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Post subject: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:47 pm
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Hi everyone, I'm using my first post seeking help with authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Stratocaster. The serial number is: CN 506717 and here is the seller's rough description:

"Sweet 1996 Fender Custom Shop Strat. Birds Eye Maple neck / Alder Body / Texas Special Pick ups. Very clean. Zero fret ware. Nickle Hardware. Modern Bridge. There is one of these listed on Ebay for 1995.00. Guitar is nearly perfect . Asking 1350.00 cash or will trade for fender Pro Reverb or Early Vox Ac30 TB. Has no COA but there are enough pics here to authenticate. The case shown is what Fender issued for this model."

Here is a link to the CL ad that contains some fairly poor pictures: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/4526832879.html

The guitar is located close enough that I'll be able to check it out in person before making a decision, but I thought I'd run it by the folks here to get a little insight before going to check it out. It appears legit to my untrained eye, but do any of you see anything that doesn't look right. Assuming it's legit, is the $1350 asking price about right?

Before anyone responds saying the "CN" serial number is for a Korean Squire, let me share that I have found at least 3 COA's for similar 1996 CS American Classics that all have CNxxxxx serial numbers.

Here's one such COA from 1996:

Image


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:20 pm
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The guitar appears authentic to me. The bird's-eye maple neck is both noteworthy and pleasing, and it looks like the owner took extraordinary care to protect the instrument from the routine hazards of ownership. The price seems reasonable.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:31 pm
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Thanks for your reply Arjay. Will you take a closer look at the trem block? There are some folks over at Strat Talk who think it may be from a Squier.


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:44 pm
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The tremolo block looks correct to me.
The block from a two point tremolo bridge is like the one on the right in the image below

Image

I only have one question about the guitar.
Why no COA?

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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:45 pm
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Good question. That block does indeed look a bit on the wimpy side for such a premium guitar. Wait for some additional opinions -- mine is hardly definitive.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:10 pm
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TM, It all looks legit to me. The block looks just like my CS Strat. I don't have a pic of the block or a camera, but I just had a look. They're milled from solid stainless steel I think. Here's a front view.

Image

Goodonya ...Mark.


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:22 pm
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Stratmangler2 wrote:
The tremolo block looks correct to me.
The block from a two point tremolo bridge is like the one on the right in the image below

I only have one question about the guitar.
Why no COA?


Thanks Stratmangler. The seller just got this guitar from the original owner who let the COA get away from him over the years. My seller is a Gibson guy and didn't bond with the guitar. I have been offered the guitar in a trade that favors me moderately even with the guitar valued at his asking price, even more if the guitar is worth any more than $1350.

I want to want it, but I need to be able to definitively authenticate it. I have an email in to Fender, but they likely won't respond until Tuesday.


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:47 pm
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boxbang wrote:
They're milled from solid stainless steel I think. ...


I believe that is a cast block, same as an Am Std block. I don't recall any Stainless Steel blocks from Fender on any model.

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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 5:51 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
I believe that is a cast block, same as an Am Std block. I don't recall any Stainless Steel blocks from Fender on any model.

Ah yes, I stand corrected. It's the saddle blocks which are milled stainless. Nonetheless, the block on the advertised guitar is exactly like my genuine CS pictured.

To answer the question "Why no COA?"
Simple really. Greed. They're worth money. Owners sell them. They regularly turn up on Ebay. So we have a situation where we have fake Custom Shop guitars with genuine COAs and Genuine Custom Shop guitars with no COA. Sad but true.

Authenticating a CS instrument is not a simple process. You may be able to verify the serial number by email. To truly prove it's genuine though, that is to have a new COA issued, you will need detailed photographs inside and out, and to present the guitar in person to a licensed Custom Shop dealer. The dealer will communicate with Fender and if it passes this scrutiny, a new COA will be issued from the date of inspection (not the original date).

OR - You can treat it like you're buying any other Fender, with research, common sense and good advice.
A COA is no guarantee and the lack of a COA is not necessarily suspicious.

Goodonyaz ...Mark.


Last edited by boxbang on Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:10 pm
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Thanks Mark, great insight. I still haven't gotten an answer to one of my main questions. What is the approximate value of this guitar? The seller is asking $1350 cash, but he wants a trade and I would make out quite well at that value.

If I end up with the guitar, I would likely have it authenticated in the manner you described. The goal is to be dead sure it is authentic before making a move. If legit, how much is this guitar worth?


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:18 pm
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Coservatively, I'd say $1500, probably more. Good luck. If you can't see it in person, scan the internet for images of the exact model. Like I said, it look legit to me. Just be careful.
Goodonya ...Mark.


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:53 pm
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There is a licensed Custom Shop dealer in his area and if necessary we plan to take it there for authentication early next week. I've spoken to the seller and traded several emails and he has been very cooperative and understands the value of authenticating the instrument first.

If it is legit and worth at least the $1350 asking price then I plan to make the deal because I will come out quite well.


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:46 pm
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That the gentleman selling the instrument is willing to go to such lengths to assuage your doubts says a lot about his integrity and honesty. I hope it works out to the benefit of all.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:50 am
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Yep, a visit to a licensed dealer is worth more than an old piece of paper.
You might want to factor in the cost of obtaining a new COA if that's your intention. Last time I inquired Fender charge $75, plus whatever the dealer wants to charge you.


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Post subject: Re: Authenticating a 1996 Custom Shop American Classic Strat
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 12:12 pm
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The only unusual bit I see is the pickguard and wiring.
It does not look that tidy and generally the custom shop logo silver sticker is sold on aftermarket pus.
Ones installed on a guitar from the factory do not have the foil stickers.
There could be exceptions of course....
There are not enough photos to confirm the body e.g pickup and neck cavity but the neck looks custom shop. :D


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