I recently bought a what is supposed to be a Jimmie Vaughan model strat. I loved the way it looked as it is a bit beat up and also had pick ups switched to Dimarzio virtual vintage. I have not received it yet but after looking at the pictures and doing some online comparisons I am seeing some signs that it may not be authentic. The one I bought has a 3 ply pick guard and two string trees. I am still looking forward to playing it and if it plays great and sounds even better than I probably will be ok with it, I just don't like being miss led and I am now kicking my own $@! for not doing a little research before clicking the buy it now button.....

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80 Charvel Strat
Taylor T5 C2
Jimmie Vaughan MIM Stratocaster
08 Fender MIM Standard Floyd Rose Strat
Charvel Grover Jackson Legacy series strat

Well, I asssume you got it on Ebay. If you paid with Paypal and it turns out to be a fake, you can file a dispute and they'll put the money on hold.

Post some pics when it arrives and we can check it out.

Paypal rocks man! i once ended up with a chinese fake of a Shure beta 87a mic, and paypal got every cent back to me through a dispute i initiated. It was kinda funny, cuz, the seller was ignoring my emails requesting my money back and explaining why, until paypal got involved, locking down the money exchange, and suddenly he became mister cooperation! It was great, i was convinced i was out the money, until paypal came to the rescue! All i had to do, was send him his scab mic back, and as soon as he got it, the money was redeposited into my account. All i lost in the end, was the few bucks to ship the chinese junk back to the seller.

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

This year two axes got sent back for coming not as decribed and I had the money back in two weeks both times. Paypal has really stepped up its game so dont sweat it one bit. If it is not what was described to you just file a dispute. Keep us posted.

I have had to open a dispute before and Paypal did their job for me, I just hope I love it when it gets here. I will post pics when it arrives. I hope to avoid all the hassle and just add another guitar to the stable that I love

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80 Charvel Strat
Taylor T5 C2
Jimmie Vaughan MIM Stratocaster
08 Fender MIM Standard Floyd Rose Strat
Charvel Grover Jackson Legacy series strat

The JV has been made for a while and has undergone some changes. So do some research first on this while you wait for the git.

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

If you don't mind saying what did you pay for it?If it was reasonable with the Dimarzios virtual vintages in it i would like you said play it before making a decision to send it back..IMHO the three best pick ups are
1.John Shur V60'S
2.Fralins Vintage
3.Dimarzios Virtual vintage
There isn't much that separate's the three either..I guarantee you that if you are a fan of the blues or classic rock you will love those Virtual vintage pick ups..

The biggest thing that makes me wonder is the presence of two string trees which is found on many Squires. Am I wrong? It has the right keys, logo design but would like to know if there is anything else to look for. Also, the serial number has been worn off??? Hmmmm BTW, still waiting on it, I thought I would of had it to me faster as we are in the same state.

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80 Charvel Strat
Taylor T5 C2
Jimmie Vaughan MIM Stratocaster
08 Fender MIM Standard Floyd Rose Strat
Charvel Grover Jackson Legacy series strat

My japanese standard has two string trees. I personally think the second tree can only help the string angle. But to me the 'worn off' serial number is a huge red flag. It's nearly impossible to wear one off from regular use.

yeah i dont really see how the serial number could have worn off, sounds like someone may have helped it disappear if you catch my drift

I hate to think I may have bought something that is not what it is supposed to be, but what I hate even more is that this could be a stolen guitar. I wish the damn thing would just get here already. They won't reply to my emails but it is too soon to start a paypal investigation. The ad did say 6-11 days. After that, its on! Thanks for all your input, I will keep you updated.

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80 Charvel Strat
Taylor T5 C2
Jimmie Vaughan MIM Stratocaster
08 Fender MIM Standard Floyd Rose Strat
Charvel Grover Jackson Legacy series strat

I hate to think I may have bought something that is not what it is supposed to be, but what I hate even more is that this could be a stolen guitar. I wish the damn thing would just get here already. They won't reply to my emails but it is too soon to start a paypal investigation. The ad did say 6-11 days. After that, its on! Thanks for all your input, I will keep you updated.

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80 Charvel Strat
Taylor T5 C2
Jimmie Vaughan MIM Stratocaster
08 Fender MIM Standard Floyd Rose Strat
Charvel Grover Jackson Legacy series strat

They're not responding to emails? That would be a red flag in itself to me, I've had my fare share of deals gone awry on ebay as im sure we all have, and for me it's always started with "why wont you reply to my emails???!!" I would say stay on your toes and dont get to lax with these people at this point the possibility of a stolen item is very serious in itself let alone the possibility of you getting screwed over on a guitar that isnt anywhere near what you paid for. I know you said even if it isnt what you were told it was if you liked it you would still keep it but dosent it seem silly to pay extra for something that isnt? Thats like paying for a corvette and getting a cobalt lmfao. (no offense to any cobalt owners out there)

some pics would be real nice man

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Jacob Thorne

OK, I received the guitar yesterday afternoon. Just in time to take it to a birthday gig that evening. It looks to be the real deal as far as I can tell. First thing I did was yank off the "four" strings that it had on it and then pull the pick guard off to see what is going on inside. It does indeed have the Dimarzio virtual vintage pickups. I put it back and then put some ten's on it and stretched them out the best I could for the amount of time I had. When I played it at the gig it sounded great but the action was way too high for me but I was playing my Taylor T5 also so it was no big deal. When I got home I went to work on it. Set the action, checked intonation and now it is playing the way I like. One of the saddles has been replaced with a non fender labeled one but oh well. The guitar is beat pretty bad but still feels very comfortable and plays well. No static in the volume and tone pots or pick up selector. The bad thing is that the serial # has been laterally ground off. Not happy about this. Anyway, at this point I am happy with my $500 purchase. I will post pics soon as I plan to take some new ones of my little collection.

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80 Charvel Strat
Taylor T5 C2
Jimmie Vaughan MIM Stratocaster
08 Fender MIM Standard Floyd Rose Strat
Charvel Grover Jackson Legacy series strat