Bargain, or not?

[Strummer]

I bought myself a Xmas present. It was a MIM Fender Stratocaster in Fiesta Red (supposedly??)

The colour was darker than i had anticipated and thought was correct, not a bad guitar IMO. It was the same colour as one of my Burns guitars, which is a Cobra model. However, I digress a little.

I got a telephone call from my local music shop (where I had purchased all three of my Burns guitars and they know I love HBM)..The owner said, "I have in the shop a Fender Stratocaster, in Fiesta Red, it is signed by HBM and it comes with a tweed case, and, an HBM mute tremolo arm (it already has the 'normal' Tremolo arm.) plus a spare lead. I know you are a Shads fan, so i thought I would give you first choice!"

I said, "How much, we agreed on a straight swop.

Went in, played it for some 20-30 mins, loved it and I now own it. The MIM Fender cost me £430. I have seen the Japanese ones on the net for btween £650 and £750 (average) but without the case and the extra mute arm (£50).

I reckon i have a good deal, any comments guys? All are welcome.

Lastly, I have played it solidly for the past week and its a cracker, better than the yank ones I have played.
The finish is fantastic for a 1996/97 guitar and it has a Maple neck.

[dave robinson]

Sound like a good deal to me as it's what you really wanted colour wise.

[alanbakewell]

"Went in, played it for some 20-30 mins, loved it and I now own it."

That says it all Arthur.I wish you many happy hours with it.

Cheers, Alan.

[Strummer]

Sorry, haven't been on in a while, pressure of work and all that...that'll teach me to be an accountant in practice, won't it?

Just to say, "Thanks guy's, the guitar is great, however, for sheer comfort and playability I have to say Fender do not beat the Burns marvin and Burns Apache. Fantastic guitars they are. I had the Marvin set up by non other than Barry Gibson himself, and, what a set up, Whooo! Hoooo!