[Drew68]

So there’s some reason I guess to believe a $9,000. Strat made from that narly old walnut tree cut down from in front of aunt Edna’s house is built better than a regular Mexican Strat (which have gotten really good) for $500 or an American Strat for $1200..... Because these come out of the “custom shop” and are “master built”.

Yeah, totally ridiculous, as well as the black "Frankenstrat" pictured upthread.

However, the days of the $500 Mexican Standard are well behind us. I've been eyeing a Jason Isbell signature Tele. Not that I'm a huge Isbell fan, I just really like the specs. It's Mexican-made and nearly $1700 retail.

I will say the Mexican-made Fenders are really great instruments, even at their newly inflated price points.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

“However, the days of the $500 Mexican Standard are well behind us. “

I’m certainly out of the loop on current retail prices, I go more on Craigslist pricing and you would appear correct on $500 Mex Strats. Frankly, I can’t recall ever buying a brand new guitar in 50 years. True, you do not get to go to Guitar Center and pick from among 3-6 examples, but I’ve never bought a brand new guitar from a music store that I can recall!

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

In the market for a Telecaster?

This isn’t one, it’s two or more levels of absurdity.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/fender-custom-shop-waylon-jennings-telecaster-phaser-collection

$25 grand. Sure. Hand stitched.