MIM Jag-Stang "#1"

[panoramic]

some heavily nirvana influenced blues layer might scoop it up for a few hundred over normal price but it's not going to be some huge boon of extra green.

[BTL]

That certainly makes perfect sense, thanks!

[Stephen_42]

[...]

In other Jag-stang related news, in my quick Google to check prices, I found this:
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004218388272.html

[...]

You've just gotta' love Aliexpress:

https://reverb.com/item/28941714-fender ... 1994-green

Well, you've saved me a couple of hundred quid! The actual refinished Kelly Green one is cool though. Not the tidiest refin, but a lovely colour and went for a reasonable price.

[BTL]

Every time I see an Aliexpress photo with a posh background, I do a Google image search. It takes 10 seconds and usually confirms the source from the original ad. By contrast, if the guitar is photographed on top of a cardboard shipping box on the factory floor, you might be looking at an item that's similar to what you eventually receive.

[andy_tchp]

There is no need to get nasty, guys.

"Pilot" is not my term, it was the term used by the individual at the point of origin. There is a back story, one I'm not currently at liberty to share.

In the scheme of things, I think the question has been answered. Thanks again!

Sorry if it seemed 'nasty', but the term 'pilot' being used in this context is bullshit, presumably designed to elicit a response similar to "oh... like a prototype" (which is also wrong).

[Zeus]

Another thing that might affect the value: what colour is it? Shops seem to have a harder job shifting the blue ones (a quick Google shows red ones typically available for £900, but the £1,100 I paid for my blue is still typical.)

Maybe I'm missing something, but that suggests to me that the fiesta red are generally the slower sellers (hence the reduced price).

[Stephen_42]

Another thing that might affect the value: what colour is it? Shops seem to have a harder job shifting the blue ones (a quick Google shows red ones typically available for £900, but the £1,100 I paid for my blue is still typical.)

Maybe I'm missing something, but that suggests to me that the fiesta red are generally the slower sellers (hence the reduced price).

No, not missing anything, just a typo/brainfart on my account. That's what I meant.

I wonder how much of that is down to sonic blue being a more popular colour in general, and how much is down to Cobain's one/original plan being blue. I'd wager it's more the latter reason.

[BTL]

Sorry if it seemed 'nasty', but the term 'pilot' being used in this context is bullshit, presumably designed to elicit a response similar to "oh... like a prototype" (which is also wrong).

To clarify further, the word "pilot" was used (in writing) by a member of senior leadership at Fender to describe this specific instrument. I agree that it's a peculiar use of the word (hence the quotes). Still, I have no reason to believe that it's not a term used by some in day-to-day operations and is understood (at Fender) to mean "first batch sample".

[sal paradise]

Sorry if it seemed 'nasty', but the term 'pilot' being used in this context is bullshit, presumably designed to elicit a response similar to "oh... like a prototype" (which is also wrong).

To clarify further, the word "pilot" was used (in writing) by a member of senior leadership at Fender to describe this specific instrument. I agree that it's a peculiar use of the word (hence the quotes). Still, I have no reason to believe that it's not a term used by some in day-to-day operations and is understood (at Fender) to mean "first batch sample".

It’s a perfectly valid description. But if said pilot instrument doesn’t differ from the batch that followed, I’m not sure why it would command a higher value.

Sure, sentimental value if you worked on the design/production. If they’d have stuck a special neck plate on & given it a certificate- someone would pay twice the normal price I’m sure.

[BTL]

It’s a perfectly valid description. But if said pilot instrument doesn’t differ from the batch that followed, I’m not sure why it would command a higher value.

Sure, sentimental value if you worked on the design/production. If they’d have stuck a special neck plate on & given it a certificate- someone would pay twice the normal price I’m sure.

Exactly, that makes perfect sense, and I acknowledged it a while back.

[JSett]

The first episode of a new TV show is called a 'pilot'...seems an appropriate term to me.

[BTL]

OK, the time has come to tell the backstory on this.

I met Brian Swerdfeger at Summer NAMM 2019. He was a VP at Fender at the time, but has since moved on and is currently in very poor health. He arranged for the guitar to be shipped to me and I retained the mailing label from the original box. It’s my intention to list this for sale in the classifieds and sell it to an OSG member for whatever they deem it to be worth. I plan to write and sign a brief letter detailing the backstory, address it directly to the buyer, and include it with the guitar. I’m currently waiting for edited photos to share, and I will post them here and in the classified ad.

If there’s any interest at all, I’d like it to stay here in the OSG family.

[alexpigment]

Have you checked the serial number to see if it's one of the two pictured on the Fender website? If so, that might help prove its provenance, although I fully understand that it's slightly unlikely that either of those two on their website are the first off the production line.

[BTL]

Have you checked the serial number to see if it's one of the two pictured on the Fender website? If so, that might help prove its provenance, although I fully understand that it's slightly unlikely that either of those two on their website are the first off the production line.

I reached out to Fender a while back, and they confirmed it was likely sent out as a promotional item. The case candy, shipping box cutoff, and a draft of the letter with my signature will be included in the ad. I will include additional documentation with the guitar that ties it back to OSG, but it will not be shown in the listing.

[B.T.]

OK, the time has come to tell the backstory on this.

I met Brian Swerdfeger at Summer NAMM 2019. He was a VP at Fender at the time, but has since moved on and is currently in very poor health. He arranged for the guitar to be shipped to me and I retained the mailing label from the original box. It’s my intention to list this for sale in the classifieds and sell it to an OSG member for whatever they deem it to be worth. I plan to write and sign a brief letter detailing the backstory, address it directly to the buyer, and include it with the guitar. I’m currently waiting for edited photos to share, and I will post them here and in the classified ad.

If there’s any interest at all, I’d like it to stay here in the OSG family.

That’s really cool of you and a great way to do it.