Is this an american or MIM body? How to tell?

[cap217]

I just need to know what body this is... Is there any way to tell?

[Bryce_dude13]

Do you know if it's nitro or poly?

[dougk]

Looks an awful lot like my MIJ late 90's 56 RI including color and the basswood'ish colored wood. Even the stamp.

Most of the MIM bodies have large cnc reference holes under the PG (and I think neck pocket). Might be worth pulling the PG.

[Sweetfinger]

^^^^^^
Yah, need to see under the pickguard, but doesn't look USA at this point- certainly isn't an Am Std.

[GAD]

My US Strat has a large reference hole. I've heard tell that the US-made ones have one and the MIM ones have more, but I don't know if that's been substantiated.


Here's my 2008 AmDlx with the guard off to show the hole:

[cap217]

I want to buy this. I don't have more pics so I am working off this. I am told its nitro 57 usa ri body but. I am starting to think that it is not.

[Super Locrian]

My MIM body has 3 of those "reference holes", what purpose do they serve?

Originally Posted by GAD

My US Strat has a large reference hole. I've heard tell that the US-made ones have one and the MIM ones have more, but I don't know if that's been substantiated.


Here's my 2008 AmDlx with the guard off to show the hole:

[bluzkat]

Originally Posted by Super Locrian

My MIM body has 3 of those "reference holes", what purpose do they serve?

Those are used by the machine that cuts the bodies to keep things aligned.

[Super Locrian]

Originally Posted by bluzkat

Those are used by the machine that cuts the bodies to keep things aligned.

Well, then the next question is why a US strat only has one hole, whereas a MIM has 3?

[2HBStrat]

Originally Posted by cap217

I want to buy this. I don't have more pics so I am working off this. I am told its nitro 57 usa ri body but. I am starting to think that it is not.

I can't tell from the pic, but what does it really matter anyway? If you like it and the price is right then go for it. Just think of it as a North American Body...

[bluzkat]

Originally Posted by Super Locrian

Well, then the next question is why a US strat only has one hole, whereas a MIM has 3?

The machines are different? (model, brand, price, whatever)

Not the same machine.

[Luke V]

I don't think they ever made a '57 AVRI in that color.

[cap217]

Originally Posted by Luke V

I don't think they ever made a '57 AVRI in that color.

I think they did and this is why I am confused. I really want the guitar but the seller is not sending me to correct pics so this is all I have. All the AVRI neck pockets have a date stamp and a V carved in them that I have seen. This doesnt so I guess I have to pass which is hard to do but the price isnt right for a MIM body.

[Johnny Alien]

I am sure those aren't US markings. The "ST-" marking is the Japanese model number. It is a Japanese body and I think one of the midrange basswood models.

[cap217]

Thank you for saving me some trouble with this.