“Z”-prefix serial numbers denoting the new millennium appeared on U.S.-made instruments in 2000. The chart below details Fender serial number schemes used from 1965 to 1976. Notice that there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. These are the numbers you will find stamped into the chassis. Notice that there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. However Superior Music has done a really good summary and here is a link to their website. Once again, there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. Fender was sold to CBS in January 1965. Learn more about Fender electric basses. Other resources include the Orion Blue Book (or Blue Book of Guitar Values), which might be found in your local library. These serial numbers did not identify the country of origin in the body of the number. For most of Fender’s U.S. instrument production history, production dates have been applied to various components. The first two digits of the number identify the year of manufacture, (10 for 2010, 11 for 2011, etc.). Serial numbering didn’t change because instruments continued to be made using existing tooling, parts and serial number schemes. The Japanese-made Fenders do have some slight serial number differences (typically a "J" serial number prefix). We highly recommend each of them. The chart below details Fender serial number schemes used from 1965 to 1976. The “10” prefix was designed to identify the first year of the second decade of the new millennium, and while it appears on the instrument decals, it was not captured in Fender’s operating system. Hence during 1985 to 1987, production of Fender guitars was only done in Japan, while USA Fender created a new factory in California. Also used on many FSRs starting in the 2000s. The table below shows the Fender serial numbers as they were used from 1950 to 1964. V + 4, 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), “10” prefix followed by a space and seven digits (late 2009 through March 2010). Precision Bass® Special from 1981, CB(XXXXX) Gold Jazz Bass from 1982, Precision Bass Special from 1981, Black and Gold Tele from 1981-82, Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Gold Strat 1982-83, Some U.S. made instruments from the mid to late '80s made specifically for export to Europe had an EE prefix. CBS sold Fender in March 1985. Serial numbers were stamped on the back vibrato cover plate on early ’50s Stratocaster® guitars, and on the bridge plate between the pickup and the saddles on some Telecaster® guitars. How can I find out how old my amplifier is? The charts below detail the most common Fender serial number schemes from 1976 to the present. 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 instruments. Serial numbers with an “S” prefix denote the 1970s (signifying a CBS attempt to use serial numbers to identify production years); an “E” prefix was introduced in 1979 to denote the 1980s. The following six digits are the unit identifier, although it should be noted that these final six numbers are not sequential and do not provide any other identification information about the instrument. From 1990 to the present, all fabricated Fender amplifiers have a … These markets operate completely independent of the new-instrument market. How can I find out when my old Fender® banjo was manufactured? E9 + 5 digits N9 + 5 digits N0 + 5 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N0 + 5 digits N1 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 v (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N1 + 5 or 6 digits N2 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N2 + 5 or 6 digits N3 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N3 + 5 or 6 digits N4 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N4 + 5 or 6 digits N5 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N5 + 5 or 6 digits N6 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N6 + 6 or 6 digits N7 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 v (U.S. Vintage Series except ’52 Telecaster), N7 + 5 or 6 digits N8 + 5 or 6 digits V + 5 or 6 digits (American Vintage Series). Blonde Jazzmasters® and Jaguars® with Gold hardware made in 1994. This new scheme is now used on the majority of U.S.-made Fender instruments, with exceptions including the American Vintage series and certain special-run instruments. Most notably, production dates have been penciled or stamped on the butt end of the heel of the neck of most guitars and basses, although there were periods when this was not consistently done (1973 to 1981, for example) or simply omitted. Given the modular nature of Fender production techniques, an individual neck may have been produced in a given year, then stored for a period of time before being paired with a body to create a complete guitar, perhaps, for example, in the following year. While there have been periods of dramatic change—such as the transition periods between the Leo Fender years and the CBS years or the transition between the CBS years and the current ownership—most models are generally feature-specific and do not change from year to year. Sold as a promotional 3 piece set with a Blonde Deluxe Reverb Amp. The chart below details Fender serial number schemes used from 1965 to 1976. A new serial numbering scheme was adopted toward the end of 2009 using the number “10” as a prefix, followed by a space, followed by seven digits. How can I find out when my Mexican-made instrument was manufactured? Fender was sold to CBS in January 1965. If you have what you consider an odd serial number, it might appear here. How can I find out when my old Fender® banjo was manufactured? I can’t figure out why it starts with “N72” instead of “N + 5 or 6 digits” though… But once again, due to Fender’s modular production methods and often non-sequential serial numbering (usually overlapping two to four years from the early days of Fender to the mid-1980s), dating by serial number is not always precisely definitive. You might consider referring to Vintage Guitar magazine (www.vguitar.com), a great and helpful resource for those who buy, sell and trade vintage instruments. Consequently, some 1990 guitars bear 1999 “N9” serial numbers. How can I find out when my Japanese-made instrument was manufactured? They were made for the export market and have Made in USA stamped on the heel of the neck. N9 + 5 digits = 1990. there used to be a link on the Fender website for amp dating from the serial numbers.