I bought a 57 strat off of Craigslist and the guy claims it's an American Made 57 Reissue strat.... BUT I can't find any markings on the guitar itself. He seemed like a good guy, but maybe he was misinformed ... or not ? I Paid $1400 for it.

How can I be sure?

Thanks for any help!

FENDER NATION BABY!

Hi, We need picts. That can tell a lot. Headstock, back of neck, body and pickguard shots..... I take it has a V shaped neck? Vintage tuners and a round string tree unlike the later butterfly style...

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

There could possibly be a marking in the neck joint but you'll have to remove the neck to check. I honestly have no idea though. I know old Strats have a stamp under there. Know absolutely nothing about new ones and reissues though so if there's nothing just take it as a shot in the dark.

As for the value of the guitar I've always looked at it like this, if you like the guitar and feel that you didn't pay too much for it then it's worth it.

You ready for this? I once traded a Peavey 5150II head, 5150 4x12 cabinet, '91 Fender American standard, 4 effects pedals with the case, and 400 dollars cash for a Mesa Boogie combo. Monetarily I got reamed big time, but I didn't care. I wanted that Mesa. I still have it 10 years later. I don't regret that trade one bit.

MULLY

Yeah we would need to see pics.

The serial number should start with a V and be on the neck plate.

What year is it also? I think on the older ones, the 12th fret markers are closer togther than they are now.

$1400 for a used 57 reissue? Man that's steep, I paid $1200 for mine (mint condition, it didn't have a scratch, all accessories and papers were present) and that was a year or two ago when they were $2000 new. $200 bucks more and you could have had a brand new one.

Price aside, it should come with the vintage tweed hardshell case and all the necessary paperwork and accessories (5 way switch, trem bar, etc...). Also it would have the little booklet telling how to take care of the lacquer finish. Not too mention the quality should be up to par. As others mentioned the serial number should be on the neck plate and it starts with a V, the only other tell-tale sign would be the neck date. It should sound and play quite well too, always a good sign ^^

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

I just bought a brand new one from ebay. It's no doubt the real deal. You can call Fender Consumer Relations in Scottsdale Arizona and give them the serial number and they will tell you. Here's the number.480-596-9690. They will even tell you what month and year it was made. If it's genuine. My serial number starts with a V and I think all the Vintage Reissues do.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

Post some pics. I can tell you alot from the pics. Do you have a cell phone? If you can't post pics on here, take some cell phone pics and send them to 901-412-9138. Thats my number. An AVRI 57 does not have MADE IN THE USA on the headstock or anywhere visible. The serial number is on the neckplate on the back of the body, not on the headstock. It has vintage tuning keys, sounds amazing, it should have aged white knobs and pickups. Single ply pickguard. Small fretwork. It would have came from the factory with a 3 position switch and a 5 position switch should have came with it. Hope some of this helps.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

I meant the 3-way switch would have been in it, (installed from the factory) and the 5 way switch would have came in a little brown envelope with two extra springs for the claw. Yes the guy is accurate when he says it should have paperwork telling how to care for the lacquer finish. The body is noticeably thinner than newer strats if you hold it next to a modern style strat you can see the difference.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

Hey man Its Shane, you know bshane84. Curious to know what you've found out. Let us know Okay? I hope you didn't buy a fake? Really man I hope it's the real deal. I had mine set up today by a guy I met on this forum. He done a great job. He put in the 5-way switch too. Unti I had it set up I was considering selling it but not now. It plays great. I love it. And again. I hope you got the real deal.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"