Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

[StalePretzel]

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/1400503429.html


Notice they don't state much except that it's a strat. No country of origin, no nothing. Call me paranoid, but doesn't the decal look a bit off?

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Looks normal to me, but then again, I have seen a couple of really really nice Fender fakes this last month. Best way to tell is go check it out in person.

 

[StalePretzel]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Yeah you know what?, it could be the light...all i know is that a fake was reported on cl a little while ago so now im checking everything twice.

Whoever it was who posted bazaarguitar.com (fake chinese guitar site)...**** you..

 

[beandip]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Stale, I dealt with a customer that was bringing in fake guitars and selling them over here for full price. He needed the guitars fixed before they could even be seen, much less sold.

 

[Robbyk]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/1400503429.html


Notice they don't state much except that it's a strat. No country of origin, no nothing. Call me paranoid, but doesn't the decal look a bit off?

Easiest way to find out if it is a scam is for someone who lines close enough to pay them a visit to see it and verify it is real or not.
Glenshaw is in Pa and close to Pittsburgh, I am sure some of these guys here live near the area.:naughty:

 

[dominus]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Looks like SD pickups in it. I'm thinking it's real, but it's still a little overpriced, unless it's in dead mint condition.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

doesn't the decal look a bit off?

The shiny, metallic decal would be correct for an American Deluxe model.

Easiest way to find out is to pay them a visit to verify [whether] it is real or not.

Go and examine the guitar in person. Ask to look under the scratchplate. If necessary, offer to pay for new strings. An honest seller will not object.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

That's the risk you run buying things second-hand from some dude instead of through established dealers and whatnot...and even then, sometimes you find fakes in shops.

My manager told me his first day at work he took a black Les Paul standard off the wall and said "What the hell is this doing here?"

Everything about it was wrong. Poly finish, looked like a maple body in the pickup cavities, silkscreened logo...etc...the former department manager had bought it for around $1200.

 

[cmatthes]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Looks real to me.

The price, however, does not!

 

[wolf]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Well, this topic got me a little interested and so I made an MS Paint graphic of the CraigsList Guitar and compared it to the real thing:

Yes, the CraigsList Guitar has been enlarged a bit and does look a bit grainy, then again the photo is pretty rotten to begin with isn't it?

I am no expert on Stratocaster™ guitars. (I'm sure there will be many people that will jump in to explain how all decals were made for all years and so on).

Basically, I'm thinking shouldn't the CraigsList Guitar have some kind of serial number on it?

 

[metlking]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

I believe the Craigslist guitar to be legit....the logo is correct for a USA Deluxe Stratocaster.

 

[StalePretzel]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Wolf makes a good point but Metlking pretty much proves it is indeed legit.

 

[wolf]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Thanks StalePretzel
You had mentioned that the decal looked a little funny so I thought I'd do a little investigating but as I said earlier, it's a rotten photo isn't it?
and I guess I'll have to agree with MetlKing that it is probably legit.

 

[dominus]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

Serial number is on the back on some models.

The missing string trees though... is questionable.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

I believe the Craigslist guitar to be legit....the logo is correct for a USA Deluxe Stratocaster.

You're right--but where is the string tree? :cool2:

Bill

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

I learned 40 years ago to be careful.

When I was a young lad, a newbie to the guitar world, a guy offered me a "Martin D-28" at a reasonably good price.

What tipped me off? The rosette around the sound hole didn't look right. And when I looked into the body--THE SMELL was the giveaway. Martin guitars have a fresh, woody aroma that is almost intoxicating; while Japanese guitars typically have this odd, sour smell.

It turned out it was a genuine Martin neck that had been glued onto a cheap import body.

Fake guitars are one of the reasons I collect catalogs and guitar magazines. Sometimes it's nice to have a good source to refer to.

I'd be a little concerned about the guitar in question. Something about it doesn't look right to me.

Bill

 

[beandip]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

You're right--but where is the string tree? :cool2:

Bill

LSR roller nut with staggered Sperzel tuners that eliminate the need for string trees.

 

[beandip]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

It's a replaced pickguard, but hardware is correct. Guts are different.

 

[dominus]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

LSR roller nut with staggered Sperzel tuners that eliminate the need for string trees.

I don't think that would come stock on a Strat. That picture sucks, but I don't see the screw holes for any trees.

 

[StalePretzel]

Re: Craigslist Scam: Fake Guitars?

The only reason i started this thread is because the fake Chinese fenders have a black stringy (fake) Fender logo on their headstock and this reminded me alot of them. You guys are spotting some interesting detail flaws though.