Fender serial number lookup and authenticity

steven70

Hello.
Looking at a 2005 US strat on ebay,
It comes with paperwork and looks correct - only thing the serial number doesn't show up on the Fender checker.
https://serialnumberlookup.fender.com/lookup/

I know this is not always 100% but thought it was reliable post 2003 or so...

The S/N format matches for the year.

 Should I be concerned and any other validation tools out there?

Thoughts appreciated - thanks

guitars4you

Can you post a pic on here of a) the serial number b) headstock and c) whole pic - I'm sure e can help to validate it - Not unusual to come across such an issue and I've come across it on more than one occasion on a guitar which is correct/kosher etc 

steven70

Thanks - serial no was Z5148309 - its a 2005 American Series and looks legit have done some sanity checks.

I'll put some pics up tmrw...actually feel bad about doing that as the seller is a nice chap...which is silly cos I asked the question. I guess I should have asked - can there be issues with the Fender Serial Number checker - I think the answer is that there probably can.

If I do get it, will have the neck off and find out easy enough

Thanks for the reply and help.

m_c

I've got a 2003 US Strat that doesn't exist on the number checker, and I know it's genuine because I've had it from new.

Fender do state that not all numbers exist on their number checker due to various reasons, so I wouldn't be concerned if the number didn't exist.

paulnb57

My Fender Blacktop Tele Serial number comes back as a Tele maple neck with med jumbos, the Blacktops were apparently made between 2011 and 2015, the serial number on the neck begins MX15, does this mean its 2015? Is it likely to be contemporary to the rest of the production dates?

Or has it had a replacement neck?

m_c

paulnb57 said:

My Fender Blacktop Tele Serial number comes back as a Tele maple neck with med jumbos, the Blacktops were apparently made between 2011 and 2015, the serial number on the neck begins MX15, does this mean its 2015? Is it likely to be contemporary to the rest of the production dates?

Or has it had a replacement neck?

If you follow the links on the serial number checker, MX15 puts it as a 2015/6 Mexican made.

stickyfiddle

You can put a valid serial number on a fake guitar. People put way too much stock in this and not in the rest of the guitar. 

Post pictures or a link and we'll tell if it's real.

geordie01

My USA strat does not show up either and I got it new from sound control in 1992.

steven70

OK, seeing as I started this

Well it looked OK to me and I'd been after one of these, so I bought it in a moment of late night madness 
Seller seemed decent and I paid a bit less from his store using PayPal.

https://reverb.com/uk/item/78010612-fender-american-series-stratocaster-2005-olympic-white
S/N  Z5148309

It does say the tuning pegs are not original.

To be clear - I am / was absolutely not suggesting anything potentially dodgy with guitar or retailer - I just found it interesting that the serial no didn't show up. I'll have the thing soon anyways, so will do a review.

Deadman

100% legit and plastic film still in places!? Looks virtually new. Locking tuner upgrade too. Very nice.

steven70

Deadman said:

100% legit and plastic film still in places!? Looks virtually new. Locking tuner upgrade too. Very nice.

Thanks

strtdv

Yes looks totally correct for a 2000-2007 American series. It also looks incredibly clean, good buy I'd say

jca74

I never trusted this era of strat - their eyes are too close together...

Johnnyseven

My 1997 US Standard isn't recognised on the checker, i've also had from brand new so know it's genuine.

steven70

strtdv said:

Yes looks totally correct for a 2000-2007 American series. It also looks incredibly clean, good buy I'd say

Thanks.

Thanks all for the replies and reassurance. It's arriving Weds, yay

Cheers