Hey everyone, I am looking at making another parts guitar. I have seen many bodies over the years and I don't know if anyone here knows the solid differences between an usa or an mexican body.Except the blatant obvious,I know serial is the first key,parts second and maybe the quality of the wood lastly.However, the body in question is supposively an american however it has a trademark seen in most mexican models.If you have the neck detached you will notice there is a hole.I have seen this before with many mexi models but not with an usa model.I don't even know the deal with them?I do not have a serial yet that I will find out.But for collectors sake, Id like to know the difference.The pickups on this are custom shop noiseless so at least I'm excited about that.So any info much appreciated thanks!

american strats will have no hole under the neck, those index holes are there for the CNC process there may be 3 more under the pick guard as well. and the serial number is going to match whatever the neck was on. but if it has that hole it is not american,

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Somebizarredude, thanks for the reply.However, I beg to differ with you.I did a search for fender usa bodies on ebay and I saw at least 10 having holes such as this.THese were being sold by some reputable sellers.Are their any other ideas.This body like the others may be part of fenders deluxe line.

Those are probably the micro tilt routes. I don't recall index hols like Mexis on *ny american model.

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just checked out ebay and if those are legit i stand corrected. none of the american guitars I have ever owned have had them. so i am not sure when that started and how long.

either way it is an index hole no other function.

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ok now i am wondering whats going on myself
this is a 2012 deluxe acording to ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-American-F ... 1689wt_954

and apparently so is this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-American-F ... 1689wt_954

only thing i can think of is they run 2 different models of cnc machines for the same line.
unless one of them is a fake...... but if it is its a damn good one

personally i wouldn't want a bunch of empty holes hidden in my guitar so i am going to have to be more careful with future purchases

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No worries, I'm always learning new things all the time.And most usa strats do not have them.That's why Im curious to know the origin.Still I cant wait to get this project going.

bizarredude, getting back to your post about the ebay guitars.The body I will be purchaseing is like the second guitar minus the metal anchor.It has the index hole right in the center.I would not think it would have any effect on sound,value or playability.That seller stratosphere is a reputable seller.I have bought many things and trust him but not really like though.The seller is bad at customer service but has prime fender real estate so fake parts I highly doubt it.But again, this is not an issue to me.Just that in 15 years as a player I cannot figure out the question of the difference of the two is solely the serial.Fender has done so many different things it's hard to keep track.

There are stickers in the body cavaties they tell if it´s Mexico or USA. Most often they are put in before the finish (and protected) so it´s not that easy to just change them.

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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I have had American Strats with at least one index hole, where Mex has had three.