The seller mentioned there is no serial number. At first I thought there was simply nothing under the logo. But as in those pictures I just posted, I noticed that it looks like there is a blurred patch. I'm not sure if it was scratched off, covered up, or blurred in the picture. I'm waiting for his response.

I'd really like to know what you guys think. At this point, I think a guitar of this quality is not for me. I do not keep immaculate condition of my guitars.. and if it really hasn't been played since '79 like he said, I wouldn't feel right playing a guitar like that. However I've been so deep in negotiation with him that I want to get the guitar and play it for a week or so and then just sell or trade for something else. So I'm really anxious to hear what you guys say about this serial number issue.

Did he replace the bridge pickup? Ask the seller to remove the pickguard and see if there's a S/N there.

Look up The fender Stratocaster book by A.R. Duchossoir.
There is a lot of great info on various years from the 50's thru the 80's and the particular idyosincracies of Stratocasters.

If you can buy it for a great price... Do It...

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

he said he knows nothing about the guitar other than what his local music store told him. he doesn't even play guitar.. he had them play it for him so he knew it worked. he said its original, but that's about it.

Well it's not all original if the pickup was replaced... everything else looks right IMO, but why is the bridge pickup cover not black like the others? Is he the original owner?

he said he bought it from the original owner in '79. is it possible that pickup came like that from the factory? or would it hurt the value if its still a '78 pickup?

Doubt it came that way from Fender... the only way to tell is to remove the pickguard and take a look under there, you can use the pic I posted for reference. If he bothered to take the neck off for pics he should have some pics of the pickups as well.

Those 70's pickups can sound pretty sweet after all these years, I'd want the originals in there if I was buying it.

Well he said its been in the case since '79. so unless this whole thing is a scam, the pickup is from '78. i'm waiting to see if he has pics of the guts.

As far as consistency in late 70's, CBS made sure that wasn't going to cut into their profits, so anything is possible as far as pups being different colors why not
They often just grabbed what was avalaible at the moment to complete the item...

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I saw at least two guitars back then that came with mixec pickup colors from Fender. Both came with a white pickup in the bridge position. All other plastic parts were black. That were the first 70s Strats that I personally saw coming with the black pickguard.

If the serial is scratched off, the guitar could have been stolen.

Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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If the guitar was stolen.. I'd think this guy is being legit and it was maybe stolen when he bought it 30 years ago. I wouldn't think a guy would take an absolutely mint '78 and scratch off the headstock. A smart man would just sell it across the country.

So I dunno.. what should I do about this? He said he doesn't know what a pickguard is. I tried to explain to him how to take off the strings and the guard, but I'm not sure if he will. I'm also hoping he can provide a better pic of the headstock so I can see what's up with the s/n. If it is indeed a scratched off number.. what should I do? Just leave him to it for someone else to buy? Buy it and resell? I'd imagine if it were stolen recently and locally, someone would've found that immediately. Not exactly a common guitar.

It is a crime in most states (a felony, in fact, in California) to deliberately remove, deface, or alter in any manner a serial number on any item so marked when sold new from the manufacturer.

This smells wonky to me.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

2 years ago I sold my 1977 Hardtail natural finish in a 9.8 condition with OHSC for $2750
It was 100% original and a one piece ash body. We did not bond. I owned it for 2 years.
Mine had a very distinct and clear serial number.

He took the neck off and can´t take off the pickguard ?
For me it would be no serial no deal.
The hardtail Strats go for less money than the trem ones anyway. It´s a clean guitar and maybe a good player but something is strange about the guitar.
Just my opinion.
I would offer him 1200$ max just to see what he´s doing.
I wouldn´t pay more than 1300$ for a clean hardtail 78, they aren´t rare and the 78 Strats aren´t very famous for being great (I know there are really great sounding ones out there).

Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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To above^^ he didn't take off the neck. He had some store do it that also appraised it (said 1500-1600). He's not a guitar player and knows nothing about the guitar.

To Robin.. He said he'll take $1100. That was before this serial number thing. If I can talk him down even further because of the number, is it worth it? I don't want this guitar for myself anymore, like I said. My only interest would be flipping it back around. I'm broke, in college, and without a job. Making a few bucks would go a long way. Losing a few bucks would as well..