I have just purchased my first strat but I'm having a hard time athenticating it. I bought it used, I can't find a serial number on it anywhere. It does have a sticked midway on the peghead that reads Custom Shop USA and the neck plate has a v with Custom etched above it.
Can anyone give me direction to locating a serial number.
Thanks & Regards,
Mark

Welcome to the forum. We need pictures of the guitar, all angles.

I already don't think this will turn out well.... Mike

_________________
The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Sir the majority of customshop guitars have their serial no on the neckplate. It usually begins with a CN or CZ for teambuilt/regular customshop guitars. However with customshop guitars there appear to be few hard fast rules.
If you upload some photo's to a site like photobucket and make a new enquiry in the 'Ask Mike Eldred' section of the forums, include some photos in your post. You'll get a pretty definate answer that no one can really argue with.

_________________
No no and no

I have some pictures of the guitar but I can't seam to copy them to the post. Is there someone I can email them to.
Thanks & Regards,
Mark

Scary start when you buy something not knowing what it is for sure.
Is this a Diamond or Glass its clear and sparkles and looks nice!

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Maybe he got a real good deal on it! Think about that!

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Mark feel free to email them to me, and I'll post em for you. If you want to do it yourself its quite simple. Just upload them to the photobucket site. Hover the screen cursor over a picture. Some codes will appear in a box. Select and copy the one that begins [img]has%20some%20code%20in%20this%20bit,%20and%20ends[/img]. Paste that into your reply on this topic. Hey presto the picture will show up.

_________________
No no and no

Ya know guys, I wanted to get some idea were to get help with a problem.
Maybe I did rush into a purchase but the diamond and glass post really wasen't necessary or appreciated. I thought this was forum to help other members out not to take cheap shots.

Well sorry bout that but we hear so many times where people get screwed because they are trying to verify what something is after they buy. None wish bad on anyone but you have to admit now is not the most important time to worry if its real or fake. I tell everybody its better to pass up a good deal if you are not sure. Post photos and we can look at what you have, just telling someone it has V and custom shop on the neck plate and so on does nothing. You can go on line and buy them anytime. And there are a few of us that can put a guitar together that no one could tell the difference without some one literally taking the guitar apart. Even then if you want to spend the money that could be difficult! Serial numbers and labels can be had in this day and age. Sad but true.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Mark you have a email waiting for you sir.

_________________
No no and no

Yup, there are no cheap shots especially in a topic such as this one. I think every member here hates to see a fellow forumite get ripped off. If you bought it used used from an authorized Fender dealer, I doubt you are one of the unfortunate. But to make sure, we need pics ^^ Or at least give us a hint, like what color is it? What pickups are in it? Is there anything to discern it from another stratocaster? Did it come with a Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity? Did it come with a tweed case? Is the craftsmanship up to Custom Shop standards? (No raised frets, inlays are perfect, etc...)

If you have the pics and can't figure out how to get them up (It's really not that hard at all, but I digress), you could E-mail them to Fender support. consumerrelations@fender.com (edit: Or E-mail the ninja ^^)

_________________
I traded my car in for a microphone.

Short and sweet: in addtion to all the valuable info you've been getting, particularly from some of our best.....date on the neck end and in the neck pocket of the body are usually the stock in trade for the answer to your question, but can't always be sworn for as true. Who and where from you purchased it, and how the guitar was represented to you, should carry some weight as well, if there are issues.

There's a lot of crap going down on this planet with respect to neck plates, and COA's, and guitar parts in general, the veracity of the origins of a particular instrument. The lot of it has been alluded to above. We deal with this all the time.

But don't let this put you off. Hang around here for awhile and I can guarantee that your next choice of a Stratocaster is going to be best thing for you since 'sliced bread'

Think you can only own one Just look around here.

Doc.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

I have to admit I was a little beside myself when I found out I had been had.
I have been around and purchased many guitars. I always wanted a special one, a nice Stratocaster to add to my collection. I bought this one on eBay and I do have some recourse to try to get a refund from the seller.
I have posted pictures on photo bucket under the title Strat or Not. I haven't figured out how to get them on the forum yet.
I have had a great deal of help and direction from one of the forum members and I Thank You Very Much! He is going to send them to the Custom Shop for there oppinion.
After I get this mess cleared up and get ready to purchase the real thing I will be in contact.
Thanks Guys,
Mark

Welcome to the forum Mark. Hope you get this resolved. Hang out. It's a great place and you'll learn a lot..... Mike

_________________
The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.