SERIAL-NUMBER-DECODER.CO.UK
Find the date of a Fender guitar by serial number
You can use this Fender serial number decoder to date a Fender guitar. The tool works for most Fender electric guitars including the Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Fender bass guitars, Fender Squier models and many custom shop and reissue models (although some cannot be dated by serial number). If this tool fails you can also get the date by using my pot decoder. To date a Fender acoustic guitar try my Fender acoustic guitar dater.
There are a number of possible locations for the serial number on a Fender guitar. These include the top of the neck plate, somewhere on the headstock, on the bridge plate or the back of the neck near the body.
Enter the Fender’s serial number and select if your guitar was made in USA, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Indonesia or China.
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DATING FENDER GUITARS BY REFERENCE OF SERIAL NUMBERS
Fender’s production methods from the early 1950s resulted in the serial numbers sometimes not being consecutive. Repetition and overlapping of serial numbers and years also occur regularly.
Where to find the serial number
The serial numbers have been placed on or in the guitar in different places over the years.
At the top of the neck plate, on the front or at the back of the headstock or on the cover plate of the vibrato (Stratocasters), or at the end of the heel of the neck.
Between 1973 and 1981 there were periods when this did not happen consistently.
If you want to know the year of manufacture of your Fender guitar, you can decipher it with the serial number decoder, or find it in the tables below.
Although a serial number is useful for roughly determining the age of a guitar, this is often not the exact date. As a result of the overlap between years, Fender serial numbers are also not by definition chronological.
In the past (before 1976) the serial numbers were often randomly assigned. To approximate the correct year of construction for the period before 1976, also look at the date on the heel of the neck and of the potmeters. Usually the production date is stamped or written on the heel of the neck. To approximate the correct year of construction for the period before 1976, also look at the date on the heel of the neck and of the potmeters. To read this it is necessary to unscrew the neck from the body.
Most specifications for a particular Fender guitar have hardly changed, if at all. Although there have been times when major changes have taken place, such as the acquisition of Fender by CBS, and the transition from CBS Fender to the current owner (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation), most models have generally not changed.
At Stratocasters from the early fifties, the serial numbers were stamped on the back of the vibrato cover plate. On some Telecasters at the bridge between the pick-up and the saddles.
| Patent numbers Various patent numbers were added to the models between 1960 and 1977. These were stamped in the headstock under the Fender logo.  | Example: PAT, 2,573,254 2,968,204 3,143,028 2,976,755 DES 187304 2,573,254 for pickup and bridge combination. The DES is the serial number. |
| Esquires, Broadcasters and Telecasters 1950-1954 The serial numbering for these three models can be found on the bridge plate and lasted until the beginning of 1954. Fender then switched to a serial numbering on the neck plate for all models in that year. |
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| 0001 — 0999 | 1950 — 1952 |
| 1000 — 5300 | 1952 — 1954 |
There is some overlap of the serial numbers and dates. The serial number was applied to the bridge plate until 1955. Although Fender had already in 1954 switched to be placed the serial number on the headstock for all models, it was still punched on the bridge plate with some Precison’s.
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| 100 — 400 | 1951 — 1952 |
| 0001 — 0999 | 1952-1954 |
| 1000 — 2000 | 1953 — 1955 |
The table below shows the Fender serial numbers as they were used from 1950 to 1964.
The serial numbers are basically chronological, but as already mentioned, due to Fender’s numbering methods, there are a number of serial numbers and years that overlap.
The only way to try to find the date is to remove the neck from the body. If the year is unreadable, it can also be written on the body under the pickguard or in the cavity in which the pickups are.
With Fenders from before 1955 you cannot use the serial numbers to determine the exact year of construction. The first Telecasters and Stratocasters appear to have a separate numbering.
With Telecasters it can happen that a ’52er has a higher number than
a ’53er. The serial numbers from after 1955 have a logical order.
