What type of strat do I have ?

[JayJay20202]

I’m new to strats
I’ve recently bought a US made Stratocaster, the neck looks like a performer neck but I wasn’t able to look the serial number up, it dates to mid 2018, the body dates to the same period but it says American Special not performer, the pick-guard doesn’t have the push pull knob like the performer, assuming that there was no part swapping or work done on the guitar, does anyone know why is it different! I read that fender changed the special to performer late 2018, the neck plate has “limited edition” engraved, could that be one of the early performers and they just used some of the special inventory that had ! Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[Jakedog]

Looks like the end of the American Special run, to me.

 

[teleplayr]

Email Fender Customer Support with the serial number.

 

[JayJay20202]

I have , they just never got back to me , funny thing is if I change the last digit to any number it will show!

 

[GRAVITY-LHP]

If that is lake placid blue. It’s looks like an AM Performer. The neck surely looks like one w big headstock. Plus it says it is on the neck sticker. I’m going w Am Perf.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...V1OqzCh0RNgOzEAQYCCABEgJaY_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Tuxedo Poly]

Looks like an FSR American Ash Stratocaster body. OCT is Ocean Turquoise.
Did you try the serial here?
Fender Serial Number Lookup

 

[Jakedog]

If that is lake placid blue. It’s looks like an AM Performer. The neck surely looks like one w big headstock. Plus it says it is on the neck sticker. I’m going w Am Perf.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...V1OqzCh0RNgOzEAQYCCABEgJaY_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I didn’t see the neck sticker. The one in the body says Am Special. Probably transitional. My ‘10 Am Special has a big headstock as well.

 

[JayJay20202]

Looks like an FSR American Ash Stratocaster body. OCT is Ocean Turquoise.
Did you try the serial here?
Fender Serial Number Lookup

Yes I have , the serial I have doesn’t have results, but changing the last digit to any other number will show something, will show a performer, and the color changes as I change the last digit , I know they don’t have all the serial numbers in the system so I emailed them but for some reason I haven’t headed back yet, I’ll try emailing again.

 

[JayJay20202]

Looks like an FSR American Ash Stratocaster body. OCT is Ocean Turquoise.
Did you try the serial here?
Fender Serial Number Lookup

Yes I have , the serial I have doesn’t have results, but changing the last digit to any other number will show something, This is what I get if I change the last digit !

 

[John C]

As several have said it's an American Special FSR ash body in Ocean Turquoise. Since you're new to Fenders "FSR" is the indication for special runs commissioned by dealers.

Also the American Performers were not released until December 2018 - so as mentioned this one being May 2018 would be among the last of the American Specials produced prior to Fender beginning production of the American Performers (which of course replaced the American Specials). Fender usually ceases production of the outgoing model and starts production of the replacement model a few months prior to the intended release date so they have the new product in stores and warehouses on the release date. I'm not sure when Fender would have switched production from American Specials to American Performers, but I suspect it would have been circa September 2018 for the December 2018 release date.

 

[JayJay20202]

As several have said it's an American Special FSR ash body in Ocean Turquoise. Since you're new to Fenders "FSR" is the indication for special runs commissioned by dealers.

Also the American Performers were not released until December 2018 - so as mentioned this one being May 2018 would be among the last of the American Specials produced prior to Fender beginning production of the American Performers (which of course replaced the American Specials). Fender usually ceases production of the outgoing model and starts production of the replacement model a few months prior to the intended release date so they have the new product in stores and warehouses on the release date. I'm not sure when Fender would have switched production from American Specials to American Performers, but I suspect it would have been circa September 2018 for the December 2018 release date.

Very helpful thank you ! Yes I’m totally new to American strats, thought I’ve been playing guitar for 30+ years, flamenco, classical, jazz, even Oud (fretless lute)… recently electric, I got some budget ones that I modified to my liking ( pubs, electronics, necks…etc)… I found someone selling this one for a deal I couldn’t refuse, looks all authentic, like new, plastic still on pick-guard and back cover, and G&G case! Plays great, very comfortable, then I tried to look it up and got confused, but this makes sense!! So it’s a special run of the special!

 

[Telekarster]

Looks like you got your answer. I just want to say - SWEET Strat man!!! Love the color and overall looks! Rock that baby!

 

[Tuxedo Poly]

Yes I have , the serial I have doesn’t have results, but changing the last digit to any other number will show something, will show a performer, and the color changes as I change the last digit , I know they don’t have all the serial numbers in the system so I emailed them but for some reason I haven’t headed back yet, I’ll try emailing again.

It's quite rare for serial numbers of instruments as recent as 2018 not to appear. There is the chance the neck is a Fender Genuine Replacement as these have serial numbers but are rarely listed.
Does the neck heel have this logo on it or any signs it may have but has been removed.

 

[JayJay20202]

It's quite rare for serial numbers of instruments as recent as 2018 not to appear. There is the chance the neck is a Fender Genuine Replacement as these have serial numbers but are rarely listed.
Does the neck heel have this logo on it or any signs it may have but has been removed.
View attachment 975623

No , it has a sticker and a date stamp that I forgot to take pic of, sometime mid/late 2018 , and the sticker attached , it doesn’t look like a replacement , it’s also stamped “line 2”

 

[FortyEight]

That color is really nice!

 

[skradlee]

Since we seem to have sussed out what guitar it is, how bout you take some more pics of that neck!? That looks like it has some good figuring from the back of the headstock.

 

[JayJay20202]

Since we seem to have sussed out what guitar it is, how bout you take some more pics of that neck!? That looks like it has some good figuring from the back of the headstock.

Will do when I get home tomorrow , yes it’s nicely figured!