This is to inquire about my American Standard Stratocaster with serial number 10121981.

I bought this guitar from the main branch of Tom Lee in Hongkong in 2010. It was complete and I was given a Fender soft case with it. I was fine with that till about a week ago when I decided to buy a hard case, since I was suddenly using it often for my gigs. I went to a prominent music store in Manila, Philippines, Perfect Pitch, and was told that all Fender American Standard Stratocaster regardless of when it was released or sold in the market, anywhere in the world, should come with a hard-case. I asked for more information and now I am confused, actually disappointed, so I decided to ask you directly. How true is it that all American Fender Strats regardless of date issued, place or country of licensed distribution or place or country of purchase should come with hard-cases?

Hoping for your urgent reply. Thanks!

I am not worldly, so I can't speak for worldwide, but to my knowledge, all American standards come with a hard shell case (if purchased as new).
I believe it's even listed as so on the product page of this site.

Hi Mike, and welcome to the forum.

Like RRR, I too am not certain about markets over seas, but to my knowledge here in North American all American Standards come with a hard case when purchased from an authorized Fender dealer.

I would suggest you contact the good folks at Fender Consumer Relations and inquire further. The e-mail address is: consumerrelations@fender.com

HTH

Cheers!
BM

_________________
This is the Blues. Are you listening?

If if was a real American Standard Strat - you should have got a case.

I was curious, does your serial number start with a "US" ? Or is the number you provided all that is listed after "serial number" ?

Without "US" before the serial, you may have a Strat that was not made in the United States, and therefore it may not come with a hard case.

.... Or worse, someone has sold you a fake!

Hi Jonoteague. The "US" prefix which designates an instrument made in the United States is relatively recent in Fender history. According to the U.S. Instruments Product Dating, the serial numbering scheme in use toward the end of 2009 had the number "10" prefix followed by a space, then seven digits. This was replaced "a few months later" by the "US" prefix to designate instruments made in the United States.

The OP's serial number has "10" followed by six digits, not seven but the same is true for my 2010 FSR American Standard so there may be an omission or typo in the documentation.

Cheers!
BM

_________________
This is the Blues. Are you listening?

Thanks for that!
I just checked my guitars, then gave what information I could. I should know better than to talk about this stuff when there are so many better informed people on this forum!

I noticed that my (Stratocaster's) serial started with the number "10" (after the "US"), and I thought it might be useful to find out if the "US" was included with the serial. I also checked out Tom Lee, and found them to be an authorised distributor in Hong Kong.

It kind of disturbed me that someone buying an American Standard was not getting a hard case as part of the deal. I admit to being extrememly cautious when it comes to ensuring "genuine" Fender products, as there are so many clones and ebay 'partscasters' out there at the moment. Your correction was both timely and useful. I had jumped at what I saw as an inconsistency, and I apologise.

I'm still disturbed at the lack of hard case, maybe because the salespeople thought they could keep the case... No. I will say nothing and watch how this unfolds... Mike, I wish you the best of luck in finding out answers to your question

mine didn't have a hard case either but i've traded it away. still kinda ticks me off though.

on another note, the les paul studio i bought came with the nicest case i've ever owned. that one has also been traded away.

what's up fender? i think ya'll owe this person a case.

I am worldly - and to my knowledge RRR is exactly right: Am Stds always come with a hardcase included in the price, regardless of location.

In my experience (which is a few years out of date as far as that corner of the planet goes) Hong Kong is somewhere the legit market crosses paths with the counterfeit. In my day which side of the harbour seemed to have a fair bit to do with it: genuine Rolexes aplenty in Wanchai, hilarious "Bolex" watches for sale up and down Nathan Road in Tsimshatsui. All good clean fun - if you keep your wits about you.

However, Tom Lee Music is a well known legit Authorised Fender Dealer and that means they'll have sold you a real Fender and a hardcase was part of the deal. Unfortunately, anywhere in the world it is also possible to find inexperienced shop assistants who don't know what case and case candy go with what model, especially when you are buying guitars off the wall that have been separated from their boxes.

Mike, if you still have the receipt and ever find yourself in Hong Kong again I expect you stand a chance of talking to Tom Lee's branch manager and receiving the missing items from your purchase. Otherwise, you just have to chalk it up to experience - and buy yourself a nice and sensibly priced Hiscox Liteflite case for the Strat instead!

Cheers - C

_________________