Lastly, here’s a website (with Ads) that lets to more easily peruse things like which models came out in which years and their specs. You’ll see 70’s pickguards, etc for sale, how do you prove they are what they are? Mostly impossible so keep that in mind when you pay a fortune for a part of Stratocaster that’s supposed to be older than moses. NOTE: OLDER Stratocaster are notoriously easy to fake. Here’s a BARE BONES lookup which might be helpful if fender doesn’t have the info: Guitar Insite – Serial number lookup Other websites might be scam ones so I’d focus on using Guitar Insite or the Fender Website. Pickups are not a good reference because they are easily changed, and Noiseless ones (the vintage) are a favorite forgery target (check bottom of pickup). The Japanese-made Fenders do have some slight serial number differences (typically a 'J' serial number prefix).
Hence during 1985 to 1987, production of Fender guitars was only done in Japan, while USA Fender created a new factory in California. The other defining features are headstock shape, location of the decals, font of the serial number, truss rod hole (big indicator). The new Fender did not acquire any physical assets of the old company, just the name 'Fender'. How Old is My Fender GuitarContents1 How Old is My Fender Guitar1.1 Where do I find my Fender Serial Number1.2 What does the date on the neck mean2 Fender Serial Number Guide & Database. It could be a forgery (less likely if the serial is correct). When searching for the serial number of your instrument you will want to look for them in one of the below.
Serial numbers can be a helpful way to help determine an instruments production year. We have what we feel is an accurate list of serial numbers dating back to 1950. Keep in mind, when trying to figure out your Stratocaster pay attention to the features that came out the year it was released. USA Fender Guitar Serial Numbers If you are trying to date your modern or vintage Fender guitar you are in luck. It’s not perfect but it’s mostly awesome! Fender Spec Sheet Serial Number Lookupįender also lets you register you guitar which tells you (Most of the time) if it exists but does not give you any specifications at all other than the “catalog” description in a one liner.
It might be a funny scene, movie quote, animation, meme or a mashup of multiple sources. We’ll keep adding more info as and when we find it.Here is Fenders “new” lookup page which will give you detail specs on a given model. You can take any video, trim the best part, combine with other videos, add soundtrack. Sometimes the potentiometers are worth checking too. If you want to double-check the year of production year, it’s often a good idea to look at the heel of the neck (which entails removing the neck). Pre-1976 Model? Check the Heel Tooīefore 1976, frustratingly they often randomly assigned serial numbers. If you want to know the production year of your Squier guitar,you can decipher it with the serial number decoder, or find it in explanation about the dating system below. Note that made in Mexico Fender guitars (MIM) and made in Japan guitars (MIJ) have their own unique serial number system. The serial number is generally stamped on the front or back of the headstock,or in some cases on the neck plate.
Vintage Series (launched in 1982) uses ‘V’ as a prefix for the serial number