80s strat ID crises

[jaywalker]

This strat has just come my way for a setup, looks ok but theres something suss about the way it plays, no sustain and the body looks a bit suspect.





It's apparently an '87 strat, has a 2 pole trem but a three piece body and the contours don't seem to line up with my guitar from the same year. There are no stamps on the neck and body, but the seller still claims its an original USA.
I know EE serial numbers are quite rare, the neck number checks out but the body is whats confusing me.
Anyone have any ideas?????

[Stormin]

2 things I noticed. The neck plate is post '98. It should be the word Fender written on a diagonal - This one looks like a Corona California plate. Also, the body does not appear to have the micro-tilt bolt under the small hole in the neck plate.

Another easy way to tell is to pull the pickguard. That guitar should have a rectangular swimming pool route for the pickups. Also that axe should have flush pole pieces on all 3 pup's and TBX control on the bottom tone (look for center detent on the pot around 5).

Stormin!

[jaywalker]

It has a tilt bolt, just a bad pic, but yeah, the neck plate is also suspicious, it is indeed a Corona plate.
Was bought for about 1000 US on the pretence it was an original 80's strat. Plays like shit though. Anybody think the body is non-kosher? 3 piece, dodgy finish etc. I generaly keep away from 80s strats so I'm no expert on them.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by jaywalker

It has a tilt bolt, just a bad pic, but yeah, the neck plate is also suspicious, it is indeed a Corona plate.

Forgot to mention the trem cover should be 3-ply. As far as 80's strats go, I have a first year (E4 serial) and it is a wonderful guitar. IMHO, thery just have a different vibe than a vintage styled strat. $1000 is WAYYYY too much for one of these. In my neck of the woods you can find them for $700 all day long.

Stormin!

[jaywalker]

Hmm. The customer will not be a happy camper. I reckon the neck was just shoved on a tokai or cort or something similar, and then a few bits and pieces were swapped.
It plays like a squire standard or a badly made mexican strat. thanks for the input.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by jaywalker

I reckon the neck was just shoved on a tokai or cort or something similar, and then a few bits and pieces were swapped.

The only way you (may) know for sure is to pull the pickguard and check for the swimming pool route. I'd also probably pull the neck and check the pencil date and post a pic of the pocket and micro-tilt. I can't accurately describe what the micro-tilt should look like, but I'd know it if I saw it. Also, you may wanna pull the trem out while your this far along and make sure the 2 point studs are original. Look for filled-in holes from an original 6-screw unit.

Also, do you have more info about the EE serial number? I'm assuming that's an export neck, but I'm thinking it's actually a '91 based on the EE1 prefix. My '87 has an E4 number and I've seen the silver logo American Std's range from E4 to N3 or so.

Stormin!