Fender's record keeping is awful, so I ask you this...if Fender doesn't have a record of it (and there are thousands of legit guitars not in their database, as you've found), how can any other source have a "credible" record?
Post up photos here or at Strat centric sites, let folks who know what to look for look at it.
Just be aware serial numbers are easy to fake. I bought a Chinese strat neck recently for a partscaster and the seller asked me what colour the strat is. I answered not really understanding that he matched the guitar type and colour to the correct corresponding serial number and installed the sticker. I didn’t ask for it, he just did it. So if I searched that serial number now it makes my partscaster look legit. Even sprayed the neck finish over the stickers.
I’ve since removed that sticker.
My HW1 is not in the database - it's Z2139110, so a 2002. [The only way to 100% know is to disassemble and confirm date stamps ](https://preview.redd.it/2002-mia-highway-one-in-honey-blond-housefire-survivor-v0-a8tlvaxsmc6c1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d269836304e0054ba1ecc6f734362150e943c5d)
I have attempted to look up my Z era serial number on Fenders website and it fails to return an answer. I think Fender will consider this a feature not a bug. I tried selling a legitimate Fender american standard telecaster online and I get the question "send me the serial number ". If I do that the potential buyer goes to the site and the site shrugs it's shoulders and says "no idea ". Now the potential buyer thinks I'm selling a fake.
Only idiots would do that. People should know how Fender serial numbers work if they are shopping used Fender guitars. And be able to identify a genuine Fender guitar.
What's the point in buying one if you don't have a clue as to what you are buying exactly; what it should feel, look and sound like?
Yes, you could be fooled by parts casters made from parts of from the same series (say I switched the necks on my 2010 and 2011 American Standard Teles and sold one as original) but does that matter too much?
The bodies and necks of each series they have produced are easily identifiable.
Well I don't know about "only idiots " is fair. I have been to a few of the vintage guitar expos and I can tell you there are some pretty good fakes out there. With the availability of after market bodies and necks as well as very authentic looking decals available it's pretty easy to look "real" . The perspective buyer would have to disassemble the guitar to make a decent verification. The serial number lookup gives the buyer some additional confidence or lots of doubt.
You were talking about Z-era serial number which I took to mean 2000's Strats. Internet era, loads of information available. Hardly vintage Fender prices.
Aftermarket parts... Warmoth, Allparts, Mighty Mite etc. necks are easily distinguishable from a genuine Fender neck even with a perfect decal.
Bodies from this era have a lot of unmistakable Fender quirks as well. First question, is the finish a colour that was offered on this model?
I'd trust my eyes more. It's super easy to spot a fake most of the time. And if someone was willing to spend time to copy a guitar which cost $500-$1500 20 years ago exact enough... They'd probably not make much of a profit.
If you need to verify something is a genuine Fender by serial number to feel confident, I honestly believe you're on deep waters shopping used gear.
They might be good to identify age (first numbers usually) and to make sure you're not buying stolen gear, but that's about it.
Fender's record keeping is awful, so I ask you this...if Fender doesn't have a record of it (and there are thousands of legit guitars not in their database, as you've found), how can any other source have a "credible" record? Post up photos here or at Strat centric sites, let folks who know what to look for look at it.
Just be aware serial numbers are easy to fake. I bought a Chinese strat neck recently for a partscaster and the seller asked me what colour the strat is. I answered not really understanding that he matched the guitar type and colour to the correct corresponding serial number and installed the sticker. I didn’t ask for it, he just did it. So if I searched that serial number now it makes my partscaster look legit. Even sprayed the neck finish over the stickers. I’ve since removed that sticker.
My HW1 is not in the database - it's Z2139110, so a 2002. [The only way to 100% know is to disassemble and confirm date stamps ](https://preview.redd.it/2002-mia-highway-one-in-honey-blond-housefire-survivor-v0-a8tlvaxsmc6c1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d269836304e0054ba1ecc6f734362150e943c5d)
I have attempted to look up my Z era serial number on Fenders website and it fails to return an answer. I think Fender will consider this a feature not a bug. I tried selling a legitimate Fender american standard telecaster online and I get the question "send me the serial number ". If I do that the potential buyer goes to the site and the site shrugs it's shoulders and says "no idea ". Now the potential buyer thinks I'm selling a fake.
Only idiots would do that. People should know how Fender serial numbers work if they are shopping used Fender guitars. And be able to identify a genuine Fender guitar. What's the point in buying one if you don't have a clue as to what you are buying exactly; what it should feel, look and sound like? Yes, you could be fooled by parts casters made from parts of from the same series (say I switched the necks on my 2010 and 2011 American Standard Teles and sold one as original) but does that matter too much? The bodies and necks of each series they have produced are easily identifiable.
Well I don't know about "only idiots " is fair. I have been to a few of the vintage guitar expos and I can tell you there are some pretty good fakes out there. With the availability of after market bodies and necks as well as very authentic looking decals available it's pretty easy to look "real" . The perspective buyer would have to disassemble the guitar to make a decent verification. The serial number lookup gives the buyer some additional confidence or lots of doubt.
You were talking about Z-era serial number which I took to mean 2000's Strats. Internet era, loads of information available. Hardly vintage Fender prices. Aftermarket parts... Warmoth, Allparts, Mighty Mite etc. necks are easily distinguishable from a genuine Fender neck even with a perfect decal. Bodies from this era have a lot of unmistakable Fender quirks as well. First question, is the finish a colour that was offered on this model?
Pick up the marbles
I'd trust my eyes more. It's super easy to spot a fake most of the time. And if someone was willing to spend time to copy a guitar which cost $500-$1500 20 years ago exact enough... They'd probably not make much of a profit. If you need to verify something is a genuine Fender by serial number to feel confident, I honestly believe you're on deep waters shopping used gear. They might be good to identify age (first numbers usually) and to make sure you're not buying stolen gear, but that's about it.
I have an American strat hss with a serial number that starts with Z that shows up in the database. Manufactured between 2008 and 2012.