How to Spot a FAKE Fender in Seconds!
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- Опубликовано: 30 ноя 2016
- I picked up a fake Fender Stratocaster guitar at my local used music store. Within a few seconds I realized it was a fake. Someone had rubbed off the Squier logo from the headstock and put a fake Fender waterslide on it. In this video I compare this fake Fender Strat to two real USA Fender Strats, a MIM strat and a Squier Strat. Here are the things I identified as a fake... Truss rod opening, Bridge, Serial number, Headstock, Logo, tuners and more. This is a must watch to spot a fake Fender Guitar.
Follow Up Video • Fake Fender Follow Up
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Please watch: "Guitar Neck Shootout: Fender vs Squier vs Mighty Mite"
• Guitar Neck Shootout: ...
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damn, I wish I would have watched this before I bought this guitar. My fake fender says "Ibanez" on it.
Auiuei XD
🤣😂😅😆
Ibanez is actually pretty good, but a fender still is better
Auiuei 😀😁😂🤣 your killing. , me 😀😁😄😅😆 stop " give me something cheap and real phony giv me Honda give sony"
Ibanez is a good guitar brand
I make good fender guitar in China. Thank for pointing out upgrade. We make new version.
also...peepee in Coke.
LMAO
Haaaaaaaahahahahahahaha!
Haha clever 😁
We got a group named loudness very loud aggressive American sounding music we play long time American GI 5 dolla 🤘
You sound like you are trying to film secretly in a store
that's how normal people speek to each other, most time outside the US
Some stores have totally anal-retentive "No Filming/Photos" polices. I have NO USE for so-called "auditors" that bumble around public sector offices with cameras refusing to explain themselves and to stop bothering clients, but the private sector sees "corporate espionage" even if it's a mom filming her kids playing in the checkout line.
Reverence for the guitars.
@Shawn Trimble I had a store-owner contact me because he had a REALLY good fake Strat knowing I was in the market for a Strat because it was the ideal instrument for putting a Roland GK2 synth-driver pickup and I didn't want to fall into the trap of over-modding too expensive an instrument and end up shitting the value away.
TRUE
I worked in a Guitar repair shop for a few years and many true Strats came in with two string trees, some factory original, some added by the owner of the guitar. And some Strat customers asked us to fit a second string tree for them. Also, we often changed stock Fender Tuners for Grover or Schaller Tuners at customers request. So many parts can be changed from original, like pickups, knobs, pickguards, nuts, bridges, etc. Some heavily modified Strats only have a Fender neck and body but with all non-Fender everything else. One of my own Strats has a non-Fender Body because I cracked the original LOL! It has DiMarzio pickups, and Grover Tuners. So, in reality, only the neck and electronics are still Fender. The rest makes it a Partscaster now.
Frankencaster. 😂
Yep. I put a Floyd Rose system on mine so it doesn't go out of tune on the dive bombs!
@@donotwantahandle1111 i started my first band in 1976 age12,played full on simce,,bought my first new electric guitar this year,a fender strat tash sultana (1k uk) it came from mexico and was in tune,taken to mates house where he had a good go on the wammy bar,ive had quite a few goes on it over a couple of months,,,ITS STILL IN TUNE wow ,,is that odd ? ive had a shergold masquerader since 81 (carnt beat there necks)
He's referring to the American USA made strat with the one tree , mim , Japan & some Chinese strats will have 2 on some models but 99 percent of USA strats will have one . From what I've seen anyway.
my 78 stratocaster came new with 2 inverted string trees . Hated the 3 bolt neck . It moved all over the place
Him: squiers always have 2 string trees me: restringing my squire with 1 string tree
2020 classic vibe only have 1 string tree
Lol I took mine off and sold it without it😂😂😂
@@martinc76 my 2012 CV50 also only has 1 string tree
@@sofajams662 yeah, the 50's model was maded with only 1
I also have one string tree and i dont even know what squier it is 😂
"You can tell the American metal is better" Who am I, magnet man?
Fairly obvious just by looking unless you are into your bubbled chrome
:-) i reacted too. This video did not convince me any way. "cheaper metal and cheaper plastic" :-) still laughting here. (Fencer Strato Mexico owner)
@@SteinarPladsen There is a difference in quality of metals (How much alloy etc) Does it make it sound better? Probably not imo. With the modern tech used to make guitars you can get a damn nice playable guitar for under $500. So I agree that American made generally isnt "worth" the markup, as long as you get the right "foreign" made guitar.
But if you want perfection as far as blemishes etc, its probably easier to find among American Made guitars
Coming from someone who's main guitars are a tribute s-500 and a Peavey Gen exp. Neither are American made but both are amazingly playable. The Peavey feels as good as any telecaster I have played. It has amazed more than one person to say the least, and I paid $80 for it.
Iron Man
Iron Man
I bought a Fender SRV Custom Shop, it must be fake as it sounds nothing like him when I play it. Going to ask for a refund.
The Magic Rat Stop playing guitar man
@@prometheusvenom7189 Went right by your head, dumbass.
The Magic Rat
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
When I play any guitar, it sounds like a guy who is usually freezing to death on a roof top. Perhaps I should just fix the furnaces and go😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
The Magic Rat I have one too! I can’t sound like SRV either, thinking of starting a SRV Strat owners club, interested?
