Well... he seems a nice guy.

He says he simply repeated what was told to him when he bought it and could not be sure. And I can confirm I found the auction where he bought it and that is what he was told.

He said if I am not satisfied send it back per the terms. So... that's what I will do. And what I knew I could do anyway.

Let me revisit this Micro Tilt adjustment portion of the discussion.

How can the body even show at all (like it appears to be doing in the picture) when the butt of the neck fills all that space no matter if it has an adjustment or not. It would (or should I say SHOULD) show the wood of the neck or the bolt for adjustment... but never should it show the color of the body because there is no body portion even under there! Am I going crazy or is that picture misleading us?

Here is a picture I found of that area opened up...

Whatever it is, it's one of the coolest guitars I've ever seen. I don't know why you think the pickguard is ugly.

_________________
09 deluxe stratocaster
96 squier
08 ESP EX-260
09 Mitchell 12-string
digitech screamin' blues
Ibanez Flanger
Fab Metal
Crate gx-15
Crate custom flexwave 120

Ahhh... I think maybe you're pondering the micro-tilt business too much. The neck fits into the pocket, which is about half the depth of the body. There's always a substantial chunk of body between the neck and the neckplate! Otherwise guitars wouldn't work too well.

There's just no accommodation for the micro-tilt on that body, that's all.... which, I suppose, makes it something other than a deluxe body (as seems to be the consensus).

Send it back if you want to and have the option, but if she plays well... nice-looking bird's-eye cap neck (cap construction hasn't been seen often in Fender guitars since the end of the '60s, and owing to that scarcity it's considered desirable by many... the jury, as usual, will continue to be out as to whether there's a sonic difference) and an attractively finished two-piece body... could be a lovely guitar that you get to stamp with your own personality if you're inclined.

Well think again folks... in hand and there is indeed a full micro tilt on the guitar. It goes all the way through to the bolt head. The picture is misleading. It is there. It is a picture taking quirk that makes it look that it does not. I woulda sworn it wasnt' from the pictures... But it does... surprise!

I'll be glad to snap you a picture of a rod pushed in there to show it goes through but I cannot take it apart right now as I fear changing the set up and I need it playing on Friday.

Now... is there a corresponding metal pad for that system (as pictured) inlaid in the Warmouth neck? I don't know that yet but I can confirm the existence of the Micro Tilt in the body now. I don't want to pull the thing apart to see about the neck as I need it working this week.

Several observations though. Well made, Well finished, In excellent condition. The pick ups are sweet and the Resonance is superb. The neck is also excellent and perfect and straight and well set up. A good player. Fat old style neck.

A couple more noted facts uncovered. Very important one... Fender DID NOT contour the heels until 2002. The American Deluxe Standard Strats ( and teles) produced between 1998 and 2001 had a standard 4-bolt neck fixing. The contoured neck heel was introduced in 2002. So therefore the Neck plate also would be typical four bolt type as shown.

And, also important is, this particular color (transparent Emerald Green) was only used in American Deluxe's between 1998 and 2004 and then discontinued and not offered on any other model or year. Teal Green Transparent, Natural, White Blonde, Candy Tangerine, Crimson Red Transparent, Chrome Red and Purple Transparent were the colors that came only one 1998 and through 2004 American Deluxes. They were introduced in 98 with the American Deluxe model and phased out by 2004. Some earlier than 04. And never offered again nor ever offered on any other model by Fender.

Up close and in hand it gives every indication of being a Fender 2 piece Ash body and with clues it would be of the period of 1998 to as last as 2001.

At some point I will take it apart and see if I can find any other tell tale markings. I do not expect them to be on the neck as I know this is not the original neck.

I know that the Noiseless PUPs are period correct but probably not original to this body. The Periloid Pick guard was not a option in those years so I know thats later.

Here is a link to a front picture of an example of that Guitar as it would have been offered, in this case, a 1998

http://www.jacksonsrareguitars.com/fend ... -1998.html

But it really doesn't matter now. Its a fine example of a Strat.

In hand it is much nicer. I am learning to like it right now. The set up of all the Pickups controlled by the one Tone knob is also very handy and a plus really. Easier to control it all.