Village Idiot
Strat-Talker
Listen to no one 
A bit of advice before buying
- Thread starter jmyers1982
- Start date
Blues Lawyer
Strat-Talk Member
On the upside, this shop seems to be reputable, at least according to TGP.
That said, $15000+ for a somewhat unremarkable CBS Stratocaster seems hella steep.
Forget Custom Shop... That's nearly twice as much as a Master Built.
Anyone dealt with Cesco’s Corner Guitars?
Just curious. They seem to have some nice vintage stuff. https://www.cescoscornerguitars.com/gearforsale.html Any stories? Good, bad, ugly?
www.thegearpage.net
That said, $15000+ for a somewhat unremarkable CBS Stratocaster seems hella steep.
Forget Custom Shop... That's nearly twice as much as a Master Built.
jmyers1982
New Member!
XDListen to no one
Will Lefeurve
Most Honored Senior Member
I think it pays to remember the old Chinese proverb : "Money burning hole in mans pocket scorches balls = velly painful for guitar man".. 
jmyers1982
New Member!
Thank you very much for taking the time to write such thorough replies.Interesting and cheers! Now there is a red flag if I ever saw one. I didn't read all the details of those Strats in the original post, but I did later pick up that one had had a refret. A refret is not necessarily a big issue in itself of course, and nothing like as concerning as seeing the same serial number on two guitars (although that can apparently happen legitimately but best to be extremely cautious as @andy86 has indicated).
As the OP did use the word "original" in the initial post and since the term can be interpreted in different ways, I guess it's also worth pointing out that at least in my view, a refretted guitar is not 100% original. Whether the term "original" applies to a CBS-era guitar that was built after Leo sold his original (ish) company to CBS, or a brand new Custom Shop guitar is also something that people could take a view on.
Also thanks to everybody, I really appreciate all the advice. It's a bit overwhelming but appreciated XD.
I know that mine was most likely just an itch I wanted to scratch, more than a reasonable purchase. I grew up with cbs era bands and it's probably the teenager in me who went straight in that direction.
I will keep looking then and consider a different move as well.
Thanks to @andy86 for pointing out the issue with the serial number. I'm wondering what's the story behind that guitar now.
Gary Davies
Strat-Talker
It's nice to get such a positive response from someone who has asked for advice, so thanks and good luck. Hey, that's a good enough reason for looking for a CBS-era Strat by the way (not that you ever need a reason to buy a guitar!),
and as long as what you eventually acquire is genuine and not too overpriced I'm sure you will be happy. If all else fails and you can find a suitable original, you can of course order a Custom-build CBS-era '69 Strat from the Fender Custom shop in a NOS or reliced finish, and while it won't be an original CBS-era guitar, it may scratch the itch. I'm not a rep for the FCS by the way, just pointing out the options which no doubt you were aware of anyway. Here's a link to the detailed brochure which includes the '69: http://www.fendercustomshop.com/how-to-order/
FrieAsABird
Senior Stratmaster
That shop in Italy is very well regarded and they really know their stuff, but I have to agree that the OP should probably find out what he really wants first. A 1970 strat is kinda rare here, I only ever really see later 70s models for sale here and prices have been rising for years now. Still, 14k is a tad much for my faint heart!
Old Tone
Strat-Talk Member
jmyers: Hats off to you! I am in the "vintage" camp. Nothing inspires me to play/practice more than plunking on a vintage Strat. I'm old and own a '73, '70 and '66 Strat's and can't put them down. Isn't that the hidden secret to more practice? Basically, the older the better, so I side with the '68. If the instrument was played, it WILL have had a refret. But can't say I'm a fan of "medium or jumbo" as I like to feel the wood without having to press hard. Whether you buy one of these, or find another in the future, I'm sure you will find your #1.
Tremdaddy
Strat-Talker
Not the best era for vintage Fenders, although I have a '68 Tele and a '70 P Bass that rock. I remember my first Strat, it was an early 70's - couldn't wait to get rid of it. Bought an early 70's Tele too, same thing. I agree with others here, go Custom Shop for way less. My Custom Shop Fenders and even my 2010 Roadworn feel way closer to the good era of vintage Fenders than the ones you're looking at. Unless you play one of them and it just hits all the right notes for you - after all its your money.
yes - if in doubt - definitely go for a custom shop.
never buy a 2000$ guitar or costier without trying it for hours.
I played my custom shop for days before making a final decision.
that's what the custom shop are for, I don't know what the others think? somehow, relic'd ones seem to always chime and growl with the warmest tonal woods
never buy a 2000$ guitar or costier without trying it for hours.
I played my custom shop for days before making a final decision.
that's what the custom shop are for, I don't know what the others think? somehow, relic'd ones seem to always chime and growl with the warmest tonal woods
Are you a collector or a player ? 14k e things seem like a lot of cash to me for a daily player, Get a new Strat for $3,500 and enjoy the hell out of it. unless you just became a collector who should learn everything about collecting guitars before purchasing one.