You have to wear that SRV Texas hat to sound like him.
My beloved Squier has both the more expensive saddles and truss rod, and every time I see this kind of video, I'm even more in love with my fairly cheap Squier. A few adjustments and it plays like a way more expensive instrument.
I bought the Squier Deluxe Hotrails Olympic White Strat a few years ago, and after setting it up properly it plays like a dream, and sounds great for metal and hard rock. Truly amazing for the price, no wonder it's not available new anywhere.
That's really it too. A number of the newer Squires sound as good as the Mexican made Fender guitars. There is so much value in Squire guitars that it's really not funny. I used to think Squire was bad until I bought one for my wife to play on and played it over my mexi-strat.
This seems like a great instructional video for the Chinese on how to build better fakes.
First they build them cheaper, then better, then better and cheaper. LOL!
好注意! 謝謝~ :V
There is nothing special about Fender American Standard Strats and Telecasters either. They have little to no resemblance to the great guitars Fender produced when Leo Fender ran the company, and many other brands now can and do build far superior versions of the Strat and telecaster. John Page, Suhr, Kirn, G&L... and many more make far better Strats and Teles than Fender do these days.
phreak1118 yaaaa!
I was alive and playing back in the days when Strats could be had for $200 to $300, Les Pauls under $500. And EVERYONE said some were good, some weren't. You had to pick through them. The famous ones are the good ones. What's REMARKABLE, and SUSPICIOUS, is just how many of us were digging big holes in them, heavy bass bridges, humbuckers. And EVERY old Gibson had a neck break repaired.
The moral of the story is the fakes are RAMPANT. The guys have moved onto custom color Jazzmasters and stuff. They burnt out the Strat, Tele, and SG and Les Paul markets. All these "clever" lawyers who read Forbes magazine pimping gits and bought up a wall full of "vintage" guitars - they NEVER want them evaluated! Durn tootin'.
"How to get better at making Fender fakes in 10 minutes and 39 seconds"
Blood Bath and Beyond - Pop Goes Metal Covers good one haha
Squier is not what they're referring to as the fake. Some of the quality of the materials used would be of a squier type. As in cheaply made and pricey. You'll find plenty of Mex and Squier Strat necks with sharp fret edges.
YHEN TAKE A PHREAKIN FRET FILE AND MAKE IT SMOOTH. A LOT OF US ACTUAL PLAYERS PREFER SQUIRE MODELS AND IVESTING THE REST IN A HOUSE!@@richardtaylor8889
I have a squier, made by Fender, it's not fake, just their lower end series of guitars, however I like it, it plays well, stays in tune and can be set up exactly the same as the more expensive models.
I spent a few minutes with my measuring tools and a few guides setting it up, adjusting the action, plays completely different to how it came out of the box.
I bet we probably couldn't tell the difference when played side by side. Someone did a sxs recently and the Squires were like 99% comparable in tone to the Mexican strats. Mind blowing. At the end of the day, the pickups are pretty good, and the bridges and tuners can be swapped cheaply. Heck, loaded pickguards can be had cheap too. I really think that Squire is good. There is little point to paying for the badge. Feel good about this. I approve random internet stranger.
Thank you soooo much....I just learned a ton about my husbands Strat I now play. He passed away 2 years ago and I thought it was American made and around 2005 that he bought it and you just confirmed that for me. Plus I learned a whole bunch of other stuff too.....this was excellent!!!
Sorry for your loss and it's fantastic you have learned to play his old instruments.
I can honestly tell you that every man's fear is when he dies his wife will sell his guitars for what he told her he paid for them...
@@mudgutzadventures436 Now THAT is effing FUNNY as hell!!! LOLOLOL Made my day dude!
I just bought an all original and functioning 1958 Fender Stratocaster. It had been stored in its case since 1981. But then from 1958, to 1981, it was played very little. I have had a few vintage experts tell me that they think my 58’ Strat and its case may be the most well preserved all original and functioning 1958 Fender Stratocaster and Fender tweed case from that era in existence. During the certification process it was discovered that the body was completed in 6-58 and the neck in 7-58. The volume and tone pots came back as being made in the 25th week of 1958, or mid June of 1958. Out of all of my instruments, with this one, while I want to play it a lot, because it is so well preserved, I want to keep it preserved more than I do playing it. As it gets older and older and there becomes fewer and fewer of them left. Especially all original and functioning ones, the value of mine will only go up.
I give you 80 dollar
@@doppelbanger5797 how could anybody refuse that deal? That maybe covers the postage..
The things he's saying in the video are true... but if you want to spot a fake like a pro, look at the positioning of the screws on the _backplate_. If it's a modified Squier, the backplate holes will be evenly spaced apart... 4 holes in the corners, and two holes that are equidistant from the ends, centered evenly between the two nearest corner holes. On a USA made Fender, however, the middle hole on one side of the backplate will be slightly off center (closer to one corner than the other). Someone _could_ fake this little detail, but the vast majority of Squier modders out there either don't know about that fact or wouldn't put in the effort to actually drill an askew hole to fit a USA backplate on it, because they don't think anyone would notice (and most people wouldn't). So the likelihood that you'll come across a modded squier with a USA backplate on it is very low. Either way, if you see a "USA" strat and it has evenly spaced backplate screws, you'll know for _sure_ you're looking at a fake. But if you see a used strat in the store with a backplate that looks "USA" style, but you're not 100% sure it's the real deal, ask the guitar salesman to pop the back plate off... if the backplate has been modified, you'll see 7 screw holes instead of 6 surrounding the central cavity.
