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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:25 am
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I owned a 50th Anniversary American Series Strat. Here's what to look for:

50th Anniversary American Series Strat

2-color-sunburst Ash body (Never a 3-color-sunburst)
Maple neck with black dot inlay
CS '54 pups without hum canceling in postions 2 & 4. Hum all the way.
partchment parts and 1-ply pickuguard (looks very tan over time).
gold lined tweed case with 50th Anniversary logo patch in the lid
Cromed parts
2-point bridge with 90s style saddles.
staggard Fender tuners
"Z" serial number (either 2003 or 2004 numbers)
50th Anniversary logo stamped on neck plate.

50th Anniversary American Deluxe Strat

2-color-sunburst Ash body (Never a 3-color-sunburst)
Maple neck with abilone dot inlay
Hum canceling pups (N3s I believe).
partchment parts and 1-ply pickuguard with 50th Anniversary logo.
gold lined tweed case with 50th Anniversary logo patch in the lid
Gold plates metal parts
2-point bridge with 90s style saddles.
locking Fender tuners
"DZ" serial number (either 2003 or 2004 numbers)
50th Anniversary logo stamped on neck plate (contoured heck plate).
"S-1" switch in volume knob.
Vibrato arm does not have a plastic tip.
Fender and "Stratocastar" logo logos are chromed.

Looking at your photo, the body looks like a 3-color-sunburst body, and the pups do not look like my custom shop pickups.

I'm thinking that this might be regular, run of the mill 2004 American Series Strats. I have heard, and seen American Series Strats with the neck plate, but lacking everything else in the above descriptions.

I hope this helps.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 5:14 pm
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OK guys, Original Poster here.... so Fender Customer Relations got back to me, and here's the response. Please read my comments after the Fender stuff:...thanks...:

Hello Bill,

I ran your serial number and it pulled up an American Stratocaster in Black manufactured in 04/2005.The American Stratocaster is the same as the American Standard so it wouldn't have come with locking tuners, and since it was manufactured in 2005 it wouldn't have a 50th anniversary plate. It looks like you have a partscaster kind of situation there. The American Stratocaster would have come with American Strat single coil pickups. The spec sheet for that model is posted below.

Model Name: American Stratocaster®
Model Number: 011-7400-(Color #) and 011-7402-(Color #)
Series: American Series
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple, Modern “C” Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)

Fingerboard: Rosewood (p/n 011-7400) or Maple (p/n 011-7402), 9.5” Radius (241mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Nut: 1.6875” (43 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender®/Schaller® Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Bridge: American 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Stainless Steel Saddles
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment On:
(706) Black,
Pickups: 3 American Strat® Single-Coil Pickups
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume,
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. New Delta ToneTM
(“Delta Tone” system includes high output bridge pickup and special No-Load tone control for Middle and Bridge Pickups)
Colors:
(706) Black
(Polyurethane Finish)
Strings: Fender® Super Bullets® 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042), p/n 073-3250-003
Case: Standard Molded Case
Other Features: “Parchment” Knobs and Pickup Covers,
Original Headstock Shape,
Original Body Shape with “Original Contour Body” Decal on Headstock,
Rolled Fingerboard Edges,
H/S/H Pickup Routing
Source: U.S.
Accessories: Standard Molded Case
U.S. MSRP: $1,327.99

INTRODUCED: 6/2000
DISCONTINUED: 1/2008
WRENCH SIZES: Truss Rod/Tilt Adjust Wrench #0023811000 (1/8” Hex),
Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench #0018531000 (.050” Hex)
NOTICE: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice
End of Fender response

