I bought my American Strat (3-color Sunburst with rosewood fretboard...beautiful) from Rockin' Robin in Houston in Feb of 2008. I asked for a brand new 2008 and they said they had just taken it out of the box. The serial number is Z7170862, so I thought it was a 2007, but I've seen where early production models of one year will have the serial number of the prior year, like 2006 could have a Z5 serial number.

Here's the quote from the Product Dating page:
"Z"-prefix serial numbers denoting the new millennium appeared on U.S.-made instruments in 2000. Z0 denotes 2000; Z1 denotes 2001, etc. American Deluxe Series instruments use the same dating convention, but with the addition of a "D" in front of the "Z", i.e., DZ1, DZ2, etc. [b]As always, there is typically some number prefix overlap and carryover from year to year.[/b]

Also, what are the differences between the 2007s and 2008s? Maybe I could figure it out that way...???

Thanks in advance for your help,
DC

I have 2 Strats that when bought they had serial numbers from the previous year. I believe their made in the year indicated by the number but their new models for the incoming year. Maybe someone else can explain it better than me, lets see how the answers get posted.
I have an `08 Strat, the fretboards are polished, the finish is thinner, and they have rolled edges on the saddles.

JPD -
OK, thanks. It's not a big deal really - just curious.
DC

For all intents and purposes, its a 2007. You can try to split hairs over what years it was built, but if the seriel number is Z7, its a 2007. If you bought a 2007 model year car that was built in December of 2006, its still a 2007. If you still have this guitar 35 years from now when it may be thought of as vintage, it will be considered an 07.

Pictures would help.

In 2008 there were some big changes in the American Strat. One of which is the saddles were changed, they look like the vintage style but they are on a 2-point trmelo. Having those or not would be the easiest way to tell.

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Yeah, that's what I'm thinking...thx. As I said it doesn't matter - and, hey, it'll be considered "vintage" a year earlier! I'll be giving it to my son anyway in about 15-20 years, so I won't be selling it anyway.

I had 2 other American Strats while playing in a band with my buddies in high school and in college - a 77 hard-tail and a 78 w/trem - both walnut color and black pickguards, bought both brand new. Sold them both after I got married. Now I'm picking it up again, this time studying jazz and music theory.

The Strat was a sentimental pick but it actually is probably the most versatile electric. Now I want to buy a Gibson Wes Montgomery L-5.

OK, don't laugh...how can I tell if it's a 2-point tremolo?

A 2 point trem has 2 screws at the top and the vintage has 6 screws.If you look at tremolo ,the top would be closest to the bridge pickup.Hope this helps.

OK, thx, but the saddles look like the vintage model on this url:

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=what+is+a+2+po ... 31970.html

So, according to Bruno I should own a 2008 model because it has a 2-pt trem with vintage style saddles...mystery solved.

Thanks, guys.

D

Yep ,with all the upgrades.Enjoy.

Hello Dfc,

I got my 2008 American standard stratocaster
early in 08 and it has a 7 prefix. I'm confident it's
still considered a 08 based on it's features.

Cheers.

if you really want to know for sure, you could pull the neck and check the date stamp, there might be one under the pickguard too.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Hey, howdy from Texas to y'all way up yonder in Candia! Do you speak Canadian? Hope you're wearin' your took.

I'm assuming the serial numbers are for determining the exact date when the guitar was made - the model doesn't matter. Like the "born on" date that Budweiser puts on their beer bottles.

I guess they stopped making the 2007 model at some point before 2008. Following that logic, the last "Z7" serial number was assigned on 12/31/2007 and the first "Z8" serial number was assigned on 1/1/2008.

The neck heel should have a stamp with date to the day on it.

And its actually spelled Toque--french word, but pronounced Took (Two with a 'k' on the end)

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.