1000 apologies if it's been asked 1000 times

[wkturn2008]

but....There is a beautiful MINT Butterscotch Blonde Telecaster at the local pawn shop. There is no visible serial number on the headstock or neckplate...it is $699, how in the world could I know if it is a new Squier Affinity with a Fender decal or if it's a real Fender? They'd let me put it on layaway for $140 and give a few months to pay it off, so it's tempting but...what if it's a $170 Squier with a Fender decal? I have read some of the how to spot a fake information on the net but give me specifics...what should I look for?

[Telemarkman]

The Squier Affinity is a toploader, it has a thinner body and the body shape is slightly different (a bit more elongated). The Squire Affinity also has a very pale neck, contrasting strongly with the body color.

There are several other differences as well, but these things alone should be more than enough to tell them apart.

[wkturn2008]

ok it's a string thru, no "F" on the neckplate and no other telecasters in the pawn hop to compare it to...damn! Ok so if it's Butterscotch Blonde and is a real Fender then it's a $1200 guitar for $700? I can't find and Butterscotch Standard MIM teles, but without a serial number I guess it's a gamble.....

[Telemarkman]

Well, at least it's not a Squier Affinity ...

[boris bubbanov]

This is a tough question.

If you put in the long hours and/or have a knack for spotting the real thing, you can buy this guitar (or pass it up) with confidence. Observation will tell you what you need to know. Playing it will only confirm it.

Sometimes shops let expensive guitars go for under market value out of whim, or carelessness. I start from the assumption the shop keep knows ten times more than me. Then I double that.

So ask yourself: what will hurt more, passing it up only to learn it was an AV52, a fine playing one at that? Or spending all the money you got and then some, only to find out the guitar is a partscaster? One with issues? Now you got no money, no decent guitar, and no confidence in your fellow man.

Sometimes I put my wallet back in my pocket, that's all.

[MulliganChebichev]

Could you take a pic with a cell or something?
Just because its not a toploader doesn't mean someone couldn't drill some.

If you could, see if it has:
Vintage tuners
A jack cup as opposed to a football jack or les paul jack (See if there are any screw holes around the jack)
Vintage bridge w/3 brass saddles
5 screw on the pickguard
Wide vs Narrow fretboard 12th marker
Round string tree
Dome knobs
By the pics it looks like there is a black plastic nut on the Squier

[wkturn2008]

Mulligan excellent advice, I'll take a pic tomorrow and compare all those things thanks a million! or at least $700!


Thanks Boris, I already have 6 electrics, it's not like I need it! I sure love those Butterscotch Blondes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MulliganChebichev]

And truss rod adjustment on the heel vs headstock.

[riggergreg]

The highway 1 and the MIM Nashville also came with a form of butterscotch finish.

[newtwanger]

Just because it's not a Squier, that doesn't make it a Fender. I spend money where I trust it to get me what I paid for.

[Thartiste]

The serial number could be on the bridge plate...

[Mark N]

yeah definitely get some pics and post em here...if there are no visible markings for serial numbers or "made in USA", it could or might just be a 52ri

[Post Toastie]

Can a Pawn shop legally buy or sell a guitar that does not have a serial# ??

[TDPRI]

Hey you should know that pawn shops buy NEW gear from China to sell to the less knowledgeable folks. Fake Fenders are common. They can only get so many details right but they may LOOK correct. They buy 'em for $99 or so and try to sell 'em for $999 -- knowing that they'll have to give the buyer a deal.

Unless you know what you are doing I wouldn't buy from someone that I didn't trust and I wouldn't trust the common Pawn Shop. But that's up to you.

[Post Toastie]

A 99 dollar guitar better not feel like a 700 dollar guitar.If it does then Fender needs to improve their quality.As far as serial#s if it does not have one dont pay 700 for it.If it does have a serial # then just call Fenders Customer service and tell them the # and they will tell you want that guitar is or isnt.Is a phone call worth 700 dollars to you?

[beep.click]

I'm not a collector or an investor or a trader. I buy guitars to play, so for me it's real simple: am I buying a guitar that's worth $700 to me?

[boris bubbanov]

The guitar depicted by Mr. Chebichev on the right has a "serial number" right on the bridge plate.

I've got a version of that guitar, only the original plate is gone. No serial number, only a neck plate saying it is # 3X4 of 1000 plus an inlay only that version will ever have.

I agree with TDPRI, except I hear that the bogus Chinese copies are available for a lot less that $ 99, maybe $ 40-50. They will fool you.

[Mark Davis]

Go here http://www.fender.com/ click products then telecasters look at all the teles see which one it looks like.

It could be a 52ri a Baja a 50's Classic a partscaster who knows but it should have a serial # showing somewhere all Fenders that come from the factory do. A 52ri could have a 6 saddle bridge and the serial could have been on the 3 saddle that was removed.

[wkturn2008]

Thanks to everyone! I went to look again and did not even bother to take picrures, I am 100% sure it's a Squier with a Fender decal.

[Flat357]

I don't even trust serial numbers these days .
Easy to forge just like anything else . If you're not 100% don't buy it .