Help me choose a guitar to buy (electric) | Guitar | Page 1

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 12:39 AM

#

Hello, i was curious to know if 1800$ Canadian dollars is worth this Fender strat professional 2.

Should i buy it?

plain dragon Dec 20, 2025, 12:51 AM

#

That’s 1300 usd which is 500 off of what an American professional II is worth

#

They go for 1800 usd new

#

If it is used they go for about 1 k

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 4:30 AM

#

@plain dragon its used, in usd they go about 1k?

#

Its a 2024

plain dragon Dec 20, 2025, 4:31 AM

#

Year doesn’t really matter to much

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 4:31 AM

#

So do you think 1300usd is not worth a used 2024

plain dragon Dec 20, 2025, 4:31 AM

#

Like if they did a major change then it does but if it is the same guitar different year it doesn’t matter

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 4:31 AM

#

Do the year not matter for that guitar?

plain dragon Dec 20, 2025, 4:33 AM

#

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Fender/Used-Fender-American-Professional-II-Stratocaster-Miami-Blue-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar-121783931.gc?source=4WWRWXGP&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=GC_G_NTM_PLA-STD_N_Guitars_N-U&utm_term=121783931&utm_content=pla&utm_id=22041530336&utm_creative=736454622928&utm_marketing_tactic=guitar&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22041530336&gbraid=0AAAAADtcCuzmulrtDCBE7YuMxOx-xdWW2

Guitar Center

Used Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Miami Blue Solid ...

For greater savings check out our Used Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Miami Blue Solid Body Electric Guitar and get a great deal today!

#

This is in the us but same guitar same case

#

999 usd

#

If it was bought just sat there then is being sold it might be worth 1.3k but u can get them for less

last surge Dec 20, 2025, 5:43 AM

#

could try to haggle him down a bit

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:57 AM

#

stable summit So do you think 1300usd is not worth a used 2024

it's a bit on the high side, but they are great guitars. I have a pro2 tele that is a winner.

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 4:34 PM

#

Hmm thanks!!

#

Do the year not matter?

#

On the same models for strat?

#

Like im also looking one at 2006 fender strat usa and its almost the same price

plain dragon Dec 20, 2025, 5:02 PM

#

Guitars aren’t cars year doesn’t matter unless the model got a major change

#

For example fender player - fender player 2

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:36 PM

#

stable summit Do the year not matter?

They are generally the same but at least with Fender there are small differences in the eras. Like a Pro2 is the same pro2 whether it’s 2021 or 2025. American Standards used are also a nice way to go, the ones from 2012-16 had custom shop pickups. A 2006 would be American Series, when they went back to the original body shape

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 5:40 PM

#

2011 USA Fender Stratocaster - American Special HSS Sunburst

#

For 1395 Canadian

#

Is that fair price?

#

I just dont know the retail price of that

#

So not sure if thats fair

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:48 PM

#

stable summit Is that fair price?

That's right in the ballpark, depending on the condition but I try not to split hairs too much. I picked up an American Standard for under 900 usd this year, but I'd spend more if I wanted the guitar. It's not worth trying to squeeze out every last penny if you find one that speaks to you.

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 5:48 PM

#

fast moon That's right in the ballpark, depending on the condition but I try not to split ...

Yeah ive asked the guy and he said he cant go lower so

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:49 PM

#

what's the condition of it? I pay attention to frets more than anything if all else is good

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 5:50 PM

#

fast moon what's the condition of it? I pay attention to frets more than anything if all e...

He said great condition

#

Like would i see any cracks on frets before buying?

#

I just don’t know what to look for

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:51 PM

#

stable summit Like would i see any cracks on frets before buying?

it would look like dents or divots if there is a lot of wear. Frets are like tires, so the more worn out the sooner you have to replace

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 5:51 PM

#

I know some rosewood frets have some lines? At least for my guitar i don’t know if that’s normal or not

#

Should it be a rose wood fret with no lines?

#

Or is that normal

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:52 PM

#

not sure what lines you mean, like grooves in the wood?

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 5:52 PM

#

Yeah

#

And also i don’t know how to distinguish used or worn out frets

#

Other than looking for cracks

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:53 PM

#

that's normal with rosewood to have that kind of texture with the grain.

