Not at all, I always welcome a good debate

People, or sellers tend to apply the term Custom to a modded Strat and that's fine when you replace accessories, etc.. but when it applies to a Partocaster I no longer share the view. Once the neck has been replaced it is still a Strat but really is it still a Fender Strat? Equal playability may remain or it may even be enhanced but when does a Strat cease to be a Fender? I guess it is arguable. Maybe that's why Fender has moved the serial number to the headstock from the neck plate back then, I dont know...

I would be curious to hear other players view on this as well.

`Custom`is used the exact same way as it is it used in the HotRod world.

Any work you do to change it from original is custom work. I have no problem with people using it. Sure the implication is that the `customizing`has added value to the item but every seller wants to display his wares in the best light. As long as there is no fraud I see no issue.

The Ibanez I just redid is now my `Custom` Ibanez. I changed the paint, and changed the double locking Floyd Rose to a single locking Floyd Rose (Chrome to black on that too.) However it is still the same guitar except for those couple changes (well I had to reshape the body to fix some damage,) but in the spirit of HotRodding it is now `Custom`and not `Stock.`

In the guitar world, custom is usually less valuable than stock. Even a Custom Shop guitar is worth more if it is left stock, and devalues if you mod it yourself. Nothing to get upset about.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Well it's not "all original" for sure. The bridge, knobs and pickguard are wrong for that.

My best guess is that it started life as a 70's reissue and has had a few mainly cosmetic mods performed by the owner. As stated by previous posters, the bridge looks to be a Wilkinson (they are pretty nice units). If you don't mind it having been modded, and like the way it plays, for $200 I'd say go for it (you can parts it out for more than that)

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