Hello, all. I'm trying to find an MIA strat for a friend on a budget. Found this on Craigslist, but the picture looks as if the guitar has 2 string trees?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ ... 16706.html

The guy seems nice enough and willing to talking about the instrument, 12th fret doting spacing looks normal, etc, but the 2 string trees has me wondering if it's fake/modified. Thanks![/img]

There are (were) some models that have two. Also some folks buy one and add it on too.

Go to Google images and punch in "Stratocaster headstock" and you'll see a bunch of 'em.

http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi

I would be more concerned by the lack of pictures, and a small one at that. I can't tell much of anything about the guitar except that it has 2 string trees. They did make them with 2 string trees, then later with staggered tuners and only one tree. Although the spacing between them, and the style varied from time to time. But, I would definitely need to see a close up of the front and back of headstock, a closeup of the pick guard, a closeup of the bridge, a shot of the back of the neck and body, and if possible, pics of the neck pocket, neck heel and routing under the pick guard before making a call on the guitar. I hope that he is willing to send you some more pics, and the serial number would be nice to be able to check it with Fender.

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Hi NeedForTweed, I have a 1999 Am. Std. and it also has two string trees.

The paint looks right for the time as do the saddles.

Thomas

American Standard Strats had 2 string trees from their introduction at the end of 1986 until they were discontinued in July 2000. Their replacement, the American Series, had several updates including the addition of staggered-height tuners and therefore only had one string tree; that configuration continues with the current generation American Standards that came out in January 2008.

There are also some "transitional" American Standards made from say April-June 2000 with staggered-height tuners and one string tree (but without the other American Series updates).

Hard to tell from the small photos but that looks like a legit circa 1998 American Standard.

My 06 Korean Strat has two trees.

Looks legit to me, but overpriced. In my area they usually go for $500-$600.
Here's on just listed near me for $550.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/msg/1952636380.html

Highway 1 and US Special Strats use 2 string trees.

As for the string trees, I wonder for which reason Fender uses the EasyGliders on its modern guitars and not the traditional round and butterfly-style retainers from the previous eras?

I hate the EasyGlider, it's too futuristic. Fender should bring back the butterfly string retainers.

Thanks a lot for all the replies!

Good to know. If/when we do decide to go there we're going to scrutinize it, disassemble the neck, etc.

Futuristic? Well maybe.

But I'll take function over appaearance any day, and the butterfly trees are a friction nightmare if you use the trem. It's a real pain having to keep coating the underside of my trees with lip salve.

To each their own, I guess..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Just reinforcing what others have said...my 1991 and 2000 USA Strats both have 2 string trees, the double barrel "phone pole" style for the high 4 strings. My 1992 MIM Strat has only 1 on the B and high E strings, butterfly style.

i've seen two string trees mostly on strats with 70s headstocks

I have a 94, Forty Yr. Ann. model with two trees.