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FENDER SERIAL NUMBERS


Fender guitars are supplied with a serial number somewhere on the guitar. The serial number combined with the body date (if present), the date found on the pots, neck date, and other guitar features, can be helpful in determining the age of your guitar. Serial numbers are found in various places on a Fender instrument, including the headstock, neck plate, and butt end of the neck. Fender Custom Shop guitars usually have a matching serial number on both the neck and body of the guitar. Fender Custom Shop guitars usually also have an associated Cerificate of Authenticity that includes the guitar's serial number.

Choose Your Serial Number


Serial Number: Date:

Fender Non-conventional Serial Number Schemes
PREFIX DESCRIPTION
AMXN + 6 Digits California Series electric guitars and basses, '97 and '98
DN + 6 Digits American Deluxe series instruments, '98 and '99
NC Squier Strat Bullets (dating unclear)
FN US made export guitars and basses. (Dating scheme unclear)
I A limited number of these "I" series guitars were made in '89 and '90. They were made for the export market and have Made in USA stamped on the heel of the neck.
LE Blonde Jazzmasters and Jaguars with Gold hardware made in 1994. Sold as a promotional 3 piece set with a Blonde Deluxe Reverb Amp
Mexico
MN - MZ

MN0+ 5 Digits 1990-1991
MN1+ 5 Digits 1991-1992
MN2+ 5 Digits 1992-1993
MN3+ 5 Digits 1993-1994
MN4+ 5 Digits 1994-1995
MN5+ 5 Digits 1995-1996
MN6+ 5 Digits 1996-1997
MN7+ 5 Digits 1997-1998
MN8+ 5 Digits 1998-1999
MN9+ 5 Digits 1999-2000
MZ0+ 5 Digits 2000-2001
MZ1+ 5 Digits 2001-2002
MZ2+ 5 Digits 2002-2003
MZ3+ 5 Digits 2003-2004
MZ4+ 5 Digits 2004-2005
MZ5+ 5 Digits 2005-2006
Japan

JV+ 5 Digits 1982-1984
SQ + 5 Digits 1983-1984
E + 6 Digits 1984-1987
A + 6 Digits 1985-1986
B + 6 Digits 1985-1986
C + 6 Digits 1985-1986
F + 6 Digits 1986-1987
G + 6 Digits 1987-1988
H + 6 Digits 1988-1989
I + 6 Digits 1989-1990
J + 6 Digits 1989-1990
K + 6 Digits 1990-1991
L + 6 Digits 1991-1992
M + 6 Digits 1992-1993
N + 6 Digits 1993-1994
O + 6 Digits 1993-1994
P + 6 Digits 1993-1994
Q + 6 Digits 1993-1994
S + 6 Digits 1994-1995
T + 6 Digits 1994-1995
U + 6 Digits 1995-1996
N + 5 Digits 1995-1996
V + 6 Digits 1996-1997
Crafted in Japan

Crafted in Japan A + 6 Digits 1997-1998
Crafted in Japan O + 5 Digits 1997-2000
Crafted in Japan P + 5 Digits 1999-2002
Crafted in Japan Q + 5 Digits 2002-2004
Crafted in Japan R + 5 Digits 2004-2005

CN

VN

Korean made Fender/Squier guitars (dating unclear)
CA Gold Strat 1981, 82 and 83
CB Precision Bass Special from 1981, CB(XXXXX) Gold Jazz Bass from 1982
CC Walnut Strat 1981-82-83
CE Precision Bass Special from 1981, Black and Gold Tele from 1981-82

CD

CO

Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982
GO Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Gold Strat 1982-83
D Jazz Bass from 1982

SE

SN

Signature Edition Strats

SE8 - 1988, SE9 - 1989

SN0 - 1990, SN1 - 1990, SN2 - 1992, SN3 - 1993

3 Digits of 500 35TH Anniversary Strat from 1989-1990
G "STRAT" from about 1980, (Gold hardware, 2 position rotary tone switch)
4 Digits stamped on the bridge plate U.S. '52 Vintage Telecaster 1982-1988
5 Digits stamped on the bridge plate U.S. '52 Vintage Telecaster 1988-present
Production date penciled on the butt end of the neck All U.S. Vintage Reissue Guitars