Jesse Cole or just look to see if string tree on sticker or not like he just said ...much easier imo
Em Fisher "to see if string tree on sticker"? Not sure what you're trying to say there... but no, it's not "much easier" at all. Just look at the back plate... it's pretty straightforward.
Jesse Cole back plate can be fake too I'm sure but they can't avoid putting the string tree on the sticker to know it's fake
Em Fisher I explained that in my comment about the back plate. Anything on a guitar can be faked. But I can't tell what you're saying about "putting the string tree on the sticker to know it's fake."
Good info! (I wonder why the 'off-set' tho? Maybe so it's interchangeable to another model?)
In Los Angeles I heard a Jazz guitarist playing an Aria guitar that he paid $99 for. He out played the top LA players with their expensive guitars. It ain't the arrow...it's the Indian.
I know. I bought a Highway 1 Strat and still can't play properly. I enjoy making noise together with my Line 6 POD XT Live.
@@gohjohan line 6? You must hate tone
@@sotheboysays, well, I like noise
Was he a native Indian or East Indian?
An Aria is one of the best "strat" knock-offs. Yamaha Pacifica is another.
“How to spot a fake fender, you can just tell”
I have a fake strat - and I LOVE it! It doesn't say "FENDER" on the headstock - it says "TOKAI" - so the idea wasn't to convince anyone the guitar was made by Fender - but make no mistake - it's ALL strat from headstock to strap pin - and all of the highest quality. Vintage American guitars are worshipped in Japan - but there aren't enough of them to meet the demand, so Tokai, a venerable and respected Japanese manufacturer, made drop-dead replicas of the best Strats and Les Pauls. These were initially intended for the domestic market only, but once American travelers - musicians and servicemen especially, discovered them, they started making their way to the US. Long story short - it got out of hand and the lawyers got involved. But guess who makes Made-in-Japan strats for Fender now? Yup - Tokai. Bottom line - not all fakes are bad - some are better in fact than the originals. Just know what you're getting into - Tokai has been SO successful that some of THEIR guitars are now made in China, and those aren't their best units. Sigh...
Brands don't matter much. Only in some extreme cases [or personal preference, such as neck width]. My first guitar was a Vintage Tele wannabe with 2 humbs. The curious thing is that I regret selling it. It was perfect in all ways possible for me.
great post !! interesting points--- all true !! Fender handed it on a plate to Tokai. In the late 70's and 80's a lot of Fender US stuff was pretty average. I bought a Tokai for £240 years ago, and it was so much better than my then US made Strat. Feel, tone, finish, fretwork....all seemed better. I now have many Fenders and some so called copy guitars, but there are many, many good copies to choose from, often at half the cost. PS...one of my best buys was an ESP Edwards 335. The best vintage fat neck ever, high quality tonewoods, carved top and back, proper headstock angle, beautiful cherry finish, tonepros hardware, Duncan pups, proper neck joint and great tones .........all for a third of the cost of a Gibson 335 in the UK. I admit to changing the name on the headstock and job done ! PPS---the first Squires were just fantastic guitars !! had a butterscotch tele that was a real beauty---I seem to recall that it had US pups-----oh how I wish I still had that guitar !
Tablature Butler Agreed ESP comes to mind..
SRV played a Tokai Strat on the Texas Flood album. They are a great guitar.
Yes, A very famous Strat player once said that he wished the Squire had been made when the originals were made, because they played better than the originals. I had a Squire which I worked on and eventually had to sell. The buyer used to own a musical instrument store and said the Squire was the best Strat he had ever played. So, what is a "FAKE"? Should we be concerned? A fake is something that claims to be the real thing and the price is set to reflect that. Fenders are often sold without having been set-up. So the novice who can afford an expensive Fender get's it home and find he can't play guitar very well. Very disappointing to him because he thought this guitar was a god and would almost play itself. In the 70's, I was still playing plywood guitars that sounded and played better than my friends Strat. How can that be? I learned to set up guitars, replace pickups, wiring and push pull features. Many Strats can have disappointing hardware too. The Decal detail explained in this video doesn't sit very well. The decals on the genuine guitars were not particularly good, so it's not a sure way to know if a guitar is genuine. Best advice for anyone is to have a guitarist go along to the shop with you, make sure the guitar fits you, feels comfortable, sounds good, tunes accurately. Don't buy just because of a label. Don't get caught up in marketing.
wow, I've just realized that I have a fake starcaster.
joke's on them though, I only paid $100 for it
Starcasters usually just say fender, they won't say squier.
...or at least like Squiers it'll say 'by Fender'.
The Campfire 🌎🧡🎄💔🕯😄😄
Same. I didn’t realize it said starcaster instead of Stratocaster. I thought $90 was cheap for a fender though
@@compy2273 lol
Damn, I just discovered my Squier is actually a fake Fender. I'm returning it immediately. Thank you.
