Hi DrNomis, I hate to tell you this but Pablo probably right. It looks like a Chinese made Chibson. Yep a Chinese fake Gibson. They sell for approx $200-$300 US. If your happy that's great but I'd seriously go get your strat back. And for the guy to swap it with you describing it as an original Gibson is illegal. This is one thing they do, they swap the fake for an original guitar. Then sell the original.And use the money to buy more fakes. If he's a good friend he may have done this unwittingly. So much of this is going on right now. Good luck maybe get the thing verified at a Gibson shop if they will even look at it for you. Here's some pics of yet another Chibson fake. They go to a tremendous amount of detail and mess it up with stupid little things. They normally play very badly and have unpotted pickups. They have blanked out Gibson logo on these pics if you zoom in you can still see their handy work. Check the back of the headstock Made in USA and serial number, that they copy from original ones. Hence your information being correct on Gibsons site. Let's hope it's real. But I'd move quickly before your guitar is handed on to someone else. Your Stat cost you $900.00 these fakes cost $200-300 your out of pocket by $600-700 .
Last edited by kimball492; 30-10-2015 at 12:05 PM.