I am contemplating purchasing a used SRV Stratocaster. The current owner advised me it was built in 1995 and claims it to be original. He bought it at a guitar store. The serial number is SE921042. Inserting that number in the guitar project site it shows it to be a 1989 neck. In the reading I've done, serial numbers from 1989 are not unusual for a later built SRV, but my confusion comes in because lower serial numbers show early 1990 builds. So, naturally, I'm concerned this might not be an original SRV. Anybody have any thoughts on this issue? By the way, I can get it for $800, which I think is a good deal. Agree? Dan

Dating SRV guitars based on the serial number is impossible. The SE9XXXXX serial numbers are from 1989, S means signature, E means Eighties, 9 is the year... but these are left over decals from 1989. The SRV strat was introduced in Feb 1992 so none, aside from prototype models, were atually made in 1989. The project was put on hold after Stevies death hence the delay in release.

The only way to really date an SRV is by checking the dates stamped on the heel of the neck and the neck heel route on the body. Ask for pictures of the date stamps but I wouldn't doubt an SE92XXXX is from '95.

Yes, $800 is a very good price for a used SRV.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Thanks for the information. The current owner doesn't want to take the plate off to check dates. I guess this will have to be a leap of faith for me. Again, thanks! Dan

Swizzle. Be carefull mate. How much cheaper is it than a new one?

Is that cost difference worth the risk?

I'd be very skeptical of a seller who wasn't willing to disclose all information.

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No no and no

Thanks for the tip. I hear what you are saying, but I'm not sure it is so much he doesn't want to as if to hide something. I think he just doesn't feel skilled enough to remove the plate and remove the neck. If I buy it, my thought is to do so with the caveat that I'm going to have my "guitar guy" at the local music store take it off and check it out, and if it isn't a genuine SRV, I have the ability to return it. Supposedly, he has a sheet from Fender with the guitar noting its authenticity. I don't know if these guitars come with such a document or not. The cheapest I've been able to get an SRV locally in the past is $1,800. Thus, my excitement at the $800 possibility. But, your advice is well taken. Dan

Fender used those SE9XXXXX serial numbers on the Artist models for quite a while; I can't remember if it was 1995 or 1996 when they finally "caught up" to the year. Of course the guitar could have been in store stock for a while before the current owner bought it in 1995.

$800 is a great price; it seems like that was just under the "going rate" for a used one back in the late 1990s/early 2000s - before Fender had some pretty significant price increases. It seems like the street price on an SRV was right around $1,200 back then; $800-$900 was a pretty typical used price for a long time. The owner, having purchased it in 1995 (or so) for about $1K is probably thinking $800 is more than fair for a 15-year-old guitar.

John: Thanks for taking the time to write. I do plan to check out this guitar for that price. Of course, my worst fear is that it is a knock off that somebody put together, but I guess I won't know unless and until I look at it. Again, thanks. Dan

You can contact Fender and they should be able to tell you what year it is, I've done it a few times and they're very helpful.

http://www.fender.com/support/consumer_relations.php

I bought a SRV Strat off ebay couple years ago for $800, that's a good price for a used one. It's crazy how much they're going for new these days!

Here's one on ebay with a $700 starting bid

http://cgi.ebay.com/1992-Fender-SRV-Vaughan-Stratocaster-Strat-/230545406955?pt=Guitar&hash=item35ad93bbeb#ht_500wt_1112

I did check with Fender and they verified that the guitar is, in fact, a SRV Stratocaster and that it was manufactured in May of 1993. Appreciate everyone's input so far. Does anyone think I would have to worry about a potential twisted neck because it is used? Dan