Information about serial numbers and year Fender guitars, encoder. The serial numbers on the guitar are provided through the years on various places. Made for the export market and have 'Made in USA' stamped on the heel of the neck.
I played a 1982 Japanese Fender Telecaster 62ri today. Black in colour. Owner said it has the date of March 82 on the neck and in the neck pocket (although the neck pocket says 62b as in 62 reissue bound but the body is not bound).
It has a CIJ mark but no serial number. He was told this story: there was a batch of one thousand guitars (500 each of teles and strats) made in japan for the new owners of Fender after the cbs sale. These guitars were made to show the American owners that the Japanese factory could produce great guitars. They were convinced and moved production to Japan. These batch guitars had no serial number. He says that the guitar I played today is one of these guitars. Now is this a true story do you think?
The guitar was beautiful and has a really cutting tone. Even in the neck pickup. It was warm enough in the neck though. What do you all think? The serial number could be on the bridge plate - it seems like Fender Japan put the number there on both the 52-style (which is the proper location for a 52) and the 62-style Teles. There are a couple of threads about these early MIJ '62s on TDPRI that show the bridge plate serial number. It's probably not an 82, but it may be an 85-86.
![Fender Made In Japan Serial Numbers Fender Made In Japan Serial Numbers](https://www.guitarrepairbench.com/guitar-dating2/images/crafted-in-japan-fender-serial-number.png)
I'll agree with those that say the story about 'no serial numbers' sounds like BS. At any rate check the bridge plate - the 3rd line of text should be a number, and that is the serial number. Fascinating stuff. The neck is apparently clearly marked March 82 inside on the heel but not on the back. I didn't see the neck remover but in situe.
There was no serial number on the back and I don't see how it could have been removed. There was no mark where it was scraped away or anything. I didn't look at the bridge plate for a serial number. I wonder if it is a different neck and body? The guy seemed honest and I don't think it was stolen. I'll try to contact him to get me some pics and post them if I can. I know of an early Strat that was supposed to have been one of a batch of 20 (I think?
I'll see if I can find the details on it) built for executives and employees prior to normal production; one piece ash body (beautiful actually!), but this one had a JV02xxx number (JV02 = neck date usually late April to late May '82). Squier series decal?Hmmm. The serial number on an early production JV Tele would be on the neckplate (JV000xxx), then moved to the bridge plate around mid summer 1982 (JV06xxx on generally).
The very 'FIRST' few 'bridge stamped' top end guitars (TL'52-95) had a large JV prefix stamp (stamped in the USA), followed by a normal size (small) number of only four digits. Interestingly, I happen to know that the first neck plates, JV00001 to 10, were never fitted to a guitar, but were kept by company exec's as a collector piece or whatever other use they had for them.? I would like to see this guitar (inside and out). I always treat stuff like this with the utmost suspicion, and without factory written provenance.?
I'll hopefully get pics. He bought it really cheap from a guy who knew nothing about guitars. It was when he left it into a shop for a set up that the guy doing the set up (who is into Fender guitars) opened it up and noted the stamp on the neck. He then told him the story about these mystery no serial number guitars.
The guy who owns the guitar just uses it as a studio guitar because it has a great twangy tone. As you say probably not true but a great story none the less. It's got us talking anyhow!
Fender's production methods from the early fifties had the effect the numbers may not be consecutive. Also overlap of serial numbers and dates come with regularity.
Where to find the serial number The serial numbers on the guitar are provided through the years on various places. At the top of the neck plate, at the front or at the back of the head or on the cover plate of the vibrato. (Stratocaster) Between 1973 and 1981 there were periods that this is not consistently done. If you want to know the production year 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 helpful for roughly determining the age of a guitar, this is often not the exact date. Usually, the production date is stamped or written is on the heel of the neck.
To read this it is necessary to unscrew the neck from the body. Most specifications for the Fender guitars are hardly changed.
Although there have been periods in which major changes occurred as the acquisition of Fender by CBS, and the transition from CBS Fender to the current owner (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation), most models are in general not changed. At the Stratocasters from the early fifties the serial numbers were stamped on the back vibrato cover. On some Telecasters at the bridge between the pickup and the saddles. Patent numbers Between 1960 and 1977, were added several patent numbers to the models. These became in the head under the Fender logo stamped. PAT, 2,573,254 2,968,204 3,143,028 2,976,755 DES 187304 2,573,254 for pickup and bridge combination.
2,968,204 for the single coil pickup patent awarded in 1961 under other for Jaguar, Stratocaster, Duosonic. 3,143,028 the patent granted in August 1964 for Fender's adjustable neck construction.
2,976,755 for the split coil pickup design. (Used since 1957 to the Precision Bass) The DES is the serial number. Esquires, Broadcasters and Telecasters 1950-1954. The serial number for these three models can be found at the bridge plate and is used until about early 1954. Fender then switched to a serial numbering on the neck plate for all models. SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION YEAR 0001 - 0999 1950 - 1952 1000 - 5300 1952 - 1954 Precision Basses 1951-1955. There is some overlap of serial numbers and dates.
Until 1955, the serial number is applied to the bridge plate. Although Fender had already switched in 1954 serialized for all models on the neck plate, is the serial number at some Precison's still affixed to the bridge plate.
SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION YEAR 100 - 400 1951 - 1952 0001 - 0999 1952-1954 1000 - 2000 1953 - 1955. All models The table below shows the Fender serial numbers as they were used from 1950 to 1964. The serial numbers in principle chronological, but as already mentioned, as a result of Fender's production, there are a several serial numbers that overlap. The only way to try to figure out the date is to remove the neck from the body and check the butt end of the heel of the neck. If the date is unreadable, it can also be written on the body under the pickguard or cavity form the pickups. SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION YEAR 6000 1950 - 1954 10.000 1954 - 1956 10.000 1955 - 1956 10.000 - 20.000 1957 20.000 - 30.000 1958 30.000 - 40.000 1959 40.000 - 50.000 1960 50.000 - 70.000 1961 60.000 - 90.000 1962 80.000 - 90.000 1963 90.000 - L10.000 1963 L10.000 - L20.000 1963 L20.000 - L50.000 1964 January 1965 Fender was acquired by CBS Corporation. Although it is not be traced back directly to the serial numbers.
CBS continued to make the guitars using the existing tools, parts, and the numbering system. The table below shows the serial numbers as they were used from 1965 to 1976. Again, there are a several serial numbers that overlap.
SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION YEAR L50.000 - L90.000 1965 100.000 1965 100.000 - 200.000 1966 - 1967 200.000 1968 200.000 - 300.000 1969 - 1970 300.000 1971 - 1972 300.000 - 500.000 1973 400.000 - 500.000 1974 - 1975 500.000 - 700.000 1976 The next table shows the most common Fender serial numbers schemes from 1976 to the present. Here is the S first introduced as a prefix to the serial numbers. The S stands for the decade of the seventies. The E stands for the decade of the eighties, and was introduced in 1979. As you can see by the overlap of numbers and years, the reference to the actual date of manufacture is rather 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 teh U.S.
Vintage Series was introduced with the V as prefix to 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 sold Fender to a group of private investors led by William Schultz, where the company get the current name Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. The changeover to the new owners can not deduce the serial numbers, because they continued the numbering at the same way. 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) In 1990, the N came as a prefix to the numbers, which stands for the nineties. The numbers and decals are produced far in advance. Due to a mistake at the factory in 1990 N9 decals (which were intended for use in 1999) applied to a several instruments that were built in that year.
As a result of this mistake, you will be able to get a guitar with a serial number N9 that was built in 1990. The guitars from 1990 have the serial number on the front of the headstock. Fender moved the serial number to the back 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 V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecasters) 1994 N4 + 5 or 6 digits N5 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecasters) 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 In 2000 the Z was added for the numbers. A Z0 prefix dates back to 2000, a Z1 to 2001 etc. Deluxe Series have the same standard but with the addition of a D for the Z, eg.
DZ1, DZ2 etc. Also here some overlap of numbers, prefixes and year. SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION YEAR N9 + 5 or 6 digits Z0 + 5 or 6 digits DZ0 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe) V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecaster) 2000 Z0 + 5 or 6 digits Z1 + 5 or 6 digits DZ1 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe) V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecaster) 2001 Z1 + 5 or 6 digits Z2 + 5 or 6 digits DZ2 + 5 or 6 digits (Am. Deluxe) V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecaster) 2002 Z2 + 5 or 6 digits Z3 + 5 or 6 digits DZ3 + 5 or 6 digits (American Deluxe Series) V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecaster) 2003 Z3 + 5 or 6 digits 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 2004 Z4 + 5 or 6 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 2005 10 + 7 digits (Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster, which uses a five-digit number) End 2009 - March 2010 US + 8 digits First two digits of the number identify the year of manufacture. (Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster, which uses a five-digit number) Starting March 2010 The following serial numbers stay somewhat outside the well-known Fender numbering.
If you have doubts about an odd serial number check the chart below, maybe you can find the number composition here. SERIENUMMER DESCRIPTION AMXN + 6 digits California Series electric guitars and basses, '97 en '98 DN + 6 digits American Deluxe serie instruments, '98 en '99 NC(6 digits) Squier Strat Bullets (dating unclear) 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. If you can not find a serial number (unreadable, worn of), you can approximate the age of a semi/electric guitar on the basis of the potentiometers. The code on potentiometers gives information about the manufacturer and the year and week when it is made. See: The Fender logo that was used can also be an indication from which period the guitar originates. Whether it is an original model or a vintage (also the old logos are used again) depends on your own estimation of the age of the guitar. Spaghetti-logo 1950-1965 transition logo 1960-1967 CBS era logo 1967.
Fender has used 3 different logos for guitars. The original logo, also called 'spaghetti logo', the transition logo and the CBS era logo. The spaghetti logo was used in the 1950s and is so named for its thin silver-colored letter with a thin black line. This logo was used in the fifties until the mid-sixties. At the end of 1959 a new logo was designed by designer Robert Perine and Leo fender himself.
The logo has fatter golden letters with a thicker black border. The logo was later named transition logo, because it bridged the period between the thin spaghetti logo and the CBS era. The first guitar to be branded with this new logo was the Jazz Bass in 1960. All new models got the new logo from that moment on. In 1967 after the takeover of Fender by CBS, the design remained the same but the letters became black with one gold-colored border.