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Post subject: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:05 am
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Hi -

I've been looking at a couple of 35th Anniversary Stratocasters online and they have some interesting differences, I'm looking for some opinions.

#1: http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/25234/Used-1991-Fender-Custom-Shop-35th-Anniversary-Stratocaster-Flame-Maple-Electric-Guitar-Three-Tone-Sunburst/

#2: https://reverb.com/item/941789-fender-35th-anniversary-custom-shop-stratocaster-sunburst-w-ohsc-flame-top

#2 is stamped with "440 of 500" above the custom shop logo on the back of the headstock, where #1 is not.

The CofAs appear different, #1 seems to have a big Custom Shop logo on the bottom where #2 doesn't.

Thanks,
Scott


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:38 pm
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I'm no expert but from the photos the only visible difference is the # of 500 as you already point out. The mid-gain toggle switch(copying the original EC model of which only a few were made). I would therefor assume it is a limited run of 500 w/ that optional switch and rest of the bling, ie. the reason for the $$$ difference(maybe the condition & the re-issued CoA. Of course I don't know for sure but I recon this is the best place to find out and somebody will surely chime in to answer ya sooner or later.
I would verify the serial #'s of both if I were dropping that kinda coin.

Unless you just want the Custom Shop LE of the 35th, you could pick up an EC model w/ Gold LS for around half of this model.

edited for QA, dunno what happened to my text.


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:09 am
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This address has really good pictures and a description of the guitar.

http://www.maverick-music.com/fender-guitars/1990-fender-35th-anniversary-stratocaster

hope this helps.
The CoA pic is the one I would look into for originality, the re-issue CoA may not be able to duplicate that document.


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 11:26 am
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Beautiful guitars. Judging from the pictures, I would run from the 3rd one. Outrageous price, trem tip is not original, nut is not original, case is not original and inferior to Fender's vintage cases, no telling what else and overall it looks more used. It's probably the photography, but I love #1 and it's the cheapest.


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:38 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
It's probably the photography, but I love #1 and it's the cheapest.


You are right(about the trembar/tip and the add states the case isn't original)), but the #1 guitar poses the biggest amount of ???? regarding authenticity imo. If you refer to the serial number dating guides this website offers, you'll notice the 35th Anniversary Stratocaster is unusual in that the actual serial number is listed as __ of 500. So the number 1 guitar in the ops post lists E969200 as the serial number....Both of the other guitars in this thread show clearly the correct __ of 500 on the reverse headstock above the original custom shop decal....One could assume perhaps the neck on the number one guitar is a replacement which would de value the piece from a collectors standpoint(even though it appears to be a 1989 CS neck w/ ebony fretboard).
The link I posted was just another set of picks for the op to consider in his effort to gain clarity on the 35th ann. guitar. It is the only pics I could find of the CoA and original case candy to include the instruction sheet for the active switch.
The guitars ran from 89-91, so there may be some slight differences over the years. I'm surprised you didn't mention the second string tree in the link I provided. My assumptions about the guitar in the link I posted are just what you pointed out, $$-price especially w/ the changed trem arm/tip, nut/string tree(probably was played and needed/wanted a bone nut and the string tree was probably added for tuning stability). The trem arm looks like a custom bend, cant tell for sure though. The case isn't original. I would deduct all this from the listed price if I were considering this guitar for purchase, but I'm not..
These are pretty rare on the market in original condition, so the price-ehhh whatever the buyer is willing to pay. I would say it would cost a lot to reproduce today and the historical value based on who made the guitar and the fact that its one of the first LE runs to come out of the custom shop adds a lot to the value.
That all being said, ymmv....If I had the money, I would love to own one and play the hell out of it.....


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:05 pm
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I wonder if maybe the one at The Music Zoo (the first one listed in the OP) is a 1991 CS Strat that was made to the specs of the 35th Anniversary model as opposed to really being one of the 500 "official" 1989 35th Anniversary Strats?


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:18 pm
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John C wrote:
I wonder if maybe the one at The Music Zoo (the first one listed in the OP) is a 1991 CS Strat that was made to the specs of the 35th Anniversary model as opposed to really being one of the 500 "official" 1989 35th Anniversary Strats?


Thought about that also, that's why initially I said run the serial by Fender. Still a very nice guitar for the price either way.....
I think the op is bidding on E-bay and Reverb w/ close to ending dates....


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 7:17 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
John C wrote:
I wonder if maybe the one at The Music Zoo (the first one listed in the OP) is a 1991 CS Strat that was made to the specs of the 35th Anniversary model as opposed to really being one of the 500 "official" 1989 35th Anniversary Strats?


Thought about that also, that's why initially I said run the serial by Fender. Still a very nice guitar for the price either way.....
I think the op is bidding on E-bay and Reverb w/ close to ending dates....


Unfortunately Fender won't have info on this one that they can look up - their searchable database starts about 1993 for production line instruments; I think that their records are even more spotty for the CS instruments and they can only go back to more like 1995.


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 8:37 pm
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Doing some surfing, I stumbled upon this info from a thread on Strat-talk from 2009.

http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/8568-visual-guide-stratocaster-years-4.html

about halfway down the page is the info....

The lack of confirmation from Fender via serial number search would be an issue. Based solely on the placement of the # on the front of the headstock is definitive to me at least that the neck is not original for an anniversary model LE and w/o being able to confirm the CoA document info based on the photos, I would be skeptical to say the least. Who knows for sure though, it may be number 200 of 500. I see the link above data shows a different finish than the other guitars in this thread, which could mean they changed the specs slightly after the 1st 100 or 200(quilted maple then flame maple) speculation on my part here.
The Strat Chronicles first 50 years has very little to say about the guitar and only 1 partial picture on p. 229.