Some fake guitars actually feel/play nicer than real ones. I'm down for whatever, as long as I can go to 11!
John Lopez yeah, as long as you’re not paying a premium, in some cases I’d agree.
shut up anyone saying a fake should exist or are better is an imbecile not worthy to play guitar. pisses me off when people endose bootlegs
@@slottygw2wvw842 brand licker
@@paulhansenofficial brand licker? because he wouldn't want to spend extra money for something that is actually worth 200 dollars?
@Dixie Hooligans most fake are cheaper than the real one and some are in the same price range and play lot nicer
Those garbage tuners were the first thing that caught my eye.
Some Fender tuners are very good,...if you don't like the tuners on your guitar you can change them,....if you're going to worry about what a guitar is worth stock,...I suggest you get a guitar,..lock it in a display case and never play it,.....guitars are ment to be played,.....as long as you like the sound and they way it plays who cares if it's stock or how much it's worth,.....I think the video was made for more of a buyer-be-ware type of thing,.....not to actually overpay for what a guitar is worth.
Christopher Daly the tuners on the fake are the most obvious, those are the shitty chinese tuners that are godawful and look clunky
Good that you're giving so many pointers! because you could switch the saddle and nut, file the frets, replace the tuners and place the sticker.
Thanks man , you saved me some money with this video and your version 2 as well. Keep them coming.
I watched the entire video and I still have no clue how to spot a fake Fender.
Just buy Chibson, and save $2000.
Re watch at the music store
If it has American passport it is American Fender; If it has Mexican passport then its Mexican.
The tuners on them is a dead giveaway, even mexican fenders will say fender on the tuners and the part of the bridge the strings sit on. Usually the chinese copies use all no brand cheap parts like you'd see on ebay, aliexpress and similar is another way. Luckily there are websites like the seymour duncan forum which can show you. One of the better tips if people know how to solder is to check out the pickguard. It's night and day for the looks of a mexican or better fender versus a squier. Gibson copies on the other hand you usually know right away a lot of them were very light, a real les paul weighs over 10lbs, very bad fret work, the tuners are so loose you can almost blow on them and same thing the electronics look like stuff you'd get in a very cheap epiphone. Nothing wrong with import electronics in most cases but a dead giveaway none the less.
4:18 "this is just... this feels great"
Also a little confusing is that at 3:04, the vintage reissue "sticker" logo doesn't really look like a better quality sticker; it kinda looks bubbly and not very smooth.
That's the way the original sticker looks now. I tech for a guy who has a '59 Strat, the logo sticker is not smooth and it is bubbly looking. Guess they wanted the reissue to mimic what an original would look like now.
my real US strat's logo, if you look real close, is a sticker under the varnish.
@@joejones9520 same at my Fender Player (mexican) Strat. I think it's a thin decal, not a sticker which are thicker.
Mexican Fenders are built by mexicans in Mexico, US Strats are built by mexicans in California 😁
How to Spot a FAKE Fender in 639 Seconds! The title doesn't lie
I really like the quiet voice. It makes the info sound super important.
LOL, yeah. But, to be fair, he's filming this in a working business, so he can't exactly project his voice like he's on a Broadway stage !
It is a really helpful comparison, particularly to me as I am currently looking for an authentic Fender guitar. Many thanks for the video.
Squiers are fake? I thought they were just cheaper versions
If you take the Squier decal off and replace it with a Fender decal to get a better price, then you are misrepresenting what you are selling.
Heath Barnhart they still are Strats made by Fender
Well I'd still be pissed even if I got a Squier Bullet when I ordered for a Classic Vibe.
I think this a pawn shop, so its a bit of a difference buying experience. Getting fakes or misrepresented guitars is a possibility if the owner doesn't know/understand what they have and don't get it properly appraised. If you are ordering online from a retailer this shouldn't be an issue.
Just for clarification, this was a music store called "Music-Go-Round" not a pawn shop. It seems a little like a pawn shop because they buy and sell a lot used gear.
Hi from New Zealand,
I'm left-handed so I have to order in the guitar, and that if they make that particular model guitar left-handed. I have both Fender telecaster, Stratocaster both made in Mexico and an Epiphone Gibson. But I can make these guitars sing like hummingbirds. I understand that an American Stratocaster has 22 frets vs Mexican 21frets? I have played lead to a song where I have run off the fret broad? I think it was the lead to 'She keeps no Secrets' by the Australian band the Angels? I spend hours playing my guitars. It's my way to de-stress keeps me sane. I cannot imagine a world without music.
Thank you for sharing your guitar knowledge with the world👍
No, I'm pretty sure the Mexican and American has the same amount on frets, 22 (depending on the guitar of course), I think the difference is the tone. There is a video by Darrell Braun Guitar where he meticulously point out the difference.
@@tabrizcarpet1310 Mexican strat are factory-made 21 frets. By request or custom made for customer Mexican strat 22 frets. American strat 22 frets. Had the chance to buy an American left-hand Strat 22 frets just did not have the money at the time. I can spend hours on my Guitars.
@@henryrudolph1952 Thanks for the info then.
So why’s blake shelton checking out real and fake guitars?
Even if it actually was him, hes a musician man that wouldn't be very odd at all. It's a part of his profession.
Thank you for the comparison, very accurate and informative!
