What Kind of Strat is This?

Paul in Colorado · November 26th, 2009, 01:48 PM

I'm doing some repairs on a bandmate's neighbor's Strat. I's a '50's style Strat with a two color sunburst finish and a maple neck & 'board. The finish on the neck is very dark. The serial number is V008170. What country is this from? Any idea of the year? Any other info?

Will a regular Fender USA style 5 way switch fit in this guitar?

Thanks, everyone!

Donnie55 · November 26th, 2009, 02:00 PM

This guitar is from the U.S. Vintage Series
made at the Corona Plant (Fender), USA
in the Year(s): Cannot be determined from serial number,
however you can consult this chart showing the
corelation between serial numbers and dates found on the neck
Fender MIA RI Serial Number vs. Neck Date................That came from here...............http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

BritishBluesBoy · November 26th, 2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul in Colorado

Will a regular Fender USA style 5 way switch fit in this guitar?

Yes.

Paul in Colorado · November 28th, 2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnie55

This guitar is from the U.S. Vintage Series
made at the Corona Plant (Fender), USA
in the Year(s): Cannot be determined from serial number,
however you can consult this chart showing the
corelation between serial numbers and dates found on the neck
Fender MIA RI Serial Number vs. Neck Date................That came from here...............http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

Judging from the color of the neck and the quality (or lack) of the electronics, I have my doubts that this is a US Vintage Series Strat. I used to own a '57 RI. This doesn't compare. The owner thought it was Japanese.

Paul in Colorado · November 28th, 2009, 01:26 AM

Here's the results at the site linked above when I checked the Japan box. Makes more sense to me.

Your guitar was made at the
Fuji-gen Plant (for Fender Japan), Japan
in the Year(s): 1996 - 1997

Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation
Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation was opened in may 1960, they initially started manufacturing violins and quickly switched to classical guitar production. In 1962 electric guitar construction was started. Fujigen has a reputation for excellent quality and craftsmanship so the guitars they produce are highly regarded. They produce guitars via OEM for famous brands such as Ibanez, Epiphone, Yamaha and Fender (the import Special Interest Group nature model), G&L and others.

Mark Davis · November 28th, 2009, 04:42 AM

If your seeing the V serial # on the neckplate its USA if its on the heel of the neck near the neckplate but not on it its a Japanese.

You can also just feel the headstock decal if its under the finish its Japan on top of the finish its USA.

Paul in Colorado · November 28th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Mark, the s/n is on the neckplate, all right, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that the guitar's from Japan. Either that or someone switched out the electronics. When I take the neck off, I'll let you know what I find. There are some marks under the pickguard, too, but I didn't make notes of what they were. Just a letter or number.

5595bassman · November 29th, 2009, 02:51 AM

According to "The Fender Electric Guitar Book" written by Tony Bacon (2007 edition) there is no USA S/N strarting with a "V".

But MIJ Fender produced in 1996-97 have it : V+6 digits.

November 26th, 2009, 01:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 57 Posts: 5,329 3 Photos	What Kind of Strat is This? I'm doing some repairs on a bandmate's neighbor's Strat. I's a '50's style Strat with a two color sunburst finish and a maple neck & 'board. The finish on the neck is very dark. The serial number is V008170. What country is this from? Any idea of the year? Any other info? Will a regular Fender USA style 5 way switch fit in this guitar? Thanks, everyone! __________________ www.tuatha.net "There are only two kinds of music. Fast and slow."

November 26th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Donnie55 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nashville Age: 54 Posts: 868	This guitar is from the U.S. Vintage Series made at the Corona Plant (Fender), USA in the Year(s): Cannot be determined from serial number, however you can consult this chart showing the corelation between serial numbers and dates found on the neck Fender MIA RI Serial Number vs. Neck Date................That came from here...............http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx __________________ www.myspace.com/redtele2 If the music business was easy, then smart people would do it.

November 28th, 2009, 01:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 57 Posts: 5,329 3 Photos	Here's the results at the site linked above when I checked the Japan box. Makes more sense to me. Your guitar was made at the Fuji-gen Plant (for Fender Japan), Japan in the Year(s): 1996 - 1997 Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation was opened in may 1960, they initially started manufacturing violins and quickly switched to classical guitar production. In 1962 electric guitar construction was started. Fujigen has a reputation for excellent quality and craftsmanship so the guitars they produce are highly regarded. They produce guitars via OEM for famous brands such as Ibanez, Epiphone, Yamaha and Fender (the import Special Interest Group nature model), G&L and others. __________________ www.tuatha.net "There are only two kinds of music. Fast and slow."

November 28th, 2009, 04:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 59 Posts: 18,635	If your seeing the V serial # on the neckplate its USA if its on the heel of the neck near the neckplate but not on it its a Japanese. You can also just feel the headstock decal if its under the finish its Japan on top of the finish its USA. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

November 28th, 2009, 08:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 57 Posts: 5,329 3 Photos	Mark, the s/n is on the neckplate, all right, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that the guitar's from Japan. Either that or someone switched out the electronics. When I take the neck off, I'll let you know what I find. There are some marks under the pickguard, too, but I didn't make notes of what they were. Just a letter or number. __________________ www.tuatha.net "There are only two kinds of music. Fast and slow."

November 29th, 2009, 02:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
5595bassman TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montreal Canada Age: 61 Posts: 17 6 Photos	According to "The Fender Electric Guitar Book" written by Tony Bacon (2007 edition) there is no USA S/N strarting with a "V". But MIJ Fender produced in 1996-97 have it : V+6 digits.

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