Where/How to find out about my Strat?

[Brow]

Hey guys.

As some of you may know I own a USA Fender Strat, which I've recently changed the pickups on.

When I bought this guitar it was sold to me as a 'Fender Strat Plus'.

The guitar was 'standard' in every way (that I know of) aside from the Lace Sensor pickups (long gone) and a TBX Tone control.

From my understanding, Strat Plus guitars had the TBX Tone Control, Lace Sensor pickups, LSR Roller Nut (which mine hasn't got), Locking Machine heads (which mine hasn't got) and they also had no string trees (whereas mine has 2).

Does anyone know where I could find out for sure what model my Strat actually is?

I wouldn't be too annoyed to find that it isn't a Strat Plus, I'd just like to know the truth about what it actually is (if at all possible).

Thanx for any info anyone can offer.

Craig

[Kamanda~SD]

Give your model number.

[Guitar Toad]

Get Your Serial Number and Look Here

[Brow]

Thanx for the info guys.

I remember using that site before to check the age of the instrument (mines a 1993), but is there anyway I can find out what model of Strat mine is by the serial number?

Craig

[Simon_F]

is there anyway I can find out what model of Strat mine is by the serial number?

Have you tried e-mailing Fender with the serial number? When I e-mailed Gibson with a serial number they were able to verify the model, year and colour of the guitar.

[Brow]

Have you tried e-mailing Fender with the serial number? When I e-mailed Gibson with a serial number they were able to verify the model, year and colour of the guitar.

Thanx for the post Simon.

I have thought of this, but as stupid as this sounds, I can't find a 'contact' email address on the fender site

This will probably be my best course of action in this case, so I'll try and find a contact email

Thanx for the suggestion

[stevie_bees]

Some pics might help.

[ErikH]

It doesn't sound like a Strat Plus but just a standard MIA Strat that someone put Lace Sensors in aftermarket. It should have the TBX tone control though. All standard MIA Strats had it. Did you buy this guitar new or used?

[Guitar Toad]

Call Fender customer service the phone number is 480-596-7195
Or post your serial number on the FDP Try Here I think Fender people respond to serial number dating and model questions. Give it a shot.

[Brow]

Thanx for the replies guys

Here's some pics:






I bought this guitar used about 1 1/2 or 2 years ago, and dated it via the serial number to being made in 1993.

I also wasn't aware that all MIA Standard Strats had the TBX tone control in as standard, so I s'ppose it could be a Standard Strat that someone put Lace Sensors in

Craig

[Guitar Toad]

That's a nice strat! Do you have any close-ups of the front and back of the headstock?

[Brow]

That's a nice strat! Do you have any close-ups of the front and back of the headstock?

Thanx

I haven't any pics of the headstock currently on my PC, but I could take some and post them. Not a problem

[ErikH]

I bought this guitar used about 1 1/2 or 2 years ago, and dated it via the serial number to being made in 1993.

I also wasn't aware that all MIA Standard Strats had the TBX tone control in as standard, so I s'ppose it could be a Standard Strat that someone put Lace Sensors in

Craig

That is very nice.

Since you bought it used, you're most like right on in this assessment. I have a 1994 Standard MIA and had a LSR roller nut installed. Some Lace Sensors and locking tuners would make it hard to not tell it apart from a Plus. It was simply wrongly advertised but as long as you're happy with it, no big deal really. Same body, same neck.

[Brow]

Here's the pics of the headstock as requested: (I apologise for the blurred pic, my camera sucks)






I don't believe it is a Strat Plus, due to there being String Trees and no locking machine heads, but I don't mind anyway

Anymore info is greatly appreciated

Craig

[ErikH]

Yeppers, you got yourself an American Standard. Made in late 1993 or early 1994. The first 2 digits of their serial numbers and even older serial number ranges overlap.

[Brow]

Yeppers, you got yourself an American Standard. Made in late 1993 or early 1994. The first 2 digits of their serial numbers and even older serial number ranges overlap.

Thanx for the info

Is the serial number what gave it away that it's a USA Standard Strat instead of a Strat Plus?

[ErikH]

Thanx for the info

Is the serial number what gave it away that it's a USA Standard Strat instead of a Strat Plus?

No, what gives it away is there is no LSR roller nut and locking tuners. The LSR nut requires a larger slot to fit. The tuners could have been changed but I don't see why someone would go from locking to non-locking. I think there was maybe one string tree on the high E and B string on the Plus'.

You have a nice guitar nontheless and that's what counts.

[Brow]

No, what gives it away is there is no LSR roller nut and locking tuners. The LSR nut requires a larger slot to fit. The tuners could have been changed but I don't see why someone would go from locking to non-locking. I think there was maybe one string tree on the high E and B string on the Plus'.

You have a nice guitar nontheless and that's what counts.

Thanx for your post

That's what got me thinking that it wasn't a Strat Plus in the 1st place

I never really read up on the specs of a Strat Plus to be honest, but someone I work with also has 1 and I tried his and noticed mines missing the Locking Tuners and the LSR Roller Nut

Craig

[ErikH]

I never really read up on the specs of a Strat Plus to be honest, but someone I work with also has 1 and I tried his and noticed mines missing the Locking Tuners and the LSR Roller Nut

Craig

And other than the pickups, those are the only differences between the Standard American and the Plus from that era.

[Brow]

And other than the pickups, those are the only differences between the Standard American and the Plus from that era.

Both the Lace Sensors and the TBX tone control are no longer on this guitar, so the 2 things that made the shop owner think it was Strat Plus are both gone

I guess I'd best change the description in my signature now I know it's not a Strat Plus