We cannot provide a description for this page right now

1990s - Today (back of headstock, USA and Mexico): N Prefix | Z Prefix | US Prefix | MN Prefix | MZ Prefix · 1990s to Today (Japan, neck heel): Be sure to check if "Made in Japan" or "Crafted in Japan". Want more Fender guitar history? Check out our FAQ & Fender Guitar Timeline · Wondering where to find the serial number on your guitar?

The serial number alone is not ... dates will help confirm this. Fender serial numbers are typically found on the neck plate, bridge plate, or headstock....

The serial number on most Fender amplifiers can be found on the back of the cabinet or chassis.

For example, US10 would denote USA production in 2010, while US23 would denote US production in 2023. Note that in early 2010, as Fender transitioned from the "Z" prefix serial numbers used in 2009, some 2010 models had no letter prefix at all, but were serialized simply with "10" at the beginning indicating 2010 production.

This comprehensive guide covers every Fender serialization system from 1950 to 2025, including instruments made in America, Japan, Mexico, Korea, China, and Indonesia. We'll help you decode your serial number, understand what makes certain years more valuable, and provide the authentication knowledge you need to properly evaluate your Fender.

Serial Number Location: Typically found on the back of the headstock or on the neck plate. ... Pre-1976: Comprised solely of numbers. Post-1976: Begins with a letter followed by numbers.

December 13, 2023 - This also means that various parts used on a particular guitar may have come from different points in time, so no single number can absolutely define when the instrument was built. Instead, the best approach to dating a Fender is to combine indicators from the design of the instrument, the dates found on the neck and body, along with the serial number.

Fender was sold to CBS in January 1965. Serial numbering didn’t change immediately because instruments continued to be made using existing, tooling, parts and serial number schemes. The chart below details Fender serial number schemes used from 1965 to 1976.

February 8, 2007 - I purchased a used fender strat from a friend a while ago. It has Made in USA stampedon the back/bottom of the fretboard and a serial # beggining with the letter "E" I have heard that these were american made-made for export guitars. I'm wondering what kind of parts these had? Are they the same c...

February 28, 2022 - It's my understanding the Fender used this "10" prefix during the first 3 months of 2010 before switching and settling on the "US" prefix we all see to this day. It has the Fender "Made in the USA" stamping on the headstock, so if it's a fake, it's a good one.

September 13, 2025 - The U.S. Vintage Series (launched in 1982) uses ‘V’ as a prefix for the serial number

If you have what you consider an odd serial number, it might appear here. If you’re unable to identify the approximate production year of your instrument using the above charts, several excellent books are available that contain invaluable and reliable information on the history of Fender ...

October 12, 2021 - The premier online community for bass players. Bass guitar and double bass forums, classifieds, gear reviews, store, and more. Since 1998.

July 15, 2023 - serialnumberlookup.fender.com opens the official book so to speak. I don't know if the pre-CBS stuff and everything possible is in there, but the all the more recent US, MIJ and MIM are (at least in my experience). The model number is in three parts.... AAABBBBCCC - AAA is the place of manufacture (US,MIJ,MIM etc) BBBB is the type and CCC is the finish or color.

Until 2010, the American Deluxe and the Signature guitars follows the same serialization scheme, but their serial numbers were preceded respectively by “D” and “S” letters. In 2010, Fender decided to merge their serial numbers with that of the American Standard Stratocaster.

September 18, 2023 - Fender serial numbers on the headstock are comprised of a prefix to indicate a decade (and sometimes a factory), a preceding bold digit to indicate the year, then a sequential number.

How can I find out how old my instrument is if it uses an odd or non-standard serial numbering scheme

In this article, we’ll help you navigate the maze of Fender’s serialization practices, equipping you with the knowledge to understand how to date your Fender guitar or bass, so you can trace your instrument’s history with confidence and accuracy.