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Post subject: How to know the year of a MIM standard strat
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:12 am
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Hello everybody, this is my first thread :)

Thing is... I want to buy a standard strat and found a deal that got a attention, but the seller doesnt know what year it is. Is there any way to know this? on one of the images the code on the headstock is fairly visible.

By the way, is the year actually important? Im guessing the more recent it is, the better... am I right?

Thanks :)


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Post subject: Re: How to know the year of a MIM standard strat
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:28 am
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Welcome aboard !

Great place to talk Fender.

The serial # says it all and no more recent doesn't always mean better
The Fender Mexico plant has made some excellent guitars from the start.
First three to four digits of ser #

MN8 ser # would be aprox 1998
MX10 ser# Aprox 2010

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Post subject: Re: How to know the year of a MIM standard strat
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:30 am
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http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... ct-dating/

this link will get you all you need to know.
with the MIM strats the year is mostly important to you, they do not generally carry the resale that other strats do. That is not to say they are not good, i have one that is nice. The going range for good condition MIM strats is $225 - $325 (a used MIM strat for $325 has to pretty much make you coffee in the morning). play it, if it feels good and is a decent price grab it. good luck


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Post subject: Re: How to know the year of a MIM standard strat
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:35 am
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blues bondsman wrote:
Welcome aboard !

Great place to talk Fender.

The serial # says it all and no more recent doesn't always mean better
The Fender Mexico plant has made some excellent guitars from the start.
First three to four digits of ser #

MN8 ser # would be aprox 1998
MX10 ser# Aprox 2010


+1

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How to know the year of a MIM standard strat
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:48 am
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Thanks guys... ok, the guitar is from 2004-2005 according to that info. It's price is about 30% less the price I can find a new one.

Would you say its a good deal?


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Post subject: Re: How to know the year of a MIM standard strat
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 12:10 pm
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I believe that one issue is the pre 2006 strats still had the small trem block
The guitar itself should be an excellent one, a few upgrades makes the Mexico series as good as any thing in the 1K and down price range.

I would negotiate or spend the extra 150 and get a brand new and with the upgrades Guitar.

There is always room for negotiation, as mentioned here they can be had for 250 to 300 on local for sale sites all day long.

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Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive


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Post subject: Re: How to know the year of a MIM standard strat
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:26 am
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I'd pay the extra 150 for the new mim strat. Would not pay more than 250 for the used and then it would have to be near mint.


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