Hi there,

i`m new to this Community, i`m a 34 Year old Musician/Guitarist from Hamburg / Germany... and got a question

I will buy a American Std. Strat on the Internet, but there is a Problem, the owner did send me the Serial Number of the Guitar: NO556180

But when i search for this Number, i get an "unrecognized" ?!? So what? Is this a real Strat or a Fake?

I got some photos from that Guitar, that show a 2008 American Std. Strat or not? See for yourself:

Thank You,
Holger

Here is another Photo from the Headstock:

Hi Holgmann, welcome to the Forum.

Well, everything in the pictures looks right for an American Standard 2008, including the new style case. You are right, the number doesn't check out with the Guitar Dater Project - but that website is not infallible.

On this one, I think you have to send an email to Fender Customer Services, at:

consumerrelations@fender.com

Good luck - C

Welcome to the Forum.

N0 + 5 numbers would be 1990-1991, but yours is N0 + 6 numbers.
Guitar Data Project may not have all their data updated.

I would contact Fender Customer Services as Ceri pointed out.

_________________
Chet Feathers

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

But - either way - something is amiss, right? How does an "N0 + 6" guitar end up with that sticker? Maybe the owner dropped in a loaded pickguard from a newer Am Std into it?

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

That is why it has been suggested that he contact FCS.

_________________
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.

Any way to get a picture of the serial number?

BTW - that looks exactly like my 2008 Am standard in Charcoal Frost Metallic.

Have you asked if he's done any mods? Where did he get the case from, if his guitar didn't come with it..

I guess the picture doesn't seem to match up with the serial number.

If it's a scam, the scammer will use any photo he can find to fool the scammee.

Are you able to check out the guitar in person before buying?

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Thank you all for your input

I wrote to Fenders Consumer Relations department and the Answer was, that this Serial is not real...

The Man who want to sell it could have made a Mistake, maybe...

I hope so...

Hi again Holgmann. Very strange, because apart from the serial number everything looks right about the guitar and case for a 2008 American Standard.

Double-check that serial number with the seller - a photograph would be good. But don't buy it if Fender say it's not real!

Take notice of what Orvilleowner says (above). We have seen examples here where the seller used a photo of a guitar he didn't even possess: once he has the money he disappears...

Let us know how it turns out, please.

Good luck - C

Japanese neck/body with upgraded hardware maybe?

I'd walk away now. You shoulda been a fly on the wall when i bought my used deluxe.

Alright mate yeah i wanna check it over.
No problem there it is.
(fiddle, poke, prod, rub, for 20 minutes whilst making various urrrgh erm sounds and raising the eyebrow)
Why isnt the hangtag complete. half of its been ripped off?
Look mate its real i bought it at soundcontrol, heres the recipt.
You think this is bad, you should see me buying a used car.

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No no and no

Never been much good at serial numbers. A 2008 MIA Std should be Z8_____, is that right - or completely wrong?

What I'm suddenly curious about is what made Holgmann come here to ask questions about this guitar in the first place? I guess there is something else about the sale that doesn't feel right...?

Cheers - C

Are you thinking what I'm thinking!?

'Fraid so...

- C

The guitar in the picture is legit im 100% sure. I think the seller is using photo's of one guitar to sell another though. Much like what happend to me with that 57.

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No no and no

Ah-ha! A surprisingly quick search has found the guitar in question for sale for €980.00 on the website of a shop in Italy, right up on the Swiss border:

http://www.berdymusic.eu/prodotti/strum ... a_cfm.html

Holgmann, if that is the seller you are talking to then I expect it is legit and there is just a misunderstanding about the serial number. I suppose NO556180 might just concieveably be a written abreviation of the Italian "numero 556180" - though that stretches the imagination somewhat.

On the other hand, if that Italian shop is not who is trying to sell you the guitar - well then now you know where they stole the photos from...

If in any doubt, that identical model is available in Germany for €999 at Thomann:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_america ... rw_cfm.htm

And knowing Germany I bet you can find it cheaper than that, too.

And if you like shopping abroad, here it is in Britain for €891, a hundred Euros less:

http://www.dv247.com/invt/48088/

Cheers - C

EDIT: spelling... d'uh!