How to Tell if a Fender Stratocaster is Real or Fake - Don't Get Scammed!

How to Tell if a Fender Stratocaster Is Real or Fake - Don't Get Scammed!
In this guitar video we show you how to tell if a Fender Stratocaster is real or fake so that you can protect yourself from getting scammed!
The Fender Stratocaster is arguably the most popular electric guitar in the world and its design and style have been copied by other guitar manufacturers for decades. Most of these Stratocaster copies, will be properly named with another brand name other than Fender.
However, some unethical companies have made fake illegal copies of the Fender Stratocaster, with the Fender logo on it in an attempt to deliberately deceive people with a counterfeit Fender Stratocaster guitar.
These fake Fender Stratocaster guitars are sold as the real legitimate guitars to scam people out of their money.
It's not always easy to tell if a Fender Stratocaster is real or fake, so in this video we will compare a real Eric Clapton Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster with a fake Chinese Fender Stratocaster and show you the details to look out for.
If you are wanting to learn how to tell if a Fender Stratocaster is real or fake, make sure you watch this video!
If you are learning how to play guitar, make sure you visit our website for more guitar lessons -
www.studio33guitar.com
Also visit us on all social media sites!
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[@beefnacos6258]

I don't mean to be over exaggerated but you are a true guitar hero. What an awesome guy. You were looking for a custom shop Eric Clapton strat then you found this one and you realized it wasn't what you were looking for so you passed on it. Then you turn around and you thought about it and you didn't want some other person to get scammed so you turn around and you buy it. Your a guitar hero dude

[@Studio33guitar]

Thank you for the kind words! And thank you for watching. I appreciate it!

[@zanebengochea6680]

Super hero 😅

[@BJ-fj6jw]

That's what I call making the world a little better for us all. You set a good example to follow.

[@jimkostan9932]

Yes, good video; So important to know your instrument before you purchase one, especially through the mail! I've been playing 50 years,, I've never purchased a expensive / good guitar buy mail order!!! Woops Once when I was about 9 years old my mom got one from the JCPenney catalog for My 10th birthday,in 1967.lol😅 this guy's great.

[@RileyReneau]

Just found and shut down a scammer in my area with your video as proof! Thank you for this, it made it very easy! How can you scam people out of Thousands of dollars? The worst of the worst type of people.

[@Studio33guitar]

Excellent! Good Job! I'm glad the video was helpful! You're right, scammers are the worst!

[@robertknight906]

Well done. You are the first person that actually pointed out the spacing of the 12th fret dot inlays. I look at the dot inlays and if they are too far apart on a “fender” I’m automatically suspicious. Most of the time I’m right in thinking it’s a fake. Great job. Really.

[@Studio33guitar]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. how long have you been playing guitar?

[@patrickeppler3530]

There are more on the site as well. Some models have numerous copies.

[@dustinclotiaux2625]

Thank you so much for the video! Most definitely has came in handy for me.

[@robertknight906]

@@Studio33guitar roughly 13 years. Maybe more. I’m still very intermediate lol

[@cliffords2315]

Also the Flat Black paint on the fake Fender gave it away.

[@zGrego]

Just wanted to thank you for answering most of the comments like you did. It’s really kind ! Great video btw.

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for noticing! I try to answer them all! Thank you for watching!

[@jorgedelgado1427]

Always check the last fret (the last woods space only) of the closest pick. The original has the circle form, on the other hand, the fake has the rectangle shape as the generic form.

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes! Good eye. I failed to mention that difference!

[@jorgedelgado1427]

@@Studio33guitar Tnks bro! good vids by the way. This type of vid always welcome!!

[@Studio33guitar]

@@jorgedelgado1427 Thank you! Let me know if you want to see something specific!

[@cayote1]

I just bought a used Fender Highway One HSS 60th Anniv. model. I have the double wafer pick guard with the black in between the two layers. It has the offset Screws on the back of the body. It has the walnut lined truss rod adjustment hole. The face of the head is clean and the only lettering is the Fender Stratocaster/ Original Contour Body Patented. It does have the raised round silver 60th Anniversary sticker on the back of the head and the narrower 12th fret dot spacing. Can't see anything else that prominent.

