And thats how it started with vintage fenders and gibsons, the collectors drove the price up. So, now the price has gone up on 7okais.
But, the price went up on 7okais because of the quality equaling the quality of the more expensive fenders and gibsons.
Here is an example of a real vintage strat... very good quality, handmade(well, small factory produced). Two, and sometimes three piece bodys. http://cgi.ebay.com/1956-Fender-Stratocaster-Sunburst-Beautiful-Original_W0QQitemZ270192972373QQihZ017QQcategoryZ118987QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Or, here is a custom shop, 2004, handmade(well, small shop produced) 54' strat. It is not vintage, and has had mixed reviews, both good and some bad, about the quality and sound. It is not vintage, only made to look vintage. http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-04-50TH-ANNIVERSARY-MASTERBUILT-CS-STRATOCASTER_W0QQitemZ170175495884QQihZ007QQcategoryZ38082QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
So, there are the average prices for an exceptional stratocaster.
So, to pay for a vintage 7okai that meets or exceeds the custom shop strat, and is actually vintage, is reasonable in my opinion.
Reviews at harmony central stated that half of the custom shop strat 2004 limited 54' owners were not to impressed with sound or quality, while the other half were happy. Now, the harmony central reviews on 7okai Springys were all positive with very high marks.
A player is still going to save several hundred dollars with going with a vintage 7okai ST 100....