Hello all,

Hoping someone might be able to help me out with this. I picked this up on trade today. It was billed as a MIJ 67 Reissue Relic. The thing is, I don't normally like relic guitars, but this one was beautiful. But the puzzling thing is that there was no MIJ/CIJ serial number on the neck. Then the neck plate had a Vintage series serial number (which as far as I know are US made guitars). So I opened it up, and here's what I found. Ideas on exactly what I have here? For the record the electronics are all US; CTS pots, cloth wiring throughout, switchcraft jack... Pups are unmarked, but sound great. The thing plays like a dream. Would just like to know what the hell it is : ) My best guess so far is that it was a MIJ 67 strat that someone sent to the Fender custom shop in 2004 to be relic'd. Also, any ballparks on what it might be worth (how bad I might have taken it in the shorts ; ) would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Its strange no serial numbers on neck but if its real ide say 2500US but like you said the back plate doesnt match the story MIM so its a mystery, it does look nice though what did you pay ? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa and twaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa from Vinny Pop
You need to contact Chris Flemming theres your answer he either exists or its a total fake

He exists:

http://www.fendercustomshop.com.au/buil ... is_fleming

Time frame seems right, as does location which is local....

The fact that the Custom Shop do not take in aftersales work, particularly for non Custom Shop instruments or non warranty repairs. Speaks volumes to my mind. The relic job whilst tidy is very un-Custom Shop. (No checking, minimal fretboard wear, no dings, just a load of forearm wear.)
Then moving onto the heel of the neck, the STB prefix code is Japanese.

Personally I'd say you have a guitar that someone scribbled on the heel of. If you post this question and pictures over on the Ask Mike Eldred section of the forums, you'll get a definite answer from the horses mouth.

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Seems reasonable. Much appreciated.

I was mistaken earlier, there is checking on the upper bout. The guitar still looks more closet classic than relic to my eye.
Whoever did the discolouration has worked a miracle. Thats a great colour.

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No no and no

Another link: http://artisanguitars.com/tag/chris-fleming/

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

F A K E

Here's a few more photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53250941@N ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53250941@N ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53250941@N ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53250941@N ... hotostream

Looks like the body was originally natural colored? (I'm assuming that's what NAT means in the pickup cavity). The guitar is also among one of the lightest strats I've ever held.

Fake what? Fake MIJ 67RI neck? Fake USA strat body? Fake Relic work? or do you mean the signature and USA custom shop writing is fake?

fake signature and CS chicken-scratch. CWF did not work on this guitar...

Oddtone

Looking through your other linked photo's I further doubt my original assesment.
The picture you have of the pickup cavities in particulr makes me question my first response.
The tidiness of the neck pocket in particular (very neat paintwork, lack of circular jig holes, nail holes present) looks very customshop. As does the NAT stamp in the neck pickup cavity.
Much like this


Yours has NAT (presumably for natural) stamped. Mine has Urethane for usrethane finish. So that body of yours has obviously been refinished.

The lack of part/serial number stamped into the middle pickup cavity (I blocked my part no') has me a bit stumped. It should match a neck code ala



(sorry blocked out again, paranoid me).

Note the same lack of router jig holes and neat sidewalls to the neckpocket too.

What does have me confused is the HSS routing of your body. I've never seen that on a CS instrument before. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I've never seen it.

Quite confused now.

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Its a beautiful guitar whatever the true story seriously to ease your mind email Chris Flemming we all want to know also as this would be another disaster if people start faking CS Fenders and selling them

nikininja- Thanks a bunch for your insight. I'm puzzled as well, but it's nice to know I'm not alone.

vinnypop- Would love to contact CF; if you have an email address for him, pass it my way ; )

Oddtone
Mate instead of asking in this (stratocaster) section of the forums, scroll down a bit to the 'Ask Mike Eldred' section. He's the head honcho at the CustomShop, very helpfull too though rather busy at times. I don't doubt he'll get back to you though it may take a few days.

Atleast you'll have a definite answer.

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