Help Needed!! Fender guitars...

[raptor48]

Hi,
I was just looking at getting a Fender Strat off ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MakeTrack=true

It says that its a Japanese made strat, but when I look at the reviews at harmony central http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...ial+Strat/10/1 they say that is an American made strat?!?!

Could someone with some knowledge of Fender guitars help me out? And any comments on if that guitar on ebay is worth it would be great too...


Cheers,
Stan

[Outlaws]

There are so many models of strats its not even funny. The pics say MIJ. The internet is full is wrong info. There are some "57" style strats made in Mexico too.

Call Fender with the serial number and ask what they can tell you.

[acidrock]

http://www.fender.com/support/dating...ese_dating.php
This may help.

I have a Japanese Strat,and it stacks up very nicely against an American Strat.Definitely better than the Mexican made ones.

[acidrock]

The Harmony central reviews are refering to a different guitar.

There are so many models of strats its not even funny

So true

[philboyd studge]

Not a lot of wiggle room on price there, but it doesn't look like a bad deal. One thing you have to ask yourself is 'can I sell it without a loss if I don't like it', and in this case it looks like you could break even.

As to Japanese strats, I've had my Contemporary Strat for 20 years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. Wait a minute, yes I would, but it has been a great guitar.

[32-20-Blues]

Originally Posted by raptor48

Hi,
I was just looking at getting a Fender Strat off ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MakeTrack=true

It says that its a Japanese made strat, but when I look at the reviews at harmony central http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...ial+Strat/10/1 they say that is an American made strat?!?!

Could someone with some knowledge of Fender guitars help me out? And any comments on if that guitar on ebay is worth it would be great too...


Cheers,
Stan

Can you ask the seller for the serial number, then get back to me and I'll be able to tell you.

[chazba]

I have a MIJ strat that I bought in 89'. I love it. No real problems, though I have a SD bucker in the neck position. I don't know how to convert from Australian Money, but MIJ units in good shape go for about $300-$400 depending on the variables. A MIJ is always gonna be better than MIM , model for model.


chazba

[raptor48]

Hi,
thanks for all the replies.

32-20-Blues: The serial number is N030340 hope that helps.

I was also wondering, in the description of the item, its says

'This instrument originaly had Texas Special Pickups but does not now. The Circuitry was changed to an older vintage Japanese set. The previous owner thought it was better I guess and yes it does sound great. Personaly I think it would have been better to leave it as original but I suppose he had his reasons. The bridge has been replaced with the correct vintage style bridge by the original owner which.'

Is this a good or bad thing?

Cheers,
Stan

[32-20-Blues]

Okay stan, on the basis of that serial number it is definitely made in Japan, but not that recently. It's either from 1993 or 1994.

Hope that helps you.

[MCI2424]

Originally Posted by raptor48

Hi,
I was just looking at getting a Fender Strat off ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MakeTrack=true

It says that its a Japanese made strat, but when I look at the reviews at harmony central http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...ial+Strat/10/1 they say that is an American made strat?!?!

Could someone with some knowledge of Fender guitars help me out? And any comments on if that guitar on ebay is worth it would be great too...


Cheers,
Stan

It is not american. The two dots on the 12th fret are too far apart, they are in the *original* positions. Amarican strats have always put these dots closer together (supposedly to hinder the making of fake oldies).