How To Read Fender Serial Numbers

Ascertaining the date of your Fender guitar is imperative if you want to find out what its value is! Additionally, it can be fun to decipher the serial number of your prized instrument to find out what year it was made, even if you have no intention of selling it. In order to help you date your Fender guitar, I have compiled a comprehensive list of Fender Serial numbers, and how to decipher them. Keep in mind that Fender serial numbers are not necessarily the most accurate way to date your Fender guitar. That being said, they are a good starting point. For a more precise assessment, consider taking advantage of our free appraisal services. As always, I’m happy to help and am just a phone call or email away! Contact me to Sell your Fender guitar to an avid collector!

Where to Find the Serial Number of Your Fender Guitar

On instruments from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the serial number can be found either on the bridge plate or the neck plate. On later instruments, they can be found on the front or back of the headstock. Check out the 3 photos below for help identifying where your serial number is!

What Are The Different Formats of Fender Guitar Serial Numbers?

Click on one of the links below that correspond to the location of your serial number on your guitar. You will be jumped to the corresponding section of this article!

• Four or five digits on BRIDGE plate (1950-1954)
• Four or five digits on the NECK plate (1954-1963)
• Serial numbers that start with the letter “L” on the NECK plate (1963-1965)
• 6 digit NECK plate serial numbers with large “F” logo underneath (1965-1976)
• Serial numbers on the front or back of the headstock (1977-present)
• Serial Numbers on the NECK plate that start with a “V” (1982 and up “reissue” models)
• Import guitars made in Japan and Mexico

Dating Your Fender Guitar with a Four or Five Digit Serial Numbers on the Bridge Plate

Fender serial numbers from this time period are particularly tricky because they use different serial numbers for different models. Below are the serial number ranges for each model from this time period that have a serial number on the bridge plate.

Fender Broadcaster, Esquire and Telecaster

If you would like help dating, valuing or selling an instrument from this time period, I’m just a phone call or email away!

• 0001 – 1300: 1950 – 1952
• 1300 – 3000: 1951 – 1954
• 3000 – 5000s: 1952 – 1954

Fender Precision Bass

Dating Your Fender Guitar with a Four or Five Digit Neck Plate Number

Four or five digit serial numbers on the back of the neck plate apply to all Fender models from this time period, including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, Coronado and others.

As always, if you would like help dating, identifying or selling a guitar from this time period, feel free to reach out via phone or email!

What Is the Date of My Fender Guitar If It Has an L Serial Number?

These guitars were manufactured between 1963 and 1965. If you’d like any help from an expert, feel free to reach out via phone or email. I am a top dollar cash buyer for all Fender guitars.

When Was My Fender Guitar Made If It Has a 6-Digit Serial Number & an ‘F’ Logo Underneath?

These guitars were made between 1965 and 1976

I am a collector of all vintage Fender guitars! Please reach out if you have one to sell!

How to Date Your Fender Guitar Using Headstock Serial Numbers

Starting in 1976, Fender switched the serial number to the headstock. These serial numbers started with a Letter that denoted the DECADE of manufacture. S=Seventies, E=Eighties N=Nineties and Z or DZ= 2000s. The first number following the letter indicates the exact year.

For example:

What Does It Mean When My Fender’s Serial Number Leads with a ‘V’?

These guitars have a serial number on the neck plate that starts with a V. Unfortunately, these serial numbers are not accurate and the guitars must be disassembled to check the neck heel date.

How Can I Check My Imported Fender Serial Number?

How to Determine the Age of Your Japanese Fender Using Serial Number Prefixes

Fender began making guitars in Japan starting in the early 1980s. The Japanese made Fenders are generally regarded as very good quality instruments, however, with the exception of a few models, their collectability and value do not come close to American made instruments. Japanese made Fender guitars are dated using the letter prefix that comes before the numbers in the serial number. The serial number can be found either on the headstock, or at the base of the neck where it meets the body.

• JV = 1982, 1983, 1984
• SQ = 1983, 1984
• D = 1982
• E = 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
• A, B, C, = 1985, 1986
• F = 1986
• G = 1987
• H = 1988
• I, J = 1989, 1990
• K = 1990
• L = 1991
• M = 1992
• N = 1993
• O = 1994
• P = 1995

How to Date Your Mexican Fender Using the Serial Number

Fender started producing guitars in Mexico in 1990. Guitars and Basses made between 1990 and 2000 have “MN” prefix serial numbers. The “M” tells us that the guitar is made in Mexico, and the “N” means it was made in the 1990s (N for Nineties.) The digit directly after the “N” tells us the exact year. Note that there is a little bit of a margin for error on Mexican guitars. For example, MN0 can overlap into 1991, MN1 can overlap into 1992, etc.

SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION DATES
MN0 + 5 or 6 digits 1990-1991
MN1 + 5 or 6 digits 1991-1992
MN2 + 5 or 6 digits 1992-1993
MN3 + 5 or 6 digits 1993-1994
MN4 + 5 or 6 digits 1994-1995
MN5 + 5 or 6 digits 1995-1996
MN6 + 5 or 6 digits 1996-1997
MN7 + 5 or 6 digits 1997-1998
MN8 + 5 or 6 digits 1998-1999
MN9 + 5 or 6 digits 1999-2000

Towards the tail end of 1999, Mexican Fender serial numbers transitioned from an “MN” prefix to a “MZ” prefix with the “M” designating Mexico and the “Z” designating the 2000s.

SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION DATES
MZ0 + 5 or 6 digits 2000-2001
MZ1 + 5 or 6 digits 2001-2002
MZ2 + 5 or 6 digits 2002-2003
MZ3 + 5 or 6 digits 2003-2004
MZ4 + 5 or 6 digits 2004-2005
MZ5 + 5 or 6 digits 2005-2006
MZ6 + 5 or 6 digits 2006-2007
MZ7 + 5 or 6 digits 2007-2008
MZ8 + 5 or 6 digits 2008-2009
MZ9 + 5 or 6 digits 2009-2010

A new serial number system was implemented in 2010. This new system used the letters “MX”, followed by an eight-digit number. The first two digits of the number following the prefix tell us the year that the instrument was made, (11 for 2011 , 12 for 2012, etc.). This system of serialization continues today with Mexican made Fender instruments.

SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION DATES
“10” prefix followed by a space and eight digits Late 2009 through approximately March 2010
MX10 + 6 digits 2010-2011
MX11 + 6 digits 2011-2012
MX12 + 6 digits 2012-2013
MX13 + 6 digits 2013-2014
MX14 + 6 digits 2014-2015
MX15 + 6 digits 2015-2016
MX16 + 6 digits 2016-2017
MX17 + 6 digits 2017-2018
MX18 + 6 Digits 2018-2019
MX19 +6 Digits 2019-2020
MX20 + 6 Digits 2020-2021

Decode your Fender’s Past with Joe’s Vintage Guitars

Looking over the history behind your Fender or considering its market value? Reach out to Joe’s Vintage Guitars for a no-obligation evaluation!  I will be happy to help you uncover the tales your guitar holds. I offer premium prices for vintage Fenders and other iconic instruments. Contact me today and discover why I am a top rated guitar appraiser and buyer!