Does anyone know whether Fender included inspection tags (the one that includes the handwritten serial number of the guitar) as part of the case candy for these guitars back in 2004?
One other thing, I really want a 2003 build 50th Anniversary Strat as that is a sentimental year for me and I would presume that in preparation for the 2004 release, many, if not most or all, would have been built in 2003. So would it be safe to say that if the serial number begins with a Z3, it was built in 2003?

_________________
1950 Broadcaster RI
1952 AVRI Telecaster
1963 Telecaster RI
Hot Rod Deluxe Ash Body
Pro 185

Hi HarryCallahan,

I'm not sure about the case candy, but the serial numbers starting with a Z3 don't change to a Z4 on Jan first, but later in the year. The only thing safe to assume about Fender serial numbers starting with Z3 is that it could be '03 or '04. The ann models would be '04 I believe, regardless of the Z3 or Z4 on the serial, and obviously different than the '03 models. It is possible that the neck could be made in '03 and then used on an '04 model.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

2004 is the 50th for the Stratocaster, my brother just got a stock 2004 with the special cool 50th plate. He didnt get any case candy, nor the case....it is a special note for this one though.

that would be great piece to buy if you can find one with the candy. are you looking for a stock strat or one of the "real" 50th $$$ Anniversary 1954 remakes?

I suppose the 75th will be a milestone too. What an amazing guitar.

From personal experience I seriously doubt there were very many of these made, and they would only be the special Anniversary American Deluxe and American Series model. I had a 2004-spec American Deluxe V-Neck Strat from a first run they did at the end of 2003. Although it was 2004-spec it had the DZ3 (2003) serial number and a plain "Fender Corona California" neck plate instead of the "50th Anniversary Logo" neck plate.