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| Until 6000 | 1950 — 1954 |
| Until 10000 | 1954 — 1956 |
| 10000 | 1955 — 1956 |
| 10000 — 20000 | 1957 |
| 20000 — 30000 | 1958 |
| 30000 — 40000 | 1959 |
| 40000 — 50000 | 1960 |
| 50000 — 70000 | 1961 |
| 60000 — 90000 | 1962 |
| 80000 — 90000 | 1963 |
| 90000 — L10000 | 1963 |
In January 1965, Fender was acquired CBS Corporation.
Although that is not directly attributable to the serial numbers. CBS continued to make the guitars using the available, Community, parts, and the serial numbering system. The following table shows the serial numbers as they were used from 1965 to 1976.
Here too there are a number of numbers and years that overlap.
The serial numbers can give a rough indication of the year of construction.
An L followed by a number indicates a guitar from the early 1960s, while the large Fender F logo implies that the guitar was made after being taken over by CBS, so from the mid to late 1960s.
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| L10000 — L20000 (neckplate) | 1963 |
| L20000 — L59000 (neckplate) | 1964 |
| L59000 — L90000 (neckplate) | 1965 |
| 100000 | 1965 |
| 100000 — 200000 | 1966 — 1967 |
| 200000 | 1968 |
| 200000 — 300000 | 1969 — 1970 |
| 300000 | 1971 — 1972 |
| 300000 — 500000 | 1973 |
| 400000 — 500000 | 1974 — 1975 |
| 500000 — 700000 | 1976 |
The following table shows the most common Fender serial numbers
from 1976 to the present.
Note the introduction of the letter prefix to the serial numbers.
The S stands for the decade of the seventies, an attempt by CBS to identify serial numbers every year of production. The E stands for the decade of the eighties and was used for the first time in 1979.
But here too there were a number of overlaps and the reference to
the correct production date is sometimes vague.
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| 76 + 5 digits S6 + 5 digits | 1976 |
| S7 + 5 digits S8 + 5 digits | 1977 |
| S7 + 5 digits S8 + 5 digits S9 + 5 digits | 1978 |
| S9 + 5 digits E0 + 5 digits | 1979 |
| S9 + 5 digits E0 + 5 digits E1 + 5 digits | 1980 |
| S9 + 5 digits E0 + 5 digits E1 + 5 digits | 1981 |
In 1982, the U.S. Vintage Series launched with the V as a prefix for the serial number.
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| E1 + 5 digits E2 + 5 digits E3 + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1982 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
| E2 + 5 digits E3 + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1983 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
| E3 + 5 digits E4 + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1984 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
In March 1985, CBS Corporation Fender was sold to a group of private investors led by William Schultz. The company was given the current name; Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
The transition to the new owners cannot be deduced from the serial numbers, because the numbering remained the same.
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| E3 + 5 digits E4 + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1985 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
| V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1986 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
| E4 + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1987 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
| E4 + 5 digits E8 + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1988 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
| E8 + 5 digits E9 + 5 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1989 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
To date American Vintage Series with the prefix ‘V’ serial numbers correctly, the neck of the body must be unscrewed. The production date is stamped or written on the end of the neck heel.
In 1990, the N came as prefix for the serial numbers, and stands for the nineties. The numbers and stickers were produced far in advance.
Due to a factory fault, N9 stickers (intended for use in 1999) were affixed in 1990 to a number of instruments built in that year.
As a result, you will come across a number of guitars built in 1990 with an N9 serial number. The guitars from 1990 have the serial number on the front of the headstock. Fender moved the serial number to the back of the headstock in 1996.
| SERIAL NUMBERS | PRODUCTION YEAR |
| N9 + 5 digits N0 + 5 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1990 (For U.S. Vintage Series, check date on the neck for specific year) |
| N1 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1991 |
| N1 + 5 or 6 digits N2 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1992 |
| N3 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1993 |
| N5 + 5 or 6 digits | 1995 |
| N6 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1996 |
| N6 + 6 or 6 digits N7 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1997 |
| N8 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series) | 1998 |
| N9 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecasters) | 1999 |
The Z for the digits was added in 2000.
