I recently purchased a strat from Craigslist. It was advertised as a MIM strat, probably made in the 1990's. The listing also said the serial number had been removed by a prior owner for some unknown reason. I bought the guitar for $175 from a very typical college student (not apparently a dirt bag). When I got it home and restrung the thing it became apparent it was quite special. It plays better than my Vintage Hot Rod '52 Tele! My son, a muscian, asked if I considered it may be a stolen instrument. Stupid me! It never occurred to me. The online databases of stolen instruments are not very useful. And considering how modular these guitars are, what I have could be a combo of several guitars. What would you people do if you were in my situation? I want to do the right thing.

If there's no serial number there isnt much you can do. If you like the Strat, play it. And may the thief get gonorrhea and rot in hell.

Just because it plays well doesn't mean it isn't a normal MIM Strat. The missing serial number can be explained because many owners of MIM guitars (the really dumb ones) had some kind of allergic reaction to the headstock and scraped off the serial numbers (and other indications) so it couldn't be identified as Mexican.

That is far more likely than the idea that you just accidentally bought a stolen CS guitar for $175.

The price is consistent with a '90s MIM, and if you got one that doesn't suck, just consider yourself lucky and play it. And let this be a lesson: price is no indication of performance. Just because it plays better than your '52 RI doesn't mean it had to be more expensive.

Personally I stay away from guitars whose previous owners have removed the serial number from.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


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

+1 there's not really a way to tell what it is, unless it says Made in Mexico under Stratocaster. Sounds like you lucked out.

_________________
"You won't part with your's either"

Fender American Standard Stratocaster 2006

Fender Standard Telecaster 2007

just forget about it if you get pinned for stealing the guitar give the cops or who ever the craigs list guys number or email address and blame it on him but in the mean time keep it and have fun with it

count the fretts 21 fretts most likely MIM strat.

_________________
sombody get me a doctor!

Does it have a big block or just a small one?
Someone was telling me all this stuff about an older Strat and I looked in the back and I new it was MIM because of the block .

This is my first strat, so I am not acquainted with the block you are referring to. Can you give a clue what to look for? Thanks!

The block you put the strings through . If it is big you did good , even if it's MIM it's been worked on is the reason it plays so good.

If it plays better than your 52ri its no mim. Theres a big diff in quality between the two.

That is usually true, but I have played some MIM ones that feel better and sometimes sounds better than the MIA ones. I played some that are dogs and some that are just pristine. No MIM is created equal. I also have a classic player 50's which is a higher end MIM, but I play it more than my Eric Johnson strat!

Morrissey is correct. You have much to learn about the ways of the guitar, grasshopper.

When are you posting a picture?