If you look at the "contour body" decal at 3:10, it looks far worse than than the Squier. I've finished a number headstocks with nitro over water slide decals and never had one turn out like that. I also own about 15 American Fender guitars, including several AVRIs. None of them look like that. The rest of the decal doesn't look that great either. Unless this is some kind of intentional distressed look, I can't imagine that Fender's QC department would have let that guitar out the door. It makes me wonder if there is more than one fake in that group.
Wow that's interesting, I always knew there was something off about by strat but didn't know what. When I received it, the neck was horribly out of shape and always snapped strings, the body was scratched and the paint chipped after a few weeks of play. I know a guitar like that wouldn't pass Fender's quality checks. Thanks for the vid.
I LOVE that bass at 5:02 with the big chrome tailpiece! That looked awesome!
All I had to do was look at the 12 fret inlay spacing. That gave it away instantly.
My 1997 American Standard has two string trees. I do appreciate this video and I did inspect my strat just in case LOL. Fortunately, I still have the original bill of sale, original Fender instruction guide that came with the guitar and case and the Fender factory tag. I even check the serial number. Mine is legit :)
88x78t 98 98 78 if 9i to I87
Tabulature Butler, AGREED! Japanese Tokai guitars are at the top of the list of guitars being made today! Now remember I said made in Japan. But I completely agree with your opinion! The Squire Classic Vibe series are fantastic and not just from a price point. Those Classic Vibe's are fantastic guitars! Plus, taking a decal off that has a finish over it must take a lot of work. Nothing wrong with playing a Squire. I saw a fantastic Tele player using what I believe is the least expensive Squire Tele out there!
Another thing is I've noticed some of the fakes have a neck tint that verges on a pretty loud almost taxi cab yellow color for the maple necks in some cases whereas the Fenders look more much more subdued/natural. But some of the fakes I've seen recently are getting awfully close to the Fenders - but many places you can detect the fakes is the guitar itself may be decent, the hardware is frequently cheap and not as good. So, by the time you replace all that questionable hardware you've spent what you would have on a Fender anyway. Sadly the target for the sellers of the fakes are those who just aren't that knowledgeable so videos like this are a big help for those players.
My comment on that will be....not exactly. Got a new Squier Affinity for 210. Same type Mexican was 790. new bridge, nut, locking tuners (all Fender). less than 100. went over board and bought a custom 69 loaded pickguard for 300 which far exceeds Mex Strat. still less than 790
My post was from 2 years ago before inflation started ramping up - I'd say "get what you can and enjoy it and play it a lot!" @@stevejoyce3151
I actually looked at the tuning knobs
“All American will have a wood hole” 5 seconds late “I guess they use plastic on some”
"All American's are gonna have a walnut hole," the MIM had plastic. However, he didn't expect the fake (Squier) to have plastic. The other Squier he was looking at also had a wood hole, but it wasn't walnut, it was the same color as the rest of the headstock.
enjoyed this video, at 65 yrs old I remember these very very well, I do recall squires as being an authentic fender back in the 60,s and seventies, to my recollection the squire was a cheap version, but I still loved to play it, used it at many concerts, until someone loved it more then i did, gone in 60 seconds ,
Wilfred Firley can you help me some with some questions I have about electric guitars I know absolutely know nothing about them
I had 2 simultaneous Fender Strats, both 50th anniversary and both Sqieres made in Korea. 1 left handed and 1 right handed. I have also had several American Strats and Teles, including an L series, the number being L77177. The left handed Squiere was the best feeling and sounding Strat I have owned, apart from the L Strat.
As if the f#cked up water-slide decal isn't a dead giveaway :D
"SYNCHRONI" (insert pause + slight angle) "ZED" - work of a master.
This was an Amazing video! I've always wanted to play guitar, but am one of the 11% in the world who are Left handed. I picked up drums instead which I ironically learned R handed. This is such an informative video. Thanks for taking the time to post. Godspeed!
They make left handed guitars.
I am left handed and play right handed guitar and violin right handed. No excuses!
Thanks wished I would’ve watched your videos before I bought a bass
It's funny how you mention telling counterfeit currency by "feel" but that is ABSOLUTELY true. I used to work in a bank and actually came across fake notes twice. Both times my eyes were fooled but they just didn't feel right, so I looked further. Closer inspection revealed the bills were indeed counterfeit. This is why with guitars I always buy from a reputable dealer. I've played for 35 years and can tell a Gibson easily but am not as confident with Fenders, and they have 2 pieces to verify which is more problematic.
The new American line Strats have 2 string tensioners, it also has the hole up top for the truss rod adjuster. So keep that in mind. ( new sandblasted American models )
Thanks man! Never thought to check on this...I have a Mexican Strat and Mexican Tele. The machine heads on the strat look like the ones you showed as fake. It is a '94 though I believe, may have been a production quality thing at the time. Any thoughts on this or sites I could check? Just noticed this is a 2 year old vid. Hope you're still checking back. Thanks again!
