As a manufacturer and distributor of new instruments, Fender has no direct involvement in the used, collector or vintage instruments markets, and is therefore unable to comment or speculate on the current value of such instruments. flex-direction: column;
Serial numbers were stamped on the back vibrato cover plate on early ’50s Stratocaster® guitars, and on the bridge plate between the pickup and the saddles on some Telecaster® guitars. font-size: .7rem;
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Fender. #guitar-serial-display {
Before 1976, frustratingly they often randomly assigned serial numbers. }
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He's also got an unhealthy obsession with vintage VW Campervans. Other resources include the Orion Blue Book (or Blue Book of Guitar Values), which might be found in your local library. The “10” prefix was designed to identify the first year of the second decade of the new millennium, and while it appears on the instrument decals, it was not captured in Fender’s operating system. Z512345 The Fender serial number decoder currently supports all documented MIA, MIJ, MIM, MIK and MII formats with the exception of Custom Shop, Relic and Reissue instruments. SZ0(XXXXX)-'00, SZ1(XXXXX)-'01, SZ2(XXXXX)-'02, etc. “Z”-prefix serial numbers denoting the new millennium appeared on U.S.-made instruments in 2000. width: 80px;
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They are almost always on either the top of the neck plate (the piece of metal on the back of the guitar near the neck), on the headstock (the top part of the guitar where the strings attach), or close to the body at the bottom of the neck. flex: 1;
Just enter the number below, hit the ‘Decode’ button and our lookup tool will tell you the year your guitar is from, which country it was manufactured in, and even the plant it came from. What can you tell me about the historical patent markings that appear on some of your products? border-radius: .3rem;
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As seen in the overlap of numbers and years, even these references to actual production dates are rather loose. “N”-prefix serial numbers denoting the 1990s were introduced in 1990. If, however, you’re interested in determining a relative value for your instrument(s), we recommend that you contact used or vintage instrument dealers in your area. The chart below details Fender serial number schemes used from 1965 to 1976. How can I find out when my Mexican-made instrument was manufactured? Note that made in Mexico Fender guitars (MIM) and made in Japan guitars (MIJ) have their own unique serial number system.
), Some Mexico made Artist model instruments, American Deluxe series instruments, '98 and '99, U.S. made guitars and basses destined for the export market. display: flex;
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Serial numbers are also helpful in determining an instrument’s production year. The only way to try to narrow the date range of your specific instrument is to remove the neck and check the butt end of the neck heel for a production date, which may be stamped or written there (if you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, please refer to an experienced professional guitar tech in your area). Instead, the instrument's country of origin appears on the decal on the back of the headstock, near the serial number. padding: .8rem;
The Answer Won’t Surprise You, Guitar Scale Length – What it is, How to Measure it, and Why it Matters, Guitar String Spacing – What You Need to Know, ©2020 - Zinginstruments.com. }
How can I find out how old my instrument is if it uses an odd or non-standard serial numbering scheme. These markets operate completely independent of the new-instrument market. Step #2 Match your serial number with the correct date. display: flex;
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The first two digits of the number identify the year of manufacture, (10 for 2010, 11 for 2011, etc.). Most specifications for a given Fender instrument model change little (if at all) throughout the lifetime of the model. user-select: none;
We’ll keep adding more info as and when we find it. Please note that fender serial numbers tend to overlap by at least a year, and thereby the date of your guitar can only be approximated. }
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The location of the serial number has annoyingly changed from model to model over the years. #guitar-serial-display span {
How can I find out when my Korean-made instrument was manufactured?
Between 1973 and 1981 there were periods when this did not happen consistently. Where to Find the Serial Number on Your Fender Guitar? #guitar-serial-input input {
A new serial numbering scheme was adopted toward the end of 2009 using the number “10” as a prefix, followed by a space, followed by seven digits. letter-spacing: -.05em;
This new numbering scheme was short-lived and was replaced only a few months later by an improved scheme that identifies an instrument’s country of origin and year of manufacture in the body of the serial number. font-style: italic;
Also used on many FSRs starting in the 2000s.
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The location of the serial number has annoyingly changed from model to model over the years. All Rights Reserved Registered Address – Dramatik, c/o Wesley Offices, 74 Silver Street, Bristol, BS48 2DS, On the front or at the back of the headstock, On the cover plate of the vibrato (on Stratocasters), On the back of the vibrato cover plate (on early ’50s Stratocasters), Between the pick-up and the saddles (some Telecasters), The prefix ‘L’ at the beginning of a serial number indicates a guitar from the early ’60s, The prefix ‘S’ at the beginning of a serial number stands for the decade of the seventies, The prefix ‘E’ stands for the decade of the eighties, The U.S. Vintage Series (launched in 1982) uses ‘V’ as a prefix for the serial number, The prefix ‘N’ at the beginning of a serial number stands for the nineties, The prefix ‘Z’ stands for guitars made in the noughties (2000 – 2010). They are detailed reference resources with a wealth of information on determining the production years of various instruments and on Fender history in general. V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), “10” prefix followed by a space and seven digits (late 2009 through March 2010). So where do you find it? How can I find out when my acoustic instrument was manufactured? font-size: .8rem;
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So where do you find it? Please note that fender serial numbers tend to overlap by at least a year, and thereby the date of your guitar can only be approximated.