Spend $400 upgrading my two Strats and my Jag or take a gamble and buy this:

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/1702943546.html

I don't know.

For one thing, while it seems like it could be a vintage Strat with a replacement neck, there's something about it I can't quite put my finger on.

CBS implemented the Bullet truss rod in the early '70s, correct? Yet the decal seems to be from a later CBS era Fender.

The details just don't add up ... perhaps someone can shed some light on this guitar?

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2006 Fender AVRI 70s Stratocaster: Natural Ash | Sovtek MIG 60 & A No Name Cabinet | Pedals & Junk

There could be a perfectly good reason for me, but the fact that the serial number was sanded off doesn't really resonate well with me...

I am NO expert, but I'll say that that is clearly a parts-o-caster. The seller even admits that it's not 100% genuine Fender. The sunburst finish on the body looks really...off. And no serial number means fake, to me. I'd upgrade your current GENUINE guitars.

The neck is what really bothers me the most. The decal is like what I've seen on most late '70s to early '80s Strats; it even has two string trees. However, the lack of a bullet truss rod adjuster and the fact the Schaller-type tuners fit the holes without much issue lead me to believe it could have been a pro-refin of a Squier neck or it could have came from a reissue or signature guitar.

I'm probably going to pass on it.

With $400 I can make some upgrades and have enough left over to buy a sweet red-knob Super 210 I've found that needs a few new tubes (if the guy would only e-mail me back ...).

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2006 Fender AVRI 70s Stratocaster: Natural Ash | Sovtek MIG 60 & A No Name Cabinet | Pedals & Junk

Also, something else I'm wondering that's off-topic ... are the body thicknesses of Affinity Strats similar to '50s Strats? I'm leaning to yes but ...

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2006 Fender AVRI 70s Stratocaster: Natural Ash | Sovtek MIG 60 & A No Name Cabinet | Pedals & Junk

NO.

The affinity bodies are smaller/thinner than standard Strat spec

Well, I already knew the thicknesses were different between my MIM Standard Strat and the Affinity body I'm using as a basis for a Partscaster.

I've read that some of the original Golden-era Strat bodies were thinner than today's Strats, though, due to tooling quickly getting worn out. I guess I was looking for more of a confirmation that perhaps some of the original Golden-era Strats would be close in thickness to what I'm using. I doubt this, though.

The Affinity body isn't smaller, though, as in size. It casts the same shadow as my MIM Strat's body.

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2006 Fender AVRI 70s Stratocaster: Natural Ash | Sovtek MIG 60 & A No Name Cabinet | Pedals & Junk

Asked and answerer, glad we could help. Stick with the upgrade plan and you have guitars you know well and a new amp too.

Cheers,
John.E

I wouldn't go near anything with the serial No. altered or removed not only are you most likely condoning theft by buying it(Why else would someone remove a serial number?)but you could be facing a big pile of trouble if the rightful owner finds that you have it.A lot of people have been caught with stolen property around here because the original owner saw their property advertised in local ads, often after the item changed hands several times.

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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.

Yeah I know, I own an affinty, I just meant that it small as in not as thick.

Aside from manufacturing tolerances, they weren't thinner. They did have deeper belly cuts and a more pronounced forearm contour. This could make them appear thinner in profile than some later era models.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Tweak the 3 you have to your personal perfection and wait till something comes along you really want not what just happens to fit your budget.