Table of Contents
Fender serial numbers span many decades, with different code arrangements. Some, are more complex than others, but they all provide some important information to the owner. It’s a practical tool for those who seek to understand the history of their instrument.
This Killer Rig article will guide you through the maze of Fender’s serial numbers. We’ll explore and learn how to decode them.
Early Years (1950-1954)
This era of guitars has three to four digits in the serial number and is located on the bridge plate. You will see it stamped there near the saddles.
1950 to 1952 is where we find 0001-0999 on the Broadcaster, Telecaster and Esquire models. Some Tele’s will have a date recorded inside the neck joint. This will mainly be guitars from 1952. In order to get at it, the neck will have to be taken off the body.
From 52 to 54, these numbers changed to be 0001 – 5300.
Neck Plate (1954-1963)
In 1954, Fender began the practice of inscribing serial numbers on a metallic plate positioned at the back of their guitars. This is also known as the neck plate.
A few of the very first Stratocasters bear a four-digit serial number. This number is etched onto the white plastic cover of the tremolo plate. A cover found at the rear side of the guitar’s body.
| Serial | Year |
|---|---|
| 0001 – 7000 | 1954 |
| 7001 – 9000 | 1955 |
| 9001 – 17000 | 1956 |
| 17001 – 25000 | 1957 |
| 25001 – 34000 | 1958 |
| 34001 – 44000 | 1959 |
| 44001 – 59000 | 1960 |
| 59001 – 71000 | 1961 |
| 71001 – 93000 | 1962 |
| 93001 – 99999 | 1963 |
L Series (1963-1965)
The serial numbers that begin with an L can be found in this table. Fender began to change their code structure as production really started to ramp up.
However, the year of manufacture can also range quite a bit as a result. These will also be found on the neck plate on the rear of the guitar.
- 1963: L00001 – L20000.
- 1964: L20001 – L59000.
- 1965:L59001 – L99999.
F Series (1965-1976)
The F series serial numbers came into effect with the new owners of Fender called CBS. They continued to use the neck plate as the location of the code. But now they also added a stylized “F” under the serial number.
| Serial | Year |
|---|---|
| 100000 – 110000 | 1965 (Late) |
| 110001 – 200000 | 1966 |
| 200001 – 210000 | 1967 |
| 210001 – 250000 | 1968 |
| 250001 – 280000 | 1969 |
| 280001 – 300000 | 1970 |
| 300001 – 340000 | 1971 |
| 340001 – 370000 | 1972 |
| 370001 – 520000 | 1973 |
| 500001 – 580000 | 1974 |
| 580001 – 690000 | 1975 |
| 690001 – 750000 | 1976 |
Headstock (Post 1976)
In 1976, Fender began to add the serial number to either the front or rear of the headstock. This depends on the decade in which they were made. They also began adding a letter to the front of the serial code.
This letter represents the decade in which the instrument was made. For example:
- S = 1970s.
- E = 1980s.
- N = 1990s.
- DZ or Z = 2000s.
- US = 2010 to present.
1976 – 1989
The serial numbers for this decade are not as accurate as one would hope. The amount of overlap was quite broad, and so it’s best to try and date these guitars by potentiometer codes if at all possible.
| Serial code + 5 Digits | Year |
|---|---|
| S8 | 1978 |
| S9 | 1978 – 1979 |
| E0 | 1979 – 1981 |
| E1 | 1980 – 1982 |
| E2 | 1982 – 1983 |
| E3 | 1982 – 1985 |
| E4 | 1984 – 1988 |
| E8 | 1988 – 1989 |
| E9 | 1989 (End) |
1990 – 1999
For this decade, the serial numbers begin with the letter “N”. N0 would mean 1990, while N9 was for 1999. There would then be 5 or 6 digits that would follow that to shed light on other manufacturing history.
2000 – 2009
The letter “Z” was used to begin the serial numbers for this era. But “DZ” can also be found on guitars made in this period. Typical configurations would be Z0 for 2000 – 2001, and Z9 for 2009.
