Just purchased a S 9 strat and am confused as to the color. There is artificial wear that is under the clear coat. The clear is not new. It is sunburst and I can not find anywhere that they were offering "road wear" back in those days. Can someone point me in a direction as to what I have on my hands>

can you post photos?

Yah post some pics

Doesn't the S9 in the serial number indicate the guitar is a 1979-1980 model?

I do not think that relic or road worn guitars were made at the factory and sold in those days, so my assumption would be that the wear is real. If there is a clear coat over it, I would assume it was put on the guitar later in its life.

What makes you think the clear coat is not new or put on after the wear occured?

Maybe the "clear coat" is actually a polish or wax to shine up its old finish?

This question will be hard to answer by pictures or descriptions. Based on what information we have, is how I drew my conclusion

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

Sorry bout the delay, I've been out of town. I will try to get some good pics and post them. It doesn't look like a polish. The clear has some cracking in it that runs evenly throughout the body. I guess it could have been sprayed over the wear but it must have been some time ago. The wear just doesn't look natural.

I saw a telecaster that just had the wear painted on!

Without seeing the specific instrument it's kind of hard to say for sure but here's another thought for you...Fender isn't the only folks that are doing relic jobs on guitars. Doing "relics" for whatever has become something of a fad lately. I've recently seen a couple of Squire Strats on ebay...$100-$150 guitars where folks have made them look like relics and then are reselling them for as much as $350.

Depending on the wear, it's also possible that it could be natural and someone clear coated it a bit later to keep it from wearing any more. Without knowing the exact history of the specific instrument, it's quite hard to say.

Anyways, just some thoughts for ya!
Peace,
Jim