#

this is what worn frets looks like

#

frets like that I wouldn't be paying great/near mint prices

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 5:55 PM

#

#

What about these?

#

Like a lot of small lines

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:56 PM

#

the wood is fine, there looks like maybe a bit of wear from bending strings but not significant

#

could just be the photo, I don't see major dents

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 5:57 PM

#

Those are fine?

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 5:58 PM

#

yes it looks very playable, any more photos?

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:01 PM

#

#

What about these

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:04 PM

#

those frets look fine too (the metal part). The wood is normal, those white streaks are from buildup and can be cleaned. That's kind of a dirty fretboard

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:04 PM

#

Ok so id say everything is normal except i need it cleaned

#

Like I’m guessing the lines are from bending the strings? That’s normal to have?

#

This is the guitar that i wanted to buy

#

Dont know if thats a problem

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:08 PM

#

the white lines? those are the natural impressions in the rosewood that are filling up with skin oils from playing and other grime. You can clean it with naptha and some effort

#

I'm not sure what you're highlighting, it looks like a normal guitar fretboard

#

are you talking about the black lines on the fretboard? Those are shadows.

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:12 PM

#

#

That to be exact

#

On the edge of the fretboard its like rigid oily?

#

And the crack there? Maybe it needs to be seen in person

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:15 PM

#

rosewood is a porous wood so it naturally has exposed grains and cracks. The glossed edge is from the lacqeur used on the back of the neck and it usually also coats the edge of the board some. Totally normal on fenders, some cabn be a bit sloppier than others

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:16 PM

#

So that’s ok to buy

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:16 PM

#

none of that affects how it plays or sounds

#

100%

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:17 PM

#

Ok i may buy it for 1395 cad if that’s fair

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:17 PM

#

is this the miami blue one?

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:17 PM

#

Nope the special

#

2011 USA Fender Stratocaster - American Special HSS Sunburst

#

Or should i wait?

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:18 PM

#

ah yeah that one was maple. Are you buying online or in person?

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:19 PM

#

In person

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:19 PM

#

stable summit 2011 USA Fender Stratocaster - American Special HSS Sunburst

This has the rosewood

#

Anything else to look for?

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:22 PM

#

stable summit Anything else to look for?

maybe ask if anything was modded, I'd want to know that. Check that the neck seems straight and no crazy bows or warps. Play each note on every string and look for dead spots

#

and overall just see if the neck feels good to play.

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:23 PM

#

I could probably check the neck to see if there’s bow or anything

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:23 PM

#

you can also check the serial number on fenders website if it is listed

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:24 PM

#

He said it’s stock no mods

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:24 PM

#

I'm sure it's fine, if it looks ok

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:26 PM

#

fast moon you can also check the serial number on fenders website if it is listed

He said he’s not sharing that on online

#

Not sure why he’s saying that

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:26 PM

#

I get it, you can just write it down and check it yourself. People steal photos and post up fake listings so I understand

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:27 PM

#

Alright

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 6:28 PM

#

I believe a 2011 has staggered pole pieces on the pickups, so you can look for that too. It's where each magnet is at a different height

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 6:37 PM

#

Is that normal?

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 7:12 PM

#

yes its by design

stable summit Dec 20, 2025, 7:16 PM

#

fast moon yes its by design

Ok thank you.

Last question, if you had the budget for both of these which one would you buy?

2006-60th Anniv. American Series Stratocaster

2011 USA Fender Stratocaster - American Special HSS Sunburst

#

I don’t know how much they both go for

#

Just wondering which is more expensive or better

fast moon Dec 20, 2025, 7:34 PM

#

hmm well I'm a single coil guy myself but they are both great years to own. I don't have an HSS so I guess I'd add that. One isn't necessarily better or worse, it's just what plays/feels better and you like more. The anniversary thing is meaningless for the guitar's quality. The only one I've heard people not liking pickups on is the American Pro 1 with vmod pickups, that was like 2017-2020 I think. But mostly it's just internet opinions, they are great guitars all around

#Help me choose a guitar to buy (electric)