I picked up this Strat today, but the finish looks odd to me. It's Pewter, but it has these strange red dots in it. They're not really too noticable until you look at it in certain light. They are under the clear finish as well.
So I guess my question is; is this normal for this finish in this year? Are the dots showing because of wear or age? Also, they only appear on the front of the guitar...strange.

Regardless of the finish, the guitar plays well. A previous owner has put 2 Seymour Duncan rail pickups in along with the stock noiseless. I plan to put the stock pickups back into it, or put in some CS '69's.

Pics:

The previous owner has had polka dots on the guitar.

Either that or its a respray over a previously dotted guitar. If you see them go under the pick guard I would suggest a respray.

While you don't want your guitar out in the sun if you leave your guitar out of the case with those marks may become fainter. Or get worse depending on if and what pigment has leeched through.

I wouldn't worry about it. Good case though for why you should never put stripes or dots or stickers on anything.

Mind if I ask how much you got the guitar for?

Someone has one like it by me and I've been emailing him back and forth trying to work out a deal. His is the same year and color as yours, but with a rosewood neck. He's asking $675, which is why too much I think based on the condition (it has some wear on the finish) and based on other US strats on Craigslist that are about $600.

I have a 99 Delux and the Fender logo on the headstock and my fretmarker dots are abalone. I could be wrong, and I know Fender does a lot of different stuff, but I thought the abalone was standard issue for the 99 Delux. Yours looks like a decal. You might want to make sure it's not had a neck swap. They have a unique neck contour on the 99 Delux. The back of the neck is rounder at the nut and flatter at the base. At least thats what the salesman told me where I bought mine new back in 99. It does feel different from other Strats I've played. Anyway I hope I helped out. Also, my locking tuners are chrome, not satin finish. Probably no big thing either.

_________________
1999 Strat Delux Transparent Crimson
2000 MIA Tele Transparent White
2009 Gibson LP Studio Deluxe Vintageburst
2010 Gibson SG Std Wine Red
Peavey Delta Blues 115
Line6 POD HD500

Thanks for the replies.
I thought that it might be leeching from stickers/decals. I may give it a light polish and see if that helps.

And now that you mention it, the dots should be abalone, there should also be a "D" as the first digit of the serial #. It looks like it's a standard with upgraded Sperzel tuners.

I sent the serial # to consumer relations to confirm.
Thanks again.