I had no doubt that was authentic but it was good for you to practice researching, at times Fenders can be kind of a enigmatic and ilusive to figure out what you really have....but in this case there really was no doubt as to the authenticity on many levels. I also knew you got a good deal, you could probably relist it today and make a few bucks on it.

As far as repainting it...that will absolutely lower the resale value possibly substantially, especially in the future. Sure the true "value" of anything comes down to what a buyer(s) are willing to pay, but as far as "appraised" value and/or the potential to bring top dollar, the more original and better the condition, the more it is worth.

However, if it has more value to YOU personally painted black and you plan on keeping it forever..then paint away. As long as you are aware you are reducing the resale value then it is a personal choice, not a mistake. Just give it VERY careful consideration before taking sandpaper and a spray can to a potential classic.

Judging by your post if I comprehend it correctly, you are actually trying to build a personal keeper to your specs but malmsteen "ish" so to speak..a malmsteen parts caster. If this is the case then whatever is going to make you happy in the end is the right decision..once again if you use good judgment and careful consideration, you should not have any regrets down the road. If I were you I would assemble everything first and make 100% sure you are happy with the sound and set up. If it's a keeper then you can consider repainting or carving up anything that may lose monetary value in the future for the sake of you having your dream ax.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

Oh..also should mention..you might want to consider finding another body and re selling this one. You really can find a nitro strat made of Alder with a 60's or 70's cut for half the price..or close to it. And it won't sound or feel any different, the body of the guitar itself does not know it is a Malmsteen sig..it just knows it's cut and type of wood..something to consider if money is an issue. The money you could save this way could go towards a better neck and electronics which is probably more critical to the sound tone and feel then whether the body is a sig series or not.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

Thanks for the info you know your stuff.ANyways I got an email from another seller pertaining to an email he hadnt responded to about his malmsteen for 25 more he will include the tremolo system and the body is blue which i personally like but the prob is more people like this one as it is his original choice and aslo to more people buy them.So I am torn.I already have the dimarzio electronics its on ebay now I am selling to pay for this so to speak.If that sold for 50 bucks I can get a similiar setup from gfs.I know this pickguard loaded is worth more than 50 but so far no bids and 10 watchers.MAn what to do.Becasue I am almost finished scalloping my neck.SO In hindsight if I could find a lesser fender type body nitrod for black id buy it I have checked them all and the cheapest is guitar mill and it is 400 so not much a choice.

Well this is like a scavenger hunt. I can't give away all my secrets on a public forum..but trust me..if you are patient you can find a nitro strat for 299 with shipping, sometime less if it has a few blems.

Another consideration..and this is if you have the desire, is to buy a "re-issue" 62 or 70's alder japan or mexi re-issue..the wood and cut is essentially identical, but it may have a poly finish. If you must have a nitro finish...strip the poly down, and re finish it yourself in nitro the color of your choice. A company called "Re-Ranch" sells quality nitro paint in rattle cans..and even has tinted (for aging effect) and nitro clear coat. If you follow directions to the letter, you can give it a natural looking finish..a new or old look, and have any advantage you believe a nitro finish brings without the heavy price tag.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

hang in there..I am going to check out your auction and advise accordingly...

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

I can not find the listing. How much time is left and what is it listed as?

10 watchers is a good sign..but I wanted to check your description and listing. I might be able to help you bring top dollar but I need to view the listing first.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

Its ok if it doesnt go than its fine.Not to worried.Anyways I could spend the rest of my life trying to find the perfect one.Each are different.I just cant wait until they make an 82 reissue.Even though I dont think there is a drastic difference between models and whats out today.Except every guitar seemed to have a floyd now who uses them??I owned a jackson big mistake did not work for me.And as stated earlier no Im not as good as malmsteen but when hes actually playing melodic he is good.I also respect eric johnson but he doesnt really wow me to the likes of malmsteen,richards,satriani,petrucci etc etc etc One song I heard from malmsteen lately blows my mind.Its off his last cd called high impact song is called blue hes playing some em pentanomic blues scales and he does add a bit later in the song some strong neoclassical solos as well.If only there were a blues-classical genre hahaha.As for my guitar though not to sound racist but I will only buy usa.Not that there better or whatever but coz we got to buy usa to get out of this rut were in.Hey if the person who made my guitar has to run home for a beer hey I have already joined him.Haha I will leave the electronics to asia.We cant get that perfected haha.

Point taken and I will not judge your preferences. However, regardless of where the body was originally made..if you purchase it used from an American..then technically, you are supporting a home grown American.

The fact of the matter is, aside from NAFTA which I believe made it so Fender could simply take the USA parts, and have them assembled in Mexico to save on labor..there really is little difference. Some of the MIJ's are built to USA specs closer then USA re-issues..or Mexi re-issues.

I wish this country could make a superior product and still compete pricewise...but it seems those days are long gone. In reality, Fender USA was actually competing with itself when they realized the MIJ's were built so well...if consumers knew then what some of us know now, Fender USA's would probably have cost less then some MIJ's and possibly certain older models (not pre CBS, those are insanely valuable), may have held a higher resale as well.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.