A Z0 prefix dates from 2000, a Z1 from 2001, etc. The U.S. Deluxe Series have the same standard but with the addition of a D for the Z, e.g. DZ1, DZ2 etc.
But here too there are overlaps of numbers and years.
| SERIAL | PRODUCTION YEAR |
Z0 + 5 or 6 digits
DZ0 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe)
V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecaster)
Z1 + 5 or 6 digits
DZ1 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe)
V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecaster)
Z2 + 5 or 6 digits
DZ2 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe)
V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecaster)
Z3 + 5 or 6 digits
DZ3 + 5 or 6 digits (American Deluxe Series)
V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecaster)
Z4 + 5 or 6 digits
DZ4 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe)
V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecaster)
XN4 + 4 digits
Z5 + 5 or 6 digits
DZ5 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe)
V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded ’52 Telecaster)
XN5 + 4 digits
(Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster, which uses a five-digit number)
(Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster, which uses a five-digit number)
First two digits of the number identify the year of manufacture.
The following serial numbers are somewhat outside the familiar Fender numbering.
If in doubt about an odd serial number, check the table below to see if you can find the letter number combination here.
| SERIAL | DESCRIPTION |
| AMXN + 6 digits | California Series electric guitars and basses, ’97 en ’98 (Made in USA and Mexico) |
| DN + 6 digits | American Deluxe serie instruments, ’98 en ’99 |
| NC + 6 digits | Squier Strat Bullets (see Squier serials) |
| FN + 6 digits | US-made guitars and basses destined for export. Some are not exported or sent back. |
| I + 7 digits | A limited number of these I-Series were made in ’89 and ’90. Made for the export market and have ‘Made in USA’ stamped on the heel of the neck. |
| LE + 6 digits | Blonde Jazzmasters and Jaguars made in 1994. Sold as a promotional 3 piece set with a Blonde Deluxe Reverb Amp. |
| CN + 6 digits VN + 6 digits | Produced in Korea, Fender/Squier guitars. (dating unclear) |
| CA + 5 digits | Gold Strat 1981, ’82 and ’83 |
| CB + 5 digits | Precision Bass Special from 1981, CB(5 digits) Gold Jazz Bass from 1982 |
| CC + 5 digits | Walnut Strat 1981, ’82 and ’83 |
| CE + 5 digits | Precision Bass Special from 1981, Black and Gold Telecster from 1981 and 1982 |
| CD + 5 digits CO + 5 digits | Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982 |
| GO + 5 digits | Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Gold Strat 1982 and 1983 |
| D + 6 digits | Jazz Bass from 1982 |
| SE + 6 digits SN + 6 digits |
SZ + 6 digits
[eighties] SE8 + 5 digits-’88, SE9 + 5 digits-’89
[nineties] SN0 + 5 digits-’90, SN1 + 5 digits-’90, SN2 + 5 digits-’92, etc.
[two thousands] SZ0 + 5 digits-’00, SZ1 + 5 digits-’01, SZ2 + 5 digits-’02, etc.
Fender guitars produced in Japan have the serial number on the back of the neck, near the attachment to the body.
In some reissue models it can be found on the headstock or the neck plate. The combination of the text «Made in Japan» and the serial number was used until 1997.
Fender increased its production in March, 1982 by having the Japan-based company Fuji Gen Gakki also build instruments.
The MIJ (Made In Japan) guitars start with a letter or a few letters indicating the year of manufacture. This is the same system as the US serial numbers, however these MIJ serial numbers are less reliable.
Because this letter system was used inaccurately, the dating of MIJ guitars is questionable.Because this letter system was applied inaccurately, the dating of MIJ guitars is doubtful.
In 1997 the sticker «Made in Japan» was replace by «Crafted in Japan». There are overlaps of «CIJ» (Crafted in Japan) with the «MIJ» models, so pay attention to whether the instrument is labeled «Made in Japan» or «Crafted in Japan».
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