[@neilmocann7729]

Great video and thanks for the all the pointers to look for ,

[@ericb7799]

I kept waiting for you to mention it but in addition to the areas you mentioned, one of the first things I saw on the fake was shape of the neck heel. Looks like it’s cut squared like a Tele and not a rounded heel like a Strat neck.

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, good eye! I missed mentioning that one. Thanks for watching!

[@jamlongsaiyot3323]

Wonderful video and supuer super useful. I'm looking to own one of used fender lately, but still quite reluctant because of these issues. Thanks so much.

[@kurtc2894]

Son got one off Reverb for Christmas. Subscribed because of your kind act of taking the fake off the market and found the video informative. Keep up the great work!

[@Studio33guitar]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@YolandeClough-ju5wc]

Thank you so much for this. Really good advice.

[@markbrown7103]

I bought a fender Stratocaster in Pomona California in 1976. It had to string trees on it. I paid $350 for it brand new and I paid another $35 for a nice hard shell case. That shows you how much things have gone up over the years. Thank you so much for your videos. Super cool stuff.👍🏼😁😁😎🎸

[@petepeterson5337]

I have a legit MIJ ST357 mid 80s strat with two simple string trees. I don't know how that to apply to USA guitars.

[@deandee8082]

also hate to tell you but even the fender is not an accurate replica, it should have a heel adjust and dime tree.. solid walnut plug, its a 57'... not even close, should have patent comma patent..

[@DeeTee79]

The square neck, where it meets the pickguard, on the fake one is a dead giveaway, in he beginning his hand was covering the 12th fret so I couldnt see the distance of the dots,along with the two string trees… Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, good eye! Thanks for sharing!

[@karlwalker6648]

Very useful , thanks 👍

[@enricogervasoni]

Does the fake one have the Mid Boost and the TBX preamp circuit in or it's just a plain normal strat style guitar? (Given that the real EC model is popular for these two features)

[@yumyumpromotions7465]

I like the backlit guitars - can you tell me how you did that with the lighting? Thanks

[@michaelp8856]

there is a lot of information on the back of the neck when you unbolt it from the guitar - worth checking that out too.

[@AndrewAHayes]

I noticed straight away by the missing walnut in the truss rod access and the wrong screw positions on the pickguard, plus the colour of the pickguard is a cheap pure white, and the body seems to be a matt black colour

[@Musicsports]

The neck radius is vintage 7.25 soft v on the Clapton model. The fake looks like a flat wider fret board like a 10-12 Compound radius neck. The reason the real Fender has the 8 screw single ply pickguard is that it is a 1957 Strat replica. The Custom Shop tries to make their guitars as close to the original model guitar being duplicated as possible. They do add modern features when requested or if the Artist prefers a specific modification. The Clapton Artist Strat has the Active boost pot in it, with 9 volt battery.

[@sarguitars6603]

The dot spacing at the 12th fret might be more of an optical illusion than anything. As you did the close up on the bridges I could quickly see that the E to E spacing was wider on the real CS guitar ( 2-3/16 as it would have been in blackies era , verses the 2-1/16 of the more modern fender bridges and almost all clones) this showed up well in the video when looking at the strings vs pole pieces on the bridge pickups. Also the Clapton guitars should have a 3 way switch as he doesn't like the 5 ways.

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for the comment, that's great info about the bridge spacing. As for the pickup switch, you are correct that Eric's actual guitar had a 3-way switch, but the EC signature models do come with a 5 -way. Thanks for watching!

[@clapsting]

liked and subscribed !! thank you sir , the number of the screws holding the pickguard in is 11 in the fake one , 3 more !!

[@Studio33guitar]

Thank you for watching! Good eye on the screw holes! What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@sydneysheppard4979]

Thanks..was very informative!! My buddy started to school me on spotting fakes..I always watch videos on this topic..peace✌️🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@dong1872]

Also note the placement of the screws around the 5 way switch.

[@jasondelotel]

Thanks for the tips and good video. I bought a 1990's white vintage strat at a pawn shop. I've been told that MN: means made in the nineties. But my strat says: MN1. Is this legit? I'm confused, because? I learned from youtube videos that a fender Mex strat; usually says: MN and then the serial number like: MN p03964. Something like that? Why does my strat say? MN1 and then the serial number 039647, etc?because I've been trying to decipher if MN1 ? Means made in 1991. But then the serial number says: 039647, etc? Separately?

[@dozzgio.871]

Hi there Im frm Australia Melbourne. I hope you had a grand christmas! Great video I gave you a thumbs up. I have a question. Did you do the same video with a Squire? chinese one ? as i can not find the setrial number anywhere on line for it. where mine has sticker on the back of the neck near the machines that i could peel off if i really wanted too. I also noticed that the machines behind the neck has Squire ingraved on them in a signiture style font. It feels good in my hands and plays well sounds good out of my positive grid spark amp. cheers. I only paid $100 AU for it second hand excellent condition and was told it was around 18 years old or so. the guy that sold it to me on fb market place advertised as a electric guitar . I dont think he kew much about them as he go this for his daughter when she was young and didnt really play it and was just itting in the soft case doing nothing over the years.

[@Studio33guitar]

Hi, thanks for watching! I haven't done a video like this for a Squier. Sounds like you got a good one though!

[@00wheelie00]

I picked the fake out from the first image, the saddle was the give away. The custom shop model has the same as my own strat.

[@LadyCroMag]

Excellent video!!! Your service is appreciated!!!

[@Studio33guitar]

Thank you very much! I’m glad you liked it! How long have you been playing guitar?

[@LadyCroMag]

@@Studio33guitar 40 + Strat and classical years!!! God Bless you, brother!!!

[@Studio33guitar]

Amazing! Thanks for watching!

[@hanamccarthy710]

The strap buttons are stuck on at different angles too. The real one follows the curve whereas fake ones are just stuck on pointing straight up and "break the line". Something I noticed as I am a dancer 😂

[@Studio33guitar]

Good eye! Thanks for pointing that out!

[@fernandomoreno475]

That would habe been perfect if we could have a soundwise compare. I bet a LOT of people couldn't tell the difference and may even like the fake one better...

[@user-oh6py1xz2s]

Do I call my reconstructed 72 Strat Part Genuine or Part Fake.. Body, Neck Tuners and neckplate all genuine. Scratch plate and pickups cheaper bits replacements

[@favilesp46]

You also forgot to mention the shape of the fingerboard at the neck pickup. It is a bit rounded on the edges in the original fender and pretty squared in the replica. Also the ink on the serial number is lighter in hue and with low contrast compared with the original stray.

[@johnt0111]

I have a Fender Telecaster neck on a Strat body with a Strat serial number, obviously can't be both. I bought it cheap so not a GREAT loss but still I was looking for a tele, already have several Strat's. Need to work on the neck as it is very rough on the hands. Anybody else with a similar experience?

[@martinthompson2425]

Good info! The squared off fretboard at the bottom jumped out at me. Real deal Strats are rounded. Real Telecasters are square at the bottom. Thanks for the vid!

[@mbontekoe3358]

I believe that Clapton's strat has a 3 way switch while most copies have the 5 way, in fact Eric generally only uses the middle pickup

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for watching. Actually, the Clapton signature models do have a 5 way pickup switch.

[@eugenebeecher7308]

This is a really good video - and all your calls are good. But - I have to agree with the others - that square heel on the fake is the most obvious tell. That was the first thing that caught my eye.

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, you are 100% correct! Thanks for watching!

[@toddplager8676]

Even the best get, HAD! Admitting it and educating us not to get scammed is PRICELESS and Accountable!! TY... I am too new at guitar, I did get scammed!! But i gutted it and made a Partscaster I love it whoever made it lol!!

[@brianrott921]

The chinamen made it ....the knockoffs are getting better and better

[@kevinscott5648]

Great video. But... How did they sound?? How different??

[@DavidLee-rx6uo]

First thing I noticed was the 22 fret was slightly squared off. Spacing with pickguard was off. I really love this video .Amazing details to learn from. I’ve read Duchasoir ? book back and front

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, good eye! Thanks for watching and commenting! I’m not familiar with that book, I’ll look into it. How long have you been playing guitar?

[@DavidLee-rx6uo]

@@Studio33guitar I may misspelled the name of the book.A.R Duchasoirr Im 61 been at it since 15. I bought a fake Stratocaster when I was 17. It was made in the Philippines. I swore Id never be taken again. In the 70s a huge amount of knock offs were being produced. Id go to local guitar shop and compare notes . I still have my 74 Hardtail and 94 American Standard.Thanks

[@Studio33guitar]

I looked up the book and found it through Google. It looks like a great resource! Yes, there are many many fakes out there. Hopefully more people realize that and take steps to avoid getting scammed. Thanks again for watching!

[@anpat11]

And I would add a more straight part below the last fret (see 9:46) on the fake model, and a more rounded part going up on each side to meet the last fret, on the real one !!!

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes! Good eye. I failed to mention that difference! Thanks for bringing it up!

[@abdrahmanabdullah3113]

really helpful thank you

[@Studio33guitar]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. How long have you been playing guitar?

[@corinachan8533]

I'm actually looking to purchase an authentic USA Fender Stratocaster (Hank Marvin Fiesta Red) but have not a clue as to how to get around this. Ask me anything about a Spanish flamenco guitar and I can spend half a day telling you about them 'cos that's what I play for a good part of 20 years. I've always wanted a genuine USA Fender Strat since the mid 1960s but could not afford them. Now I'm able to and is looking to realise my childhood dream. Your video has greatly enlightened me and I'm all that wiser and confident to hit the market for a genuine Fender Strat now.

[@Studio33guitar]

Excellent! Thank you for watching. I’m glad you found it useful!

[@yayawahab3981]

i have japan fender stratocaster 1994..body from plywood..its ori or fake??

[@kyatzz]

The rounding on the fake headstock was also off. Particularly near the b string there's this weird wiggle and a sharp edge going into the ball at the top of the headstock. The edges behind the nut also aren't rounded off.

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, good eye! How long have you been playing guitar?

[@gosman949]

What is real hard is to see what the pre- 1965 Stratocasters are worth and if original. I have a 64 that is mostly original except for a refinish job and some rewiring. Cuts the value in about half. But I know the history since about 1972. That is when I bought it and stored it under my bed for the next 40 years. A new set up this year and I'm back playing it and oh my! Does it play great and sound great!

[@Studio33guitar]

That's fantastic! A '64 would be amazing to own. Why was it unplayed since '72?. I'd love to see a picture of it. You could share it on our Facebook page or Instagram if you have those.

[@gosman949]

@@Studio33guitar life got in the way, got a job, had a child, restored my interest in photography after retiring and then most recently guitar!

[@Studio33guitar]

@@gosman949 Ahh yes, we’ve all been there. But I’m sure that kept the guitar in pristine condition!

[@gosman949]

@@Studio33guitar yes it is. Wish there were mileage indicators on these things. Mine would have low miles.

[@Studio33guitar]

@@gosman949 Yes I bet!

[@peterchopelas8907]

I just found your channel, I recently bought a cheap Squire Strat,to bang around on, and was looking to find our more about it. That tri-layer pick guard, the bridge, and neck on your fake is identical to the ones on my cheap squire. Perhaps someone is buying the Squire and altering the graphics on it.

[@Andehirt]

Just looked at the bullet model to make sure ,the neck and signatures we're legit and i analized every detail seem like a trustworthy website find,but even if it's fake, it's important if it does the job

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, exactly! Thanks for watching

[@billkallas1762]

It's strange that my 6 years old Squire VM70's Strat (discontinued) has the same offset screw holes on the back plate, and fender stamped bent steel saddles, that Fenders have. Why would they put Fender parts on a Squire made in the Cort factory in Indonesia?

[@selby16]

ITS GOOD TO KNOW THE SIGNS ,I HAVE 4 FENDER STRATOCASTERS USA. BUT I ALSO HAVE 3 PART CASTERS I MADE UP WITH ALL FENDER PARTS, AND A TOP LUTHIER PUT THEM TOGETHER . AND ONE OF THE PART CASTERS IS THE BEST SOUNDING FOR ME OF THEM ALL, AND THE OTHER 2 SOUND JUST AS GOOD AS MY USA STRATS . BUT I HAVE TO SAY THE ONE PARTCASTER IS THE BEST FOR ME , SO WHAT EVER THE SOUND IS FOR YOU MEANS YOU DONT REALLY HAVE TO PAY TOP DOLLAR TO ACHIEVE THAT

[@solarismoon3046]

You can also see that the pickup poles are not the same as they do not have the bevel nor are they staggered in height. The end of the fretboard is flat like a Telecaster whereas the Fender is always round. The size of the fretboard markers are also bigger on Fender guitars. The pickguard on the fake Strat has a THREE PLY pickguard - not two. And Fender ALWAYS has a gloss finish on the Eric Clapton model. Also worth mentioning is that the font and size on the back of the fake is too big and Fender NEVER put a serial number for the Eric Clapton model there - it is always on the neck plate. Fender also uses a three spoke design for the volume and tone knobs inside so that you know if they're legitimate or not. The aftermarket ones are always four spoke design no matter WHO makes them! Plus the Eric Clapton guitars always have a 9.5" inch radius and the Chinese copy has a 12" inch radius. That''s plain to see even in the video. I already know my guitars and I've owned I don't know how many Fender guitars and Fender style guitars so I'm not fooled and I know what to look for. Thank you for sharing this with us any way. It helps for those who don't know better. But all the pirates on evilbay selling cheap copies with fake Fender logos does not!

[@Studio33guitar]

Great info! Thanks for sharing. We can all learn from this! I didn't know about the knob spokes! That's very interesting. Thanks for watching! Have you been playing guitar for a long time?

[@minnesotajack1]

Out of curiosity did the fake come in an accurate tweed case? In fake Les Pauls that’s usually a big flag also. Do the custom shops have the active pickups like the standards do? Im guessing the fake didn’t have a 9v battery

[@Studio33guitar]

Good questions! This one did not come with a tweed case, just a regular one. Yes the Custom Shop model does come with active pick ups, and no the fake didn't have that either. Thanks for watching!

[@gwbenites]

I think you might have missed something. The walnut "skunk stripe" on the back of the neck looks way different on the fake "Strat". 😊

[@otenestephen7281]

Thank u sir for showing me that my guitar is a fake.but I need help on my neck repair.the truss rod nut is rounded and it won't remove.pls what can I do

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for watching. That is a tough problem. Sometimes you can grab them with some thin needle nose pliers. Have you tried that?

[@otenestephen7281]

Studio33guitar Thank u sir ,I will try that out first, thank u.

[@ardenstrat]

great video

[@camreed7073]

grate video

[@BobBob-dv2qh]

Hello i own a 1st run 1990 eric clapton blackie It most certainly does have the signature and blackie on the front of the headstock.😮 The serial number is also the fender traditional style E9xxxxxx on the headstock also the original model blackie had a corona california neck plate with a hole to allow a tilt angle adjustment for the neck. Aswell it was loaded with 3 gold lace sensor pickups with a special boost configuration circuit. 1 Master tbx tone knob for all pickups and the 2nd tone knob adjusts the boost gain. All the later clapton models are slightly inferior IMHO. And are nothing but a hotrodded mexican player strat. Fender noiseless pickups are not great I much prefer the sound of the custom 69 or 54 fat set from fender.

[@miraposajehano4309]

Very interesting, I was looking at some yoyo's Fender Strat he was trying to sell me for 450$. After careful exam, I could tell that it was a Chinese copy. As you said in the video, it is little things that kind of got my attention.

[@dixiefallas7799]

You missed out on the screw placement’s on the pup selector which are also different. Cheers.

[@Studio33guitar]

Good eye! Thanks for pointing that out!

[@jamesallen7093]

The truss rod hole & bridge are always the 1st thing I check and always a dead giveaway on a fake .

[@Studio33guitar]

Great tips, thanks for adding that!

[@vincentshi3891]

I believe the custom shop strat does not have the EC signature on the front of the head and the artist series does.

[@Aliernshake66]

Thank you

[@KellyJJJk]

I bought a fender at a reputable store but the serial number doesn’t match .. is it a fake?

[@jimcarnall577]

How does it sound/play though??

[@phillipholt6005]

Believe it or not Fender had some how made a few Squire Bullet Strat HSS HT that was actually a Fender and I had one because they released serial numbers and I not knowing had one and it also had a Fender Headstock and it got stolen with four other guitars I had that were Squire Bullet Tele, Glarry thin line semihollow and I had a generation 1 Epiphone Hummingbird pro! I still get depressed because they were sold to pawn shops for a one-time fix for drugs according to the cops!

[@Studio33guitar]

Wow, sad story! Thanks for watching!

[@chuckburns9900]

Also if you look at the front of the guitar where the neck meets the body the heel on the Clapton Strat is round and small. The heal on the fake is wide and square.

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, that is right too! Thanks for the comment!

[@jchavins]

The tell is the truss rod insert. With exception of the Mini, all Squiers and Fenders have either a black plastic or the walnut insert. Only a couple of the top of the line Squiers have the walnut insert which is sign of a dual action truss rod. None of the necks with the black plastic insert are dual action. If neither the walnut nor the black plastic is seen it is a fake. If either is present then remove the neck to see if it is a Squier or a Fender and remove the pickguard to see if it is a Fender body....

[@stephanebrouard3041]

The fake one is on all points but the numbers of screws on the plate identical to my Squier

[@petefarley8549]

At 3.55 where should the "F" of the fender logo be? Or is that wherever the bloke fitted them felt that day?

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

I was going to purchase a 2016 70s re-issue, only to realize it came with a 4 hole neck-plate, not the 3 as they did back then.

[@Studio33guitar]

That seems like a major feature of the 70's models doesn't it?

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Was it a 1970 re-issue cos up till 71 they were still like 60s ones apart from the larger headstock. Did it have a maple fretboard on a maple neck, the one Hendrix would have used?

[@genegarneau3822]

You can see it, just by looking at it. Good video. Thank you.👍

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for watching! Yes, the more you study the real ones, the easier it is to spot the fakes! How long have you played guitar?

[@genegarneau3822]

@@Studio33guitar about 30 years.. very good video. 👍🎸

[@Studio33guitar]

@@genegarneau3822 Thank you!

[@deandee8082]

whoa, the back of the squier tuners... dang

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’ve a 1997 EC Signature and it says “blackie” under his signature like the fake here.

[@Studio33guitar]

Good info, thanks! Is it a Custom Shop or a standard signature model?

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

@@Studio33guitar Not CS, just stock USA.

[@russoley8995]

What are the real ones priced at ??

[@yumyumpromotions7465]

So how well did the Chender play compared to the real one?

[@frabber321]

Why the real one has sticker (looks like) as fender logo on the headstock. Is that a Fender thing?

[@DavidDejonge-dc2zw]

Hey has fender ever accidently stamped there own name backwards on the head or had a neck of maple without walnut

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for the question! I've never seen that before. Do you have one like that?

[@SoundzAlive1]

What are the negatives regarding the sound? André

[@Studio33guitar]

Good question. It actually doesn’t sound too bad. I should do a follow up video comparing the two. Thanks for watching!

[@Thestripper1]

Is the fake better sounding and playing than the original? If so, which would you choose?

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for watching and commenting! The legitimate model is definitely better in all ways (construction, playability and sound). Thanks for asking!

[@Thestripper1]

@@Studio33guitar I was really asking which one you would choose if the fake one felt and sounded better.

[@Studio33guitar]

Oh! IF the fake sounded / played better. Interesting question. The sound and playability of a guitar is the most important thing, so I guess I’d choose the fake! Great question. Thanks for asking!

[@longhair-dontcare9983]

A little late to the party but, I noticed the fake right away from the way the lower horn body didn't faithfully follow the contour of the pickguard, and the body there kinda needs more sanding work. Looks alot like a "Pinewood Derby" model in the way that it is not contoured enough. As far as buying that fake to save others from a scam? LOL, I'll try that on my girlfriend the next time I buy a cheap obvious fake. Thanks!

[@jasondelotel]

So? I've been trying to figure out? Is my fender nineties strat a fake? Or is it a 1991? Or a 1993; hence the code: 039647? What is MN1? Isn't it just supposed to say MN? Alone?

[@theoversouls]

The instant giveaway was the squared off fingerboard.

[@jamesallen7093]

First thing I always look at are how many string trees but now some do have 2 but most fakes with 2 trees are either touching the logo or logo is out of place and then the truss rod hole , real strat will always have either walnut or some kind of wood , and the saddles are a string point , check them , also the quality of the hardware and also like you say the 2 dot inlays are a big red flag for me anyway . Tuners ect ect.ect.