I could tell as soon as i saw the tumers. They fit too “chuncky” on the headstock
This video needs to be updated. Fender now manufactures their guitars in 4 countries, America, Mexico, Japan and wait for it... China. The Fenders made in China use the term “Crafted in China”, Generally speaking. The string tree theory is one that is too difficult to make a fake v. real call on, note the screen text said some have two trees. Not only do a lot of American made strats have two string trees, a lot have the one piece cast metal design because they are interchangeable with the telecaster from the same era ‘87-‘08, particularly the mid ‘90s and up. Also, parts that go on American & MIM strats are not made in America, Fender is making fewer and fewer parts in the USA. I called Fender Customer Service and spoke with Carlos, to inquire about a telecaster bridge plate I ordered from an authorized Fender dealer. As soon as I looked at it, without taking it out of the package, I knew it wasn’t made in America. Sure enough, it was made in China right on the packaging. Carlos confirmed that some parts were made in China, but those bridge plates were now being produced in S. Korea, and used on the USA and MIM guitars. Because of the advertising law changes concerning USA made products, a manufacturer can no longer put “Made in the USA” on a product if less then 10% of the parts are not made in the USA. That is why if you go into a guitar store and look at US made Fender guitar, it doesn’t say, “Made in the USA” on the head stock anymore. You will see the brand name Fender and under it Corona, California. That doesn’t mean it was made in the US either, they all are labeled in this manner on the new Fender products. Two ways you can tell a legit Fender, is to run the SN: on the Fender website (or call them) or take the neck off the guitar and look for the manufacturers markings, inspection sticker, manufacture date stamp on the back of the neck on the heal. To see if the body is legit you will have to pull the pick guard and look in the cavity for barcode decals and the little paper decal colored circles stuck to the inside. Here is another key, when buying a used Fender, some have been repaired with genuine or manufactured under the license of Fender parts, such as a company called “All Parts”. Unless you have been using fender guitars for years, or trained in spotting counterfeit guitars, you shouldn’t walk into a guitar store and in less then 2 minutes claim a guitar is a fake, you could wind-up embarrassing yourself. Not hatin, just saying.
More like they never were making the parts in usa. They only said that for patriotic guys that act like if it isnt made in USA they dont want it. I heard they were getting parts made in Mexico and shipping them up to Corona
@@The504lego Once upon a time in Fullerton, California (sounds like a Tarantino film) the parts were made in the USA 🇺🇸. Most of that ended after Leo sold Fender to CBS and departed his position as technical advisor. CBS immediately began changing things in order to “Cut Costs” that lead to a sharp decline in the quality and sound Fender was famous for. Eventually, CBS sold the company, minus the Fullerton factory, to the employees of the company, but had to build the new manufacturing facility in Corona. They were still building MIM in Ensenada, Baja California (well at least it’s sorta California). As time marched on and labor costs increased for sub-components, it was more “cost effective” to out-source the production of many of these parts to other affiliate companies, given that Fender had acquired many more guitar brands that were made overseas. On a positive note, there are some main sub-components that are still made at the Fender factory in Corona, such as select PUPs, necks and bodies, other parts such as pots and switches that are found in American made guitars and Custom Shop guitars are made by Switchcraft and other trusted companies. But the days of 100% made in America Fender and all other US guitar and instrument companies are long gone… I guess that is what they call economical progress, sounds more like quality congress to me…
found this very helpful for any craigslist suspicions
well i got a squier cyclone sawao's signature and it has "fender" crafted in the bridge
That’s normal man, it doesn’t say squire on that early 90s stuff.
"how to spot a fake fender in seconds" *makes 10 minutes video*
It means how to " spot" a fake Fender in seconds. That has nothing to do with the video itself.
Liam Sweeney you must be new to this RUclips thing
600 seconds is still seconds lul
He means that once you watch the 10 minute video, you'll have the knowledge to spot a fake fender in seconds
Thats how you make money in RUclips. At least I could rest my mind that my Fender is a fake.
All labels on Fender guitars are 'waterslide' type transfers. The difference is how they are finished/lacquered. On some older Stratocasters, the labels might contain a list of the patents that Fender acquired, these will differ, depending on age. These patent numbers can be looked up on the Fender patent site, where differing numbers relate to changes in the instrument's specifications; the inclusion of the vibrato system, the different types of truss rod adjustment, 'micro neck tilt', 3 screw neck plates, pickup types...etc... All have different patent numbers, that can often be seen below the 'Fender Stratocaster' logo and thus checked.
I spotted a fake 'waterslide' by noticing a discrepancy in the patent numbers... This was a 'rubbed-down' Squire.
Great knowledge and advice!
Im in the Philippines which is in asia and in here most products are fake and made in china so this will totally help
One thing in the Philippines you cannot buy a Fender from a dealer in the USA and have it shipped to the Philippines, Fender has exclusive dealers in the Philippines so American dealers cannot sell in the Philippines
@@JohnAdams-xc5yk Philippine exclusive fenders are made from where?
@@jamesm4957 doesn't matter where they are made Fender dealers are not supposed to ship fender guitars to the Philippines, Fender Philippines dealers have that right
Lol I felt like buying a Strat just 30 mins ago, seeing this comment made me think of the possibilities of it being fake. Decided not to anymore and stick to my
Ibanez RG450
"which is in Asia" haha
I watched your video thinking I would be able to tell the difference and went out and bought myself 3 more fakes. My red one plays pretty nice though.
I am a serious collector & singer song writer.
