So I'm all set to buy a used MIM Strat; but I wanna make sure it's not some Frankenstein/rebranded Squire.

I've never even touched a guitar before and I just don't want to get ripped off.

I just want to know what to look for to make sure it's a legit Strat.

Thanks, Mark.

So you're buying second hand then?

If you've never touched a guitar before, then it's worth noting that a top of the range Squier such as one from the Classic Vibe range is good enough for just about anyone. (A well set up Squier is probably better than some badly treated used Fender)

if you're buying used from ebay, there are plenty of squiers dressed as Fenders. you can usually tell the very cheap ones by the bridge, headstock and truss-rod hole, but there are so many Squier/Fender variants spanning many years.

Post any advert links on this forum as there are plenty of experienced experts who can tell you what you are looking at.

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72 Custom Tele
50's Strat
Sqiuer Classic Vibe 50's P bass
Blues Junior
DG acoustic
Sparkly Thong

bugmenot,

Ian is right. Ebay is full of crooks that can be very deceptive when it comes to cooking up a cheap knockoff that looks like the real deal. Lucky for you one of this forums favorite pastimes is discussing fake/real Fender Strats. Post some pics if you can and there will be many experts that can give you an idea if its real or not. If you can't post pics you may have to take apart the guitar to find out if it is the real thing.

Russ

I should add that if it says Made In Mexico on the headstock, then it's probably cool - That's not the kind of decal you can get hold of...

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72 Custom Tele
50's Strat
Sqiuer Classic Vibe 50's P bass
Blues Junior
DG acoustic
Sparkly Thong

Squire bodys are generally lighter and thinner than Fenders. On newer Fenders, the Saddles on the tremelo say Fender (generally). I say before you go to a used guitar shop, go to a new retail shop and really take a good look at both and compare.

I have a saying in my household...never pay before you play.

Ian said it best about Squires...their higher end models are more often superior to a used Fender that has been mistreated.

I own a Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster and a Squire Classic Vibe 60 and both are good guitars. I play them both without too much debate on the Fender vs Squire thing, but more like bad $@! VS awesome.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

If you can't post pics and have no means to take apart the guitar first thing you might want to do is run the serial number through this site and see if what turns up corroborates what the seller is claiming.

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/

You can also look here:

http://www.fender.com/support/mexican_instruments.php

This is Fender's serial number dating system for Mexican made guitars.

If the serial number doesn't jive with what the seller is claiming than that may be the first sign that he is selling something that is not what he claims it to be. Now these serial number systems are not perfect but close enough to perfect to cause you to ask some questions. Hope this helps.

Russ

Post a link to the ad....we'll try to determine if genuine.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I suggest you spend some quality time looking at the "Products" section of this Fender Web Site. Look at the enlarged images and make note of what the logos on the headstocks look like.

Faked Fenders usually have logo decals that just plain look WRONG.

Good Luck.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Just a semantics point . . . Squiers are real Stratocasters.

Post some pic or a link to the auction and we can help you figure it out.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Just make sure you get the serial number and check it. The serial No. will show if it's legit.

Except I have seen MIM Fender necks on Squire bodies just to sell it. The SN on the neck will be legit. I doubt that anyone would allow him to take the neck off to see the number in the neck pocket. I have seen a lot of shady things in my time, this being one of them.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head