Rufustelestrat
Senior Stratmaster
There are three reasons I might not purchase that guitar.
1. Remarkably un remarkable and worn, with modifications that reduce the value compared to un-molested models from the same year.
2. Price is just way to high for that year, and CBS era construction/build quality reputation.
3. There is no third.
1. Remarkably un remarkable and worn, with modifications that reduce the value compared to un-molested models from the same year.
2. Price is just way to high for that year, and CBS era construction/build quality reputation.
3. There is no third.
I agree with @Gary Davies about the refretting. This may go deeper than that though. This post made me look again for a tele and look what I found:
https://www.scruffsvintageguitars.com/shopscruffvintage/1968-Sonic-Blue-Fender-Telecaster-p398572938
It looks to me the same body as the one I posted above with the serial thing. Also it says the store is the same as the strat from OP's post.
Somewhere along the line something happened here. I'd say @FrieAsABird do you know the store well? I would warn them about this and the strat, it is indeed a red flag.
https://www.scruffsvintageguitars.com/shopscruffvintage/1968-Sonic-Blue-Fender-Telecaster-p398572938
It looks to me the same body as the one I posted above with the serial thing. Also it says the store is the same as the strat from OP's post.
Somewhere along the line something happened here. I'd say @FrieAsABird do you know the store well? I would warn them about this and the strat, it is indeed a red flag.
Gary Davies
Strat-Talker
Yes, it's the same Tele based on these images, with a different serial number. One photo taken in a warm evening light and the other under a blue sky, which obviously affects the colour hue. Just seen the chunks taken out of the body at the corners of the neck plate in your original post with the other serial number. Some story attached to this one for sure.
Exactly! And what about the neck? There are more pictures here at the source:
https://www.cescoscornerguitars.com/1968_Fender_Telecaster_Sonic_Blue_Serial_193439.html
It looks like a 1966 neck with a post1969 body (see the pick up route?). Maybe someone here got confused by the pots but if I am not mistaken they were the same from 1966 to 1971.
About the shop, you can trust Cesco's Corner, his reputation in Italy and abroad is very high. He collects and restores guitars, always specifying true conditions of the instrument.
About the price, I would suppose buying there is a bit more expensive, it's a kind of guarantee about what you purchase. Get a look on the website to see the history of the instruments that passed through the corner.
This is all said by a non-expert of vintage guitars, take it for what it is.
About the price, I would suppose buying there is a bit more expensive, it's a kind of guarantee about what you purchase. Get a look on the website to see the history of the instruments that passed through the corner.
This is all said by a non-expert of vintage guitars, take it for what it is.
I did check as you suggested and if I do agree that the store has beautiful items, I am not sure whether they actually qualify. At least in the collectors market at that asking price. Here an example:
The actual link:
www.facebook.com/Cescoscornerguitars/posts/pfbid0TrDBZJLMqxMstY1QVSNawZaYY3jph9ULZbt6p9zk2Bv9M1G7KK6Ja1R8Vu6wbDaol
A guitar described as a "gorgeous and rare 1968 Stratocaster".
He did announce some working and a few months later a 1967 Strat with the same scratches on the body shows up on the store:
If you wish to compare:
What do you think people? @Gary Davies do you think the body is the same? To me, honestly, it feels like the same body with a different neck. The fact that it came up twice over time could be that it was returned, I wouldn't be surprised.
This is what I found with a quick check but there could be more. The reason I'd like to understand is because there are people like OP @jmyers1982 who is wishful but not really knowledgeable on the matter. What if we weren't here to help him figure things out? A beautiful guitar and a description (two actually, a bit different from each other) such as this could trick people into spending quite big sums:
The actual link:
www.facebook.com/Cescoscornerguitars/posts/pfbid0TrDBZJLMqxMstY1QVSNawZaYY3jph9ULZbt6p9zk2Bv9M1G7KK6Ja1R8Vu6wbDaol
A guitar described as a "gorgeous and rare 1968 Stratocaster".
He did announce some working and a few months later a 1967 Strat with the same scratches on the body shows up on the store:
If you wish to compare:
What do you think people? @Gary Davies do you think the body is the same? To me, honestly, it feels like the same body with a different neck. The fact that it came up twice over time could be that it was returned, I wouldn't be surprised.
This is what I found with a quick check but there could be more. The reason I'd like to understand is because there are people like OP @jmyers1982 who is wishful but not really knowledgeable on the matter. What if we weren't here to help him figure things out? A beautiful guitar and a description (two actually, a bit different from each other) such as this could trick people into spending quite big sums:
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Gary Davies
Strat-Talker
Seeing as you mentioned me @andy86, I had a quick look and some of the markings on the Strat bodies above do look the same, although others are a little different. To be honest I wouldn't invest any more time on it, as the OP last checked in here over 2 weeks ago. So he can't be too concerned about it and I think (without going back over the posts) various folks have shared their thoughts and given him the benefit of their opinions. Remember, you can lead a horse to water . . . .
