Fender Strat ID Help

ErikH

Well-known member
Ok, Strat and guitar gurus. I'm as much a Strat nut as most but there's some that I just can't ID. This one in particular I will most likely end up with soon. My father-in-law has it but never plays it, he likes his acoustic better. He's like the 3rd owner or something and got it cheap, like $125 cheap from the last guy.

My inclination is a MIK Fender by Squier but need some confirmation. Sorry, I don't have any pics so I'm listing everything I know about it. The serial number, if there was one anywhere, is not on the guitar. If it was a sticker, it's gone so I can't even date it by the SN.

- thinner than MIM or MIA Strat body
- maple neck and fingerboard
- narrow nut width
- medium jumbo frets, 9.5" radius (feels like it is)
- large headstock w/ big silver Fender logo (logo is worn so can't tell what it said below it)
- "original contour body" at the tip of headstock (I think)
- chrome hardware, 6-screw vintage style bridge, cheapie tuners (not Kluson type)
- 4 neck screws
- single-ply white pickguard and back plate
- typical 3-singles, 1 volume, 2 tone, 5-way switch
- vintage white finish

It resonates very well, has a nice comfortable feel to it and to be honest, the pickups don't sound half bad. The pots and switch could use an upgrade as well as the tuners, but that's about it.

So, can anyone tell what it is from those specs?
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

hmmm.... kind of odd listing... the part that throws me is the thinner then normal body but still has Fender on the headstock.... could it of been various parts stuck together....? are the PU's ceramic, i can mostly tell by looking at them if they are?
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

I haven't opened it up so I have no idea what the electronics look like or if the pickups are ceramic. They sound like they are to me.

Considering the previous owners of this Strat, I highly doubt it's a parts guitar. Neither of them know enough to put together a parts guitar.
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

if/when you get it you will have to post some photos.... i'm curious... if you get it pop the neck off and see if there is a date stamp in it...

was the saddles on the bridge bend or solid saddles?
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

I'm pretty sure it has bent saddles, vintage style bridge. I will most definitely post pics when/if I get it. Chances are pretty good. He just needs to decide for sure.
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

It exactly matches the description of the Rogue strat style guitar I bought from Musician's Friend about 10 years ago. I do not have a Fender logo on it. I am guessing someone added it to your guitar.

I like this guitar. I leave it set in the stand and use it for a quick grab when I want to noodle on the axe. All my other guitars, I take extremely good care of, by wiping then down everywhere and casing them.
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

It exactly matches the description of the Rogue strat style guitar I bought from Musician's Friend about 10 years ago. I do not have a Fender logo on it. I am guessing someone added it to your guitar.

I like this guitar. I leave it set in the stand and use it for a quick grab when I want to noodle on the axe. All my other guitars, I take extremely good care of, by wiping then down everywhere and casing them.

Either that or your Rogue and this Fender were made in the same factory, which is highly possible when dealing with overseas manufacturing.
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

Either that or your Rogue and this Fender were made in the same factory, which is highly possible when dealing with overseas manufacturing.

Could be.

Musician's Friend blew them out back then for $67.00. It has pearl neck dots too. I sanded the neck and applied tung oil to it. It has a great feel to it. I have a hum-b in the bridge position. All the pups are nice and hot! Single coils have a lot of volume and spank. The Hum-b I can get some cool controlled feedback with. The pup selector switch is cheap, but no problems in 10 years. The fret job could be better, but hey...I have played much worse for more money!
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

This Strat doesn't have pearl neck dots, they are black. Next time we're over there I may just pop the neck off and look for any markings. I like it and for a beater guitar or fixer-upper, it's perfect. I know with a little TLC it'll be a sweet player.
 
Re: Fender Strat ID Help

Guess I'll just wait until I get it to be 100% but the thinner than normal body tells me, and a few others I've asked, that it is Korean. It's a cool Strat nonetheless. Another toy to tinker with. :)
 
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