I have just joined the community, "hi all fellow strat lovers".
For years I have wanted to own a Fender strat, and now I have one, although I am not sure if it is the one I actually want. I had bid on and won this second hand guitar on E-Bay earlier this week though I should have come here first.
Anyway it is described as a FENDER 2009 USA STRATOCASTER. Here is the shops description, FENDER USA STRATOCASTER 2009. CLASSIC VIBE BODY IN CANDY APPLE RED FINISH, FITTED WITH STANDARD PICKUPS LOADED ON PEARL WHITE PICKGUARD,5 WAY SELECTOR SWITCH THAT GIVES FANTASTIC TONES, CLASSIC VIBE BRIDGE UPGRADED WITH CLAPTON SADDLES GIVES BRILLIANT INTONATION, FITTED WITH A HIGHWAY ONE MAPLE NECK WITH 22 JUMBO FRETS,70s STYLE HEADSTOCK FITTED FENDER'F' LOGO STAGGERED POST TUNERS 3LONG/3SHORT REAR BUTTONS LOCK EACH STRING DOWN AT THE TUNING POST FOR MAXIMUM STABILITY, EXCELLENT RICH TONES, EXCELLENT ACTION ON THIS GUITAR, A PLEASURE TO PLAY.

HARD CASE INCLUDED.

I recieved the guitar yesterday and although asking the guy from the shop if it was a standard - he said it was, I am not sure, as it also came with a case that does not originally come with a fender a 'tweed Kase 3'. I originally thought it was a Highway one, how can I tell if the body is actually from a USA standard strat and not say a Mexican. I also did not think the standard USA came in Apple red. I could post pics which are in 'my computer' or my ebay if someone can explain how to do that. I am generally just worried in case I have been ripped off, as both the Mexican and Highway one guitars are a lot cheaper than the Standard USA and I have paid at least the same as the new Highway and a lot more than the new Mexican price tags. Please help, ASAP if possible, because I will need to return this guitar if it is not the one I want, i.e. A U.S.A. Standard guitar.

Thankyou in advance for any replies.


Mandrum
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An American Standard Strat has the smaller headstock, medium jumbo frets, 3 hot american strat pickups with the Delta Tone circuit, a 2 point tremolo (Not the vintage six-point), Standard Fender Ping Tuners (Not locking). So in short, it is definitely not an American Standard. Sounds like a Partscaster made with a Squier Classic Vibe Body and Bridge with upgraded saddles and a Highway one neck with upgraded tuners. So if you want an American Standard strat, I think you should send it back o_O

Of course, pictures speak much better than words, we could tell you in a heartbeat if we had one or two nice clear pictures ^^

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Load picture on a site like photobucket and then you can add one to your post here. This would help someone here to identify your strat. Good luck and welcome to the forum!!

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I know I really am daft, don't know how to put this all on one folder an post it that way, however there you go guys, the pics, please tell me it aint a squire, they also have just said the case is American and expensive, it does not say Fender on the case though.

If it was a Squier I would think it would say so on the headstock. Thats a beautiful Strat, enjoy it.

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Thanks to all the replies, Is it a standard body, how can I tell?

Hi mandrum, welcome to the Forum.

Near as I can see you have the new American Special Strat on which someone has then switched out the pickguard and the machine heads:

http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0115602309

That seems by far the most likely, though whatever it is there has been some switching going on, because none of those features come all together on a single stock Fender at present.

The only way that might be wrong is if this is a Factory Special Run (FSR) guitar run up in a limited edition for a particular shop at their request. Seems very early on for FSR American Specials to be turning up, because the Am. Sp. has only been out a couple of months.

But if it is a special edition the shop will certainly have mentioned that in their sales blurb on Ebay. Care to post us a link to that sale page while you still have it on your system? Then we can take a look ourselves.

If it ain't an FSR and was sold to you as "stock", then I don't think you were told the full truth...

Cheers - C

+1

Sounds like a Squire Classic Vibe with a HWY1 Neck and pearl pickguard. Candy Apple Red is a Classic Vibe colour. And that is a HWY1 serial# on the neck.

I would say that the ad is mis-representing what the guitar is by saying that it is a "2009 USA Stratocaster". So I would say you have grounds to return if you want. Not sure what you paid for it, but a Classic Vibe new is $350.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=519339

But. If it plays nice, and you like the sound. Keep it. You like the way it looks. You will be the one playing it, it really doesn't matter where it is made.

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"Who says I can't get stoned..." - John Mayer

- "Honey" 09 HWY 1 Tele (Honey Blonde w/Maple)
- 08 MIM Standard Strat (Burst w/Rosewood,SCN,DeltaTone)
- Super Champ XD
- Marshall Class 5 Head
- Norman Acoustic (MICan)