http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx It says it was made in the Corona Factory in 2009-2010

Can you post detailed pictures, please?

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Well, if you love it so much, it was worth every Cent you payed for it.

Bad point is, that the retail value would be busted. I know how you feel. I had a couple of questions with my used Ibanez JEM 77 BFP and it almost drove me nuts until I finally could confirm its authenticity by doing lots of research in the net.

I hope you got the real thing there. *crossing fingers*

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Other than you might feel like you've been done, if you love it that much what does it matter if it's genuine or not. That would only become a problem if you were selling it.

The sticker really says "American Special Telecaster"?

Based on your description alone, the guitar is either a partscaster or a fake. In any case the last three items you listed are definitely not characteristics of an authentic American Special Strat. String trees can easily be changed but the other items are just plain wrong.

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Bill

Sorry to say, it's definitely a fake. Headstock shape is totally wrong, decal placement is off, bridge saddles should be the vintage stamped type, no sunburst on back, etc. And what's with the Tele sticker? That's just at a preliminary glance. Sorry dude. Sometimes I don't get why people don't post pics here of the guitar in question before they buy it. If it plays nice and you like it, keep it. Otherwise I would take this up with the seller. You're going to have a tough time reselling this as a Fender, thats for sure. Not that I'm promoting fraud in return for fraud.

Definitely fake:

1. Tuners are wrong
2. bridge saddles are wrong
3. Switch tip is wrong
4. Stickers are SO wrong
5. Lack of trim around truss rod hole is wrong
6. Trem spring cover is wrong
7. String trees are wrong
8. Type font on headstock is wrong
9. Pickup pole piece stagger is wrong

Here are photos of a real American Special Strat:

http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery ... S11016743/

Sorry, but you have been taken.

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Bill

Good question. Not sure what kind of legal recourse you'd have given your location. Does the store have a return policy? I know there's a cachet around US Fenders but frankly I'd rather have a MIM or even a Squier than a fake, any day of the week. Especially if the fake costs US Fender money.

You knew it was wrong, but you bought it anyways...

Well If it was sold "as a Fender guitar" , I think you should return it for a full refund. I'm not sure what the laws are there, but here we have laws against fraud.
If it was sold as a Fender guitar, a fraud was commited. Regardless of return policy, I'd get a refund or contact the police if they won't give one.

I think in the long run, you're better off getting a refund. Otherwise you'll never get even close to what you paid for it w/o commiting fraud yourself if you ever want to sell it. I think those couterfeits go for about $200. RRRs advice is best. The shop commited a crime by selling it to you.

+1 on all points here, I'm sorry.

The question is: do like its sound and how it feels to play it so much, that you don't care about lost money? If yes, keep it.

If you like it but you're pissed off about getting this guitar way overpriced, then clear that with the shop.

Fact is, you won't even get NEAR that price when selling it again.

I'm so sorry 'bout this.

To be honest: I'd bring it back!!!

What's wrong with your RG?? I've got a 350. I exchanged the trem for a better Edge LoPro and it's perfectly fine. If you don't like the sound, swap pickups. Both can be done way under 1000$!!!! Isn't that an option?

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!