Hi,

I'm new here and this is my first post. I found this forum while searching for texts on how to spot a fake stratocaster. Although I read this great text on the subject: http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... cf9cca5f3f
I still feel insecure judging the veracity of an used stratocaster. I´m about to buy an American Deluxe 1998 for U$2.000,00 (a new one is U$3.600,00 in Brazil), and I thought of putting the photos here so you guys could help me and tell me if it really looks like a real American Deluxe or if there is something suspicious in the pictures.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks.

http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img4hw.jpg/

http://img802.imageshack.us/i/img5h.jpg/

http://img413.imageshack.us/i/img60.jpg/

http://img821.imageshack.us/i/imglp.jpg/

http://img840.imageshack.us/i/img2zy.jpg/

http://img843.imageshack.us/i/img3ct.jpg/

Looks right enough to me.

Looks like the gold script reading 'Vintage Noiseless' has worn off the middle pickup and thats the only thing I can see.

Nearly everyone plays chords over the middle pickup, more than probable that's the cause of it. I'd go for it if the price was right.

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No no and no

Hi blackmore73,

Nothing suspicious in the photos, the neck and bridge look right. I would want a couple of pictures of the back of the headstock (serial number), and the neck plate, to check for contoured heel also, just to be sure. I am not sure of the type of case that came with the '98s though. If you can get the serial number, you can call or email Fender for info about it.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Shimmilou - a 1998 American Deluxe had the regular neck heel; the contoured heel didn't start on the American Deluxes until fairly late in 2002. I had a 1998 (an alder/3-color burst) and it did come in the black tolex case at that time. Fender was sourcing that case from somewhere in Mexico back then (and also was using a tweed version for the American Vintage line); I guess the G&G had gotten too expensive for regular production line Fenders. However, these MIM cases didn't hold up like the G&G cases so Fender switched the American Deluxes to the plastic molded cases sometime in 2000/2001 (and returned to using G&Gs with the American Vintage models).

blackmore73 - the guitar looks fine to me (although I would also like a shot of the serial number); that trans teal finish means it has an ash body. Man the prices are really jacked up down there in Brazil though.

Thanks John C! You always have some great info about Strats.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Thank you nikininja, shimmilou and John C.


"Looks like the gold script reading 'Vintage Noiseless' has worn off the middle pickup and thats the only thing I can see."

I found it a bit strange, but it was exactly what I was told.


"Nothing suspicious in the photos, the neck and bridge look right"

With all the used guitar parts being sold everywhere, it scares me that I might be paying a high price for a Frankenstein. It's good to hear that it looks right.


"that trans teal finish means it has an ash body"

Nice info.


"Man the prices are really jacked up down there in Brazil though."

Buying imports in Brazil is a rip-off. We pay 60% of taxes on the product price + shipping (yeah, we are taxed on shipping price).

A MIM Stratocaster is about U$ 1.500,00 !!!

Keep in mind that the minimum wage here is U$ 320,00 ...