Actually I like the SRV.i like the 12" radius with the 6105s and I like the texas specials on that particular guitar.I am not really interested in having a guitar just like some artist(not that there is anything wrong with that).The artist guitars arent designed to resemble their famous guitars,but Fender gets input from the artist to design a guitar to their liking.Most of the artists have played their signature guitar at some point except Stevie,due to the fact he passed away before its release.JMHO.

I don't see any issue there at all particularly with regard to the appointments. There's an MIM w/VN's and a 12''radius neck which touches that cord. I know someone who swapped out the engraved pickguard for an all black because he didn't want the association with the artist so boldly announced.

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"Another day in paradise!"

I have an original batch SRV, with an '89-stamped serial number. I've never been able to tell whether it has a Pao Ferro or Brazilian rosewood fretboard.

The Stevieray.com seems pretty credible to me and is the best source of info out there. Looks like the first batch was started in '89, right before he died, so there were '89 serial numbers reserved, like mine, that were later released in '92. Seems like it's possible a batch of the early ones may have Brazilian fretboards. Many companies, including Gibson, stopped using Brazilian-sourced rosewood about the same time.

My fretboard looks right in between the two pics on the site. My wife bought it new in '92 for me, so not like I'm gonna ever sell it

It's a great guitar, but not worth $7.5K. The only other thing I've read of interest is that some of the early batches had real nice lumber choices - mine has real nice flame on the neck and figuring on the body.

well I have a srv strat from september of 92 the neck is dated 12 and the body is the 24th.... I was able to get mine under a thousand my sentiments is he is just trying to find a sucker. Mine has the SE89 serial number as well

I agree totally trying to sucker people.As far as the Stevieray.com website goes,he says,It states that "Another person said that a Fender employee told him the custom shop foreman said that there were about 50 made in the custom shop with rosewood,and that there were less than 100."Alot of hearsay without any way to back it up.He talked to someone who talked to a custom shop employee.No proof is ever offered ,and everyone knows a custom shop guitar has a COA and a custom shop emblem on the guitar itself.Doesnt really sound like credible evidence to me.

ZZ Doc, I cant imagine keeping the engraved pickgard in place if you are gonna gig with it.I took mine off after a few weeks.To me the neck is one of the best necks out there.I believe the MIM DEluxe has a Modern C neck.