I was recently handed down a strat and I am in no way a strat guru. So I am trying to find out what year or if it is even a real strat or what the deal is with it. Im just wondering if all strat necks should have a serial # on the headstock? because the one that I have does not have a # on the headstock, the only # that I can find is on the base of the neck where it connects to the body. its a long # starting with 090#####. really wish i had written it down, if any one can help it would be greatly appreciated! i can take it back apart and get the entire # if it is necessary.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

Photos are a big help.

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Bill

ok , trying to figure out how to put pics up on here, so i hope this works. My main question though do any fender necks not have a serial # on the headstock? thanks

Do that....and any identifying marks in the neck pocket or in the body routing, as well as serial numbers on the pots (volume and tone).

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"Another day in paradise!"

ok took it back apart. the # is 09033521. there is absolutley nothing i can find on the body because someone has painted everything in baby blue all in the neck pocket and inside of it. the pots are not all the same. the volume pot has "Cf" engraved in it and the 2 tone pots have nothing on them at all. the pickups that are in it are SEM which i have found to be a chinese company that basically makes copycat parts. so its def a parts guitar, just trying to figure out this neck haha. thanks guys

I think you answered your own question. If it had a legitimate neck it would be worth more than the whole guitar. So no serial number means no chance.

No one else has remarked but, on close examination, I had a question in my mind about how those tuning keys were lined up. Looks like they were re-installed.

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"Another day in paradise!"

The tuning knob and shaft is below the tuning gear. They look like left hand tuners installed on a right hand guitar.

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Bill

.....nor do they seem to line up properly....

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"Another day in paradise!"

I think it's a fake (ie, Chinese like the rest of the guitar).

That neck code is of the type found on 1972 and later Strats. However:
That logo decal is of the type found on 1969 Strats (in 1970 they only had 1 patent number and they dropped the "with synchronized tremolo" words in 1971).
The bullet truss rod adjuster is wrong.
The shape of the back of the neck is wrong.
A real neck from that era (~1972) wouldn't have a serial number, but would be a 3-bolt type.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

A 'sheistercaster'. ...doggone if I have coined a word we could continue to use around here. I wonder if you could find them on Canal Street in NYC along with all those plastic Louie Vuitton's.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Haha, Thanks guys. youve been real helpful! and yes after closer looking the tuners are left handed tuners. i thought it was weird they were turning backwards lol. Well thanks again for all the input!