9/11/2023 0 Comments Fender serial numbera ’50 Esquire, a ’51 P.Bass, and a ’54 Stratocaster. In other words, a number like 0043 can be found on three different models of different vintage, i.e. Overall, the short-lived original Stratocaster series runs from 0001 through the low 1000s mostly in 1954. Around June 1954 it was moved to the upper edge of the neck plate and numbers lower than 0100 were then also used. Introduced in the Spring of 1954, has a 4-digit number initially stamped on the vibrato back cover plate and beginning in the 0100s. The Precision Bassįirst made in late 1951, also has a 4-digit number stamped on the bridge baseplate and its series runs from 0001 through to the high 1000s between 1951 and early 1955. The Esquire, Broadcaster, “No-Caster” (a segway modelīetween the Broadcaster and the Telecaster, marketed in early 1951 with no nameīut Fender on the peghead) and Telecaster have 4-digit numbers stamped on theĠ001 through to the 5000s between early and late 1954. Three “families” of solid body electrics were introduced during System gradually began to be applied to all Fender models. Beginning in late 1954, a common numbering Consequently, the same number can be found onĭifferent models made at different times between 19. Serialization scheme, but each model (or “family”) had a series of its own. In 1997, Fender changed the "Made in Japan" decal to say "Crafted in Japan" and then after 2007, Fender Japan switched back to the "Made in Japan".The “original” series is actually divided into two periodsĪs the instruments introduced before 1955 were not registered into a common Though some examples have the number on the headstock or the neck-plate in certain reissue models. Location: Usually found on the back of the neck near the neck joint. Pictured Above: 1978 Precision Bass Date on Headstock Fender “Made/Crafted in Japan” Fender Serial Numbers Unique Characteristics: Post-76 Fender serial numbers will start with a letter indicating the decade, followed by a number that indicates the year within that decade.ĭecade letter codes: S = 1970s, E = 1980s, N = 1990s, Z or DZ = 2000s Pictured Above: 1973 Telecaster Date on Neck Plate (F Series)įenders with serial numbers located on the headstock: (Front or back of the headstock, depending on the era and model) Models: Telecaster, Broadcaster, Esquire, Precision Bass, Early Stratocasters Years: 1950-1954 ( Fender serial numbers schemes were specific to the model in this period)Ĭonvention: Four-or Five-digit Serial Numbers Fender Serial Number Lookup Guide The Early Years Serial Numbers I can also tell you things that a serial number alone cannot – for example if parts, like pots, pickups and hardware have been replaced or restored. If you would like an appraisal on your Fender guitar or bass, then please get in touch on and I can help you figure it out. This can be done by checking the guitar's features, such as the body shape, pickups, and hardware, and comparing them to the standard specifications for that model and year. Once you have decoded the serial number and determined its age and origin, verifying the information is a good idea. Step 3: Verify the Information and ask an expert The serial number is usually often composed of just numbers, but certain periods of production use letters as a prefix. Identifying Fender Serial Numbers - Where to start Step 1: Look for the Serial Numberįender serial numbers are typically found on the neck plate, bridge plate, or headstock.įender guitar serial numbers can be tricky to decode, so I have provided a ‘ Fender Serial Number Lookup Guide’ below. The serial number alone is not a full-proof guarantee of the year, so matching the instrument's serial with other characteristics and features such as neck and body dates, potentiometer codes and pick-up dates will help confirm this. There are of course some exceptions and anomalies in Fender’s serial number convention, where numbering and lettering differ, for example, artist models, signature series, limited editions, vintage reissue series and other rare models. I have been quite general with this serial number guide, and this mainly applies to standard run instruments, regardless of the country of manufacture. If you’re a vintage guitar collector or player, this article might be extremely useful when buying a Fender guitar or bass, to help determine its age, value and origin.
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