I was given what is supposedly a Fender '57 Reissue neck (originally from the late 1980's I think).

I'm not sure it is real because there's no serial number anywhere.

There is no "Made in Anywhere" sticker on it.

Headstock emblem has "Fender Stratocaster with synchronized tremolo system" underneath it and another small emblem that says "Original Contour Body" . Nothing else on headstock back or front.

The neck is not a bright maple but a weathered maple look like an old sunburst gold color like some of the old teles (maybe the 57 reisuue looks the same. I don't know)

Back side bottom of the neck that fits into body joint has "SAT" writen in black magic marker with a smal black ink-stamped name "D. Chavez".

Any ideas as to whether this neck is real or not?

Thanks

The enck joint has

Hi imdok, welcome to the Forum.

Some others here know a lot more about period guitars than me. But for what it's worth...

Originally the serial number on Fenders was stamped on the metal neck plate, so Reissue guitars reproduce that detail by not carrying the SN on the headstock.

I think something similar might be the case for "Made in USA". Probably not there on vintage guitars - nowhere else for them to be made at the time, after all.

The lacquer on old guitars often (but not always) has darkened with age. Reissue guitars tend to emulate that by being finished with what they call "honey tinted" lacquer.

I feel the name D Chavez is ringing a faint, distant bell in the back of my brain, but for the life of me I can't remember why. Google ain't helping me on that: maybe someone else knows something.

Conclusion: on the face of it your neck sounds kosher. Posting pictures of it here might help to be more certain - but you're not going to get an absolute cast-iron proof on a website I'm afraid. There's an awful lot of fakes out there!

Hopefully others here can help further.

Cheers - C

That name sounds familiar here too, I think D. Chavez was or is a custom builder at Fender.

Yeah i seen that name on a couple of Fender necks.....i thought he was a QC rite?There are others like Perez....CL....Sandoval etc

Pictures would help

I think this will help. I'm confused as well as who D. Chavez is. Here are some pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65814391@N08/5986973164/

Thats not a Reissue Neck. 22 Fret overhang, and microtilt... looks like an American standard neck from the 80s/90s. Should have the serial number under Fender. Should either start with an E or N

+1

We need to see pics of the OP's neck.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Yes. Sorry about that. But do you guys have any idea who D. Chavez is?

He's just a guy that that did quality control or built the neck. Many Fenders have a name stamped in the neck pocket. Its just Fender having an accountability system if something is wrong with the neck. Say if the neck was screwed up and they look and see "D. Chavez"
built it or checked it, then D. Chavez might get in trouble or if it happens enough, fired.

Very common thing

No idea on this particular neck 'but'....

Be careful of these 'names' to verify a neck. The notorious John Hu in China would make you a neck that said Chavez or anything else. That's where I first heard the name 'Chavez'.. A, serial number of your choice, 'Chavez' stamp , antiquing, etc. delivered to the door for $89. or so. I never saw one live but just the photos sent from China. John Hu was kicked off of EBay a couple times but is probably pushing his fakes elsewhere.