Serial number just fell off

nonesuch

https://ebay.us/lSzcJv

I saw this telecaster on eBay - the serial number seems to have mysteriously fallen off the headstock.

I know people like to see these!

Blaendulais

Time for a sticker

SlopeSoarer

Fortunately the name of the maker is on the front: )

Moominpapa

Now you can do Telecaster magic. "Pick a number - any number"

Veganic

Not sure what the scam is here. 

Maybe it was just an unlucky number?

Maynehead

Veganic said:

Not sure what the scam is here. 

Maybe it was just an unlucky number?

Yeah, unlucky for the guy that it got nicked from...

JezWynd

Sketchy?...

TheMarlin

Stolen

Veganic

Ah ok.  I am so naieve.

MikeS

The lacquer has cracked and peeled. There is always the chance it's not been done on purpose by the seller though. I used to own a Mexican Jimmie Vaughan Strat that's lacquer split and peeled. It hung there for months with the serial number flapping about before finally giving up the ghost and breaking off. Only half the serial was left, and it annoyed the hell out of me.

Henrytwang

I’m not convinced that the removal of the serial number was deliberate, Fender serial numbers have always been a bit “temporary”.  They were a bit silly when they were stamped on the neck plate as all the thief had to do was fit another plate but I was amazed when they stated using transfers that can wear off. There are plenty of sellers of fake serial number transfers on eBay so they’re pretty pointless really. The Gibson idea of stamping the number into the back of the headstock is a far better method, and much more difficult to alter or remove.

Funkfingers

If, as suggested, the guitar was purchased from new by the seller, he or she could have proof of purchase and some written record of the serial number before it and a chunk of poly parted company with the rest of the guitar. Taken together, these things might help to convince potential buyers that the guitar is not stolen.

SteveRobinson

I've seen the finish delaminate like this so it could be quite innocent.