I recently bought a Fender Strat from eBay (hasn't arrived yet, but the seller posted great photos). I'm trying to figure out exactly what model it is. The serial puts it as MIM 2006. It's got the 60th Anniversary badge on the rear of the headstock. The two things that puzzle me is that the serial is also on the rear of the headstock, and all the ones I've seen are on the front. Also, I haven't seen any info to suggest that they made Surf Green models in Mexico that year. So I'm wondering, it's either a neck from a 2006 MIM and a different body, or custom, or something else? When I get it, will there be any markings on the body under the neck to suggest what model the body is? I see a Jeff Beck and '57 Reissue Strats in Surf Green. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Here are some pics at my Photobucket page: http://s811.photobucket.com/albums/zz31 ... 006%20MIM/

Congratulations! That's a Mexican "Classic'50s" model, and it's an excellent guitar.

http://www.fender.com/products/classic-series-50s-stratocaster

The previous owner didn't understand how vintage-style tuners are supposed to be strung -- the string ends shouldn't stick out like that. Here's Fender's explanation of how to use those tuners:

"Vintage keys. For these, you'll want to pre-cut the strings to achieve the proper length and desired amount of winds. Pull the sixth string (tautly, remember) to the fourth key and cut it. Pull the fifth string to the third key and cut it. Pull the fourth string between the second and first keys and cut it. Pull the third string nearly to the top of the headcap and cut it. Pull the second string about a 1/2" (13 mm) past the headcap and cut it. Finally, pull the first string 1 1/2" (38 mm) past the top of the headcap and cut it. Insert into the center hole in the tuning key, bend and crimp to a 90-degree angle, and wind neatly in a downward pattern, being carefull to prevent overlapping of the strings."

Quoted from this link (which also explains how to set up the guitar):

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/stratocaster-setup-guide

Yup 50's classic series strat. I have one same color, nice guitar indeed!

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Thanks for that! I was looking around after I posted and thought it might be the Classic 50's model but didn't see that specific page. Quick question, I've read some about how they started doing some upgrades in 2006 to certain parts, is this one of those models?

The seller on eBay is a pawn shop, and I got it for $345 with free FedEx shipping, so I'm pretty happy about that. Should have it by the weekend with the two day shipping. From the details they provided, it seems like it's just normal wear but the pictures look good. I ordered the corresponding whammy bar and a replacement pickup selector tip, as that looks like that's all that's missing. I'm sure it will need a good setup. I've setup my Jazzmaster after some mods, so I'm guessing this will be a piece of cake compared to that.

The only change to the 2006-and-newer models that I've noted is a switch from Gotoh tuners to less-expensive Pings. While the Gotohs are dimensionally identical to real Kluson Deluxe machines, the newer Pings are not. In practical terms, this means it takes some "persuasion" if you wish to retro-fit a 2006-and-newer guitar with genuine Klusons. In a nutshell, it requires an oversize bushing set for installation.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

LOOOOVE the color of that axe!!! The Surf green, white pickguard and maple fretboard...Nice!

Enjoy!

Gridlok

Beauty. That is some very nice figuring towards the top of the fingerboard!

Nice find, dumaisaudio!

Its modeled after the 57 Strat.
Nice color nice guitar great price.
the one in the picture is a 86/62
Enjoy

It's due to arrive tomorrow. Hopefully it's all as described, getting excited!

It arrived on Friday afternoon. Everything looked exactly as it did in the pictures and all the electronics worked. I took it to my local music shop for them to do a setup and clean it up. I was going to do it, but it looked like it would be more than just tweaking a bit, so I'd rather it get done right.

Congrats on a great purchase! I have one in what I believe is a fairly rare Daphne Blue finish. Had to hunt this color down for months before I bought it. The neck shape is very unique, in a fantastic way, and I've found myself hard pressed to buy another Fender now because I'm so used to the profile of mine. The only other strange thing I've noticed with this guitar, and if there are any other owners or knowledgable individuals on here, please inform me, is that the finish is incredibly thin for a poly finish. I'm actually getting checking on the body of the guitar after only having owned it for 5 or so years now. Not a bad thing as I love a good vintage looking instrument, just certainly unexpected.

I was confused to see the 60th Anniversary logo on the back of the headstock though, as mine certainly does not have that, and I didn't know that any of the models from the 50's Players series came with them. Anyways, enjoy your new Strat - you got a killer deal!

The 60th Anniversary logos are on any Fender made in 2006. If yours was made in 2005 or 2007 it wouldn't have it. I contacted Fender and mine was manufactured on 11/06/2006.

I did notice the "soft V" neck, though I didn't really play it since it wasn't setup and the strings were barely attached from the pawn shop.

Should be ready for pickup this Friday.

I finally got it back from the shop yesterday and finally got around to playing it tonight. Plays good, though I need to tweak the setup a bit as there's still some string buzz at a few frets on the 4th string. I should take it back and have them fix it as I don't have the wrench to adjust the saddles; what is the correct wrench size, 1/16"? From what I've seen it's different between some American and MIM models.

Overall, very cool guitar. Also, very noisy guitar! I'm thinking of swapping out the pick guard for a white pearloid one. I need to totally disassemble it and shield the cavity and the pickguard anyway. I might adjust the wiring for the tone pots too. I was thinking about swapping out some of the pickups, but I think I'll wait until after the shielding to see how that sounds. As you can tell, I'm not as concerned with keeping it in stock.

Not counting my first guitar which was a Samick Strat copy, this is my second after my Classic Player Jazzmaster. I have to say I enjoy that guitar a lot more than this one, mainly for the C neck and just the mellower sound. But this one will have it's place for other uses.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

The saddle height screws need a .050" wrench (MIM Standards have metric dimensions and need a 1.5mm wrench, but the Classic '50s has an import version of the US Vintage bridge -- same dimensions and all bridge components are interchangeable though not identical).

If it ever becomes a guitar that is not to your liking, please let me know. I'll pay a premium for another neck like that one.

I noticed the noise, and low output, on the pickups as well. I replaced mine with a B/S/R set of lace sensors, and rewired it for a 3 way switch with some special wiring. I'd recommend trying something noiseless for sure, and definitely a cavity shielding. Just keep in mind that the shielding doesn't do very much for the noise, unfortunately.