I recently acquired a 2002 strat off e bay...i guess as its a 2002 its an American Series guitar. One thing that concerns me about the guitar is that its got a blank neck plate, the other Fenders i own...all have some marking on ..is that correct ?

Post some pic's. It might be a hwy 1

Are you sure it's American? I have a MIM Tele and it has a blank neck plate as well. I believe most, if not all Mexican Fender guitars do.

Thanks for replies...pretty sure the guitar is USA made (the serial number and neck decal check out ok)....the headstock is not like a Highway 1 , though that thought did cross my mind. I do have a strat reference book and by 2006 American Seies guitars had black trem springs and block type bridge saddles. Don't know whether that was the case in 2002, this guitar has chrome springs and the saddles are stamped fender and are more like a vintage type. I'll see if i can upload some photos

I don't know the year splits on the highway one's, but the early ones did not have the big gawky deformed 70's style headstock that the more recent onesdo, so it could still easily be a highway one.

2002 hwy 1 had the small headstock

The headstock decal is not like a Highway one that i've seen ...i've taken some pics but not sure how to get them on here from my pc??

Further enquiries-direct with Fender , confirm guitar is a Highway 1. bThanks to those who responded