• Japanese Fender Strat Serial Numbers
• Fender Squier Strat Serial Numbers
• Fender Squier Serial Number Dating
• Fender Squier Serial Number Chart

Although a serial number is useful for roughly determining the age of a guitar, this is often not the exact date. As a result of the overlap between years, Fender serial numbers are also not by definition chronological.
In the past (before 1976) the serial numbers were often randomly assigned. To approximate the correct year of construction for the period before 1976, also look at the date on the heel of the neck and of the potmeters. Usually the production date is stamped or written on the heel of the neck. To approximate the correct year of construction for the period before 1976, also look at the date on the heel of the neck and of the potmeters. To read this it is necessary to unscrew the neck from the body.

Most specifications for a particular Fender guitar have hardly changed, if at all. Although there have been times when major changes have taken place, such as the acquisition of Fender by CBS, and the transition from CBS Fender to the current owner (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation), most models have generally not changed.

Japanese Fender Strat Serial Numbers

I bought a Fender E-Series MIJ Strat new in New York in 1989 and it has a E9. If I'm correct, during these years the Squier and the Fender MIJ-Strats were often identical besides the Logo. Does your strat have sealed Gotoh-Tuners with labels and this hightech stuff to press the d/g/b/e strings down?

1. A video review of a 2004 Sunburst Fender Squier Bullet Strat with CY Serial #.
2. SERIAL NUMBERS CIRCA 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.
3. The table below shows the Fender serial numbers as they were used from 1950 to 1964. The serial numbers are basically chronological, but as already mentioned, due to Fender's numbering methods, there are a number of serial numbers and years that overlap. The only way to try to find the date is to remove the neck from the body.

Fender Squier Strat Serial Numbers

At Stratocasters from the early fifties, the serial numbers were stamped on the back of the vibrato cover plate. On some Telecasters at the bridge between the pick-up and the saddles.

Fender Squier Serial Number Dating

Fender Squier Serial Number Chart