This guitar was offered to me for sale. It appears to be an 88/89 standard stratocaster, by the serial number(E8xxxxx. The pickguard does not look to be original as it is not 3-ply. The guitar is mint but the pickguard is worn and the pickups are aged looking. There is an inlay at the 12th fret that is unique. I have searched the internet at lengths but cannot find any infor on this inlay. The inlay is original, and not a cover up of older dots. I have not been able to remove the neck or pickguard to further identify it. It appears 12th fret inlays are reserved for "special run, anniversary, or signature models" There are no markings on the back of the headstock or signs of tampering, Fender non locking tuners, two string trees. Bridge looks appropriate for the yaer also. Can anyone off any info as to the origins of this guitar. Thank you in advance for you help. Cheers!

From my understanding, it is a 1988 American Standard in 3 colour sunburst. The pickguard has been chnged without a doubt- I personally dont like the inlay at all.

The pickups are aged yellow which is consistent with a guitar that age. If I was buying it- I would try to restore it to its former glory- although not much can be done about that inlay.

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Thanks for the info. It's a nice player and sounded good, thats the important thing. CHeers!

Frets around that inlay look pretty flattened out, probably could use a re-fret. Are you sure that "inlay" isn't a sticker? It doesn't even look symmetrical but looks too clean a fit otherwise. I wouldn't buy it and I'm no expert but I think it needs too much work before you'd be happy with it.

My 2¢ worth... and you get what you pay for here.