So my concern is: I bought this Strat from a "reputable seller" that touted his reputation. The guitar was listed as a "Deluxe". It said, "all original parts". He wasn't sure about the pickups, fair enough. He gave me a long story about how the S/N's are not exact and some Deluxes do not have a "D" preceding the number. It appears some parts have been swapped. First, the locking tuners must have been added; this is good, right? Second, the original body was black according to Fender, my guitar is 3 color sunburst. Third, the 50th Anniv. nameplate shouldn't be on an 04/2005 guitar, so I guess someone put a 50th Anniv. sunburst body on the original neck. What the heck.
So, first, do I care? I paid $895 thinking I got a good deal on a Deluxe. Now it seems I have a "partscaster"; did I overpay for that, or is that OK? Seems like I'll have trouble re-selling this guy as anything but a "partscaster", so I probably lost value already. You get my point. Or...... is this all a tempest in a teapot? I have locking tuners on a nice neck. I have a beautiful sunburst which I really love. And if I put in the Zexcoil p'ups, I'll have a great guitar. Just not an "all original equipment plus better p'ups guitar". Should I just keep the guitar and move on, or do I make a stand, file a grievance with eBay and try to return the guitar, in which case, I need to hunt down another Strat!???
Thanks for your thoughts!... Bill


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 6:24 pm
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Well that is not good news.
Take the neck off and see if there is any black paint residue around the heel area often some sticks.
That would help your case.
It is not a deluxe so you could go back to the vendor on that for a start.
Possibly you paid too much for something you thought was something else but if you actually like the strat then ultimately you will have to make up your own mind.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 6:54 pm
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So it looks like you have a parts-o-caster. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Not guitars that are copied or made from Fender parts, but people who fraudulantly sell these guitars as authentic.

As to whether your guitar is worth what you paid, that's up to you. I did some quick math using ebay as my guide. It turns out that, minus the pickups, a guitar with these same parts would cost you about $970+ to build on your own.

I'd say send it back and get your money back if you can. His business is dependant on his customer service. If he is shady, then it will hurt him pretty badly if his good record tarnished.

Before you guy another guitar, do your homework or ask one of us on the forum. If I was looking to buy what I was told was a 50th Anniversary American Series, I would see many, many other photos from reputable dealers before I bought anything.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:59 am
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The key question here is, will you ever be satisfied with that guitar, now that you know the origin?

The answer to that would give you two routes; either to cancel the deal for a full refund, or to negotiate with the seller for a partial refund. I assume you have some written/email/other proof of the seller giving false info.

Oh, BTW; based on all of the above I understand it's a "Partscaster" in the sense it's built from Fender parts - it's not a fake Fender, although it was sold as a "fake Deluxe".


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:30 am
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jmattis wrote:
The key question here is, will you ever be satisfied with that guitar, now that you know the origin?

The answer to that would give you two routes; either to cancel the deal for a full refund, or to negotiate with the seller for a partial refund. I assume you have some written/email/other proof of the seller giving false info.

Oh, BTW; based on all of the above I understand it's a "Partscaster" in the sense it's built from Fender parts - it's not a fake Fender, although it was sold as a "fake Deluxe".


+1


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:30 am
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Wow; I was afraid of that with the 2005 serial but the 2004 50th Anniversary neck plate. As everyone says it does look like all Fender American Series parts. The body does not look refinished to me; that looks like the factory shielding paint in the cavities.

So probably someone assembled it from various Fender parts, adding the locking tuners along the way. It was never an American Deluxe or "Deluxe" as the seller said.

I would take this info back to the seller and see what they say - either they should take it back or at least refund a good bit of your money as you paid pretty much top dollar for an American Series/American Standard.

EDIT: By the way the time period when Fender used the extra "D" prefix on American Deluxes ran from 1998 through 2009 (and some 2010 models that still had the 2009-format serial numbers). Now there are a few American Deluxes out there from the time period when the extra "D" prefix was supposed to be used that do not have it - but that happened in 2000, and only for part of the year. Also those necks would have all the other earmarks of that era of American Deluxe, such as the raised chrome headstock decal, abalone dots (kind of blue-green looking) and Fender/Schaller chrome locking tuners (which did not have that "F" on the thumbwheel). When Fender changed serial number formats in 2010 they also stopped using that extra "D" prefix (and the extra "S" prefix on Artist Signature models).


