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Thread: No visible serial number.

  1. #1
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    No visible serial number.

    I just traded for a Strat, that has no visible serial numbers. I'll post pics tomorrow, but it has the Logo in gold, trimmed in black, and Stratocaster in small black letters, with syncronized tremelo, and below that, patent numbers. On the "ball" of the headstock, "Original Contour Body. There are also 2 string retainers. I have read that it is sometimes necessary to remove the neck for numbers, any ideas what I have?

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    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    I'll let the wiser, more experienced heads address this, but I thought Fender always put serial numbers on the headstock. Even fake Fenders tend to put fake serial numbers there. So, this suggests to me a third-party neck. In other words, a Partscaster.
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    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    My Fender American Strat produced in 01/1996 also has the gold lettering trimmed in black, with 2 string trees. On the back of the headstock, on the "ball" is printed the serial number. It may be a decal, I can't tell for sure. Perhaps yours got refinished and the decal was sanded off. Removing the neck is unlikely to reveal a serial number, but the date the neck was made may be penciled or stamped on the end of the neck.

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    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Moore View Post
    I just traded for a Strat, that has no visible serial numbers. I'll post pics tomorrow, but it has the Logo in gold, trimmed in black, and Stratocaster in small black letters, with syncronized tremelo, and below that, patent numbers. On the "ball" of the headstock, "Original Contour Body. There are also 2 string retainers. I have read that it is sometimes necessary to remove the neck for numbers, any ideas what I have?

    That’s way too little information, bro… Post some pics of the whole guitar.

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    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Look for something like this on the end of the neck. There may be a serial number sticker under the pick guard. I'm not an expert, but found these images online.
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Things finally settled down here, and I got a few pictures. OldStrummer is probably right, too many odd things, old style script, headstock truss adjustment, 2 bent string trees, no serial numbers. Grover type oval tuners, with no name or logo, and in the case a tag for a Fender replacement bridge. Maybe you guys can figure something out?




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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Forgot to say, "excuse the filth", I cleaned the headstock, but the rest of the guitar needs scrubbing!
    I suspect removing the neck and pickguard might give a neck date, and maybe the pots can give some clues. Maybe some info in the neck pocket? The old fellow I got it from really wanted the Thinline Squire I had, but didn't know much about the Strat, I figured I wouldn't lose on a trade, and may even decide to keep it.
    Last edited by Bill Moore; 12-18-2022 at 02:24 PM.

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    Re: No visible serial number.

    I think the neck may be a Squier.
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Another clue, trem pocket modified to fit the Fender standard bridge! Extra cover holes?

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    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    That's actually the "import-spaced" bridge developed for guitars built for Asian markets.
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    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Bill, again your photos aren't showing up on my end.
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    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    No joy here either.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

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    Re: No visible serial number.

    The tag in the case is for a Fender standard Bridge Assy. #0071014049, just assumed it was installed, looks the same as online pics.


    Does this one show up!

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    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Moore View Post
    The tag in the case is for a Fender standard Bridge Assy. #0071014049, just assumed it was installed, looks the same as online pics.

    Does this one show up!
    It does on my system. I rarely have issues seeing others' pics.
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Thanks!
    Usually, I can't see them if the aren't loaded. The last pic, I moved to a new window before copying the address, maybe some machines don't like google photos?

  17. #17
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Still not seeing anything, Bill.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  18. #18
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Moore View Post
    Thanks!
    Usually, I can't see them if the aren't loaded. The last pic, I moved to a new window before copying the address, maybe some machines don't like google photos?
    I think it may be browser specific. Chrome has some issues with other web items, so maybe trying a different browser might help?
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    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Quote Originally Posted by OldStrummer View Post
    I think it may be browser specific. Chrome has some issues with other web items, so maybe trying a different browser might help?
    I logged in using Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, and can't see the photos with either browser.
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  20. #20
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Can’t see anything either

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    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    [QUOTE=Bill Moore;659764]I'll try this!

    Sorry Bill. The same "minus" sign on a blank page.
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  23. #23
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    [QUOTE=Michael Smith;659765]
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Moore View Post
    I'll try this!

    Sorry Bill. The same "minus" sign on a blank page.

    Try another browser, Michael. Or check your settings. Your browser is blocking cross-site cookies or trackers. I have no problem seeing the images either way, and I'm using Brave Browser, which is loaded with privacy settings.
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  24. #24
    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    [QUOTE=OldStrummer;659766]
    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Smith View Post

    Try another browser, Michael. Or check your settings. Your browser is blocking cross-site cookies or trackers. I have no problem seeing the images either way, and I'm using Brave Browser, which is loaded with privacy settings.
    Tried it on my phone using Google Chrome. Same result. I can see the photo's I posted earlier in this thread on my phone (and computer). And I have allow all cookies selected including 3rd party cookies. I can see all of the photos other's have posted in other threads, it's just something about some of Bill's photos. I wonder if it's something to do with the format his photo's are saved. I save mine in jpeg format for the most part.
    "When You're Riding Down the Highway at Night, And You're Feeling that Wild Turkey's Bite" ZZ Top

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    Re: No visible serial number.

    I just checked my new phone is jpeg just like my old one. I sent the pics to Phantomman by email, but had to send multiple mails or his server would reject them!

  26. #26
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    The file size of the images was pretty large, might have something to do with it.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Surprising even the links don't come through for some!

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    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Moore View Post
    Surprising even the links don't come through for some!
    Bill, as a test try sending me one photo in a private message.
    "When You're Riding Down the Highway at Night, And You're Feeling that Wild Turkey's Bite" ZZ Top

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    Re: No visible serial number.

    Did a lot of cleanup, and a little work on the guitar, replaced all the electrical, and installed some pickups from Strat-O-Sphere. They say they are equivalent to Texas Specials with a little hotter bridge, (they are hot!). Also changed the covers/knobs to black, seems to really set it off! Russell set it up nicely, and it plays easily, although I haven't got to play it much yet. I'll post a few pics although some of you don't get them. (I'll post through a different browser.)






  30. #30
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: No visible serial number.

    That turned out pretty nice, Bill!
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

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