Schecter Van Nuys Serial Numbers
Shop for-and learn about-Vintage Schecter Guitars. Some of the world best electric-guitar manufacturers began their businesses on the fringes of the music.
Last month, had me thinking. Murkat Jay mentioned that the guitars were ' real close, but not close enough,' but that's the opinion of a guy who actually built Gibsons for a living (legitimately) for years. I looked the examples he cited and thought, 'Well, that would have fooled me.' But certainly I have been buying and selling long enough to say that I've seen it all at least twice.
This couldn't happen to me. In my usual eBay trolling I happen across a Nash Stratocaster.
I need another Stratocaster like I need another anus, but I look at it anyway. Ebay, in its infinite wisdom, suggests another Strat, and then another, until I'm looking at some, in which I have zero interest. Less than zero even, except that in one of the photos is a Schecter Tele. The Schecter is black with white binding. 21 frets on a birds-eye maple neck, Kent Armstrong pickups with inline controls. This isn't one of the Dallas era Schecters. This is like Townshend used to play!
As a, now I WAS interested! And what do you know? Ship of theseus. It's also for sale! The auction said so: ' We also have the Schecter Townshend Telecaster in stock which is also for sale.
Feel free to ask any questions.' Now, already the red flags are popping up in my head (and you already know with the benefit of my opening salvo where this is headed), but I ignore them. I ignored my own better judgement because I talked myself into the idea that it's possible I have come across a less-than-educated seller. In our correspondence, he mentioned that ' the serial number is S8475, and it is in drop-dead excellent beautiful condition which makes me believe that it's not from the 1970's.' Well, now I think I know more than he does. After all, the 'S' serial numbered Schecters were made in Van Nuys, CA until 1983.
After that, they moved to 22 fret necks and diagonal controls. Well every Townshend fanboi knows that one of Pete's main stage guitars at the time was S8474! So, I inquire further,, I am quoted $1250 shipped (from Japan), and I call Serial Steve to check to see if my brain is working right. We look at the photos, say, 'Duuuude!'
To each other a few times and take a calculated risk that this HAS to be what it looks like. Never mind that the guitar looks Brand New in the photos. Never mind that the guy didn't have an auction for IT. La professoressa di scienze naturali 1976 torrent. Why not put it up for auction as well?
Why just mention it in passing in a Squire Strat ad? I even said to Steve, 'This could be the perfect confidence scam here. He throws the line out and I'm taking the bait. I'm almost asking to be taken for a ride here.'
Then Steve made a good point, 'Why forge a freaking Schecter guitar? Kent Armstrong pickups, birds-eye maple neck, shipping from Japan. How much profit could he be looking to make off of this?
If it's a scam, it's a pretty stupid one.' So, I take the bait and tell the seller,, who has 100% feedback, that I'll take the guitar. Serial recommends that I avoid the PayPal Gift route and offer to add the PayPal fees, requesting an invoice from the seller. Sound advice, indeed, and I followed it. Good thing, too.