing was strange as they were two prices, suggested retail and MAP. It used to feel like a deal when you paid MAP as a customer, but you were just paying the regular price as everyone charged that price(like you said, everyone gave 30% off). They would just cross out the suggested price and put the MAP price. It was a fake deal or a fake sale as everyone did it.

[@GuitarMav]

Thanks for the detailed review of costing over the decades. Fender pricing here in Australia has risen dramatically over the years. I believe a few more things effect that, import costs, dollar exchange etc. One thing that has disappointed me over the last four years with Fender is I believe the quality has dropped a little. I purchased a 2018 classic series Strat that was made with nitro and rosewood fretboard and came with a quality tolex period case. $1200 Aus dollar. Now the same offering is a poly finish, dry looking Pao fero board with a gig bag, costing $1900.

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks for the comment, Gtrad. Wow, that is a major price increase for those guitars!

[@michaelblaney4461]

My thing is that as a kid working at McDonald's in the early 80s a I could save for that fender jazz bass around $500, the same kid working at McDonald's cannot really get a American jazz bass at around $2100

[@StratsRUs]

The range of Fenders is so broad now.I still have a preference for American Strats even though I have Squiers and Mexican strats too.Still have a Strat Plus I bought in 1987.It was on sale at that time , cheaper than a new Strat.So you are right, dealers would have sales whenever they liked.Thanks.

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks for the comment and for checking the video out, HK.

[@rumsfield78]

Love that '96!

[@dragan4658]

The price increase From 2 years ago is about 40 %. Fender player for example was under $800 now its around $1100. This has boosted the used market, personally I bought a mint Agile AL3000 instead of a brand new Epiphone LP Classic worn gold $609.

[@garyandpattyworley6832]

Very good analogy.

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks for checking the video out and thanks for the comment!

[@blakebruner6173]

As we returned to "normal" from the pandemic when inflation and price gouging took hold, Fender marked up MIM guitars $220 to the $879 level. At Xmas 2022, they sold various MIM models back at $659 at Amazon. On the one I bought, the middle tone pot doesn't work & fret ends are rough. The cynic in me figures they knew the ones they knocked down didn't pass inspection. Or at least knew they needed work. But they may have just been weeding inventory. I saved $220 on a new Fender Player HSS. Which was the full price 11 months earlier. So, money wise, I got a deal? Technically yea. I didn't check the prices on the USA made Strats. So ya might check next xmas season, late Oct., early Nov.. I am glad I bought it. In this same vein, the cost of a D-28 Martin acoustic guitar was around $600 in 1972. They're $3100 now. I bought a Madira, an off brand of Guild for $130, at the time. The gap to $600 was as big a price jump psychologically as today's Player MIM is to the American $1700 Fender Strat. The gap is bigger. It's all about how it appears to your available funds vs. whether the next price level is attainable.

[@pastorofmuppets1968]

I bought several American Standard Strats in the mid to late 90's. I even picked up a couple Floyd Rose Classic strats that were American made and all came with a hardshell case. 9 total in my closet and they aren't going anywhere.

[@hoganshideout]

Nice collection Jeffrey, I love the American Standard line from the 90s.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Never liked the 2 point bridge on the Strats and thankfully I don’t own with one.

[@lynwoodme8558]

i paid $575.00 for a 1996 strat, daphne blue at the GC in chicago in 1997!

[@gertzpalma]

THANKS, HOGAN!

[@Tijuanabill]

I feel like the quality of the MIM and Asian guitars is so high now, that they are dreaming up ways to lessen those models, in order to give a reason to buy the American ones. But better pick ups can be added later, and there just isn't a lot of justification for tripling the cost, over some pick ups. If the American ones were three times the quality, then ok, fine. But does anyone really still think that?

[@hoganshideout]

It's diminishing returns for sure. The American Strats are not twice as good as MIM. I love my MIM Player Strat and play it all the time -- sounds great, plays great, and stays in tune.

[@jimmyjams1974]

Great video. I’m looking for a strat and was used to a higher discount. Would you expect that 10-15% discount of map would be a good deal?

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks Jim. I think 10 to 15 percent off MAP is a good deal on Fender under MAP pricing.

[@gunkanjima3408]

Another price increase last night. $1,800 - $2k for a MIM

[@joeking433]

1n 1989 American Strats were $499!

[@93greenstrat]

My '93 American Standard was around $450 if I remember correctly. Definitely under $500.

[@celpabedn]

Would you say it's better to take a Fender for 1000-1500 and a better amp then go for the really expensive one?

[@hoganshideout]

For some people that is definitely the way to go. You can get a Player Series Strat and a really nice amp for the price of an American Professional II Strat.

[@M.Holland]

Depending on your needs and budget. I know professional players who Rock Squire guitars, playing world tours. Try different guitars, and take the one you like best. But be honest to your self. Is a American fender that much better than a Mexican or a squire? You can always upgrade pickups etc…

[@celpabedn]

@@M.Holland Could you get this sound with an entry level Fender? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ6khJitptd6q6s

[@mikeb5372]

I bought 2 American strats in the late 90s and payed $700ea. Where do you live that the price was $200+ extra than what I payed?

[@hoganshideout]

Those are MSRP or list prices from Fender. Everybody got discounts back in the day. It's just a comparison of Fender retail pricing over the years. Thanks for checking the video out Mike.

[@mikeb5372]

@@hoganshideout My pleasure! Tthanks!

[@joeking433]

Squiers are really good now for the low price option.

[@hoganshideout]

They are an excellent option.

[@ricmel8008]

Yes, have you seen the 40th anniversary Squiers?

[@hoganshideout]

@@ricmel8008 The 40th Anniversary series looks great. I want a Ruby Red Jazz Bass!

[@ricmel8008]

@@hoganshideout nice 😀

[@anthonymiller3970]

What about a hard shell case?

[@hoganshideout]

Good question Anthony. I believe Fender started including a case in the price around 1975 -- before that a case was purchased as a separate item. I think all of the models I mentioned except the 62 and the 68 included a case. Here is a 1976 Fender price list for reference. reverb.com/item/15764726-vintage-1976-fender-full-line-suggested-retail-price-list-original-paperwork-case-candy

[@lynwoodme8558]

hard shell case included

[@joehan877]

It sucks for Korea, due to currency even more + shipping fees... Sigh.. Fender Custom Shop costs almost a purchasing a Car !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hoganshideout]

Wow!

[@deadcatforcutie9349]

interesting, esp. the historic part. don't get why ppl still buy Fender. There is literally no innovation in that company. instead they buy smaller innovative companies like Charvel. G+L does great Fender-models, too. same with the amps: new models each year, but 'new' means only one thing: it's from this year, not from last year. it's not about the products, it's just about the brand.

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks for the comment. There are a lot of nice guitars out there for sure.

[@deadcatforcutie9349]

@@hoganshideout imo ibanez is special: it's a big company, but their instruments are innovative, esp. pickups and wiring. I think the competition in the low price segment is a good start. Unfortunately big vendors react mostly like managers and focus on short term imcome rather then mid term innovation

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

Production costs went down 60-80%, so today's traditional brand garbage is way overpriced.

[@jpj1776]

I’ll never buy another one.