I purchased a 2010 American Deluxe Strat with a V neck a few months ago. It is a lovely guitar and plays well. A few days ago, a friend noticed that there is a letter missing on the headstock and after the 'Fender' logo it says 'STRATOCASTE'. I thought he was joking at first but, sure enough, it's true. I can't stop focussing on it now and it really bugs me. The guitar was purchased new from an authorised Fender dealer with all the swing tags, case candy etc and it is otherwise a beautiful instrument. My question is, has anyone heard of such an issue before? this is one of the higher end models in the US range and I would have thought Quality Control Department would have picked this up before it left the factory. Alternatively, is there something wrong with the guitar or could it be a fake? I will try and insert a photo (sorry if it doesn't work, I am new at this..).

IMG_0412.jpg

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

are these the ones with the chrome decal ? if so, it is not uncommon for these to lose individual letters, as the chrome decal is placed on top of the final headstock lacquer, as opposed to under it like every other fender decal.

if its not a chrome one, then the fact you got it brand new from a dealer would be more than enough for me to not worry about it being fake. if it really bugs you take it back.

Thanks for your reply Moochy. it is one of the chrome ones but it appears to me to be under the headstock lacquer so it must have left the factory like this, so it could just be a case of QC not picking it up. My head tells me it is a genuine American Deluxe and it is otherwise a beautiful instrument. I purchased the guitar in the UK but now live in Spain. The shop I purchased it from says they will swap it if it really bugs me but there are some logistical problems that will make the swap difficult and therefore unappealing and potentially expensive for me. the overall quality, serial number, case candy etc tell me it is genuine and just a factory mistake when the decal was applied. I otherwise love the guitar and don't really want to swap it. If I can be reassured that it is genuine (i have also emailed Fender but not heard back yet) I am inclined to keep it. I have tried to post a picture of the headstock but, for some reason, I am unable to do so.

eldoctor - to post a photo to this site you'll have to upload them to some kind of hosting site like photobucket or flicker. Then just copy the link from the hosting site that contains the [IMG] tags and the photo will post.

As Moochy says this is now a rare but not unheard of issue on American Deluxes. When they first came out in 1998 Fender did put the chrome decal on top of the lacquer. However, owners complained that they could rub off the decal so sometime later in 1998 Fender did start putting them on under the lacquer.

However, you will occasionally see one like your guitar where that last "r" of "Stratocaster" somehow got "lost" during the painting/finishing process that somehow managed to slip through the various CQ stages.

Hi John C

Thanks for your advice. The Strat is a 2010 model from the serial number US1024xxxx...
It definitely has the logo under the headstock lacquer and has a letter missing so very likely slipped past QC at the factory.

It's a lovely guitar and don't want to get rid of it. I am quite reassured by your comments and I'm sure it is 100% genuine despite this cosmetic 'fault'.

I have taken your advice and uploaded a photo on to Flickr, here is the link to the photo of the headstock:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88117854@N ... hotostream

Thanks for all your help.

eldoctor

eldoctor - I'll try to take a look at the photos tonight or tomorrow morning. Unfortunately flicker is blocked here. I'm sure others will chime in as they see the post in the meantime.

Hi, I have a 2004 Deluxe. The logo is definitely embossed on top of the lacquer. However it is a different process to apply it than that of a normal fender logo.

The good news is that Fender will repair the fault with the logo. You need to take the guitar to the shop you bought it from. Take photos and provide the serial number. The shop will then contact Fender who'll send them a replacement logo for their repair person to apply to the guitar.

Details here
http://www.fender.com/en-SE/support/art ... ment-decal

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No no and no

Thanks everyone for your answers. I have been contacted by Steven Danielak from Fender Consumer Relations. He has confirmed that my guitar is the genuine article based on its serial number etc. I have sent some photos through to him and he is going to see what, if anything, Fender can do to fix the decal for eg as nikininja has suggested (although i am sure my decal is under the lacquer on on top). My mind is at ease in any event, knowing that the flaw in the decal could have happened at the factory but that the guitar (and the neck) is real. I will keep everyone posted with the outcome of my dealings with Fender Consumer Relations, but I am now a happy man...

Another way I can tell it is genuine is the color of the neck tinting. The Am Deluxe V-Neck has a tinted neck, I have one .. and your guitar's neck is the exact same color as mine.

I think you should relish having a factory error, some nut someday might want to pay you a premium for it!

Thanks for your comments Brian. Yes, I am convinced it is genuine too. Fender's Consumer support has confirmed the serial number (which is on the back of the headstock) lines up with the specs of my guitar as it left the factory according to Fender's record. The overall quality of the guitar is consistent with what I would expect. As to whether someone might pay a premium one day, who knows...? I have no intention of selling it so I am happy to live with this small factory error.