sparquelito Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 So, a little over a year ago, a very nice lady posted to another guitar forum where I moderate (and frequently provide guitar valuations), looking for information and advice. She had a 1991 Fender Strat Plus Deluxe, still new in the case, and wished to know what it might be worth. She was considering selling it. My partner and I provided the requested information, and endeavored to help her sell the guitar, if that was her wish. In the end, she never sold the guitar. The Strat had been purchased for a dear friend back in 1991, intended as a gift. But alas the relationship ended, and the gift was never given. The guitar sat in its case, under a bed, for literally three decades. Un-played and pristine. I would love to have owned the guitar myself, but long-distance shipping rates and all, plus the various unknown factors such as fret sprout, made it impossible. I became friends with the seller over a period of months, and we have exchanged emails and family updates over a great period of time. I feel very close to the lady now, and count her as a good (albeit long-distance) friend. She recently emailed and asked if I would consider purchasing the guitar from her. It didn't feel right selling to a stranger off of eBay or Craigslist, but since I'm a trusted friend, (and would be disinclined to ever resell the guitar), would I consider buying it? Sure enough, my tax-returns turned out well this year, and I have the disposable income. Long story short, I mailed the check, my friend shipped via FedEx, and so here she is. My brand-new condition, with all the original case-candy, 30 year old Fender Stratocaster. I am in love. I really can't believe that an elderly instrument could remain in such perfect condition over all this time. No fret sprout, everything feels and sounds fantastic, and she's gorgeous. The Fender Lace Sensor pickups are really nice, and I've always been a fan of the roller-nut. A keeper, and now my life-long guitar. I feel like, with this guitar's history, I'm not so much the owner now, but the second caretaker. And the next caretaker will get it after I'm passed-away and gone. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 That looks like the same model my dad used to have. I used to love staring at it when I was a kid. Seeing the pics of it with that nut and those electronics and tailpiece brings me back in a weird way.. congrats that seems like a really good score 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Nice..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Great story and really a handsome guitar! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 (edited) Congrats. Lovely - as new, like you say. I always liked the lace sensors myself. This roller nut is the one which takes 0.10 max I think? For that reason it was superseded by the Fender LSR roller nut. AND it's got neck-tilt! My favourite! Edited April 3, 2021 by jdgm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 What a guitar! What a story! That's what makes life so great isn't it? Those unexpected times that bring us such joy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Nice.. Lovely... Enjoy man.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Natural Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 VERY nice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Very nice. Makes me want to buy a Strat. Congrats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 I’ve had 4 Strats. They are killer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John P Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 Sounds like me. I bought a new Strat 20 years ago and it is still sitting in the case Never been played. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 Good deal Sparkster! rct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 What a tale. Friendship pays dividends. Congrats on that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 One interesting thing I just noticed.. check out how the black part of the sunburst covers all the contours on the side of the body. This is apparently because Fender was using poplar for bodies at the time with an alder veneer on the front and back (for translucent finishes) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Wow a 30 year old brand new guitar - that is fantastic. Looks like a real beauty. I never had a Strat with the Lace Sensor pickups, but my buddy that I played with for about 15 years had them in his Strat and he could sure make them sound great. You are going to love that thing, congratulations 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 That is some new old stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Cool story bro. And I don't mean that in a smartass way. 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 This is excellent! don't get much more "new old stock" than that. I have a strat plus btw. Mine is a 96 I believe. same finish The roller nut changed a bit, mine is much smaller. I wound up replacing the lace sensors for texas specials. I sold the pick guard with the gold lace sensors like a day after I listed it. has the best neck of any fender I've ever played, and I've played a lot of em. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NighthawkChris Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Congrats man, very nice Strat! I like that finish Fender does on your guitar. Hope for you to have many years of enjoyment playing it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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