Nathan Hassall this made me laugh harder than i probably should've
Purpose served cheers!
Proving once again that you can't fix stupid.
You may need to scroll up and follow along with whats happening little buddy... Also Scott, I gotta say man if you are just trolling around in this new year to be a dick to a total stranger I hope the best for you...the world can be cruel to guys like you.
Something people overlook when doing a spot the fake video when it comes to Fender, is the 12th fret dot inlay separation. The fake has dot inlays too far apart. Fender usually places them under the A and B string and sometime a little closer. I have seen Japan Fenders with inlays spread too far but they're getting rare.
Great information! Thank you!
You forgot about one of the easiest details to look at, and that's how I spotted the fake one at the beggining of the video, check the double spot on the 12th fret
Thank you! You are the 1st person bright enough to know that the dots at 12th are different spacing.
Another exception is my 95’ American Standard Strat has two string trees
My Fender American has two string trees, with rollers, which might be worth noting.
Originally fender made a cheap version of the strat in a combo package and quickly realized selling them under the fender name was a mistake. They quickly switched them to squire by fender. I have one of the original fenders with the factory fender logo on it.
Great vid, you have guts discussing fake guitars right in the guitar shop :D
I really enjoyed this video! I’m wondering if this is legal for someone to make fakes? How disappointing if someone saves up to by a Strat and brings home a fake! I believe in buying quality instruments. You can just play better than you can on cheap ones! I’m spending some of my down time during COVID to study all the makes of guitars, both acoustic and electric. Once I started the study of Fender electrics, it’s hard to stop! Thank you so much!
Rip me I just bought a Fake fenderstart from a local musicshop, I even saved the money for about 2 years just to buy one...
Lesson learned*
Research before buying:V
Em meu país, uma Fender mexicana é guitarra de luxo. Creio que nos EUA, uma guitarra mexicana é uma guitarra simples e de baixo preço. A forma de governo no meu país é muito perversa, e somos uma das maiores economias do mundo, mas só famílias riquíssimas que ficam com a maior parte da riqueza.
The Fender strat is the volkswagon of electric guitars. Everything can be replaced, no matter how bad the damage or wear. There lies the problem. I have owned five genuine, dozens of copies and a few fakes. My advice is suck em n see. If you want the real thing, buy from a dealer. My current gigging strat is a Squire affinity and it plays and sounds delicious.
does the emissions scandal apply here?
couldn't agree more, my favorite tele is my 90's Squire Silver series, the thing absolutely sings... but i often cover the headstock with a bandanna or similar to get away from the whole stigmata of "couldn't afford a real fender" *looks over to my genuine, non-reissue, '58 P-bass sitting next to me*
Can't change the wood too
I put aside my shobbery and tried a Squier Affinity P/J bass (in race red). After about an hour of play, going through exercises and a few of the more challenging songs the band I'm in plays, I convinced the store mgr to knock it down about $50...and now I own it! It (allegedly) has authentic Fender split-coil and single coil (bridge) pups, and it really plays like a dream. The fretwork is really quality work, intonation on my part was minimal, just a little string height/action adjustment. I will NEVER again "snoot" myself out of buying a bass just because of the label; I'll at least give it a fair chance by taking it off the wall and going through a few scales, first. This weekend will be the third gig I'm taking the Affinity along as I alternate basses--the other is a Fender Am. Standard J bass.
Thank you so much, I totally agree the main thing is to be honest even if both are made by by fender but the reality it is misleading others especially if it is not mentioned on the mark that this one was upgraded or different parts been used even these parts made by fender, because in the future at some point might end in the market and to avoid any misleading or confusing , the best to be honest . And imagine anyone or loved ones been in this situation paid for something not really worth the real amount. I totally appreciated what you are trying to point and people should appreciate and be thankful for your kindness to point these issues. Well done for your great job Russel I really do salute you man.
This was very useful! Thanks!
What is the website to check 🇺🇸🎸❓
When I got my strat , I called Fender and was told there wasn't much they could do since Fender changed hands a few times.
Do some mods and it will be great!
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO!! I really want to buy a strat someday and I'd be pretty heated if i spent 500 on a fake when I want the real deal
fascinating, thank you. Its crazy how easy that is. Mine is a Mexi strat, so I am confident it's nothing more... or less... than it presents itself to be. Its the greatest.
Good tips. I usually take it apart and run the serials.
Title should be “How to spot a fake Blake Sheldon in 5 minutes”
Damn!!! I kept thinking this guy looks familiar! Good call!
Pete Hegspeth look alike!🤔
mines a 60th anniversary mex and it has 2 string trees and a protruding truss rod at the top of the neck, and mine is definitely genuine.
My 80's Contemporary System 1 had the outline of the water slide. You can see it. You can't feel it. It had the Gray E8 Serials and was traceable on the Fender site to Japan. It is, 100% legit and real ST-562, 22 fret, Kahle locks. This guitar was infact manufactured in both the U.S, and Japan, during their transition. The waterslide isn't Always a tell tale. I alsi aquired this from the original owner. Original Candy Red finish. Heavy. Quality. I recently sold it to a family to restore. It was one if the best player guitars I've held.
Man thanks for the great knowledge 🎸
The pickguard screw placement is different on the fake. Also the fake has 10 screws...the fender has 11
That's odd I count 11 same as regular Bullets and '59 on Strats which have 11 screw PG's too, could be my eyes though😎
i just realized i got 7 fake fenders
None of them Squires?
F
F
LOL oh well its really all about the player and what u can do with it right !!!! -cheers
F
This video is very helpful. Thank you!
Hi Kennis - thanks for this. Do you have any info on Crafted in Japan (1997-98) Strats? Specifically are there any with 2 string guides? They are properly placed (not interfering with the logo).
1:10 knew it was fake immediately I saw the string tree screwed over the logo.
lol mine has everything that makes it fake on this video ooops
MCatwar I'm assuming you paid full price for it
nah lol i paid like 70 for it xDD
One can be proud of having a real american Stratocaster
Why proud? MIMs are better value, by far. While they aren't as overpriced as Gibsons, no standard (baseline) instrument should be priced over $1200. With few exceptions, I'd say "One should feel scammed if they payed for a 'real' American Stratocaster".
TheConvert Ok, Im gonna clean up the salt
Thank you, sir! This video is all I need.
Thank you sir, I was tensed whether I would be mistaken if I bought a fake guitar,
That store had two locations in Houston and they both are permanently closed.
Online market wins again.
I have a 1979 25th anniversary and it has two string trees came with it and 1979!
I was going to say I bought a new American professional a couple years ago and it has two string trees, I didn't find the string tree thing as accurate
I have a 1977 and a 1978 Strat and I am the original owner of both. They have 2 string trees.
Thanks for all the information
Thank you for your contribution with this video!
Is anyone hoping by some miracle their Squire was is actually a Fender in disguise?
Squiers are made by Fender. "Squier by Fender" makes that perfectly clear. It's not a fake Fender.
And 2 string trees doesn't make it fake. I've seen real Strats with 2 trees.
Squire sound and play great!
The flat string trees will hang up those strings in a heartbeat; both my Squiers had em so I've replaced em w/triple string trees.
my american custom has 2 on kt it doesnt mean its fake it keeps the strings in tune twice as long also adds extra sustain on the strings by adding a bit of torque
Mine has 2
I think the point is someone is trying to put a fender USA logo on the squier headstock and pass it off as USA. Although some 80s mij squiers are actually better than the US strats
Thanks man great video, as i have both a squire and an American Stratocaster i was able to check everything directly.... 👍👍
THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU'RE A BIG HELP KENNIS RUSSELL. :)
Or tune it up, turn it up (in that order), and PLAY it, for 5 seconds.
If you can't tell the difference, then how can you claim fraud? If it sounds the same and plays the same, then it seems what you care about is what the headstock says and not how the instrument sounds.
@TheConvert Excellent point. I can see helping noobs not get ripped off, and I agree bootlegging, without disclosure to the buyer, is lousy and immoral.
But honestly... after years of having trouble getting work because of gross oversaturation of noobs everywhere, I say fuck em. :-P
Julie Bee......drops the microphone.
Dave, I'm gonna guess that Julie Bee knows better than to drop a perfectly good mic.
@TheConvert If someone willingly pays extra for that boutique label as, let's say an investment, they're being ripped off. They're also not going to look so good when they try to sell that axe later on to a knowledgeable buyer; They're probably going to assume you're either a fool or a crook. Either way, you lose. In some instances, it _is_ what the headstock says that's important.
639 seconds!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the awesome video.
Thanks for this GREAT video!
Squire is a good guitar. I play on this guitar and I can say that the price of quality is very good
I agree
The cheap fakes you buy today are better than the vintage Fenders we bought in the sixties.
True. We have two original Strats from 1967 and they have a somewhat tinny sound to them. I used to think that older videos suffered from sound quality but it was also the guitars themselves...not bad, just tinny. Listen to the early Kinks, ,Ventures,etc.
replace the pickups with Seymour Duncans. The magnets in pickups of that age are much weaker than they were new.
You mean inexpencive, cheap mean inferior materials and shoddy workmanship.
Some Squire necks are actually O.K.,......it you fide one that you don't like the finish on,...just sand it off...
Robert Sprague I remember how sloppy the Fenders were built in the 60's. Even variences in the shape of necks and bodies. The came the CNC machines.
Enjoyed this vid. I bought a cheapee Strat copy a few years ago, put better quality pots in and have been playing it ever since. But when I watched your vid, I took a more critical look at it and found it to be Korean - "Made in Korea" decal on the headstock, under the Fender name. looks good, plays pretty well, and has a serial number stamped on the square plate on the back that begins with NK (North Korea?). Same style Fender saddles, but not stamped at all. Stays in tune fairly well, too. Seems to be a popular item to copy for sale.
Glad to say my Made In Mexico Strat is real ;) I am lucky to own a MM Strat for quite a few years and compared to my other guitars it is far superior in most aspects, mainly ease of playability, great set-up and action, stays in tune and sounds great. I have another cheap guitar I have owned for 30+ years and although super cheap and made in Korea the Rockster Guitar from Argos UK is still with me and has its own unique sound, I should really set it up a bit better. I own a few other guitars, a Jim Deacon Les Paul. Fender Electro-Acoustic and two guitar build kits (Headless Guitar and Telecaster) I think I have a guitar addiction! :)