I bought a used strat at a tag sale. I am very happy with the guitar, looks nice and plays great. But I don't know exactly what I purchased. Its my first Fender. I have a Martin, A Gretsch & A Gibson but never had a Fender.
The back plate has a number 3079 but I am sure this guitar is not a 50s vintage. Its black with a white pick guard, 3 pick ups , white tuning knobs and a blonde neck. The Head stock says Fender Stratocaster with synchronized tremolo, and then Original Contour Body. Can someone give me an idea of its age? I've checked various places and I can't seem to find a way to date it without taking it apart which I am not about to do.
Thanks
Mike

That doesn't really give much away. A picture maybe?

I hope you did not pay a lot for it. Why would you buy a strat (or any guitar) without knowing exactly what model it is? I hope you made a great deal but it could be the other way around. If you can post a picture we will be glad to help you identify it and tell you whether you did well or not. I hope you did my friend. Good luck!

I forgot my manners. Welcome to the forum!

This is what I got out of the Guitar Dater

Your guitar was made at the
Fullerton Plant (Fender - Pre CBS Era), USA
in the Year(s): 1954

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It's a mix between Jazz and Funk, it's called "Junk"

Headed for the car to check out yard sales in the area .....

I have a feeling that my leg is being pulled!

I'm not pulling anyones leg and I know it is not a 50s vintage guitar. I have bought lots of guitars at yard sale and on eBay too. I sell them for a profit, most times. Every once in a while it does not work out, but overall I am ahead of the game. I bought this because it was a strat and I played it and it was in good condition. I probably will keep it because I like the feel and it sounds good. I have a total of 7 guitars now. I know Gretsch cause I've been playing those since the 50's (I am an old coot who justs likes to play for enjoyment).
If I can figure out how to get a picture up on this board I will show you what it looks like. Again, I am sure its not from the 50's, it is in too good a shape for an instrument that old, unless whoever had it did a lot of replacing in which case its not worth all that much anyway.

I took some photos anyone know how to get them onto this board.

You need to upload your picture to one of the photo web sites like photobucket.com and then you can copy them here. Hope that helps.

If you don't mind please post some pics. of your other guitars too. We love pictures!

Thanks I'll have to figure out how to do that. I'm not mr. Computer, leaving now will try that later or tomorrow. Thanks for the input.

10-4 !! If you experience problems come back and ask. We will try to walk you through it.

I have uploaded 4 pics of the fender into Photobucket, what do I do now to get them on here?

Hover over one of the pictures and a menu will pop up. Mouse down to the box to the right of "Image Code". Highlight all the text in that one box. Then right click it, and then select copy. Right click and paste into a reply.

Minus the doubt, don't believe black was available then, unless it has been refinished.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Well, then I believe that the Guitar Dater isn't entirely accurate.

Because (from everything I've ever heard and read, etc) there were no Strats issued back then with serial numbers in the 3000s. The serial numbers jumped from about 1200 to something in the 6000s in order to put the Strats into the same number scheme as the rest of the Fender instruments.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.