Is this strat genuine or fake?

kelpbeds

Someone has offered me this strat for sale, pretty cheap. They said it was an American one. Does it look legit to you or a fake? Thanks

<a href="https://ibb.co/gMQCsz"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/ndngkK/strat.jpg" alt="strat" border="0"></a>

OilCityPickups

Hard to tell from one pic at one angle ...

kelpbeds

I appreciate that, but that's all I've got!

DrBob

If it’s meant to be an American Standard from anytime in the last 30 years then fake as it’s got a Vintage Trem

DrBob

Also I see quite a lot of people “fudging” the American/Mexican issue when selling Highway Ones and American Specials 

SteveRobinson

I'm going with no.

Neck and bridge don't look right. 12 frets, black around the truss rod access, string tree positioned too far North,  tremolo hole looks too big, more like for a 6mm arm.

That and the bargain price. But I could be wrong.

sweepy

Bridge plate looks too big, smacks of a copy 

ICBM

I think it's a Mexican Deluxe Player Strat in Sienna Sunburst, with a replaced pickguard if they never came stock with a pearl one. The slightly oversize bridge is normal for that model. (Edit - and pickups, since they appear not to be the noiseless ones.)

https://reverb.com/nz/item/10321832-fender-deluxe-player-s-stratocaster-2004-sienna-burst

lovestrat74

Ask them for the serial no

kelpbeds

Cheers chaps - i have asked for the serial number just waiting on that

OilCityPickups

lovestrat74 said:

Ask them for the serial no

What he says ...
Though I think @ICBM may be right.

kelpbeds

Am I correct in saying that the only way to know for sure is to remove the neck and look at the marking there? What should I find if it's genuine?

poopot

There is one big giveaway in that picture...

that is not a walnut plug plug in the truss rod hole... it’s black plastic...

USA strats have a walnut plug... anything else does not...

not saying its not a genuine fender guitar guitar but it is deffo 100% not an American strat...

kelpbeds

Excellent detective work! thanks

ICBM

kelpbeds said:

Am I correct in saying that the only way to know for sure is to remove the neck and look at the marking there? What should I find if it's genuine?

The serial number and the exact appearance of the decal and other features will tell you. For example, if the truss rod tunnel is black plastic then it's Mexican and not American, but almost certainly genuine. (There are no fakes I know of yet with the plastic one.)

The big problem is if it's a partscaster - to me the neck and body both look likely to be genuine (that Sienna Sunburst on ash is a unusual finish, but definitely one Fender used and rarely copied), when the serial number and the factory description may then not match, and even stamps on the neck heel won't tell you about the rest of it.

kelpbeds

Great stuff, thanks ICBM

ICBM

How much is it by the way? It may still be a good buy if the neck and body are genuine, even if the electrics aren't original.

kelpbeds

£300!

OilCityPickups

kelpbeds said:

£300!

Was never going to be American ... just American continent :-)

ICBM

If it isn't nicked, I would buy it at that. I can't guarantee it unfortunately, but it does to me look at least like a genuine Mexican Fender body and neck. Assuming something stupid hasn't been done, like the Made In Mexico decal and serial being scraped off...

poopot

ICBM said:

kelpbeds said:

Am I correct in saying that the only way to know for sure is to remove the neck and look at the marking there? What should I find if it's genuine?

The serial number and the exact appearance of the decal and other features will tell you. For example, if the truss rod tunnel is black plastic then it's Mexican and not American, but almost certainly genuine. (There are no fakes I know of yet with the plastic one.)

Squires have the black plastic insert aswell, could easily logo up one of those...