Hello, saw a stat guitar at my pawn shop nearby.The owner said it was a '58 but was reasonably prices.I am not sure it is original.Is there anyone out there who owns a 50's model or can send me pics???My email is dan_fredrickson@hotmail.com thanks in advance!

I have to agree with Nevin...seems highly unlikely that the guitar would be legit. While a Pawn Shop owner may not be an "expert" at guitars, you can bet they usually have a very good idea of what most instruments are worth, particularly vintage (and now a days it's not like it's all that hard to check on the internet!).

As far as pictures go...don't rely on this sort of stuff to give you -any- idea if the instrument is actually authentic. Now a days any runny nosed, 16 year kid with an inkjet printer and a pirated copy of Photoshop can make logos and people are getting very skilled these days at doing relic job finishes and such...as Nevin said, the only real way to be absolutely sure it to pull the neck and the pickguard and such and look (and -know- what to look for when you do!). Please feel free to take a look at the rather lengthy thread I just posted on "How to spot a fake"...maybe it'll give you a few ideas of what to look for.

That said, there are -plenty- of resources on the internet that will tell you what to look for on a genuine vintage instrument...just Google "vintage stratocaster" and you should be well on your way. BTW...if he insists that it's real, also ask him for a Certificate Of Authenticity (or COA)...if this is in fact a genuine vintage '58 he/she should be willing to provide you with one!

As always, just my $.02 worth,
Jim

Thanks alot guys it helps!!!I was talking with the owner about getting rid of some of my posessions and he said he would go 2k for the guitar.I got to hold it and i felt that I did not deserve to play it feeling.It felt like a real fender and was in the typical condition you would expect and you can tell the owners coddled it.All I have ever seen are reissues of 50's guitars and the logo on this neck was a little off to me and the serial seemed foreign to me.As from what was explained fender has used several different serial formats over the years and changed as it is now after cbs sold it back.Cbs?The network?? I know I probobly wont buy it right now but damnit i really want to!!! Also, the owner seemed passionate about guitars and convincing with his history but I will check out that thread next and hopefully learn something.

Since an original 58 Strat is worth around $30,000 the pawn shop owner is either a fool or not at all bright.Even if a guy was trying to pass of a guitar as a 58 he would certainly ask more than 2 grand.Only a fool would let a 58 Strat go so cheap and it's doubtful this guy doesn't know the value of a vintage guitar after all that's his business.Very,Very doubtful this could be a real 58.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

30k was more than i even thought. I was guessing around 20.The items I were selling i wasn't even expecting around 1k for.So, I will check back over there once i get a little more educated.If this is a fake, it breaks the mold here.I want to get some pics hopefully but as it is his business, I get the impression that sales are not flowing and actually seems maybe a little desperate to sell some of the more high end stuff just to pay the overhead at a low cost.It's kind of a bad deal for him in the a small town i come from.I have only ever played/owned guitars from a guitarcenter or musicians friend so i have alot to learn about older instruments but i am very fascinated about the qualities of an older guitar and the benefits of owning one.

Since the internet and especially eBay has come into everyone's lives,there are very few deals out there.Seems like eBay is where everybody comes up with their unrealistic asking prices on whatever it is they're trying to sell.
I wish we could still find guitars that have been in a closet for years,and get a good deal.