How I got my first HM strat

[fenderbender1017]

I got my first HM strat in 1989. I met this dude at work who played in a band, and he said he would teach me how to play. I had sold my guitar years ago at a pawn shop, a RANDY RHOADS ARBOR no big loss really. I asked him what kind of guitar I should get and he told me he played fenders and to get a usa made fender. So I went to the shop and said I want a fender that was made in the usa . I was like wow really? thats a lot of money I only have $200.00 The sales man just smiled, then he said hey I got a fender that was made in the usa that you can have for $200.00 he brought out this pink guitar and said see made in the usa and showed me the neck plate ( I know he was wrong) I asked why is it so much cheaper besides being used ? he said its pink and no one wants it and its set up tp play metal and no one wants to play metal . well I love pink and I love metal so I bought it

[heem6]

Wow. That's a story I bet not many people can top! Thanks for sharing it.

[fenderbender1017]

I just think its funny I got it completely by accident, not many people seem to even know about them, I went to the shop were I'm having some work done on one of my HMs to check on it and the guy that works there was asking me about it, he thought was pretty cool

[heem6]

That is funny. They were really overlooked guitars, I think.

There was also a Budweiser promotional model that was sort of a cross between the HM and the Fender Showmaster Highway One. They were practically giving them away telling people that for $150 it was worth it for the price of the OFR alone.

[halo71]

Cool story! I scored a Fender Katana in a very similiar fashion back in the 80's from a pawn shop. And not the Squier model either. Dude had it for like 3 years sitting in his shop and I gave him less than $100 for it if I remember right. Now I wish the hell I had kept it cause they are fairly rare these days. I traded it and cash for some Jackson model guitar a few years later.

[stratznhatz]

Great stories!
I've been real lucky with guitars up to now. I bought a '79 strat for £265 back when no one wanted them, just sold it for over £900 . I also have a '76 les paul deluxe gold top that I spotted in the local paper in the early 90's. I was actually looking for an sg as les pauls were so expensive even then. I got it for £375 with case. The guy had paid £400 for it in '79 and was just looking to get his money back! Just hope I'm as lucky when I get my HM..... £5 at a car boot sale maybe (in my dreams!) ;D

[nickwellings]

Man! Stratz, those "I got a 64 Strat for some pocket lint and a stick of gum!" stories kill me. One time they did it on Harmony Central forums. Got a shedload of crazy stories. One guy actually found a 60s strat for real at a yard sale, offered for about $5.....and he told the little old lady it was worth a bit more. Convinced her to get it valued, needless to say she multiplied that $5 by about 1000.

[stratznhatz]

Nick, wow, that makes me feel like I was ripped off lol!!!

[halo71]

My first 2 HM's came as parts in a cardboard box out of some music store shopkeepers basement.

[fenderbender1017]

my 2nd 3rd and 5th hm came in parts and I paid more for them then I did my first LOL

[saint]

I saw an add in the junkmail, was shopping for a new guit after I decided to find a buyer for my mex strat with kinmans. It didn't have pictures or anything, so I was pretty much the only guy who responded to the add. Needless to say I was astounded to see a fender I have never heard of or seen, a fender with all the goodies I need ie dimarzios and a floyd and in South Africa none the less. I fell inlove with the black gold marbly heartfield talon version infront of me. I drove to see it in JHB the monday, sold my strat on the friday and fetched it immediately. Drove around 6 hours and the cash I made off my mex literally paid for my hm, petrol and a hardcase!

I will never let this guitar go, it is awesome!