I need to know if this guitar is a 60th anniversary Stratocaster and what model it is?
The top of the headstock says ( Fender Stratocaster & Original Contour Body) The backside of the headstock says (Serial Number Z6244272, Made in the USA, and has a small 60th anniversary emblem) The neckplate is plain and slightly different shape than the other 60th anniversary neckplates that have the anniversary graphics stamped on them.
Thanks
bogart55sophie

Photos would help.

All the non-reissue production-line Fenders made in 2006 had the 60th Anniversary emblem on back of the headstock (I'm just not sure about the various reissue models; they had them in 1996 for the 50th Anniversary of Fender but I don't remember about 2006 6oth Anniversary year). I also thought that only the special "60th Anniversary" models had a special neck plate (unlike the 50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster in 2004 when all Strats made during 2004 had the special neck plate).

What puzzles me about your guitar is the neck plate; you say it is plain but it should at least say "Fender Corona California" on it. It could be an American Series Strat or a Highway 1 Strat - either one of them would have a Z6XXXXXX serial number; also if I'm remembering correctly the updated Highway 1s with the large headstock didn't come out until mid-year in 2006.

We need pics. You don't give us a good enough description. Serial number doesn't tell us anything except it was made in 2006 (serial# starts with Z6 = 2006). It could either be a Highway 1, American Series, or American Deluxe since they all have serial #'s that start with Z. Email Fender customer service with the serial number and ask them what it is. Or post some pics here and we'll be glad to help.

But based on your explanation that the neckplate is plain, I'm leaning towards a Highway 1. But don't quote me on that. The previous owner might have changed neckplates or you might not be describing it accurately. And I assume you don't have one of the special limited edition 2006 60th anny Strats because you don't mention the little diamond inlaid on the headstock. What color is your Strat? Rosewood or maple fretboard?

ALL Fender instruments and amps made in 2006 had that little 60th Anniversary emblem. Just because it has that emblem doesn't make it one of the 'special' 60th Anny editions. See this link for detailed info on the special ones: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document ... _id=100101
Detailed pics of all angles here: http://www.elderly.com/fmic/items/F60AS.htm

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Thanks for reminding me that Highway 1s have a plain neck plate; for some reason I thought they also had the "Fender Corona California" plates like an American Standard/Series/"new" Standard.

I don't think it could be an American Deluxe - they have a "D" for "Deluxe" in front of the "Z" - so a 2006 Am Dlx would read "DZ6XXXXXX" and they would have the beveled neck plate with "Fender Corona California".

That's right. I stand corrected.

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Not so sure. I think this is usually true, but I've been researching
this guitar I'm looking at buying and found one similar here
in this video. Notice the Z serial number at 50 seconds in,
and that it does not say USA on it. Also has the rectangular
neckplate and not the curved one. I can't imagine this could
be a fake, looking at the detail and quality. Plus, I sent my
serial number in, also starting w/ Z0 and they sent me the info
on the guitar which matched to a T. Any thoughts.
Link.... to that video of other guy's very similar strat, Z serial no. ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1DTxuY0D7w
[/quote]

[/quote]

Hi uragit - I was referring to a 2006 American Deluxe Strat; the OP of this thread was talking about how to identify a guitar from 2006, which was the 60th Annivesary year for Fender. He wanted to ID a 2006 American Deluxe; the specs are different for a 2000 American Deluxe

There is a well-known serial number glitch from the year 2000 where Fender used regular "Z0XXXXXX" serial numbers on a run of American Deluxe Strats instead of the expected "DZ0XXXXXX" serial numbers - either it was an accident or Fender simply didn't receive the DZ0 decals in time. Fender rectified the error later in the year.

Also, a 2000 American Deluxe would have the regular rectangular neck plate. If I'm remembering correctly the beveled neck plates didn't start on the American Deluxe until fairly late in 2002. No worries; your guitar is a perfectly correct 2000 American Deluxe with the serial number glitch.

Hi uragit - I was referring to a 2006 American Deluxe Strat; the OP of this thread was talking about how to identify a guitar from 2006, which was the 60th Annivesary year for Fender. He wanted to ID a 2006 American Deluxe; the specs are different for a 2000 American Deluxe

There is a well-known serial number glitch from the year 2000 where Fender used regular "Z0XXXXXX" serial numbers on a run of American Deluxe Strats instead of the expected "DZ0XXXXXX" serial numbers - either it was an accident or Fender simply didn't receive the DZ0 decals in time. Fender rectified the error later in the year.

Also, a 2000 American Deluxe would have the regular rectangular neck plate. If I'm remembering correctly the beveled neck plates didn't start on the American Deluxe until fairly late in 2002. No worries; your guitar is a perfectly correct 2000 American Deluxe with the serial number glitch.[/quote]

Hey, thanks!
That is very helpful. You say "well known glitch" but I couldn't
find much info on that online. Also, I was a little concerned that
the guitar did not (does not) say "Made in USA" anywhere on it
except for the neck plate saying Corona, California , etc,.
I asked the guy at Fender who had emailed me back with the
details base on the serial number about the lack of USA on
the guitar and he said it should have Made in USA on it, but I think
he was in a hurry and didn't realize this was from that glitchy
period and probably an exception. It's almost certainly 100%
an authentic Fender deluxe. If not, they went so far overboard
making a fake that they made one just as good, lol. Nice neck,
great finish. Nice tone and plays great etc. I'm sure it's real.
Thanks again and any other comments welcomed.

They did have a 60th Anniversary American Strat in 2006, From the ads I seen it had a neckplace with a outline of a diamond engraved and the number "60th" over it. The real special ones had an actual diamond and a diamond inlay on the body.

No. It is cubic zirconia, NOT a real diamond. The guitar would cost much much more if it was a real diamond. And besides, guitar shop owners do not want the headache and security issues of being in the jewelry business.

And regarding the difference between the regular 2006 American Series Strats and the 'real special' 2006 ones...I'll quote myself from my post above from a couple of months ago:

" See this link for detailed info on the special ones: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document ... _id=100101
Detailed pics of all angles here: http://www.elderly.com/fmic/items/F60AS.htm "

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

+1

Absolutly