Question Need some assistance ID'ing this potentially...

[Bob123]

I need a gigging "workhorse" and don't wish to use my Axis in a live setting (its near mint, and I'd like to keep it that way) so I was online looking to purchase a sterling ax40 to use. Please spare me any quality disputes, this is not the point of this thread. (I own a honey burst axis. Very lovely guitar!)

Well the problem, I found a great deal on a used blue one (Fav color!), and blindly purchased it online without even really checking it twice.

Then I noticed the neck... This neck looks like it has some decent figuring on it, and the head stock decal.... is OBVIOUSLY not a "Sterling" decal.

Things of note -
1) The decal. Wtf?
2) it appears that there is something scrubbed off the top horn of the h/s where the "model" name would go.
3) the color of the head stock isnt right
4) appears to be figuring on the neck, or am I just seeing things?
5) what is that black mark on the top right of the body?

I apologize, this is the image they sent me, and the best I can do for now. I will receive it on weds, and get better images up then, but my curiousity is KILLING me.

3 things are coming to mind -> 1) somebody painted the headstock and tried to match it and failed. 2) someone stuck a music man neck on a sterling body (WHY?!) 3) it's fake???

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[DrKev]

It's unfortunate, and worrying, that the only the photo they sent you is so crappy and that the price tag is hidden. That in itself worries me. Of the three things you mention, my immediate guess is 2) or 3) or maybe even a fake neck on a sterling or OLP body. I've seen beautiful flaming on a Squier neck (it's rare but it happens) so don't let that indicate the quality or provenance.

When you get the guitar call post the serial number in the "what is the production date of my guitar" thread and ask them for all the info the can give you. If the number does correspond to an Music Man guitar (i.e. not Sterling or OLP) they can tell you the original colour, fingerboard wood, if the headstock was matching or not, when it was produced what dealer it was originally shipped to, etc.

I just hope it all works out for you and doesn't turn into an expensive lesson on "buyer beware". If it was me, I'd be spending the next two days reviewing the procedures available if it's a case of fraud. Good luck, and let us know what happens!

And I almost forgot, welcome to the forum, Bob!