EBay again -- is this even a Fender?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Fender-Stratocaster-Strat-Relic-Maple-Neck_W0QQitemZ230269585147QQ

I'm no expert, but the body configuration and the decals lead me to believe this is a fake. What say the Fender-mavens?

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=%5BCacheBuster%5D&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=4&campid=5335828755&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%2FVintage-Fender-Stratocaster-Strat-Relic-Maple-Neck_W0QQitemZ230269585147QQhttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Fender-Stratocaster-Strat-Relic-Maple-Neck_W0QQitemZ230269585147QQ (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828755&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%2FVintage-Fender-Stratocaster-Strat-Relic-Maple-Neck_W0QQitemZ230269585147QQ)

I'm no expert, but the body configuration and the decals lead me to believe this is a fake. What say the Fender-mavens?

Between that bridge and the top PG jack and the year.. I say it is real.

I also think it's real. That was during a really cheap era in Fender history. Saving $ by putting the jack in the pickguard and ony one tone pot.

Winnie

Yes I have seen them it is an early 80's strat. Thsi is probably the worst era of fender. Late 70's early 80's. End of the CBS era. That said the early 70's teles they did a lot of cool stuff with them. But you probably not see a reissue of a 79 lead II.

worst bridge ever used on any Fender guitar.. plus it's a two knob Strat,
dating it from the absolute low point in the entire history of the company.

I don't think I'd want one of those even if somebody wanted to give me
one for free!

Well, I stand corrected. It is so different from what I am used to seeing, though, that I found it difficult to believe Fender had allowed its name on the headstock. Thanks for the education.

Well, I stand corrected. It is so different from what I am used to seeing, though, that I found it difficult to believe Fender had allowed its name on the headstock. Thanks for the education.


Fender was a little confused about thing about that time IMO.

I never played one, but specifically was looking at one exactly like that one online. So the research I did causing me to pass on it educated me a little on the error, er... era. ;)

I was convinced I'd be making an error to buy it. I got a 2 post Trem AS Texas Special Strat instead, and the games then had begun...

Now I have a WD Alder bodied 60s motif DIY with the 6 screw trem and 57/62s and it has stopped my Strat Quest. :shock: [for now]

I don't know why, but I always like the FreeFlyte tremolo, never used one, but I just liked the concept.

1982 Strat's are great...

1983 Strat's are freakin' awful...

IMHO and all that...

I bought one of the sunburst models - Fender was trying to cut production costs by eliminating the body routes for the standard trem and input jack cup-

Fit and finish is very high quality, Free-Flyte trem is a sustain robber and a little hard to string up - and the pickup tone is a little bright for my tastes- but otherwise a fine playing instrument - just wanted to ring in

anyone one who wants to give me one just PM me !!!

Thsi is probably the worst era of fender. Late 70's early 80's. End of the CBS era.

... and the early 80s were outstanding years for Japanese Fenders. aybe thats why F/USA was searching for somebody to restore their tarnished reputation, and the Japanese Fender JVs...Japan Vintage... certainly did that.
One of their -115 models went for over $1500.oo last week on line here, even their low end -65 models...don`t let that fool you...can go for $800.oo, I own some -65s and they are excellent guitars with pickguard stickers saying...pick-up made in USA. Even some mid 80s FJs are nice but by the late 80s they had watered down the line-up, still some real great guitars out there but ya hafta be careful about FJ late 80s models...but by the early 90s, they were offering their ExTrads...Extra Traditional... custom made to order from a list of options, and the custom editions were introduced...again, some of those are outstanding guitars, at least the ones I have are.
Given a choice between a MIA 80s and an MIJ early/mid 80s or custom edition...I`d go for the FJs I have every time...just can`t imagine a guitar being any better.

At least he didn't try to label it a Smith Strat. Its a year too late, but Smiths are killer