Hello, folks. I was just wondering if everything here looked legit to you experts? The serial number on this "Blackie" Strat is SE912... which comes up as 1989. When removing the neck I see it is from APR 12 1996. I've never heard of the separation between serial number and date being this large.

Also, if this neck truly was made by Montes in 4/96 (when the neck carve changed from hard to soft V) which one do I have? It feels similar to the modern EC Strat I used to own but I don't know how prominent the change was. Thanks!

Quite a disparity true, but something I wouldn't put past happening. Necks seem to lay around on shelves for years out there. [My first impression of your photo was that the neck end date was 1988.]

Several questions come to mind: a date in the neck pocket/ or pickup cavity? What's the history of this guitar?

With respect to the Clapton, to the best of my knowledge, the neck carve has never changed. I have a Pewter Strat with a very low '89 headstock date [three digits at the end], the neck end is stamped early 1990 as is the neck pocket, and the neck carve is consistent with the Claptons.

This is a great question for Rob Schwarz.

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Thanks, ZZDoc. I was hoping you'd chime in.

First, the history of the guitar is pretty much unknown. I bought it online from GC used. They listed it in original and "unplayed" condition -- which it isn't because the wooden block has been removed (I hate Guitar Center).

As far as neck shape is concerned, I thought for sure the original ECs had a harder V shape that mimicked the EC Martin but it was softened in 4/96 into the now "Soft V" shape. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

I believe everything checks out (I hope). The body has the correct rout for the battery and also Micro-Tilt. It's pretty light compared to my 2000's EC I owned. Would you be concerned over the lack of markings (faint markings) on the body? Would there be any markings under the pickguard to check out? Thanks again!