Calling vintage Strat connoisseurs: a real 1956 Strat?

[woster]

I know, if something's too good to be true, it probably is. But what about this Strat? I just found it at my local pawn shop. According to the serial number it's supposed to be a 1956 one. But the decal doesn't match this period. Take a look, it has the two patent numbers which were only used between 1961 and 1962 (at least according to this picture http://www.pinrepair.com/vgi/fendinfo/dstrat.jpg ) The decal has some sort of dark yellow glue on it, which I think was also used to repair the pickguard in the upper right corner. Also, the tuners don't have a Kluson line, which makes me think they're repros. The serial number looks a bit 'off' too. If you look closely you can see the numbers don't line up perfectly. The saddles have the Fender and Pat Pend. stamp, so that is okay. I know a neck date would be very helpful, but I wasn't allowed to take the neck off. The pictures aren't very clear either, but this is the best I could do. Oh, there's no original case either. So, does anyone know if this is a true '56 Strat, a Partsocaster or a cheap copy? All clues are more than welcome!

[mynameisjonas]

definitely not real.

[glimmertwin]

I'm 100% sure it's not real - even from bad pictures.  First off the neck would likely have more rounded features like the "Tadeo taper" as they were hand sanded back then.  The neck plate numbers aren't in the same font as the old ones either.  Maybe it's a reissue that has been reliced but there is no way it's real authentic vintage. 

[woster]

Somehow I had a feeling it was too good to be true. I should stick to offsets anyway  Thanks for your help!

I'll inform that pawn shop it's not the  legit vintage Strat they claim it to be. Hopefully this will prevent some poor fella paying €1000,- for it.

[sookwinder]

should have single line klusons... this appears to have reissue klusons
metal work does not have enough "50 years tarnish" on it
dot markers look wrong

[Pacafeliz]

well more than often pieces on old guitars were swapped as they wore out; tuners, pickups, neck, etc. etc.
it'd need further inspection like the pots, date stamps in/on the body and pickups etc.

i wouldn't exclude the possiblity for it to be legit -at least, in part.
good luck!

Pat.

[cmatthes]

Nope.  It simply ain't legit.

[Orang Goreng]

should have single line klusons... this appears to have reissue klusons

According to this picture, the feature might be correct. Apart from that I know nothing about strats, so I'll refrain from commenting.


If you can see the picture, that is. I can't which may have something to do with the IP cop here at work. It's here anyway.

[mezcalhead]

i wouldn't exclude the possiblity for it to be legit -at least, in part.

Which part? since the neck, body, tuners, neck plate and pickguard aren't right .. not much strat left ..

So which sorry excuse for a shop is trying to pass this off as a legit 50s strat?

[jasonwalston]

haha this reminds me. earlier this summer in a pawn shop  i found a really crappy strat copy that someone had slapped a fender logo onto and the store was trying to sell it as a 'made in america fender stratocaster' for like 600 bucks......

[woster]

In this case, they even wanted €1000,-

The shop is called 'Used Products' - quite original name name, eh