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Who knows the history and the economics? How much did a new strat cost in 1954 or 1962? How much would it have cost today? I'm guessing that the first release strat would cost about $1000 or less in today's USD's.

Today, a vintage 1954 Stratocaster in mint condition can bring tens of thousands of dollars on the collector's market—not bad for a guitar that cost under $300 brand new.

A Strat that cost $300 in 1954 would cost $2071.43 in 2005. Calculation made at from : localhost/I guess that paying $2000 for a guitar is not all that unreasonable.

Then, going backwards a guitar that cost $700 in 2005 would have cost $101.38 in 1954.
You can all relax now.

For more info on the 1954: from : localhost/www.provide.net/~cfh/strat54.html

I always thought the strat was a rather cheap guitar?!

In 1950 a Fender Esquire listed for 139.95,
the case was 39.95 extra
Pro amp 199.50
Super amp 169.50
Deluxe amp 89.50
Princeton Amp 64.50
Champion 600 amp 49.95

1954
Strat W/O tremolo 229.50
Strat w/ tremolo 249.50
Telecaster 189.50

1957
Strat w/ tremolo 274.50
Strat with blond finish and gold hardware (Mary Kay) 330.00
Tweed Case 44.50

1959
Strat 274.50
At the same time a Gibson S-400CESN was 790.00!

1961
Piggyback Showman 600.00
Concert combo 359.50
Piggy back Tremolux 249.50

1964
Mustang 189.50
Duo Sonic 129.50
Telecaster 209.50

1965
Electric 12 String 339.00

Now, price some of these guitars and amps today, and see what they go for now!

Pretty crazy to think about!


Originally Posted by KommerzbassistI always thought the strat was a rather cheap guitar?!

I don't have the numbers for all this stuff, but look around on the web and fdind the list price for a Les Paul in 1954 and them compare to the list price on a Strat (249.50 w/ tremolo) and you'll see that Fender guitars were lots less money that other guitars of the time!

Hmm when I calculate today's price of a 1954 strat and then translate it to €, it's almost the same price as today...

With inflation factored in, the price of most guitars has not risen at all. In many cases, you can buy the same guitar today cheaper than 50 years ago, again with inflation factored in.

It's all about % of actual income. We're pretty lucky all things condsidered.

For me it was very instructive to learn that the original 1954 Strat came with virtually the same tremolo that came with my JV and most other strats. Hence the name vintage tremolo/vibrato system. I would have thought that the tremolo was a later add on. This then helps to understand way some want to preserve the integrity of the quot;vintagequot; strat, a al Clapton and keeping the trem even when he doesn't use it.

When was the first hardtail strat offered?

54, read GWIF's post-they had a non tremolo version from the start.

The other issue was how there wasn't as much as an environmentalist movement in the 50's and 60's compared to today, so they could select wood more liberally and not worry about wasting excess wood. These days you'll find 3-5 piece bodies made from scrap wood in cheaper guitars. Then there's the whole handmade vs. CNC deal, etc.

It is a bit dissatisfying to me anyway, that i have a poly finish on my strat. Hard, smooth, plastic-ish, and instead of wearing, it chips in various spots. Oh well...


Originally Posted by Quencho09254, read GWIF's post-they had a non tremolo version from the start.

It is a bit dissatisfying to me anyway, that i have a poly finish on my strat. Hard, smooth, plastic-ish, and instead of wearing, it chips in various spots. Oh well...

Oops. Thanks for pointing that out.
It is still interesting that the trem was available from the start. It seems to be a very innovative...uhmm...innovation for 1954. Cool thinking by ol' Leo.
No, I don't like the plastic-ish finish either. I didn't really notice until I removed the pick guard.

Never-the-less, my brief study of the strats history is causing me to become more fascinated by it. The more I learn about the strat the more cool it gets.

I've always known the existence of the strat, but until I owned and played one, I really knew nothing about it. It's very cool.