Compared to what we might pay in the UK it is cheap.
Buy it because it is a superb axe for the money, not because it is original - it isn't.The guard is a later add-on. Ask him if he has the original red guard?!
I think they came out of the factory on 9s, not 8's (seems a bit light) and if he is having problems on 10's, which I use on my 2 Pro Tones (they are ideal for me) maybe the neck is not all it should be.
Be prepared for the cost of a set-up.
Whatever, this is a Fender Mex De-Luxe (thats what they call em today) for the price of a Squier Standard.
:smokin
sixchannel