2010 – Present
After 2010, Fender began using “US” in front of their serial numbers for all USA made instruments. They continue to do so even now at the time of this writing.
This consists of the US plus a year code. For example, US10 plus 6 digits would mean it was made in 2010.
Japanese Models (1982-2008)
Fender guitars that were built in Japan were marked in two different ways for certain years. They were “made” and “crafted” in Japan. The serial numbers could normally be found on the back of the neck.
“Made In Japan”
| Serial + 6 Digits | Year |
|---|---|
| JV | 1982 – 1984 |
| SQ | 1983 – 1984 |
| E | 1984 – 1987 |
| A | 1985 – 1986 |
| B | 1985 – 1986 |
| C | 1985 – 1986 |
| F | 1986 – 1987 |
| G | 1987 – 1988 |
| H | 1988 – 1989 |
| I | 1989 – 1990 |
| J | 1989 – 1990 |
| K | 1990 – 1991 |
| L | 1991 – 1992 |
| M | 1992 – 1993 |
| N | 1993 – 1994 |
| O | 1993 – 1994 |
| P | 1993 – 1994 |
| Q | 1993 – 1994 |
| S | 1994 – 1995 |
| T | 1994 – 1995 |
| U | 1995 – 1996 |
| V | 1996 |
“Crafted In Japan”
The label crafted in Japan only last a short period. It was then changed back to Made in Japan after 2008.
| Serial + 6 Digits | Year |
|---|---|
| A | 1997 – 1998 |
| O | 1997 – 2000 |
| P | 1999 – 2002 |
| Q | 2002 – 2004 |
| R | 2004 – 2005 |
| S | 2006 – 2008 |
| T | 2007 – 2008 |
Made in Mexico (From 1990)
The Made in Mexico Fender guitars carry a serial number on the headstock that begins with the letter “M”. After it is another letter which has changed through the decades, much like the US made guitars.
For the nineties and early 2000s, the letters were different. Now, they use “MX” and probably will do so moving forward. The table below will help you find your build and date.
| Serial + 5 or 6 Digits | Year |
|---|---|
| MN0 | 1990 |
| MN1 | 1991 |
| MN2 | 1992 |
| MN3 | 1993 |
| MN4 | 1994 |
| MN5 | 1995 |
| MN6 | 1996 |
| MN7 | 1997 |
| MN8 | 1998 |
| MN9 | 1999 |
| MZ0 | 2000 |
| MZ1 | 2001 |
| MZ2 | 2002 |
| MZ3 | 2003 |
| MZ4 | 2004 |
| MZ5 | 2005 |
| MZ6 | 2006 |
| MZ7 | 2007 |
| MZ8 | 2008 |
| MZ9 | 2009 |
| MX10 | 2010 |
| MX11 | 2011 |
| MX12 | 2012 |
| MX13 | 2013 |
| MX14 | 2014 |
| MX15 | 2015 |
| MX16 | 2016 |
| MX17 | 2017 |
| MX18 | 2018 |
| MX19 | 2019 |
| MX20 | 2020 |
| MX21 | 2021 |
| MX22 | 2022 |
| MX23 | 2023 |
Vintage Series
In 1982, Fender released the Vintage Series guitars that were made in the USA. These guitars have a serial number that begins with the letter “V” and has 4, 5, or 6 digits following it.
Older models can only be dated by removing the neck from the body and checking the heel. The date is normally stamped there, confirming the year it was built.
Newer versions like the American Vintage II don’t have this issue. The serial numbers contain the date and are easy to see stamped into the bridge plate. Current models use the “V” plus 7 digits. The first two contain the year of manufacture.
Conclusion
Remember, while these serial numbers provide valuable insights into the origin, age, and model of your Fender guitar, they are not infallible. There may be exceptions and anomalies, and it’s always a good idea to verify the information with other characteristics of the guitar.
We have more great serial number decoder tools:
