Hey guys, I'm thinking of buying my first strat, super excited. All I'm worried about is that it's a fake. I don't know a whole lot about guitars so I was wondering if y'all could help ascertain if this is a fake or not. Thanks much.

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sel ... Z419048443

I'm not sure about this one. It has some changed hardware on it - I suppose it could have had black hardware originally and an owner put the pearl pickguard on it. I'm also concerned about the finish - it appears to have a satin finish on it so I'm wondering if it is a replacement body or if the finish has been stripped. The neck looks legit, but without checking for the serial number you can't tell if it was made in 2004. Sorry, the photos just aren't quite good enough to really tell. My suggestion would be to get the serial number from the seller and run it past Fender's Consumer Relations team to verify it (consumerrelations@fender.com).

I can definitely say it is not one of the 2004 "50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster" special editions; all USA production Strats (well at least all American Series and American Deluxe Strats) made in calendar 2004 got that special neck plate with the "50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster" neck plate. My best guess is it's a modded American Series Strat from 2004 - without seeing some close ups I can't tell just how extensive the mods are.

I agree about the body, doesn't look like a Fender finish. I have a p bass clone I bought for $40, that someone stripped and put a thick clear finish on it, and it looks a lot like this finish.
Here's a pic of my bass



Neck looks legit though.

I really don't yet know enough to gauge if it's genuine or not, but there are things to consider...

If it is genuine, but has been heavily modified, or the finish tampered with, it's not going to hold value like a genuine 50th Anniversary Strat...

This means you're paying for something which you won't get.

If the Seller is sincere, meet him at an Auth. Fender Dealer and have them certify it.

If it doesn't pass, it's only worth $500 (assuming it plays well) and the 50th Anniverary Commemorative Neck Plate is basically worthless !

If the Seller is reluctant to verify it, RUN, don't walk, away !!

There are too many Genuine, verifyable Stratocasters out there for you !

Good Luck !

cheers!

_________________


'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

Absolutely run the serial number...if you can't get it...well...

On a natural finish (authentic) Strat, you should be able to find the dowel plugs left over from the original body tooling pins. Also, look under the pickguard for nail holes from the orignal finish. Once refinished, these tend to get filled in. Research the forum for sample pictures.

Rear cover hole offsets look right...you'd need to look at the neck heel and pocket, and pickups and pots for date stamps or other evidence.

Happy hunting...

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1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."

Wow thanks for the heads up guys, much obliged. Y'all saved me a lot of grief! I'll follow the advice, and be careful. Thanks again!

Dowels and nail holes are only on vintage Fenders (and some reissues). American Standards, American Series and the like don't have them. The guitar in the link has a 2-point bridge and 22 frets so it should not have dowels or nail holes.

I don't remember any regular-production 2004 Strat that matches that one. But it might be an FSR made for some dealer. If not, it looks like a partsocaster made mostly from Fender parts (all the parts may be Fender -- it's impossible to be sure without more pics.)