Last edited by sfceric64 on Tue Dec 01, 2015 11:54 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:47 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
It's probably the photography, but I love #1 and it's the cheapest.


You are right(about the trembar/tip and the add states the case isn't original)), but the #1 guitar poses the biggest amount of ???? regarding authenticity imo. If you refer to the serial number dating guides this website offers, you'll notice the 35th Anniversary Stratocaster is unusual in that the actual serial number is listed as __ of 500. So the number 1 guitar in the ops post lists E969200 as the serial number....Both of the other guitars in this thread show clearly the correct __ of 500 on the reverse headstock above the original custom shop decal....One could assume perhaps the neck on the number one guitar is a replacement which would de value the piece from a collectors standpoint(even though it appears to be a 1989 CS neck w/ ebony fretboard).
The link I posted was just another set of picks for the op to consider in his effort to gain clarity on the 35th ann. guitar. It is the only pics I could find of the CoA and original case candy to include the instruction sheet for the active switch.
The guitars ran from 89-91, so there may be some slight differences over the years. I'm surprised you didn't mention the second string tree in the link I provided. My assumptions about the guitar in the link I posted are just what you pointed out, $$-price especially w/ the changed trem arm/tip, nut/string tree(probably was played and needed/wanted a bone nut and the string tree was probably added for tuning stability). The trem arm looks like a custom bend, cant tell for sure though. The case isn't original. I would deduct all this from the listed price if I were considering this guitar for purchase, but I'm not..
These are pretty rare on the market in original condition, so the price-ehhh whatever the buyer is willing to pay. I would say it would cost a lot to reproduce today and the historical value based on who made the guitar and the fact that its one of the first LE runs to come out of the custom shop adds a lot to the value.
That all being said, ymmv....If I had the money, I would love to own one and play the hell out of it.....

Absolutely. Authenticity is what justifies paying these prices and due diligence is certainly in order. I would definitely love to own one as well. It's one of the "prettiest" Strats I've ever seen if I can say that. The ebony fretboard sets it apart. Really, the price is not that out of line for these beauties.


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 4:41 pm
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Fortunately, I'm not bidding on anything that is running out of time. I was considering buying the guitar from The Music Zoo, but wanted to crowdsource an opinion on whether the guitar was the genuine article. I also emailed Fender customer service directly. I was surprised that they answered within a day:

Heli Lanz (Fender)
Dec 1, 10:13

Scott,

The records that I have for this model are below. It only says we made 500 that were numbered on the back of the headstock...

Model Name: 35th Anniversary Stratocaster®
Model Number: 012-9001-000
Series: Limited Edition
Body: Alder with 2-Piece Book-Matched Highly Figured Quilt Maple Top
Neck: Highly Figured Birds Eye Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony with Abalone Dot Inlays (9.5” Radius/241 mm), Medium Jumbo Frets
No. of Frets: 22
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.6875” (43 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Brushed Finish Fender Schaller Locking Keys
Bridge: American Standard Tremolo
Pickguard: 3-Ply White
Pickups: 3 Silver Fender LaceTM Sensor Pickups (Neck), (Mid), and (Bridge)
Pickup Switching: Special 5-Position Blade with 2-Position Mid-Boost On/Off Switch (Active/Passive On/Off)
Controls: Master Volume, Master TBX Tone Control, Master Mid Boost (0-25db)
Colors: (831) Antique Sunburst
Strings: Fender Super 250L’s (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel pn#073-0250-003
Other Features: Originally with Wilkinson Roller Nut, Later the Wilkinson was replaced by a Teflon Nut.
Abalone Dot Position Inlays,
Source: U.S.
Accessories: Case, Strap, Cable
U.S. MSRP: $2,000.00
INTRODUCED: 1989
DISCONTINUED: 1991
COMMENTS: Only 500 were made. Serialized 1 of 500 etc. on Back of Headstock
WRENCH SIZES: N/ANOTICE: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice

Regards-

Heli Lanz

Representative, Consumer
Relations /U.S. Direct Sales

Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

I've forwarded this information, plus the insights you folks have provided back to TMZ to see what they say...

Thanks,
Scott

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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:23 pm
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Scott,

I see they gave you the generic spec sheet. That's all Fender can give you for guitars built before 1993; they can't look up and verify the serial number like they can for a guitar built in 1993 or later.


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:48 pm
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Scott,
Glad you weren't in the already bidding situation and that you trust this forum to help you make an informed decision. On the guitar you were considering, if your still interested you should contact the seller for more information about your concerns. Glad Fender stepped up fast to give you what they had, did you ask specifically about the E969200 serial numbered guitar or the 35th Anniversary model?


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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 4:12 am
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Yah!! I definitely went "boing" :!: :?: :shock: when I saw those photos. I definitely remember that guitar sitting in the window of 'Manny's' on 48th Street. It had a quilted maple top. I've never questioned The Music Zoo's veracity on its inventory. Certainly cannot account for the difference in finish. But I would defer to the specs from Fender. Why not send these along to the sellers, reference our discussion here, and question why they suppose their offerings are different? I'd certainly be interested in the responses. IMHO, if the 35th Anniversary Strat is what moves you, I'd certainly wait until a quilt-top comes along.

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Post subject: Re: Differences in 35th Anniversary Stratocasters?
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 4:33 pm
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I haven't read all the comments, but from what I understand, 3 different sellers have it all wrong with the same mistake compared to Fender specs?


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