Here's some pics...

[img][img]http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz336/paulwhil/Photo296.jpg[/img]





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The thing that raises a flag for me is the shape of the body, it looks like a Squier body to me. The neck looks like the real thing, but you can see where they added the labels, position is wrong and those necks only had 21 frets and didn't have the 'original contour body' label either. The number on the back of the headstock causes some concern aswell. I'm affraid to say that to me the only thing that looks like real Fender are the pups. Even the bridge and control knobs/switch tip look suspiciously 'Squier'. If I'm wrong I'll be glad, but to me it says 'fake'.

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It doesn't look real to me. I had a couple of MIM strats from 2002 and 2006.

The neck on yours doesn't look original, but looks like a nice neck. The logo looks a little off. And the ones I had didn't have the "Original Contoured Body" Logo.
The tuners should have screws to hold them on the neck. The truss rod isn't right. Also it shouldn't have the serial number on the back of the neck, if it's on the front. Also the neck plate should just be blank, shouldn't say Fender, if it was all original.

The saddles on the bridge aren't original, but a lot of people upgrade saddles. Don't know if those are an upgrade or not though. The knobs don't really look like Fender knobs to me either. They look like the generic kind.

You said you bought the guitar as new? Does that mean you had it since 2005?

Thanks, for taking the time to look at the pics. I think my fears have been confirmed.

For jasonSD, i mean i bought the guitar as new less than a week ago. The alarm bells didnt start ringing until yesterday when i was doing some research on the MIM Stratocasters.

The pickups do not look like noiseless. On the sets I have the pole pieces are beveled not squared like standard pickups. Just my two cents.

Ditto to all the above.

The trussrod entry hole by itself says this ain't a real Fender. And imitation pickups means it's not just a partsocaster but a fully fledged fakocaster.

Bad news, I'm afraid.

Cheers - C

Yeah probably bought some noiseless covers and put them on. I know the Hot Rod Noiseless ( I think they're called) are level like that, but don't know if they're beveled or not.

Yeah, the truss ring is a dead give away. And the writing of "Fender" on the headstock is wrong ... close, but wrong. Also, the tuners are not right -- when did
Fender MIM's ever have tuners with one exposed screw like that? Also. the neck plate does not even look like a copy of one Fender has ever made.

I'd be curious to know...
1) How big is the trem block?
2) How is the intonation? How does it play?

Even though it is not real Fender, the neck actually looks quite decent. Here is what I would do with it:

a) Pickups -- For sure, ditch the existing fake pups. Consider throwing in a set of new Tex Mex pups. Tex Mex are downright cheap considering how good they are.
b) Trem block -- If the bridge looks okay and a real Fender MIM tremblock will mates up to it, then get a real OEM Fender MIM trem block.
Just make sure to get the larger style that came out in 2006. Without having seen it, I am assuming the trem block on your guitar is a small and fake POS copy
c) Tuners -- Nothing is worse to me than crappy tuners. Get some used Fender MIA Std ones for $25 off of eBay.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

The guitar actually does play very well, the neck is very good with rounded edges (The neck is the best part of the guitar). The action is low with zero string buzz but i did need to set the intonation on a couple of strings.The tuning pegs are tight and great for tuning. It stays in tune even with good use of the tremolo. The guitar has good tones too but i have found a slight buzzing when a note is played. The guitar has good sustain too even when played through the clean channel on my amp.

Regardless of that, I paid £300 for a MIM Strat not for a guitar that plays ok

Are you able to return it?

I'm waiting for a response from the person i bought it from on ebay. I'm hoping he'll be reasonable and return my hard earned cash. I'm debating on whether to report him now or later. I'll see what he has to say first.

Well, if you used Paypal you can dispute it and say item wasn't as descibed. And I think they credit your account while the item is being disputed.

If you didn't use paypal, I guess you have to hope the guy returns the funds.

I've been lookng at Ebay and found some grover tuning pegs (and some other unbranded chrome types) which are identical to those on this guitar. They're made in hong kong funnily enough.

I would love to know where this guitar came from and if the sellers' other guitars on ebay are fakes too. He has a few epiphone guitars on there with the 'new and genuine' sales pitch.

Yeah, I'm feeling a complete partscaster here. sorry.