Mods to a strat and how they effect value?

[JustinTimeToJam]

Hey guys I am new here as I just bought my first strat. As to the model of the strat im still fairly unsure see Looking for some info

Anyways I bought a cheaper strat because I had planned on alot of upgrades to tweak it to make it the EXACT guitar that I wanted. Currently I have ordered new (used) pickups- Fender Big Dippers as well as a new pickguard- tortoise shell and new aged gold hardware. My question is really about the hardware and what that does to a strat's value. I know that with the money I am pouring into this guitar I will never get my money back, that's not my plan with this one. Just really looking to make my dream guitar here. This is just more for my curiosity. Thanks guys.

[amstratnut]

I think speaking for myself, a modded guitar is just not as desirable. Having said that, Thaus got a reliced beauty and has posted it. But for me if I'm not sure what I'm getting then I'd rather not get it.

I have two strats that are not stock anymore. I don't expect or care if they are worth anything. I saw the guitar you bought. Hope Fender can answer your questions. An I hope you didn't pay too much for it. Otherwise just mod it till you're content and don't worry what its worth.

[zag1]

Originally Posted by amstratnut

I think speaking for myself, a modded guitar is just not as desirable. Having said that, Thaus got a reliced beauty and has posted it. But for me if I'm not sure what I'm getting then I'd rather not get it.

I have two strats that are not stock anymore. I don't expect or care if they are worth anything. I saw the guitar you bought. Hope Fender can answer your questions. An I hope you didn't pay too much for it. Otherwise just mod it till you're content and don't worry what its worth.

+1 on that! Hook it up the way you like, if it suits your ears, hands, & eyes, thats all you can ask of any guitar.

[JimyTheAssassin]

It depends on whether those mods are "reversible". Small changes won't necessarily negatively impact a cheap high production model (i.e. drilling a pick guard hole). Severe changes (floyd rose route) very possibly will. But in the end, unless you're talking about an investment, there's more value in making it play best for you than preserving the status quo. Plus if you change out the PUPs and keep the old, you can always put them back when/if you sell it.

[tjk3052]

Hang on to the stock parts. You can get the Strat back to stock if you want to sell it, and the upgrade parts can be sold separately.

[Strato]

If you just bought the guitar why not go easy for now. Two to three months down the road you might have a lot better idea of what you might want to do.

Mods on a guitar tend to hurt the value. Putting the originals on and selling the mods separately is a much better way to go but you probably will not get a lot for used parts. Parts that are very popular and in demand will do better.

[tonyw]

If i have a guitar with a branding on it, and am going to mod it, i keep all the original parts, i have no intention of selling any of my babies.

[JustinTimeToJam]

Thanks alot for all the info guys, I will def. be keeping all the original parts

[Andy]

Yes, keeping all the original parts is the way to go for me as well, but... what about the neck?
Here is my experience: I have recently completed a modding job on a Classic '50 Strat (MIM). The first ones to go were the pickups (replaced with Kinmans Traditional Mk II), followed by the bridge (replaced with a Callaham); finally it was the turn of the neck.
I was really tempted to buy a custom Warmoth (with AA birdseye maple neck and Tusq nut), but in the end went for a brand new American Standard.
Why? Well, the cost was more or less the same as the Warmoth, but since I was not going to keep the original neck (matter of fact, I already sold it) I thought that, in the unlikely event I should one day sell this guitar, the fact that she has a genuine MIA Fender neck will have a positive effect on the resale value.