Making Sure Older Strat is Genuine US Article--How?

[68Kustom]

Hi,

I found an ad for a US Strat selling at a decent price because of its condition. Body is kind of a mess and neck looks worn. Looks quite playable and cool, though.

The neck serial number is correct to the model year. I tried Fender lookup, but 'No Results'. So, how do I ensure the body is correct to the serial number as well?

I doubt the seller is gonna let me disassemble the guitar for a peek at its innards. So, is this a case of "ya pays yer price an' takes yer chance"--?

What are your experiences with this kind of sale?

 

[Yves]

Can you share some pics here?
Then we'll be able to point out to youbif anything is questionable or not.

 

[68Kustom]

Can you share some pics here?
Then we'll be able to point out to you if anything is questionable or not.

Seller has private photos that show various typical angles along with closeup headstock front with correct serial number sequence in correct place.

It looks like the original pickguard and backplate were swapped out. Original finish looks like it absorbed a LOT of second-hand smoke as did the white control knobs!

Should I ask to disassemble it?

 

[68Kustom]

Can you share some pics here?
Then we'll be able to point out to you if anything is questionable or not.

Here's the headstock. Color code (last two digits) checks out.

 

[Yves]

Can you not download pics, or screen capture some and share here?
Difficult to assess without seeing

 

[Yves]

Here's the headstock. Color code (last two digits) checks out.

View attachment 610822

That looks promising .

 

[68Kustom]

That looks promising .

I do see walnut at the truss rod opening there. The color code checks out. Trees in correct places.

Is that 'fat' logo correct for 'N' years, though?

 

[Yves]

Yes, that can still be correct. Early 90s would have the modern logo and I think it is from 95 onwards they moved the sn to the back of the headstock and applied the Spaguetti logo.

Some of the 90s strats might have a N9 sn.
I think it is safe to say that looks like a genuine us std strat neck from the 90s.


But that is all we can say a this point

 

[albala]

So far, so good

 

[Yves]

tried Fender lookup, but 'No Results

Yes, that could happen if that neck is pre 93. It looks like it could be an early 90s.

 

[Yves]

It all depends on what your expectations are for the dollars you pay.
You explain it is an old beat-up strat that retained a fair amount of mojo and can be grabbed at an attractive price.

What matters most to you?
I

 

[68Kustom]

It all depends on what your expectations are for the dollars you pay.
You explain it is an old beat-up strat that retained a fair amount of mojo and can be grabbed at an attractive price.

What matters most to you?

Well, it would be nice to have a US body matching US neck. As I say, the body color matches the last two digits of the serial number.

If seller allows me to open it up, that's a good sign too. It's just that the ask price seems a TGtBT.

The reason I wanna get it is because it's a solid off-white (color code 63) and I have a LOUD dark brown tort guard not being used! (Test photo)

 

[Yves]

Can you not upload a pic of the whole beast here at once?!
At least we would be able to tell if it looks right.

 

[Yves]

ask price seems a TGtBT.

The moto here is that when that is the case it generally is.

 

[Yves]

St

Well, it would be nice to have a US body matching US neck. As I say, the body color matches the last two digits of the serial number.

If seller allows me to open it up, that's a good sign too. It's just that the ask price seems a TGtBT.

The reason I wanna get it is because it's a solid off-white (color code 63) and I have a LOUD dark brown tort guard not being used! (Test photo)

Sth fishy here.
That neck only has one string tree. The headstock you showed earlier has 2 string trees. Not the same neck

That doesn't look beat-up at all to me besides.

 

[albala]

Two different necks

Early 90s serials had nothing to do with color

Sketchy body

Run far, fast

 

[Yves]

Two different necks

Early 90s serials had nothing to do with color

Sketchy body

Run far, fast

Dunno. Perhaps that pic is not the strat on sale but just showing off his spare tort guard .

It is confusing

 

[Yves]

I neecto nip out to get on with my job for an hour or so hopefully

 

[Baelzebub]

Personally if the seller isn't willing to demonstrate the veracity of any claims, then they're presumed to be false till proven otherwise, and any offer would be adjusted accordingly, if I chose to make one at all.

 

[Bane]

When in doubt, don't buy