Looks like a very nice find. If that body isnt a veneer i'd ask customer services about it. That standard of flaming is usually reseverd for customshop levels. Which if it is, explains the gold hardware.

Nice nice noooise axe mate. Well done.

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No no and no

That looks likea Fender's 50th ann. Strat .from 1996 to commemorate 50 years of fender they had the flame maple and the gold hardware.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

According to the Stickers its a Collectors Series American Strat produced in 1996. The serial number is CF S2500, which matches the product dater code of C(XXXXXX) for the Collectors Series. Maybe it means Custom Fender Shop 2500. Can't tell what the top number means, SO865, but I would call Fender. Since Fender began in 1946, add 50 and you get 1996.

This guitar is an instant classic. Very nice nice looking guitar. I know that the collector in me wouldn't allow me to touch it either. Where does one get gold plated strings? No corrosion on those babies!

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2007 Classic Player Baja Telecaster
1991 Strat Ultra
1990 Gibson ES-347
1986 Yamaha SBG2100
1980 Gibson L6-S
1971 Stratocaster
Fender Stage Lead Combo
Marshall MOSFET 100 watt Amp

Can somebody tell me how to check out the possibility by the Serial number to locate the place were it was buillt and with the exact specifications (pickups, switch, tuners etc)
I tryed the Fender site but couldn't find a thing.
The previous owner talked about original 70's vintage custom shop pickups, hope you agree.
Does anybode out there happen to have some kind of brochure or advertisement from the 50th Anniversary model sunburst?

Really thank you, your reply is most welkom!!

Byebye

Anybody happen to have the phonenumber from fender support were I can make enquiries about this model?

What do you recken for an estmate for a Strat like this is worth in the USA or UK nowaday's?
I personaly don't think it's a custom shop because there are no sign's on the headstock, and there were no certificates with the guitar just 2 old Fender brochures and a polishing cloth.

And for the asking about gold plated strings you can get them by Optima 2028RL goldplated 0.09 or .010
For sale in the Netherlands for app. € 12,60

Thanks for your advise and answers, really thanks!

The fact that the custom shop didnt start up until 86( I think) leads me to not believe a statement about original 70's customshop pickups. Unless ofcourse he meant custom shop 70's. Contact customer relations regarding info or if your lucky post an enquiry in the 'ask Mike Eldred' forum. If anyone can tell you if its a customshop and then its origins, he can. As CV says though it could well just be a regular limited production model. The fact that they produced 2500 of em in one year leads me to believe it may not be customshop upon further thought. Either way it was made in corona.

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Hi Bertje: I think a lot of what you're asking has in fact been answered in recent posts (above). But if there's more to find out the people to help you are to be contacted at this address:

consumerrelations@fender.com

Many Forum users have found them very helpful.

Anyhow: looks a very nice guitar. Most unusual to have that flaming on the back as well as the front.

Nosy of me, but I wonder where you got it and how much you paid? Care to share?

Cheers - C

thanks for the advise, will certainly contact customer relations.

Youre are not nosy, I bought it on a kind of auction on a site for second hand material (sort of Ebay)
I paid for the Strat € 1000 (US Dollar 1350) and for a mint condition Fender Princeton Chorus € 330 (US Dollar 400)
The guy ho sold his items was due to a back operation no longer capable of playing guitar.
I thought the price I had to pay was more than reasonable.
In my opinion it's worth the money.

Greetings and thanks for your answer.

Oh, boy, hang onto that guitar, Bertje!
There are collectors of Custom Shop guitars around here who'd love to have it, I'm sure.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

About 1/3 down this page you will see a pick of your guitar it is a 1996 Fender anniversary stratocaster there were 2500 of them made so its realy not rare with that production but its a nice guitar. They are in order by date made.
http://www.strat-central.com/fmi.htm

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson