Anything "special"about this guitar?

[Gatwick1946]

Hi Folks,

I recently bought a 2nd hand, Made in Mexico, strat from my local music store. It looks to be a fairly standard spec copy of a '58 strat, fiesta red, maple board, white metal hardware, vintage bridge etc. Serial number is MZ4106552.

The only points on which it differs from my Classic Vibe Squier strat are:-

(1) slightly more pinkish/orange in the paint finish.

(2) truss rod adjustment requires removal of the neck from the body.

But on the back of the headstock is a decal containing a gold star and the words "Fender, Special Edition".

Is this just a marketing ploy, or is it in any way special?

Kindest regards
Christopher

[Allclaphands]

Hi
Two things I found from the Stratocaster guide book is
Your guitar is a MIM Fender
MZ4 + 5/6 digits 2004–05 this shows the serial number and the year.
The ones marked with (M) are made in Mexico
Hope this helps

Pete

Below is a list of the models made in
2004 Aerodyne Stratocaster (1st version) (J) 2004 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster 2004–current American Deluxe Stratocaster (2nd version) 2004–current American Deluxe Stratocaster FMT HSS 2004–09 American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS 2004–current American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS LT 2004–06 American Deluxe Stratocaster QMT HSS 2004–09 American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck 2004–current American Deluxe 50th Anniversary Stratocaster 2004 American 50th Anniversary Stratocaster 2004 Antigua Stratocaster (J) 2004 Deluxe Players Strat (M) 2004–current Deluxe Strat HH (M) 2004 Deluxe Strat HH With Locking Tremolo (M) 2004 Deluxe Strat HSS (M) 2004–06 Deluxe Strat HSS With Locking Tremolo (M) 2004–05 Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster 2004–current Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster 2004–current Lite Ash Stratocaster (K) 2004–08 Rory Gallagher Stratocaster 2004–current Standard Stratocaster HH (M) 2004–06 Standard Stratocaster HSS (M) 2004–current Standard Stratocaster HSS With Locking Tremolo (M) 2004–current 50th Anniversary Golden Stratocaster (M) 2004 ’66 Stratocaster (N.O.S./Closet Classic/Relic) 2004–08

[RUSSET]

Hi Chris,
It sounds like a regular Fender Mexico-made 'Classic' series '50s Strat in Fiesta Red. I'm pretty sure they don't have 'Fender Special Edition' on the back. They have been part of that series for several years now; & two of my friends have them. Maybe Fender have issued a Special Edition, as they do from time to time. Check out their website.
If it's second-hand, maybe the previous owner changed the neck ? If it's in good condition, it's probably worth between £300-400.

Tony.

[rockinscott]

That's right, when they was new in 2004 they came with the special edition sticker on the back of headstock, mine did and still has it on (its maybe had 8 hours use from new) i think they came out not long after the Mex Hank Marvin sig Strat. Fiesta red wasn't an option then either which is why i snapped one up.

Thanks

Scott

[Gatwick1946]

Scott, Tony and Peter.

Many thanks for your advice - I now have what I needed to know.

Kindest regards,
Christopher