I recently purchased what I thought was a USA fender Strat. When I took it into the local music store, they said that the truss rod is not and American size, but is a Mexican size. The serial number is: N388569. It's been relic'd and was made in 1993. It says "Made in USA" on the headstock, but I'm worried that it's a fake because of the truss rod.

Can anyone tell me if Fender put Mexican size truss rods in any USA made 1993 strats?

How many frets? 21 or 22?

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

It has 21 frets.

Shouldn't it have 22 frets, even back in 1993? It may have 21 because it's a relic.

You bought a mexi strat. Quickiest way to tell is to look at the last fret marker. If you see two fret wires past the last fret market, its American. Only one, Mexican. Relic jobs are recipes for logo/SN changes.... I think you were ripped off.

Honestly even with it being Mexican, I got a decent deal.

Most relic'd USA strats I've seen online are 21 frets. The guy I bought it from said it was Ice Blue Metallic and probably a 1962 reissue, which has 21 frets.

The only thing that makes me wonder is the truss rod. Does anyone know if Fender put Mexican size truss rods in their USA guitars in the '90's?

Hello MM,

perhaps this can help you a little:

http://www.stratocaster.name/avoidbuyingaforgery.htm

_________________
Greetings from Amsterdam, Willem

Just as old as the Stratocaster but with a better body.

is the trussrod at the heel of the neck or headstock?
could be a vintage neck if it has 21 frets.

_________________
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

here you go

off the us instruments product dating
N2 + 5 or 6 digits
N3 + 5 or 6 digits
V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except '52 Telecaster) 1993

_________________
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

It's at the head stock.

Well, this ash body was custom made in Mexico City by a master luthier, and has the whole forum drooling over, try not to underestimate what can be done there.

Don't get me wrong, I love the sound and fully intend on keeping it, especially since either way the price I paid was at least a decent deal.

I'm just wondering about it's history.

On a side note, I've decided to name it Lola because it says it's one thing, might be another, but either way, I love it.

How about posting a picture, that would be the easiest way to clear this up.

All the 21frets mexican/22 frets american stuff is nonsense. It could easily be a vintage reissue or a artist series, never mind year specific models. Theres absolutely no chance of it being a relic. Keith Richards didnt come up with the idea until 96. A N prefix on the serial no' denotes american made 90's. Not customshop.

_________________
No no and no

If the truss rod adjustment at the headstock and 21 frets, odds are it is a mexican Strat . Vintage reissues will have 21 frets and the truss adjustment at the heel

Here's a couple images...


http://picasaweb.google.com/michael.r.m ... 9124544546

http://picasaweb.google.com/michael.r.m ... 9751869330

http://picasaweb.google.com/michael.r.m ... 6717880930

http://picasaweb.google.com/michael.r.m ... 6562845730