[After more researches] OK, talk about "above my pay grade"... Be absolutely clear, I am no expert on this stuff. But...

I notice on that page Hop linked to (above) the 1956 neck heel off a '57 Strat:



Interesting how that heel does not show the horizontal router marks that we see on the one in Niki's pictures. There's more neck heels shown on another page from that site:

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

None of 'em show the router lines. Which proves nothing at all: we know production methods varied a lot during Fender's early years. But one more piece of circumstantial evidence.

Incidentally, further down that page are pictures of ABS and polystyrene(!) knobs and pup covers from the '57 crossover point for those things. The polystyrene knobs are indeed very white - but also very worn. Likewise the covers. Something to bear in mind when viewing this guitar.

One more thing: on a '57 Strat on Hop's page the fingerboard is very worn above the 21st fret. Weird: how does that happen? Nevertheless: that look would seem to be possible on a real period guitar...

More thoughts...

Cheers - C

Big thanks to all you blokes.

Cheers lads. You have stopped me diving in head first.

Also i'd like to thank Martin at vintage and rare guitars on denmark street (should he read this, or anyone drops in there tell him he got a big praising). He informed me of certain methods scammers use. Namely lifting pictures from vintage gear websites. Also that cash on personal inspection is the ONLY way to go with buying vintage stuff.

I mailed the seller telling them 'I would much prefer to pay cash on collection in whatever currency they prefered or even bank transfer or bankers cheque should they be worrying about funny money. And also that a bought airplane seat is the only real way to transport such a instrument. Not UPS or Fed ex.

Still no reply back.

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All i can think of on the above the 21st fret wear is that the pick has hit the neck from playing too near the neck. Maple is quite hard and would therefore ding less whilst the lacquer wore.
Just a theory.

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Just received a email from the seller stating i cant fly out this week because they are off to the USA for a month. I replied with 'Email me when you get back, i'll fly out at a time you request'.
So we'll see eh?

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I believe you made the right choice and its the best protection for yourself in this kinda situation.The vintage picture method as you describe also exist on eBay as scammers so jubilantly wanna make quick buck so be wary to those who just start venturing looking for vintage strats.

request a current picture with a current newspaper, just like a kidnapping!!!

Belph, Thats a near word for word reproduction of what Martin at vintage and rare said. Who doesnt want cash in their hand for their item. surely cash is best in all circumstances aside from buying a house?

Sorry i cant give you the hotrod mate.

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Their reluctance to meet with you, and let you inspect the guitar first hand makes me think they may not even have a guitar at all.
Do you have a street address yet? or just an email. Is it a PO box?

If its a street address, try googling it and see what comes up.

A friend was going to buy an old Bassman, but they sent him a PO box. They said they were rural, and only had that, but we did a search, and it was one of those mailbox rental places.

Yeah, I'd been thinking the best way to prove it was the "Nigerian Scam" was to find a source for the pics. so I've been Googling my way through hundreds and hundreds of pictures of vintage guitars - fun, but no dice.

Its the most likely explanation, though.

Fake guitar? Surely you'd ask a much higher price after all that work.

Family heirloom that the seller doesn't know the value of? The expertise of the photos says otherwise.

Stolen goods? Again, the photos say the seller knows what it is and therefore would be asking more for it.

Won't show the goods till the money is sent? Nigerian Scam.

But if they do offer a viewing after all I'd sincerely love to come. If it's in Spain; why, let's drive down. Easier to bring the guit back that way than by air...

Thanks Niki, its been tons of fun! - C

No guitar but just some pictures, maybe. And low price to trap the novices. This type of scam ( if it is one,) would be harder to pull off against experienced collectors with a lot of dough, but it might pull in some novices who get excited.

IMO no viewing = run away.

Ceri, I'll pay your airfair mate. I dont fancy that drive. There is a address Twelvebar. I checked it as i wrote this post. Its a honest address with a good satelite photo. Still i supose anyone can use google maps to pluck a address out of the air.

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But its a good sign. After all they have to go there to pick up your cheque right?

Still, proceed cautiously, if its real you won't regret the due diligence anyway, and if it is fake, you have done yourself a great service.

We can take the Jag...?

Then we'll make a movie of our experiences and invite Michael Caine to be in it: "The Spanish Job"...

- C

Ultimate giveaway. Pay half now and the rest when you receive the guitar.

ON A 57 STRAT THAT SHOULD BE SELLING FOR £25K+ NOT £1.5K.

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Er, it's only just dawned on my dumb brain, but the little scribbly mark in the bottom right of all the pictures - isn't that what Ebay insert onto photos on their website?

So unless you found this guitar for sale on Ebay, Niki (which I don't think was what you indicated), then that is where these folks lifted their photos from. Far as I can see, there's no such '57 available on Ebay.com or .co.uk at present, so they've sat on the photos for a time before deploying them...



Cheers - C