There are many things out there that one of sane mind would consider rediculous....how about paying $5000.00 for a purse just because it has a FENDI brand on it when you can get the exact same purse, same leather, etc....for $50.00 on any street corner in New York......
My wife hasn't (yet) paid that much for a purse, but - I'm not making this up - we once had to go to Italy so she could get a purse.
...value is in the eye of the beholder and many people value this type of instrument.
Fender, I'm sure, made money hand over fist over those early signature model Strats - the Beck, the Clapton, the SRV....you know, way back when Wham! was still good.
But yes, value is what it is and some class-action lawyer is probably out there right now, buying this EVH thing. Good for him, I say - good for him. I think we can be pretty sure that not too many working-in-a-bar guys are going to be using them to play bad renditions of "Cocaine".
(I use that song just as an example, not as an attempt to capitalize on whatever BP said above - if, in fact, he can be proved to have said anything.)
My biggest jones right now is a 1970 Cuda Hemi......one problem.....they are selling for $750,000.00 !!!! and "replica" is going for 140K......which is a too much for me but not for others. I'm with Sterling...capitalism drives this and it is good.
Three quarters of a million dollars for a Plymouth. Who knew? I wonder now what my 1965 slant-six Valiant would be worth.
Jack
PS: Marty, you should pressure Sterling to produce the Tony Levin Burnt Weenie Sandwich 3 string Stingray relic, complete with noxious fumes. I think it's a sure thing.