No serial on a used Guitar

[Tandum]

I'm wondering what peoples thoughts are about buying a used Fender or other, which has not got a serial number. I've been looking at quite a few locally and so far 3 of them don't have serial numbers.

They are passing them off as Mexican fenders, which they are, but if hasn't been stolen sometime in the past, why would the serial number be missing. I mean it's under clear coat, you have to sand it off.

Would you even consider asking for the serial number? In my case I want to know when and where it came from.

There's one on fleabay now, closes Sunday and I've asked twice for the number with no reply. This seller currently has 3 guitars and an amp for sale, has had the user account since 2008 and used it for one transaction in all that time. Is that sus or what.

[MattT]

Have you read this...Just about all you could want to know about Fenders.
http://www.guitarrepairbench.com/
No serial number...no Peso's
Matt

[Tandum]

yep, lots of serial lookup places -> http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

But would you even ask for the serial before buying. I've had a guitar/amp stolen and it was emotionally devastating at the time.

[RickS]

Sounds shonky, Robin. There are lots of fakes around these days, but mainly knockoffs of expensive guitars like Les Pauls. A decent fake will have a fake serial number, of course :)

[DavidU]

Hi Robin, I was a Fender agent for 10 years and I would not ever get any Fender without at least a serial number. Too many fakes and bits & pieces fenders around.
Dave

[GrahamL]

Robin my sons a couple of guitars on from your old Les Paul and rarely uses it
if your interested.

[Tandum]

Onya Graham, I just this instant clicked pay now for a black LP studio :)

The whole fender thing was just going round in circles :)