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

When buying guitars that expensive it's best to buy them new from an authorized Fender instrument dealer. There's some knock offs that are a lot closer to the Fender brand than that. Chinese copy guitars are definitely a bargain for obtaining a playable guitar but I wouldn't pay more than $500 for any of them new or used. That way you'll probably get what you paid for when buying online. Majority of sales people are honest but the scammers are among them for sure.

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes, great info! Thanks for sharing. How long have you been playing guitar?

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

@@Studio33guitar Since 1960. Got my first Fender guitar in 1967. It was a Fender Malibu acoustic. Got my first Fender electric in 1971. A telecaster. A million guitars since then. Lol I'm seriously addicted. I spent many years selling and trading Fender and Gibson guitars new and used in music stores.

[@Studio33guitar]

That’s amazing. You have a ton of experience and knowledge! Buying guitars is a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing!

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

@@Studio33guitar Yes it is. Enjoying your videos! Thanks!

[@user-yw9ud3ij6u]

Didn't anybody notice that hilarious "MADE IN USA" under the Fender logo on the headstock ? Has anyone ever seen that on a real Fender guitar ? 😂

[@jansabarth9466]

besides the cosmetics.. which one plays better?

[@vintagebikes4215]

Note the real neck at front by neck pickup has curvature at bottom, fake straight cut

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes that's right! Thank you for watching!

[@lucamancini2278]

thanks!

[@Studio33guitar]

Thank you for watching!

[@deandee8082]

the headstock wreeks of Squier...

[@matthewsalyersjr4965]

As soon as the video started I could tell the right one was fake! But it’s because I’ve done my homework for many yrs! But how I was able to tell is the headstock, the label was wrong and some curves were wrong.

[@Studio33guitar]

Good job! The more you study the real ones, the easier it is to spot the fakes! How long have you been playing guitar?

[@matthewsalyersjr4965]

I’ve been playing for about 23 years now

[@matthewsalyersjr4965]

@@Studio33guitar Started when I was 16 my mother and father wanted me to learn just two songs when I got the guitar stairway to Heaven and Hotel California I was self-taught so it took me a couple months but I got them down and then from that day on I’ve just been learning everything I can possibly learn

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

The width of the polepieces on the pickups is narrower. The body contours are'nt rounded off enough on the copy. The logo looks like it was meant to be a larger 65/66 by where they stuck it. You have mentioned pretty much all except what is on the inside of the guitar, electronics, date stamps pick-ups and routing. You really need to take them to bits to be shure, there are some very good fakes but the wood work and quality of finish is usually dodgy. Best to go to a store or find a seller that has paperwork for the instrument. Be great if you opened up the fake for us all!

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for the comment, great info! Yes opening it up would be good. Maybe I'll make a follow up video. Thanks for the suggestion

[@mattmelodymusic]

So funny.. Trading one of my guitars for a fender 14' Blackie today. Couldn't have asked for a better video.

[@Studio33guitar]

Awesome. Glad you found this video! The real Clapton guitar is great, you’ll love it!

[@anyhow5860]

Is there a downside with sounds using the fake one?

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for the question! This one doesn’t sound too bad, but it’s definitely “different” than the real one. There’s some clarity that is missing

[@adrianmatis3153]

And lower horn is different too. It doesn't match the pickguard edge. It looks weird, low quality.

[@Blesstheautmn]

Imma be totally honest, I consider myself a fender fanboy and I’ve owned like 10+ legitimate fender instruments. The only thing that would have caught me off guard is the font / placement of the serial number. And probably the feel, but I haven’t played it.

[@user-ux1cr2uy9j]

I love black strats. Some of my best friends are Guitars!!!

[@b.rodclark7349]

The Stratocaster on the right is the fake one and I knew just five seconds into the video from the extra three pickguard screws in it.

[@Studio33guitar]

The pick guard screws! Good eye! Thanks for watching!

[@chunthung8025]

I almost brought an stratocasters, It has no brand name on it. I wonder if it fake or real ?

[@harshtrivedi700]

What a story, hard to buy on it. Its not that I deny that there are fake fenders out there, as if the real ones are worth the price anyway.

[@Studio33guitar]

Thanks for watching! It’s a true story!

[@theculturedthug6609]

They all sound the same to me. I love them all.

[@telefunkenyou47]

Those “V” necks rule!

[@Studio33guitar]

Yes! The V necks feel amazing. Do you own one?