I recently bought a neck supposedly 2000/2001 with gold schaller tuners very nice maple and a seperate rosewood fretboard BUT have just noticed at the 12th fret the 2 dots are spaced wider than my 1980 and my other 1993 authentic neck. The head has serial number ZO..........but decals can be faked Im thinking because the spacing is wider than normal its a fake but a very beautiful neck indeed what do you think.

Hi vinny: very wide spacing of those dots can sometimes be a clue to a fake neck.

But only as one piece in a pattern of evidence, because Fender's dot spacing is not consistent. I'm glancing across the room at an American Strat, a Korean Tele and my new Japanese Strat. The dot spacing is significantly wider on the last two than the first.

I also have a (nice) neck which is a definite fake, but which has absolutely Fender-accurate dot size and spacing.

So don't place too much reliance upon those dots.

Cheers - C

When I bought my '66 time machine Strat I checked the specs here first, and one of the details considered noteworthy was the "narrow dot spacing." I was expecting something at least as exciting as the "winged string tree," but it turned out that the dots at the twelfth fret were, indeed, marginally closer together than those on my other Strat. Sorry to say it, vinnypop, but it looks as if you'll just have to collect them all...

Thanks mondo and Ceri Ive worked it out this is a licensed by Fender neck have you seen that company before they make great necks but its definately not an original I scored it cheap 160 and its the most beautiful strat neck ive probably ever seen so I am going to sand back the fake logo relaquer and polish the head stock and sign it in gold very finely Vinny Pop at least that way I can use it or even maybe sell the completed guitar thank God thats the last piece of guitar parts I have to buy. Thanks for your help.

There are TONS of Licensed By Fender companies that produce bodies and necks. I know several that have very beautiful flame maple finishes and a wide range of woods from rosewood to ebony and they even sell vintage parts.

We all love the Fender logo, but for a Frankencaster these companies are lifesavers! I personally like USA Custom Guitars the best.

Ok what do you think I should do sand it back to nothing and put my name on it or leave it as it is.

A personal signature would look really cool. I debated doing that once, but I didn't want to refinish the neck myself so I decided against it. It would be a relic that family and friends would love to have not to mention it would be one of a kind.

Thanks DanLinsey I will sand it back and sign it I cant stomach seeing the fake logo reminds me of Lonely Boy. When she is finished Ill put up a link for the finished strat Godwilling. Vinny Pop

There are companies out there like Doeringer who will make a custom water decal for you with your name.

Oh thanks for that atolleter cool but im a bit of an artist and will paint it on first ill spray the head black then a gold Vinny Pop in fine brush VERY FINE.

Even better, have fun and show us the result.

The fellow just emailed me and said he will refund me 50.00 fantastic now its a fair price. Yes ive been learning how to spray paint bodies the secret is in very fine layers and patience. And when applying laquer it has to be even finer layers almost like adding a layer of invisible mist, the laquer can spread and cause disasters worse than paint. Similar to Da Vinci how he painted adding sometimes 50 layers of paint to a face or body very delicately, I learnt the hard way by damaging many bodies of guitars.

You'll no doubt be better at spraying paint than me mate. Why not do a full on picture covering the headstock. Ave Maria by Vin.

Just think of all that blank canvas/wood.

You being a beatles fan could even do it like george harrisons strat. Here's a copy of it with a copy of claptons 'the fool' sg.

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Thats very psychadelic niki do you think im on lsd lol

The notion has crossed my mind mate. Just kiddin.
In all truth, I know your a big beatles fan, and have quite a artistic bent. So why not use both of those things in making your own guitar and make a george harrison 'rocky' tribute. I reckon you'd have a lot of fun doing it and end up with a finished guitar that your really happy with, you could even do the beatles print on the back.

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