Hello all,

In 1990, I purchased a 62 reissue strat, beautiful condition. I hardly used it and kept it in its case all this time, for the most part.

I am interested in selling it now and noticed the neck plate does not have a serial number on it. It just say FENDER in uppercase block letters. No logo or anything.

There is no serial number anywhere on the guitar, including the neck and head stock. The rest of the guitar looks like a legit reissue, based on pics I've seen elsewhere of the real thing.

With no serial number on the neck plate, does this make it a prototype. When I bought it, I admit I was a novice at buying guitars. Thanks.

I'm not an expert, but I bought a USA '62 reissue in 1993 (or what ever they were calling them back then), and the neck plate had a serial number beginning with a "Vxxxxx" stamped on it.

Now, that doesn't mean anything--yours could be legit. I would contact the Fender Customer Service by email; if you can, send pictures of the headstock, the neck plate and the body; maybe the bridge, too. They are extrememly helpful and pretty quick, too.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Sounds like a MIJ/CIJ re-issue to me.

Those guitars are usually marked "FENDER" on the top of the neck plate.

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

I don,t think it would be a proto type since the have been around since the mid 80,s. It should have a V s/n on the neck plate. I now nothing about the japan ones. I hope you fig it out they are great guitars.

Welcome.

It is highly unlikely you have a prototype as a Strat, regardless of it's specific version is a well established model.

The Japanese RIs had a neck plate which was imprinted, "JVxxxxx" on the top of it. The plate you are describing is from a 'standard' Japanese Fender guitar from around the mid to late 80s. Based on your statement that there is no S/N anywhere else on the guitar, I hate to say it but evidently, the original backplate was switched.

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You dig?

My '62 Reissue Tele Custom (3-color sunburst with white binding and rosewood fret board) and it had the same neck plate. No serial number w/ the words "FENDER."

Sounds like you have a MIJ Strat.

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus