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Post subject: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:46 pm
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Hi everyone I need some help. Im trying to identify a Strat with a serial number that I cant find in the database. The number appears on a chrome neck plate, its V1203724. I think its a vintage American reissue. The problem is that it has an extra digit, I think the 1 may be a date prefix. Im sure someone here can clear this up, thanks in advance for your help.


Last edited by Eroot64 on Sat Aug 01, 2015 1:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:48 pm
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Yeah, sounds like an American Vintage.


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 1:09 pm
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Wow quick response Thanks , I just added a view of the plate, Im trying to nail down the exact model before I buy it.


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 2:16 am
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First, never trust a serial number alone when judging if a guitar is legit or not - especially if you have reason to doubt the authenticity.
If you have the time, contact Fender [email to consumerrelations@fender.com or call 1-800-856-9801 (US Toll Free) with that serial number], you should get the specs of the guitar built with that serial number, so you can compare.
So, the "neck off method" is how you check the product date, unless that Fender contact above solves the case.

And, with (lots more) pics, the forum usually can help.


Last edited by jmattis on Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:06 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:15 am
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Fender changed the serial numbers on the AV series a bit when the new models came out in August 2012. On the older versions (except for the '52 Tele) the serial numbers just started with a "V" followed by a number - and the number was somewhat random because they would pull the neck plates out of a parts bin and they would quickly get out of sequential order.

Starting when the new models that came out in August 2012 Fender made the first 2 digits after the "V" the year, and that "prefix" is now followed by 5 digits (again, somewhat random because of how they handle the neck plates). Fender also went to this system on the revised AV '52 Tele - the prior '52 Tele models just had a number on the bridge plate (no "V" prefix on them); the new models now have the "V12", "V13", etc. prefixes on the bridge plates.

It doesn't appear that Fender's product dating page has caught up with this new system on the AV models.

To the OP - given that this one has a skunk stripe on the neck I suspect it's an AV '56 Strat - I'm not sure when the AV's "change over" on the year prefix so it's either a 2012 or a 2013 (and it would be from after August 2012 when the model changed, plus the first 50 or so of each of the new AV models had some kind of special neck plate).


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:08 am
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Thanks for clearing that up, JC. Learning something every day, etc...
Edited the false info from my previous post, so no more internet truth shall prevail.


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 12:17 pm
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I'm really glade I joined this forum, I knew I would find the answers I needed. You guys really know these instruments, Im very impressed and grateful. Thank you all for all the help.


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 5:02 pm
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John C wrote:
Fender changed the serial numbers on the AV series a bit when the new models came out in August 2012. On the older versions (except for the '52 Tele) the serial numbers just started with a "V" followed by a number - and the number was somewhat random because they would pull the neck plates out of a parts bin and they would quickly get out of sequential order.

Starting when the new models that came out in August 2012 Fender made the first 2 digits after the "V" the year, and that "prefix" is now followed by 5 digits (again, somewhat random because of how they handle the neck plates). Fender also went to this system on the revised AV '52 Tele - the prior '52 Tele models just had a number on the bridge plate (no "V" prefix on them); the new models now have the "V12", "V13", etc. prefixes on the bridge plates.

It doesn't appear that Fender's product dating page has caught up with this new system on the AV models.

To the OP - given that this one has a skunk stripe on the neck I suspect it's an AV '56 Strat - I'm not sure when the AV's "change over" on the year prefix so it's either a 2012 or a 2013 (and it would be from after August 2012 when the model changed, plus the first 50 or so of each of the new AV models had some kind of special neck plate).


Well... that's true for a standard American Vintage instrument... But... Fender also released a number of FSRs and Limited Edition American Vintage guitars which don't follow that format.

For example, my FSR Ltd. Ed. American Vintage '57 Stratocaster

Image

has the serial number on the chrome neckplate, like all AVs but the Format is completely different:

Image

The Serial # on my guitar is: LE02639 (note the LE0 - good karma that !! :wink: )

There is no year/date referenced as this is a 2011 guitar.

But as mentioned, if in doubt, contact consumerrelations@fender.com BEFORE you buy !!

Good Luck !

cheers!

_________________
Image

'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


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 5:32 pm
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Lightnin MN wrote:
John C wrote:
Fender changed the serial numbers on the AV series a bit when the new models came out in August 2012. On the older versions (except for the '52 Tele) the serial numbers just started with a "V" followed by a number - and the number was somewhat random because they would pull the neck plates out of a parts bin and they would quickly get out of sequential order.

