Would you guys move a vintage strat to buy a newer Les Paul?

[skhan007]

Just curious what you guys think:

I have a late '69/early '70 strat in very good condition, but I barely ever play it. It comes out the case maybe a couple times per year. It's cool and everything and I love the Hendrix/Blackmore vibe, but I've really been wanting to get into a CC or a Perry '59, or something similar.

Would you guys say hold on to the strat and start saving up or would you guys move (sell, trade, etc.) to get a desirable LP?

Each day I'm going back and forth and can't decide. Part of me wants to take it to a guitar show and see what kind of deal I could strike. Part of me says hold on. Here's the guitar in question:

 

[J.D.]

As a Gibson guy who is not particularly fond of Fenders or Strats...

KEEP THAT STRAT!!!

 

[CLAYPOOL]

On the one hand, you say you hardly ever play it....
On the other you like the investment potential.....

69/70 era....not that rare but worth some rubles. It'll take a loong time for it to command big bucks.

I suggest you sell it - NOT trade it - but look around and search for a LP you really love.
In my opinion, the search is as much fun as the acquisition itself.

 

[j45]

I wouldn't.

 

[hoss]

No.

 

[Cogswell]

That's pretty clean. I'd keep it.

 

[DMartini]

agree that is in very good order

 

[Dishimyuh]

No!

 

[britbender]

definitely NO !

 

[Ken Fortunato]

I'd say keep it... Save your money and buy the LP you want... Something tells me you'll be glad that you did...

I'm just sayin'... :salude

 

[sikoniko]

I subscribe to the 'only keep what you play' theory. I became a hoarder of guitars a few years back and thinned the heard. I miss a couple of the guitars from time-to-time (mainly the two I will eventually buy back similar models of...went a little overboard), but overall no regrets.

 

[skhan007]

Thanks guys- I'm pleasantly surprised to see so many who say 'no.' Not too many explanations why, but I'm guessing because a clean strat of this era may be worth keeping for investment purposes?

I also fully agree with the comment above that the search for "The" Les Paul for me will be as much fun as the acquisition!

 

[Brown Recluse]

My first Strat is from 1970. The serial number is in the 2918xx range and it looks very much like yours. It doesn't sound the same as my 50's or early 60's Strats, however, it is still an extremely good guitar in its own way. I would have a very hard time parting with it, having owned it since the late 80's . I paid $275 for it and could clearly sell it for considerably more, but I won't.

 

[sikoniko]

My first Strat is from 1970. The serial number is in the 2918xx range and it looks very much like yours. It doesn't sound the same as my 50's or early 60's Strats, however, it is still an extremely good guitar in its own way. I would have a very hard time parting with it, having owned it since the late 80's . I paid $275 for it and could clearly sell it for considerably more, but I won't.

I wish I was able to get in when these were affordable. The first pre-cbs strat I saw was in the mid '90s and was selling for $3000. for me at that time it was every bit as unattainable as buying one now is. lol.

 

[MapleFlame]

Just curious what you guys think:

I have a late '69/early '70 strat in very good condition, but I barely ever play it. It comes out the case maybe a couple times per year. It's cool and everything and I love the Hendrix/Blackmore vibe, but I've really been wanting to get into a CC or a Perry '59, or something similar.

Would you guys say hold on to the strat and start saving up or would you guys move (sell, trade, etc.) to get a desirable LP?

Each day I'm going back and forth and can't decide. Part of me wants to take it to a guitar show and see what kind of deal I could strike. Part of me says hold on. Here's the guitar in question:

Fenders are interesting just like Gibsons, there are ways to get them to play and sound better. Maybe swap out saddles, have a really good fret polish, play around with neck set/angle. Try different strings and especially, these guitars need a good mated amp. I would say keep it, from looking online, they are not selling like hotcakes right now. :salude

 

[BluePat]

Keep it, definitely! Clean original Strat w/case, yah baby!

It's right on the cusp of that vintage versus not so vintage era (pre/post 1970)

You'll be glad you did...

 

[57gold]

If you don't play it, sell it/trade if for a guitar you'll play.

No certainty that vintage guitars will increase in value, particularly post Leo Fenders.

As a guy who got his first electric in 1972, I have no desire to own a 1970s instrument of any kind...not a golden decade for Fender nor Gibson. I'd rather play own one of many current small builder instruments than a 1970s guitar. Love the 1950s and 1960-65 instruments, own like 20 of them, but beyond that period, I own/play small builder, recent production.

 

[Wire and wood]

Tough call. It's a great looking Strat but you hardly play it but you want to keep it for investment but will it ever be worth big dollars but you love the Hendrix vibe but you a Perry 59.
Me personally, I would be tempted to let it go for the Perry. In my case though I have some Strats that I love and I think I have them down to the keepers. Still building my Gibson love pile so they are coming from scratch. And in spite of how that sounds I don't have many guitars, but I do have the ones I'm sure I want.

 

[viper007]

Keep it!

 

[buckaroo]

I have a late '69/early '70 strat in very good condition, but I barely ever play it.........I've really been wanting to get into a CC or a Perry '59, or something similar.

Life is shorter than you think. Get what you want and enjoy using it. If you have to sell / trade the Strat now to get the new guitar so be it. But don't get caught up in wondering how much it will be worth in the future. Rather, think about how much will you enjoy (or not) playing that Strat in the future.

I think many custom shop Strats of recent times are easily as good or better than late "pre" CBS Strats from the Leo era. So finding a good Strat down the road shouldn't be that hard.

Get what you want to play.