Early 80s strats

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bruceboomstick

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I'm looking for a little bit of help here..........

I have a 1981 Fender Strat - it's one of their international colors range (which carries 79 serial). It has a maple neck, 3 bolt neck, white 3ply scratch plate. the thing is all original (i had it from new).

It has some age related discolouration and a few minor dings. (it's a green/n;ue colour called Maui Blue)

My home insurance people want to know the value of my guitars and for most of them it's real easy. With this one I have absolutley no clue as to what to value it at - partly because it's from "that" era and partly because it does seem a little rare (I see them come up now and again, but not that often).

Hopefully there's a vintage expert out there who can shed some light (don't worry I won't be offended if it has zero value !!!!)
 
Market value I'd say $1200 US

Insurance (replacement) value I'd say $1700

You might want to get it professionally appraised however. Many guitar shops will do this free if you're a regular customer, or for about $20 if not.
 
Thanks Brad

That's really appreciated - kind of goes along with what I thought, which makes me feel a bit more confident.

I don't play that particular one much - and I really should, despite the dodgy colour it plays really well !!!
 
Look for the latest edition of the Blue Book of Electric Guitars.
Your insurance company should take a Xerox copy of the relevant page as evidence of value. Copy the title page too.

(That's what I did.)
 
orvilleowner said:
Look for the latest edition of the Blue Book of Electric Guitars.
Your insurance company should take a Xerox copy of the relevant page as evidence of value. Copy the title page too.

(That's what I did.)

Be warned that if you do this, you will only be insuring for market value (what the guitar would certainly sell for) and not replacement value (what you could DEFINITELY buy the equivalent guitar for with no problems).

Its weird but they are definitely different animals. If I NEEDED to replace my '62 Jazzmaster right away I KNOW I can go to rudy's music stop in Manhattan and get one today, but the cost will be higher that looking on ebay or classifieds. You can't count on getting a fair (lowest) market price if you need to replace a guitar urgently.
 
It's a tricky area - that for sure !!

I totally agree that the market value and repalcement value are sticky areas - I had a motorcycle stolen once and the market value was notthing like the replacement value.

I may look into specialist insurance for the guitars - take them off the home cover entirely - that way I'd also be covered for gigging as well. If I find any good deals I'll post them for everyones benefit.
 
bruceboomstick said:
It's a tricky area - that for sure !!

I totally agree that the market value and repalcement value are sticky areas - I had a motorcycle stolen once and the market value was notthing like the replacement value.

I may look into specialist insurance for the guitars - take them off the home cover entirely - that way I'd also be covered for gigging as well. If I find any good deals I'll post them for everyones benefit.


This is the route I go. It's really the only way to go I think. I just moved so I'm getting all my insurance switched over. The best insurance covers not only for theft but for damage as well, that's why i'm switching... currently shopping myself. I just got all my guitars re-appraised (quite a task as I have several) and will get all my insurance squared away. Be warned that leaving an instrument in a car is considered negligence in most cases by most insurers unless it's in the trunk, so you won't be covered. Just FYI.
 

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