Need help to identify this guitar serial#N3 120306. Just replaced stock pickups and the guy who installed them said that under the pickguard on the body was stamped custom shop - any ideas? I have pictures but dont know how to insert them to my post any help Thank You.

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Now an N3XXXXX serial number should track to a production model Fender from 1993. Back then those type of serial numbers could be used on an American Standard Strat, a Strat Plus, a Strat Plus Deluxe, or a Strat Ultra. I don't believe the Custom Shop has every used the standard serial number system.

The pick guard might be a CS pick guard, or that is was taken off of a CS guitar.

Does the neck have a CS logo on the back of the headstock? If no, than not a CS guitar.

Does it have a LRS nut, locking tuning keys, or noiseless PUPs? If no, than not a Deluxe.

Does it have LRS nut, locking tuning keys, or Lace Sensors (PUPs)? If no, than not a Stat plus or Strat Plus Deluxe.


From the S/N it sounds like it was made in 1993. The Strat Deluxe didn't come out until later. The body and neck should have dates stamped in them (most likely stamped between '92 and '93).

Check the pickup routing. Being made in 1993 would mean that it would be 1 big "swimming pool" style route and not three small routes. Also the head stock logo would be larger than the current spaghetti logo.

With little information my money is on an American Standerd.

Paris - all true, but don't forget that 1993 was the transition year for the roller nut. A Strat Plus/Plus Deluxe/Ultra could have either the LSR roller nut or the older Wilkinson roller nut (I'm not sure when it changed - I don't recall seeing any with the LSR nut until more like the fall of 1993).

I was aware of the change, but wasn't certain the details.