CAN SOMEONE HELP ME,I BOUGHT A FENDER STRATOCASTER AT A YARD SALE,IT IS PRETTY OLD BUT IM NOT SURE OF THE YEAR.I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS BETWEEN A 1954 AND 1957 AND I WAS ALSO TOLD IT IS FROM THE 1980S,I TOOK THE GUITAR APART TO CLEAN IT UP AND FIND THE SERIAL NUMBER BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE ANYPLACE,HERE IS SOME INFOMATION I DO KNOWABOUT THIS GUITAR,IT IS VERY HEAVY IT HAS A 8 HOLE PICK GUARD 3 PICK-UPS THE NECK IS MAPLE AND HAS 22 FRETTS THE NECK SAYS FENDER STRATOCASTER,UNDER THE NAME FENDER IS A #6848-0302, NEAR THE TOP OF THE NECK IS THE WORDS ORIGINAL CONTOUR BODY PATENTED.I KNOW AT LEAST ON OF THE PICK-UPS IS NOT ORIGINAL IT HAS A 5 POSITION SWITCH,3 BRASS POTS,IT ALSO HAS A TREMOLO THAT LOOKS TO ALL BRASS AND IS VERY HEAVY AND HAS 3 SPRINGS WITH SPOTS FOR 5 SPRINGS.THE TREMOLO COVER IS BLACK WITH OBLONG HOLES IT SAYS SCHECTER MADE IN USA.IT HAS THE SAME HOLE PATTERN AS A FENDER TREMOLO COVER.ANY INFO WOULD BE HELPFULTHANKS

For this kinda thing, pictures are very helpful.

Also, I do not think there were 22-fret Strats until the 70s ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Welcome to the Forum!

Please, when you post do not use all CAPS.

Post some pics of your guitar. It will really help us out.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Then it's probably not Made in the USA. Tell us whatever numbers, codes, and words you can find under the neck and pickguard.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

A five position switch was not available stock until 1977. And the serial number you quote doesn't match any of the known Fender numbering systems. You may find that underneath the 8-hole pickguard is an 11-hole pattern. Fender changed from 8-hole pickguards to 11-hole pickguards in 1959. All in all it sounds like somebody has been modifying the guitar. You cannot have an unmodified Stratocaster that has both a five position switch and an 8-hole pickguard.

I'm afraid to ask, but then again...how much did you pay for this guitar?

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"is that a real poncho...i mean
Is that a mexican poncho
Or is that a sears poncho?
Hmmm...no foolin ...." FZ

Oh, that's a good question. I hope the original poster comes back ...

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Early Strats had patent numbers under the Fender logo. that could be the number you found. IT was part of the decal but I believe it would have said Patent# and then the number.

Hi I paid only $60.00 for it.When I found it it was stuffed behind a pile of junk it was missing strings and couple of tuning pegs all metal was rusty and pitted.The pick gaurd was on crooked and chiped.The guitar really looked bad.I know the pick guard was not original I think the only original parts are the neck and body.I identified the body to be a 59 from the routing for the pick-ups and the nail holes under the pick plate.THE BODY WAS ALSO ROUTED OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE TO FIT THE 5 POSITION SWITCH.I HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING ON THE GUITAR TO MAKE IT PLAYABLE AGAIN.Ipaid about $200.00 dollars changing that stuff from EBAY.I have over 17 guitars all American made most are Gibsons SG LES PAULS FLYING VS EXPLORER DOVES and a couple of Stratocasters and I have to say this is better then all of them by far ,playing and sounding.I did talk to the guy who runs the thrift store and he told me that the guitar was donated to them as everything else in the store is.I had bought this guitar to sell it but now I like it to much.

Hmmmm!!!

HI,THANKS FOR THAT INFO.I DIDNT KNOW HOW TO POST THE PHOTOS.I WILL GIVE IT A SHOT IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.THANKS.