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Post subject: 1996 Custom Shop Tele - Real or Fake??
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 3:40 am
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Hi there,
I'm looking to purchase a second hand Custom Shop and have come across this one, (images attached below).

I'm looking for opinions from fellow Fender enthusiasts to help me to identify whether the guitar is genuine or a cheap copy.
There is a serial number on the headstock (N679234) and it's date matches with the stamps on the body and neck (1996), however after searching this number online, I've found there is another guitar (strat) with the same one.

If there are any signs that the guitar is a copy (such as incorrect font stamp, logo, tuners etc. that could give it away), please let me know.

Many thanks,
Quince

http://imgur.com/00KS3Qw
http://imgur.com/3TuDlfx
http://imgur.com/aXoQNQ2
http://imgur.com/q56HDHU
http://imgur.com/xDNcEiN
http://imgur.com/gD1w0Hh
http://imgur.com/8ftI1co
http://imgur.com/PepVFyl
http://imgur.com/Nj8FXiw


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Post subject: Re: 1996 Custom Shop Tele - Real or Fake??
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 4:33 am
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It's fake.
I know the Custom Shop sometimes produces guitars that look like they've had the $@!& beaten out of 'em, but they still put the tuners on straight, unlike the guitar in your images.
The truss rod access is completely wrong too.

If you unscrew the control plate you'll probably find that the volume and tone pots are cheap and cheerful items too, and not the CTS items a CS build would have.

Save yourself a lot of grief and buy a Custom Shop guitar from an authorised Fender dealership.


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Post subject: Re: 1996 Custom Shop Tele - Real or Fake??
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 4:48 am
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Great thanks, I didn't even notice the tuners!
The guitar was listed pretty cheap so I wasn't expecting much, but it would have been a good buy if it was CS.
Thanks for your help.


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Post subject: Re: 1996 Custom Shop Tele - Real or Fake??
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:19 pm
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You're welcome.
It wouldn't hurt to buy a book or two and get to know your subject - you'd have a good reference to hand and you'll become aware of the different methods of construction used over the years.
There's a lot of information available online too (I research stuff on the 'net daily), but truth be told I like books.
Image

There are a lot of con artists out there looking to prise your hard earned out of your moth sanctuary.
If something looks too good to be true it usually is.


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Post subject: Re: 1996 Custom Shop Tele - Real or Fake??
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 12:46 am
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stratmangler wrote:
It's fake.
I know the Custom Shop sometimes produces guitars that look like they've had the $@!& beaten out of 'em, but they still put the tuners on straight, unlike the guitar in your images.
The truss rod access is completely wrong too.

If you unscrew the control plate you'll probably find that the volume and tone pots are cheap and cheerful items too, and not the CTS items a CS build would have.

Save yourself a lot of grief and buy a Custom Shop guitar from an authorised Fender dealership.


+1


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Post subject: Re: 1996 Custom Shop Tele - Real or Fake??
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 6:47 pm
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The first thing that stands out is the neck. It's missing the walnut plug. It's a fake, and not a very good one.


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Post subject: Re: 1996 Custom Shop Tele - Real or Fake??
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:28 pm
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Also, almost all US Telecasters have a bridge plate with sides. It's usually the quickest way to see whether it's a US model or not.
Then there's the pickguard. Even 1-ply Fender pickguards don't have sharp corners like this one has below the 3-way switch. On a real Fender pickguard, that corner is always filed down.
And the string trees? You have to be drunk to put the D/G one on in that wrong a position.
As for the date stamp, that's in the international format, which Fender has used from time to time, but I have never seen a Custom Shop that doesn't have the date stamps in the US format, like "Feb 28 1999".
Usually along with signatures and a Custom Shop stamp.

But the final straw is this: Search Google for N679234, the alleged serial number. Or, heck, just search this forum. It's not the first fake one here with that serial number.


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