As always, there is typically some number prefix overlap and carryover from year to year. The “odd” serial numbers on the chart below exist somewhat outside the more well-known Fender serial number schemes. An exact date is therefore not to define but is an approximation. Once again, there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. N9 + 5 digits = 1990. Serial numbering didn’t change because instruments continued to be made using existing tooling, parts and serial number schemes. “N”-prefix serial numbers denoting the 1990s were introduced in 1990. Notice that there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. 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. Trying to date my 59 Bassman Reissue LTD Can't find a serial number. How can I find out when my American-made instrument was manufactured? I can’t figure out why it starts with “N72” instead of “N + 5 or 6 digits” though… Other resources include the Orion Blue Book (or Blue Book of Guitar Values), which might be found in your local library. Only the seven-digit suffixes were actually entered into the database. These serial numbers did not identify the country of origin in the body of the number. Serial numbers are also helpful in determining an instrument’s production year. As seen in the overlap of numbers and years, even these references to actual production dates are rather loose. DATING FENDER AMPS BY REFERENCE OF SERIAL/CHASSIS NUMBERS. Some may have stayed in the U.S. or found their way back (Made to Standard Strat specs, dating unclear). Fender literally wrote the book on electric basses, laying the foundation for musical innovation and evolution. 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. Serial numbering didn’t change immediately because instruments continued to be made using existing, tooling, parts and serial number schemes. Consequently, some 1990 guitars bear 1999 “N9” serial numbers. ), REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR DATING FENDER INSTRUMENTS. If, however, you’re interested in determining a relative value for your instrument(s), we recommend that you contact used or vintage instrument dealers in your area. Instead, the instrument's country of origin appears on the decal on the back of the headstock, near the serial number. "STRAT®" from about 1980, (Gold hardware, 2 position rotary tone switch), U.S. '52 Vintage Telecaster® 1982-1988 (Check neck date for specific year), U.S. '52 Vintage Telecaster 1988-present (Check neck date for specific year), FSRs and '52 Teles (Note: the XN prefix typically does not appear on the instrument itself, but it is a prefix that is entered in our OS database. Neck-dating can be useful in determining the approximate age of a guitar, but it is certainly not definitive because the neck date simply refers to the date that the individual component was produced, rather than the complete instrument. 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. 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. These are the numbers you will find stamped into the chassis. How can I find out when my Mexican-made instrument was manufactured? Notice that there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. FENDER AMP Chassis Serial Number DATE CODES. How can I find out when my Japanese-made instrument was manufactured? For years, serial numbers have been used in various locations on Fender instruments, such as the top of the neck plate, the front or back of the headstock and the back of the neck near the junction with the body. The first two digits of the number identify the year of manufacture, (10 for 2010, 11 for 2011, etc.). However Superior Music has done a really good summary and here is a link to their website. The only way to try to narrow the date range of your specific instrument is to remove the neck and check the butt end of the neck heel for a production date, which may be stamped or written there (if you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, please refer to an experienced professional guitar tech in your area). From 1990 to the present, all fabricated Fender amplifiers have a … 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.