Hey Guys,

I'm a bit new to this but bear with me...

I've just purchased a MIM Strat on which the chrome neck plate reads 'Fender Custom Shop Designed'. The serial number is MZ7124952.

I believe this to be a 2007-2008 model. It is a lovely sunburst with aged, vintage pickguard and knobs and it looks to be all original. The neck is maple.

It has 3 Seymour Duncan (Designed)?? 'Hot Rails' pickups, all with coil taps.

Can anybody tell me what I have bought. All I know is that it is a thing of great beauty. It sounds amazing and I love it!!!

Thanks in advance,

Robbo

I'm going to guess that maybe you purchased a MIM Strat that someone did some work on. Namely, changing the neck plate and pickups. Not positive but, just my humble guess.

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"I like the way he puts Yngwie J. Malmsteen on his album covers. You know,....so you don't confuse him with all the other Yngwie Malmsteens in the business"


2008 Fender MIM Stratocaster
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt
2009 Fender Super Champ XD

Does it have a 2-point bridge? If so it sounds like a Classic Player's 50s that someone has changed the pickups out for Ducans.

The only 2 mim guitars with the Custom Shop designed neckplate are the classic player 50s and 60s guitars.

Looks like you are bang on. I've read the specifications for the classic player 50's Stratocaster and it has the 2-point custom bridge and locking Gotoh tuners.

However, the pickups have been expertly replaced alongside the pickguard. Everything matches perfectly. I guess that would be quite an expensive modification?

All in all, i'm very happy as it only cost £200 sterling for a very hansome guitar.

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

Robbo.

I would be very happy finding a guitar of that caliber for that price, even without the upgraded pickups!

It sounds like a MIM that someone tinkered with. To the best of my knowledge all Custom Shop guitars have Custom Shop "V" logo on the back of the headstock. I would question it.

You can also go to the Fender Forum, "Ask Mike Eldred" under the "Custom Shop" section. If anyone would know, it's him.

Paris

Yogi seems spot on.

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1991 MIA Std Strat, Partsocaster, and a Blues Jr.

Exactly -- and these are (IMO) the best of the MIM guitars where even the worst MIM guitars are really good. Great find.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

If it has the 2 point bridge and the GOTOH vintage locking tuners on it then it is a classic player 50's. I have one and it has the Fender 'custom shop designed' neck plate. But like Yogi said it sounds like someone swapped the pickups. They come with 57/62's in them stock.

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Squier Classic Vibe thinline telecaster
Squier JM Black1 partscaster
Line 6 Pod XT Live
Peavey VT Classic 212
Vox AC30 Amplug

I have just picked up the same model Sunburst, Custom Shop Designed, MZ7205533
£240 with Fender Gigbag Deluxe and Vox AD30VT and extras

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Squire Strat Standard CY03
Fender 140SCE
Fender Mexican 60's Classic Player Strat Custom Shop edition MZ07

Dave Murray has the same guitar like yours except it has a rosewood fingerboard, an aged white pearloid pickguard and a Floyd Rose locking trem.



Seems the previous owner was a huge Iron Maiden fan...