Fender info

Shibbibilybob

hey guys
I have a tint predicament (well, I hope I don't) that I'd like to get clarified, and I am hoping that someone may be able to assist me with some contact details for Robin Gallagher of Fender SA.
Basically, I purchased a strat from a very reputable store in Jozi in 2008. The strat in question is a 50th anniversary american ash stratocaster, which comes only in two tone sunburst, with a 1ply scratch plate and the 50th anniversary neck plate (like every fender from 2004) , inside a tweed 50th anniversary Fender Case.
Now, all of this checks out perfectly on my guitar. The only thing bugging me is that my serial number starts with a Z5... which according to http://www.fender.com/support/articles/u-s-instruments-product-dating/ indicates a 2005 guitar.

I am pretty certain that my guitar is exactly as it claims to be, but I am now looking to sell this guitar and want to confirm before I mislead anyone who may be interested. I only learnt of the Z5 -2005 association today, and whilst I have confidence in the source of this guitar, well my mind would be calmer if Robin was able to confirm this.

chris77

Have you tried entering the serial no into www.guitardaterproject.org yet? Should show you where and when it was made.

Shibbibilybob

Hi there
I have done that. It returns it as a Fender, made in the Corona california factory between 2005 and 2006. It does not give me any information on the model though.

I have found this link : http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=91758

Of someone who seems to have the same issue as I do. Looks like there is no problem after all, but I would very much like to verify with fender directly.

Sebber

Is it actually a 50th Anniversary Strat, or does it just have the 50th Anniversary neck plate because if I remember right all Strats made in 2004 in the USA had the 50th Anniversary neck plates? It may well be they had left over stock of the 50th Anniversary neck plates in early 2005 so they ended up on Strats assembled in that year.

AlanRatcliffe

Fender's years always have a little leeway. Production runs may be slated for and start in one year, but if they still have parts early the next year, they will run into the next. Plus the various parts can be made in anywhere up to three different years.

Still, the neck date is always the official date. If that points to 2005, then it's a 2005, even if the pots were made in 2002 and the body in 2004.

Shibbibilybob

Thanks for the help guys.
I emailed Fender customer services and they clarified for me.
My guitar is the 50th anniversary American series, which was only made in ash, maple fretboard, and two tone sunburst.
My guitar was made(final assembly) in March 2005.
The anniversary models were released from 2004, when production started, but production continued into 2005.