Good day

I would like to know if this guitar is a legit The owner claims it to be a Fender Standard MIM but I am having doubts for the following reasons:

• "Made in Mexico" and Serial Number decals are on the back of the headstock
• Vintage style tuners on a `95 MIM Strat
• Bent metal saddles...

thumbnails:

Please Advice....

Istipen

The tuners and saddles are easily explained away as upgrades, if they weren't available on mexican models then. Its obvious the guitar has been upgraded, atleast on the control knobs and scratchplate. The Serial no' being on the back of the headstock is of far more concern. I thought that was a recent modification to the humble MIM. That 60's three tone sunburst looks a little off with a 50's neck (sorry I only like 2 tone bursts, 3 tones just look wrong to me with that orange band). Isnt that logo/decal a 50's affair.

That said its a very nice looking guitar and maybe worth the asking price. As always play before pay.

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No no and no

So it's not legit

I have a 1996 MIM Fender Stratocaster HSS with all of the same specs you mentioned. It has the vintage style tuners, serial # and Made in Mexico on the back of the headstock, and same logo on front of headstock. It also has the bent saddles that read "Fender". Mine is 100% stock, so I would not worry too much about the neck. Mods on the body are apparent tho. One thing that is odd is the mounting screws for the humbucker. Mine has a single screw on each side of the humbucker to adjust pickup height. Yours has 2 screws on the bass side, and 1 screw on the treble side. That is unusual.

I wouldn't worry too much about the neck, my Road Worn 50's neck is exactly the same as your (minus the worn look of course).

Agree, I think the body has some mods on it.

Legit ? I dunno. Modded ? I say yes.

Ray.

If its fake, its the best fake strat I have seen....

It's ligit, why would someone put the time and money to make a fake MIM Strat.

Come on!

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10-4 good buddy, over and out!

Thanks for all your responses
Your input has been very helpful

It's legit.

Pretty slick too.

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-Kc
"Payin' dues."

It's not a stardard MIM. The standard MIM does not have the spaghetti logo and the SN is on the front. It might be a MIM 50s reissue. Not a fake though. If you didn't pay too much for it and you're happy w/ the way it sounds and plays, then enjoy

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin