Is this Fender VI Custom Shop genuine?

[Jazzy123]

Hello people of Talkbass,

I have been rocking a jazz and a precision bass for a few years now and I love them. But recently I’ve been on the lookout for a new bass to add to the collection.

I found this pre-owned Fender VI Custom Shop for sale on an online marketplace and have how scheduled to meet the seller in 3 days (this Saturday) to try the bass.

The seller is an old man that doesn’t know anything about instruments since the bass used to belong to his son. Therefore, I will have to do all the detective work myself.

Now to the problem:
I have no previous knowledge of the Fender VI and how to make sure that it’s genuine.

I have yet to find a Serial numbers on the bass, however the bridge PAT and headstock PAT appear to be matching (if this means anything).

Of course, I can ask the seller for additional pictures aswell as check for determening factors when I meet up the seller.

What would you guys do to authenticate the bass? What questions would you ask the seller? Any specific things I should be on the lookout for?

Any tips would be much appreciated!

 

[Jazzy123]

 

[FenderOli]

FAKE!!! This is no Custom Shop!!!

They didn't came with a skunk stripe.

 

[Jazzy123]

FAKE!!! This is no Custom Shop!!!

They didn't came with a skunk stripe.

Thanks for the response!

Have been looking at some pictures of VI:s and you seem to be right! The only ones I’ve found with a skunk spripe are Squires. Perhaps this is a modified Squire made to look like a Custom Shop?

 

[darthplagis]

Defo a squier make over.
Looks great.... But so does the squier stock so... Meh.

 

[Warpeg]

Haha. It looks exactly like my VM Squier Bass VI with a better tremelo and new decals.

 

[Jazzy123]

Thanks for all the help!

I passed on the bass but will definetly be on the lookout for a real one

 

[JMacBass65]

Thanks for the response!

Have been looking at some pictures of VI:s and you seem to be right! The only ones I’ve found with a skunk spripe are Squires. Perhaps this is a modified Squire made to look like a Custom Shop?

Yeah. The headstock trussrod adjustment was the giveaway for me. Very very good fake, I was fooled until I saw that.

 

[Koshchei]

My views regarding FSOs have always been that because they're designed to be easy to make, finish, and assemble, the best way to select one is to shop with your ears, since there's very little that you can do to the basic recipe to either improve it or ruin it.

And if the headstock happens to say Sire, Squier, or something else on the one you choose, then so be it.

 

[Ghastly]

Was he asking a Custom Shop price? Maybe this guy should be flagged on whatever marketplace this was.