

The first two digits of the number identify the year of manufacture, (,, etc.). This new scheme uses the letters “MX” as a prefix to designate an instrument made in Mexico, followed by an eight-digit number. This new numbering scheme was short-lived and was replaced only a few months later by an improved scheme that identifies an instrument’s country of origin and year of manufacture in the body of the serial number. Instead, the instrument’s country of origin appears on the decal on the back of the headstock, near the serial number.
#Fender serial number lookup serial numbers
These serial numbers did not identify the country of origin in the body of the number. Only the seven-digit suffixes were actually entered into the database. 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. The numbers for each year typically overlap, as there is always a transitional period between successive years and as necks that are made and serial numbered late in any given year are used on instruments assembled in the early months of the following year.Īt the end of 1999, the serial numbers transitioned from an “MN” prefix to an “MZ” prefix with the “M” designating Mexico and the “Z” designating the 2000s.Ī 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. Instruments made between 19 carry “MN” prefix serial numbers, with the “M” designating Mexico and the “N” designating the 1990s. We’ll keep adding more info as and when we find it.How can I find out when my Mexican-made instrument was manufactured?ĭATING YOUR MEXICAN-MADE FENDER INSTRUMENTįender began producing instruments in its Ensenada, Mexico, factory in 1990.

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. Note that made in Mexico Fender guitars (MIM) and made in Japan guitars (MIJ) have their own unique serial number system.
#Fender serial number lookup series
Vintage Series (launched in 1982) uses ‘V’ as a prefix for the serial number The prefix ‘E’ stands for the decade of the eighties.The prefix ‘S’ at the beginning of a serial number stands for the decade of the seventies.The prefix ‘L’ at the beginning of a serial number indicates a guitar from the early ’60s.The naming convention is a bit haphazard (it’s no different with Gibson serial numbers), but here are some general rules that should ring true 99% of the time – but beware, there are plenty of exceptions: Between the pick-up and the saddles (some Telecasters).On the back of the vibrato cover plate (on early ’50s Stratocasters).

On the cover plate of the vibrato (on Stratocasters).On the front or at the back of the headstock.The location of the serial number has annoyingly changed from model to model over the years. Where to Find the Serial Number on Your Fender Guitar?
