I made a post about missing items, trem arm, trem sping(sticker missing from arm socket) and all paperwork sans hang tags and stickers on the guard.

One thing I noticed from the start was the tone was surprisingly dull, my 50's classic vibe had more spank and sparkle...so just a few moments ago I started playimg with the controls......and both tone controls control all 3 pups....that shouldnt be as far as I'm aware..

Bridge Pickup: American Vintage Strat® Single-Coil Pickup
Middle Pickup: Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity American Vintage Strat® Single-Coil Pickup
Neck Pickup: American Vintage Strat® Single-Coil Neck Pickup
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)



also is it normal for the B string pole to be sunk below the cover? Its like that on the neck and middle and just barely flush on the bridge.

I'm starting to think I got a used instrument....possibly even had the american pups swapped.....I've already made up my mind to exchange it, but would love to get feedback here on the situation. the plastic film on the guard is peeled back on areas it would likely be handled, and the plastic on the pup covers all have lots of bubbling....mebbe a refurb mis wired and sold as new? Also I ran the SN through guitar dater and got nothing, couldnt find anything with MIM SN's starting with MX.


Thanks guys.

Hi iceman: a whole lot of different issues here.

It is very possible that you got sent an instrument that was already returned by someone else. That happens: stores don't just throw returned stock in the garbage, though it should be in "as new" condition for them to accept it back. If it isn't they shouldn't then sell it on at full price.

We can't possibly comment usefully on the "spank and sparkle" of this Strat on an internet forum. And that will have nothing to do with whether someone else has already touched it or not - spank and sparkle do not rub off on the fingers. This is about the individual sound of one guitar against another and is the most important reason for trying out instruments in shops rather than buying online.

As to the pickups: yes, the B string slug on staggered poles is just above or below the plastic. It can vary slightly from one pickup to another depending on the fit of the cover to the individual assembly beneath. The slight vagaries of the wax potting almost certainly explain differences one to another on this - I have exactly the same thing on the single coils on my Am Std. Nothing to worry about in the slightest and not remotely a sign that the pups have been switched out. Only examining the solder joints will tell you that - which of course will void the warranty.

However, I do suspect there is a shorting issue with the switching situation you describe. For that reason and that alone you might need to return the guitar, though it will probably then be fixed under warranty: it won't necessarily be replaced (that's up to the shop).

Cheers - C

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