The Fender Stratocaster Serial Numbers
※ Download: Fender serial number guide
Neck-dating can be useful in determining the approximate age of a guitar, but it is certainly not definitive because the neck date simply refers to the date that the individual component was produced, rather than the complete instrument. Deluxe V + 5 or 6 digits American Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecaster XN5 + 4 digits 2005 US + 7 digits 3rd en 4th digit, production year.
The only way to definitively date U. A 1964 instrument can be worth 25% more than an instrument from 1966.
The Fender Stratocaster Serial Numbers - This article will hopefully help to put the best resources for fender serial number dating in one place. Used since 1957 to the Precision Bass The DES is the serial number.
Date Range Up to 6000 1950 to 1954 Up to 10,000 1954 to 1956 10,000s 1955 to 1956 10,000s to 20,000s 1957 20,000s to 30,000s 1958 30,000s to 40,000s 1959 40,000s to 50,000s 1960 50,000s to 70,000s 1961 60,000s to 90,000s 1962 80,000s to 90,000s 1963 90,000s up to L10,000s 1963 L10,000s up to L20,000s 1963 L20,000s up to L50,000s 1964 In early 1965, Fender was sold to the CBS. The old Fender serial number scheme did not change immediately as CBS to use up existing parts and use existing tooling however a large F logo was added to the neck plate shortly after the accquisition. SERIAL NUMBERS and APPROXIMATE PRODUCTION DATES 1965 to 1976 Date Range L50,000s up to L90,000s 1965 100,000s 1965 100,000s to 200,000s 1966 to 1967 200,000s 1968 200,000s to 300,000s 1969 to 1970 300,000s 1971 to 1972 300,000s to 500,000s 1973 400,000s to 500,000s 1974 to 1975 500,000s to 700,000s 1976 There were numerous serial number schemes used after 1976. Here are the most common schemes. Date Range 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 Vintage Series of guitars was introduced. Perhaps the best way to date the Vintage series is to carefully remove the necek and check the bottom of the neck for a production date. Date Range EI + 5 DIGITS E2 + 5 DIGITS E3 + 5 DIGITS V + 4, 5 or 6 DIGITS U. Vintage Series except '52 Telecaster 1982 For Vintage Series, check neck date for specific year E2 + 5 DIGITS E3 + 5 DIGITS V + 4, 5 or 6 DIGITS U. Vintage Series except '52 Telecaster 1983 For U. Vintage Series, check neck date for specific year E3 + 5 DIGITS E4 + 5 DIGITS V + 4, 5 or 6 DIGITS U. Vintage Series except '52 Telecaster 1984 For U. Vintage Series, check neck date for specific year.
The numbers and decals were produced far in advance, and some N9 decals denoting 1999 were inadvertently affixed to some instruments in 1990. Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecasters 1999 In 2000 the Z was added for the numbers. While there have been periods of dramatic change—such as the transition periods between the Leo Fender years and the CBS years or the transition between the CBS years and the current ownership—most models are generally feature-specific and do not fender serial number guide from year to year. Vintage Series, check neck date for specific year E3 + 5 digits E4 + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits U. SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION YEAR E1 + 5 digits E2 + 5 digits Fender serial number guide + 5 digits V + 4, 5 or 6 digits U. Notice that there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. Vintage Series excluded '52 Telecasters 1986 For U. Not all schemes are covered here. Collectors value instruments based on a number of factors. CN XXXXX R XXXXX V XXXXXX Many US Custom Shop Instruments CA XXXXX Gold Strat 1981, 82 and 83 CB XXXXX Precision Bass ® Special from 1981, CB XXXXX Gold Jazz Bass from 1982 CC XXXXX Walnut Strat 1981-82-83 CE XXXXX Precision Bass Special from 1981, Black and Gold Tele from 1981-82 CD XXXXX CO XXXXX Precision Bass Special Walnut from 1982 GO XXXXX Precision Bass Special Walnut from 1982, Gold Strat 1982-83 D XXXXXX Jazz Bass ® from 1982 EE XXXXXX Some U.
