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Post subject: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 9:00 pm
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Hello everyone. I'm new here so I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge.
We (my siblings) recently found the pictured Strat in our father's storage locker. He used to work in the publishing industry. None of us are enthusiasts and have no information about the instrument as there is no serial number. We're not sure whether to try and sell it or give it to one of the grandkids. Any info on the guitar or advise as to how to get it properly evaluated would be great. Thanks! Pics in link below.

http://postimg.org/gallery/2az4pd8fk


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:01 am
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OK, I'll start. Others (wiser words from e.g. John C..?) can elaborate/correct... :wink:

My first impression is looks real, looks nice.
Then I get a little puzzled - the resolution of the pics makes it hard to focus on details, the lack of a serial# is a bit puzzling (what is that haze in the neck heel lacquer in pic #8, sanding marks..?), and I just can't recognize the specific model.

21 frets, heel adjusted truss rod, 8-hole pickguard, headstock etc; it's clearly a 50's style version.
Gold hardware isn't common, and that & general specs seem to put the guitar close to the "American Vintage 1957 Commemorative Stratocaster®" (commonly known as Mary Kaye Strat), but not quite; the neck plate and color (my guess is, it's "Vintage White") are not what they should. There were older versions, too, from 1987 IIRC, but again; the lack of serials number...
You make the "publishing industry" remark, so FSR/Limited Edition etc. are one possibility.

The next step would be to take the neck & pickguard off and see what you find in the neck pocket and under the pickguard - a trip to a (good) guitar tech would help. Or DIY; the guitar most likely needs a full setup anyway, so you can take all strings off and (with proper caution) unscrew the neck & pickguard.


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:05 am
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Look a Mary Kaye reissue Stratocaster

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... ric-guitar


viewtopic.php?t=20174

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index. ... t.1239826/


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 2:51 am
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With that mark on the heel of the neck - it's where the serial number would be on a MIJ or CIJ Strat.
We need to see the neck pocket and the flat side of the neck to see what the production stamps are.

While the guitar is in this state of disassembly it wouldn't hurt to whip off the scratchplate and look for production stamps, and to see what the hidden electronics look like.
And a picture with the plate on the back would be good too, with a close up of the cavity and the mechanism inside.

It does look like a Mary Kaye Strat.


Last edited by stratmangler on Wed Sep 16, 2015 2:54 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 2:52 am
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Partscaster.

I base that observation on the import-spaced bridge, the mis-aligned trem cover, the location of the string tree, and the lack of any country-of-origin markings.

Were this a genuine re-issue Fender from Corona, there'd be a Vxxxxx serial stamped on the neck plate. From Ensenada, a serial and "Hecho En Mexico" decal on the reverse side of the headstock. From Fuji-Gen, a serial at the heel end of the neck with the MIJ or CIJ inscription.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 3:02 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Partscaster.

I base that observation on the import-spaced bridge, the mis-aligned trem cover, the location of the string tree, and the lack of any country-of-origin markings.

Were this a genuine re-issue Fender from Corona, there'd be a Vxxxxx serial stamped on the neck plate. From Ensenada, a serial and "Hecho En Mexico" decal on the reverse side of the headstock. From Fuji-Gen, a serial at the heel end of the neck with the MIJ or CIJ inscription.

Arjay


+1

This doesn't mean it is not a good guitar, it just isn't going to put the grand kids though collage.

8)

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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:03 pm
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I agree on a partscaster.
If it was a Mary Kaye the body finish would be slightly transparent so wood grains would be visible.
The trem cover misaligned screws on the back looks suspicious??? Who knows, as other suggested we need pictures of electronics and stamps I body and neck.
As other suggested the brighter area in the neck close to where it meet the body might indicate the place where the serial number was (in that case that could be a MIJ neck).


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:47 pm
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Electronic under the pickgard will say a lot . American made parts ( or Mexican made ) are not same as imported or low end parts


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 2:29 pm
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guitarman1984 wrote:
As other suggested the brighter area in the neck close to where it meet the body might indicate the place where the serial number was (in that case that could be a MIJ neck).


This may carry some weight.

The position of the string tree on authentic vintage Strats matches precisely the location shown in the provided photo. When FMIC's first MIA re-issues were released, the tree was slightly mis-located closer to the ball end of the headstock. However, the MIJ/CIJ Fuji-Gen re-issues got this detail correct, mounting the tree directly aligned with the A string tuner post. Thus, I'd opine that the neck is of Japanese origin.

As for the theory of a Mary Kay edition, that's a non-starter as well. MK's feature a select ash body with a transparent white finish. The suspect guitar looks to be aged Olympic White.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 12:51 am
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If that's a MIJ (which ain't a bad guess), the model would most likely be ST-57 (with a sligh detour possibility to ST-54).
But I'll keep my original guess on the color; VWH (Vintage White) is a lot more common on MIJ's than Olympic. :wink:

On the gold hardware (if it's not aftermarket mods); there have been special edition models, sometimes with upgraded pickups, so a peek inside might tell more. Might also explain those trem cover screws...


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 1:42 am
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jmattis wrote:
..... Might also explain those trem cover screws...


That does indeed look odd as there doesn't seem to be any holes in the body under the middle holes in the plate.

I wonder if the trem was changed and then the plate repositioned to tie up with the string holes?

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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:55 pm
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Another vote for partscaster. I put one together, and have a couple more in the pipe line. Many PC's are pretty good guitars, but aren't as valueable as the sum of its parts.

I did some custom electronics that I don't think would have been avvailable through FMIC's Customm Shop (Gimour switch on a push pull volume knob, third party preamp and piezo saddle system with separate volume- can usethe two volumes as a blend knob, as well as no longer made pickups). Spent abbout $500, but would barely get $200-250 if I sold it. Unless I found someone who appreciated the custom touches.


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:19 am
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Looks like the OP left. Either he left in dissapointment or he was testing the knowledge of the people here. :shock: . If thats the case it will be back to the drawing board for a more better, more accurate parts caster.


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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:46 am
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budglo wrote:
Looks like the OP left. Either he left in dissapointment or he was testing the knowledge of the people here. :shock: . If thats the case it will be back to the drawing board for a more better, more accurate parts caster.


? I read it that the OP has no interest in guitars but found this when going through the possessions of his late father.

It is a very reasonable request - "Is this something of value or do we just give it to the children to play with?" What's wrong with that?

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Post subject: Re: Unknown Strat passed down - Any info?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 8:05 am
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John Sims wrote:
I read it that the OP has no interest in guitars but found this when going through the possessions of his late father.

It is a very reasonable request - "Is this something of value or do we just give it to the children to play with?" What's wrong with that?


On its face, nothing. Just as there's nothing wrong with the offered opinions of the forum members who chose to respond to that request.

However, there's been no follow-up posts from the gentleman which in and of itself *may* be indicative of a scam in progress. Time will tell.

Arjay

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