Looking at this piece on Craigslist. Says all original, but I'm told Fender didn't offer the pearloid pickguard. It looks and plays nice; not a scratch on it. Current owner purchased off ebay many years ago. Comes with mint condition Fender case and sealed plastic bag with Fender strap, instrument cable, authentication paperwork...The pups are staggered poles and it seems to have the "strat" sound. Any ideas or thoughts? I hate to see my friend get ripped buying the thing if the electronics and or body are not original.

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/msg/2128174396.html

Thanks,
Jay

Sorry, those photos are good enough to really evaluate it. Staggered-height polepieces would be correct for a 2004; a pearl pickguard would be an aftermarket addition in 2004.

Agreed--and thanks for the response. I would guess it didn't come from a certified dealer new as the pickguard wouldn't fly. Everything looks mint. Beautiful resonance in the body and neck. The twang is there at 2 and 4. My concern is that the electronics may have been changed with the pickguard. I guess the only way to tell is to open her up. My friend and the seller are averse to that. I don't know why friend would care---thinks if the seller won't allow it, the deal would be off. I personally would rather be safe than sorry. Any suggestions?

Addendum: I noticed a sticking on the lower tone control at the 10 position during last nights demo. That's a good thing, as it's the detente for the DeltaTone feature--I think. My fear of the electronics being gutted is easing at this point and it really does sound like the real thing. I know the tone. Betting it's going to be a good deal.

Thanks again.

Of course the pickups might have been upgraded...which wouldn't be a bad thing.

Or it could be a Hotrodded American Strat Texas Special (formerly the Roadhouse Strat)...can anyone remember whether they came in CAR w/maple fretboard?

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How did it sound to you?

The serial number says it's an '04 American Standard though they were not offered with the pearloid pickguard. I'm guessing someone wanted to give it the Deluxe 50th Anniversary look.....and it does sound real good. The pups appears to be the standard one offered with the weird staggered poles.

Nah the 50th Anni Deluxe has a thick plain scratchplate with a 50th Anniversary logo embossed on it.


Don't let the seller claim it to be a 50th Anniversary guitar, just because of the neckplate. The 50th Anniversary American Standard came in 2 colour sunburst only and had CS 50's or 54 pickups in it.

Only offer him the going rate for a used American Standard.

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No no and no

I'm pretty sure those came in CAR with a pearl pickguard, but they were discontinued in mid-2003 so it is unlikely that there would be one with a 2004 serial number. However, with Fender you never know - they could have assembled one in 2004 because they had a body and pickguard assembly laying around or to fill an order placed right before they discontinued them.

the pictures make it hard to tell. The serial number should start with Z4 if it is a 2004. Also, there will only be one string tree (which is evident in the picture). And, there will be a 2 point bridge with brushed steel saddles, not a 6 screw with vintage saddles.

50th anniversary just means the guitar was made during 2004, which is the 50th anniversary of the stratocaster. They made special neckplates for those guitars that year. It does not imply that this is special edition guitar or anything. The one you are looking at is probably legit. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, and it would be difficult for a seller to say it is 100% original if it is not, cause in most cases it is easy to find out if a guitar is not the real deal.

The one that nikininja is referring to is a special edition guitar that was made as a tribute to the 50th anniversary.

I would be weary of it. After all, why would you replace the pickguard of a 50th ann. strat with its special logo? I would keep it if it were me. I would think you could find a neckplate anywhere on ebay...

Wouldn't the CAR ones come in a special 50th ann. case too like niki's? Where's that?

To me it just looks like a Am. Standard. Still a great guitar though.

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Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

No Jimbo, the Deluxe, AM STD and CS54 all got different appointments.
The STD got the best pickups, but no embossed scratchplate. I think the case was plain too. It did have the neckplate. The Anniversary guitar only came in 2 colour sunburst.

Fender made normal AM STD's that year too, all with the neckplate and the full range of colours and maple or rosewood options. The Anniversary guitars were sunburst and maple fretboard only.

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No no and no

its funny just found this on the tele forum too:
http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=49555&sid=86b6a7a6dd144d971b9e1bb21b60a89c


I learn something new everyday

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Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

I have two 2004 American Standard strats in 3 color sunburst. One has a maple fretboard while the other is rosewood. They have the 50th aniversary neck plate, staggered pole piece pickups and the Delta Tone circuit. The bridge pickup is hotter, so you get the no-load Delta Tone feature plus the boost of a hotter pickup. That's lots of cut to put a loud drummer in his place, if needed

I don't think the pearloid is stock, but that is no big deal. I paid $1500 for my two as a set BTW.

Really? 3 colour sunburst?

Is there red in there? Did they come with the CS pickups?

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No no and no

nahh don't worry about it. Like I said...the ones with the 50th anniversary logo on the pickguard are the ones that were the anniversary special edition guitars, only in a burst color with a maple fretboard, to in honor of the first year of production of the Stratocaster. The 50th anniversary neckplate did come on all the 2004 stratocaster's by the way.

Hi niki,

Yeah, my "garden variety" 2004 American Standards both have red in the sunburst.

The maple fretboard strat has a part number of 00117432-700, while the rosewood fretboard start is a 0117430-700. The Rosewood fretboard strat was unplayed. I still have all the stickers. One of them says that the instrument has the Delta Tone Pickup System. It also says that it can be an Alder or Ash body. The both have the 50th Aniversary neckplate.