Grovers made in Hong Kong? That's a new one on me - in fact I'm unaware of any guitar parts made in Hong Kong. Which means nothing in itself (cos what do I know?), 'cept that I'd be most curious to see that Ebay listing if you care to link to it, please?


Ha! Time to post a link or two for those ones as well please, so's we can all take a look...

Cheers - C

ok, i'll have them shortly.......

check these out....


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Genuine-Epiph ... %26ps%3D63

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Genuine-White ... %26ps%3D63

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Grover-3x3-Rotoma ... 20adbef646

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-Chrome-Guitar-S ... 35a35d40be

I find it hard to believe someone would try to pass off a fake MIM if I didnt see it with my own eyes.Whats next?A counterfit affinity or bullet strat?Geez.

I just looked at the ad for the guitar you bought under completed auctions, and it list it as 21 frets, so use that as a reason to return it, say it has 22 frets and you only wanted 1 with 21 lol.

Item was not as described.

Hmm - OK. Well I can't comment on the Epiphones. To my inexpert eye they look all right, but that means little. I don't see anything to raise immediate questions about that UK based seller...?

Far as the tuners from Hong Kong are concerned: I'm not sure the generic machineheads are identical with those on the Strat at the top of this thread. The tab for the fixing screw looks a slightly different shape to me - but it doesn't make much difference.

I see no reason why the Grovers shouldn't be genuine. Far as I can see they're not claimed to be made in Hong Kong (which real Grovers are not), just that the seller is located there.

Hong Kong is a "free port" so legit stuff can be very cheap there. I bought Ray-Ban sunglasses and Sigma camera lenses there at fractions of what they cost in their countries of origin.

However, Hong Kong has always also been a crossroads for fake stuff. Very obvious when you are offered lightweight "Bolex" watches for $30 in Kowloon. Less so when it's a "MIM Strat" like the one in this thread.

I'm not clear which of these sellers the Strat came from?

It could be that they are unaware it's dodgy. So long as they are prepared to give you a refund then give them the benefit of the doubt. If they make problems - then complain to Ebay.

Cheers - C

I bought the strat from the seller of those epiphones on the links i posted earlier

Yep, all right. Well I've done some more hard looking at his "for sale" items and I can't see anything to question on them (though I'm not the biggest expert on Epiphones). So till we know otherwise we might presume that he's been taken in on a second-hand guitar in the same way you were.

Looks like most of his business is with new Epis so maybe he's not so hot on the signs with Fenders...?

I suppose you've now contacted him concerning this Strat? Is he OK about offering a refund? Hopefully you're in the same country so postage won't be too much.

Cheers - C

You missed the point Ceri. The tuning pegs i showed on the link are the same as on my guitar ( rather than the standard ones i should have ) and those epis on the link are from the seller who sold me the strat. I dont trust him. He hasn't replied to my messages and i've been around the block long enough to know when i have been duped.

Im sorry mate, but that logo screams "FAKE" also whats that lettering on the back of the headstock? I cant make it out. also, the mim's had no 'original body countour' logo either...

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We already know it's fake, and people have spoken about these issues, but:

Those aren't Fender pickups of any kind, especially not Vintage Noiseless. Did ya'll notice the metal burr around the pole pieces? Holy crap those must be cheap! The "Noiseless" covers probably cost more than the pickups!

Also, the neck plate holes don't line up with the screws exactly right. The screw heads are a little skewed. So I wonder how well(or poorly) the neck is mated to the body?

We know it's fake. It's also very poorly built. I really hope you can get your money back on this thing dude.

_________________
2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI

I would start the ball rolling with PayPal. If this was to be a MIM Standard, it would only have 1 string Tree on top of all the previous posts.

There are certainly a lot of keen eyes on this forum when it comes to stuff like this.

Hope you get a full refund including shipping.

_________________
"Who says I can't get stoned..." - John Mayer

- "Honey" 09 HWY 1 Tele (Honey Blonde w/Maple)
- 08 MIM Standard Strat (Burst w/Rosewood,SCN,DeltaTone)
- Super Champ XD
- Marshall Class 5 Head
- Norman Acoustic (MICan)

Erm no, I think perhaps you missed my point...

The tuners you linked to are not quite the same as on the Strat at the top of this thread. The tab for the fixing screw is not the same shape. The rest of it looks pretty similar though - and even with small differences these things often turn out to come from the same factory.

Whatever: they ain't Fender tuners, and that's all that matters here.

Not good news to hear the guy isn't talking to you. 'Fraid Pringle420 is right: time to talk to Paypal and/or Ebay...

Good luck - C

+1 That's a first for my eyes too. Thanks to the OP for sharing.

Note the screw positions on the rear trem cover. That's another clue.

Two serial numbers on the headstock? Are they the same number?

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Hi to all again, no the serial numbers aren't the same. The serial on the front of the headstock is MZ5 etc and the one on the back of the headstock is Z with 6 numbers.

I took the plate off the back to have a look see and it wasn't pretty. It was dusty with a few wood chippings here and there. The clawscrews holding the springs are rusty and the ground wire is attached by half inch of solder. The body looks like ply but it could be steps left from the routing process ( unlike the trem cavity on my washburn MG44 which is as clean as a whistle and the edging as smooth as kojaks head ).

I've now opened a case with the Ebay resolution Center and i'm waiting for a response from them now.

I would like to say thanks to everybody for your comments and advice. Its been very helpful and educating in more ways than one!