Starting when the new models that came out in August 2012 Fender made the first 2 digits after the "V" the year, and that "prefix" is now followed by 5 digits (again, somewhat random because of how they handle the neck plates). Fender also went to this system on the revised AV '52 Tele - the prior '52 Tele models just had a number on the bridge plate (no "V" prefix on them); the new models now have the "V12", "V13", etc. prefixes on the bridge plates.

It doesn't appear that Fender's product dating page has caught up with this new system on the AV models.

To the OP - given that this one has a skunk stripe on the neck I suspect it's an AV '56 Strat - I'm not sure when the AV's "change over" on the year prefix so it's either a 2012 or a 2013 (and it would be from after August 2012 when the model changed, plus the first 50 or so of each of the new AV models had some kind of special neck plate).


Well... that's true for a standard American Vintage instrument... But... Fender also released a number of FSRs and Limited Edition American Vintage guitars which don't follow that format.

For example, my FSR Ltd. Ed. American Vintage '57 Stratocaster

Image

has the serial number on the chrome neckplate, like all AVs but the Format is completely different:

Image

The Serial # on my guitar is: LE02639 (note the LE0 - good karma that !! :wink: )

There is no year/date referenced as this is a 2011 guitar.

But as mentioned, if in doubt, contact consumerrelations@fender.com BEFORE you buy !!

Good Luck !

cheers!


I have always like that one of yours; love CAR with a maple board!

It's always hard to track the FSRs - not all of them deviate from the serial number format used on the "regular" models. Some previous AVRI FSR models used the regular "V" neck plates, but others use either the "SE"/"Special Edition" plates while still others use the "LE"/"Limited Edition" plates like your 2011.


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 7:23 pm
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Thanks again for all the info, I did identify it, it as an American Vintage 59 made in 2012. we just got it and it plays like a dream.
You all are the best :D


Last edited by Eroot64 on Sat Aug 08, 2015 10:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 9:51 am
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John C wrote:
[I have always like that one of yours; love CAR with a maple board!

It's always hard to track the FSRs - not all of them deviate from the serial number format used on the "regular" models. Some previous AVRI FSR models used the regular "V" neck plates, but others use either the "SE"/"Special Edition" plates while still others use the "LE"/"Limited Edition" plates like your 2011.


Thanks !! :)

I actually play it very little right now - maybe not even once a month.

Because I'm still such a 'newby', I don't want to put excess wear on it with my Ham-fisted playing. So, I play mostly my Am. Dlx. Ash (which Fender gave me) or one of my Teles.

But just today, I did about a 2-hour session with it and WOW !!

Ever since I got it back from the Custom Shop w/ the new Body, it plays like Butter and the Tone is just insane ! It was great b4 Fender rebuilt it, but it's 100% improved over that now.

I own several other excellent guitars, incl. the Am. Dlx., a Telebration Tele, an FSR Custom Mahogany set-neck Tele w/ EMGs and a Heritage H-535 w/ Seth Lovers, but this '57 blows them all away... by a mile !

Nate Westgor (aka "Willie") of Willie's American Guitars said it's the best playing and sounding Fender guitar he's seen in the last 10 years, incl. off-the-shelf CS guitars. He's widely known as a pretty good authority on such things.

I just keep plugging away so that hopefully soon, I'll be able to get the most from it.

cheers!

_________________
Image

'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


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Post subject: Re: Help identifying a Strat with an unusual Serial number
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 10:32 am
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I've been playing since 1976 and always had mid level instruments. I would find one that felt good, and I could afford, and make the most of it. I always found that in guitars (as well as most things) you get the most from the upper mid level of the line. The difference between a $300 guitar and a $1500 guitar is huge, however the difference between the 2k and the 3k is much less. Now that I'm at a point to really feel the difference I can truly appreciate the feel of a professional grade instrument. My dad, Billy Root, was a fairly well known sax player, and he always told me that a real player could pick up any instrument and play the hell out of it. With that said he always played the best, and as a youngster he always got me the quality of guitar I needed to grow. The last guitar he got me was in 1982, since then its been up to me,lol. While I wish I had been in a position to have all the fine guitars I see that you guys have, having a new top notch guitar now really reignites the passion.


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