I have absolutely no knowledge about this so excuse my sweet ignorance. So I got this used Strat from a bandmate as a gift. But we were both curious as to the origin and if it has replaced pickups and such. The serial number is Z3149094, I searched in Fender.com/support and it says its from 2004. Is this any special year for Fender Strats in some way? And I see in pictures of 2004 Strats they have the white stock pickups, but this one has some black ones. When pickguard taken out for a minor repair I saw "SEM" behind each pickup. Didn't recognize those 3 letters. I also saw under the pickups right in the wood some marks that read American Standard.

Any Fenderheads out there that may help?
And yes shame on me for not knowing my Fender Lore

Links to Pictures:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52 ... 02210.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/72 ... 85710.jpg/
These actually read SEM.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26 ... 69110.jpg/
Sorry for bad quality pics! Hope it helps!

Any more pics of the actual guitar headstock and serial #?

Will post in a moment! Thanks!

Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Getting a feeling its a fake neck... dunno

Its Fake!!!!!!!!

Is everything fake? Body neck evrything? And how can you tell? Would love to spot fake Strats!

You have also a post on Ultimate Guitar and same answer ; it is a fake

Here are some clues that it's a fake:
1. in '03 Fender sold the American Series Strat as their basic American Stratocaster.
2. Fender does not put big stickers on the inside of their guitars stated what model it is.
3. The tuning keys are wrong.
4. Head stock and logo are wrong.

To make sure that you don't get robbed is to look on the Fender wed site and look at the information and photos they provide.

Also there's a great thread on this side devoted to spotting fakes.

yea.. its a fake there seem to be allot floating around unfortunately. but since its a gift its not really a loss just dont sell it to someone claiming its a fender leo will damn thee to guitar hell for that......

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Yeah... Blame me for actually wanting more than 1 opinion on something I am completely clueless about. But thanks for your help.

Sorry I don't blame you I mean ; some more response as a fake

I really don't like the idea of people passing off fakes and the real deal. I've built two fake Fenders, but I built them for me and when I tell people about them I let them know that they are not Fender guitars. If I ever sell them I'll put that information out there.

I resently built a Black '57 Strat from a Clapton (neck & pick guard), Hwy1 (body & brdige) and a 50th Anniversary Am. Series Strats (Electronics & pickups ).

I then put the Hwy neck back on the Clapton Strat. I'm not sure what to do with the 50th Anniv. Strat.