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:56 am
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John C wrote:
Wow; I was afraid of that with the 2005 serial but the 2004 50th Anniversary neck plate. As everyone says it does look like all Fender American Series parts. The body does not look refinished to me; that looks like the factory shielding paint in the cavities.

So probably someone assembled it from various Fender parts, adding the locking tuners along the way. It was never an American Deluxe or "Deluxe" as the seller said.

My latest purchase from Sweetwater, a 2014/2015 Deluxe Stratocaster Plus has a "US14" serial number. When did Fender go to this? Also, if you know, how long has Fender been selling them? They seem like they are new for 2015, but I've videos from the 2014 NAMM show. Regardless of when, they guitar is pretty awesome!

I would take this info back to the seller and see what they say - either they should take it back or at least refund a good bit of your money as you paid pretty much top dollar for an American Series/American Standard.

EDIT: By the way the time period when Fender used the extra "D" prefix on American Deluxes ran from 1998 through 2009 (and some 2010 models that still had the 2009-format serial numbers). Now there are a few American Deluxes out there from the time period when the extra "D" prefix was supposed to be used that do not have it - but that happened in 2000, and only for part of the year. Also those necks would have all the other earmarks of that era of American Deluxe, such as the raised chrome headstock decal, abalone dots (kind of blue-green looking) and Fender/Schaller chrome locking tuners (which did not have that "F" on the thumbwheel). When Fender changed serial number formats in 2010 they also stopped using that extra "D" prefix (and the extra "S" prefix on Artist Signature models).


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 11:02 am
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paris wrote:
My latest purchase from Sweetwater, a 2014/2015 Deluxe Stratocaster Plus has a "US14" serial number. When did Fender go to this? Also, if you know, how long has Fender been selling them? They seem like they are new for 2015, but I've videos from the 2014 NAMM show. Regardless of when, they guitar is pretty awesome!


Paris - I think I pulled out what you wanted to ask.

Yes, those Deluxe Strat Plus models were introduced at the 2014 NAMM show and have been out for over a year now. I suspect the first run of them may well have had "US13xxxxxx" serial numbers, and the subsequent runs would have had "US14xxxxxx" numbers. It seems like Fender is changing over the decals in March of a given year - meaning we should start seeing new USA Fenders with "US15xxxxxx" decals fairly soon.

Therefore your new one could have been built any time between March 2014 and now - it could be from early 2015, or it could be from 2014. You could always check with Fender to be sure.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 11:52 am
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John C, thanks for the info. I was looking through the 2014 catalog and saw that the HSS model did in fact come in Mystic Black, instead of the blue. The only wish that the SSS model came in rosewood finge board.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 12:01 pm
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Bill,
It said, "all original parts"...
Clearly its not, however it is possibly a 2004 deluxe body w/ a confirmed standard 4/2005 neck.
At least you know what you have now and can decide on your next move.
Unfortunately, you must disregard the information related to the body, electronics etc provided by Fender CR for your guitar.
If you like the guitar, I would ask the seller for a partial refund...Maybe enough for a new set of pups.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:31 pm
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Lets be clear here this is not a 2004 USA deluxe body.
There should be a part number barcode in the neck pickup cavity from this you can determine what type of strat body it is. :D


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:26 pm
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jimmy_james wrote:
Lets be clear here this is not a 2004 USA deluxe body.
There should be a part number barcode in the neck pickup cavity from this you can determine what type of strat body it is. :D

Doesn't the Dlx body have a contoured heal and neck plate?


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:45 pm
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For that year yes correct which this body does not have. :D


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Pickups: need Sherlock Holmes
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:26 pm
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jimmy_james wrote:
For that year yes correct which this body does not have. :D

I realize this is off the main topice, but
but I noticed that the Dlx Srat Plus doesn't have the contoured heal and is $200 cheaper than the regular Dlx model with S-1 switch. I wonder why this is?

I would think that the Plus model would more expensive.


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