Fender Serial Number Lookup

Want to know how old your guitar is?

  1. First you need to find the serial number.
  2. Then check it using our Fender serial number lookup tool.

You can find out not only the production date, but also the place where your instrument was made.

Table of Contents

Fender Serial Number Lookup Tool

Enter the serial number without any spaces and click the “Check” button. The decoder will show what year your guitar was made, the country and the factory where it was produced.

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This lookup tool has been developed by enthusiasts to provide a fast and convenient method for decoding serial numbers and is in no way affiliated with the Fender brand.

It supports various formats, including MIA, MIJ, CIJ, MIM, MIK and MII, encompassing a total of 15 groups and over 70 different serial number variations. You can check out any Fender guitar model: Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Mustang, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass and others.

You can also contact us directly or refer to other sources like the official Fender website or other websites and forums.

How to Find The Serial Number?

The location of the Fender serial number varies depending on the model and year of manufacture of the instrument. You can find it:

  • At the top of the neck plate;
  • On the front or back of the headstock;
  • Lid vibrato (on Stratocasters);
  • Vibrato on the back of the cover (on early 50’s Stratocasters);
  • At the end of the heel of the neck;
  • Between pickup and saddle (some Telecasters).

Stratocaster Serial Number

Some common features for identifying Stratocaster serial numbers.

Location of Serial Numbers:

  1. 1954-1963: On the back vibrato cover plate.
  2. Post-1963: Moved to the neck plate.
  3. 1976 onwards: Serial numbers began appearing on the headstock.

Prefix Significance:

  1. “L” Series (mid-60s to 1976): Indicates a specific production era.
  2. “E” Prefix: Represents the 1980s.
  3. “N” Prefix: Denotes the 1990s.
  4. “NC” Prefix: Squier Strat Bullets
  5. “Z” Prefix: Used in the 2000s.
  6. “V” Prefix: For ‘vintage’ reissues.
  7. “S” Prefix: Signifies the 1970s.
  8. “US” Prefix: American Standard Series.
  9. “DZ”, “DN” Prefix: American Deluxe Series.
  10. “CA” Prefix: Gold Stratocaster 1981, 1982 and 1983.
  11. “CC” Prefix: Walnut Stratocaster 1981, 1982 and 1983.
  12. “G” Prefix: Stratocaster from 1980, with gold hardware and two-position rotary tone switch.

Origin Indicators:

  1. Mexican-made: “MN” or “MZ” for 1990s and 2000s; “MSZ”: Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster before  2010.
  2. Japanese-made: “J” or “JV” in early 1980s.
  3. 3 digits of 500: 35th Anniversary Strat from 1989-1990.

Telecaster Serial Number

Some common features for Telecaster serial number lookup.

Location of Serial Numbers:

  • Until the beginning of 1954: at bridge plate, between the pick-up and the saddles.
  • 1954: on the heel plate.
  • After 1954: bridge plate, neck heel.

Origin Indicators:

  • Mexican-made: “MN” or “MZ” for 1990s and 2000s; “MSZ”: Jim Root Telecaster, James Burton Standard Telecaster before  2010.
  • Japanese-made: “J” or “JV” in early 1980s.

Prefix Significance:

  • “L” (mid-60s to 1976): Indicates a specific production era.
  • “CE”: Black and Gold Telecaster from 1981-1982;
  • “XN”: FSRs and ’52 Teles;

Other:

  • 5 digits stamped on bridge plate: U.S. ’52 Vintage Telecaster since 1988;
  • 4 digits stamped on bridge plate: U.S. ’52 Vintage Telecaster 1982-1988;

Precision Bass Serial Number

Some common features for identifying Precision Bass serial numbers.

Serial Number Location: Typically found on the back of the headstock or on the neck plate.

Serial Format:

  • Pre-1976: Comprised solely of numbers.
  • Post-1976: Begins with a letter followed by numbers. The letter often indicates the decade (e.g., E for the 1980s, N for the 1990s).

Origin Indicators:

  • United States-made: Prefix “US”;
  • Mexican-made: Prefix “MX”, “MSZ”: Duff McKagan P-Bass before  2010.

Prefix Significance:

  • “CB”, “CE”: Precision Bass Special from 1981;
  • “CD”, “CO”, “GO”: Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982;

Acoustic Guitars

Fender’s acoustic guitar records from the early 1960s through the 1980s are incomplete, making it difficult to precisely date these instruments. Serial numbers are not helpful for dating these guitars.

The tables below are the best estimates based on available data from Fender’s price lists and catalogs, starting in 1968. This guide helps determine the approximate age of your guitar and the types of wood used.

DG Series

Acoustic guitars imported from China, Indonesia, and Korea.

ModelYearsMaterials
DG31996 – 1998Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG51995 – 1998Nato top, mahogany back and sides
DG101995 – 1997Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG15-BLK1995 – 1996Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG15-NAT1997Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG15-SB1995 – 1996Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG17-NAT1996 – 1998Spruce top, nato back and sides
DG17E-NAT1996 – 1998Spruce top, nato back and sides
DG18-BLK1996 – 1998Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG18-NAT1996 – 1998Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG18-SB1996 – 1998Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG18 LH1996 – 1998Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG18-12-NAT1996 – 1998Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG18CE1996 – 1998Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG191996 – 1998Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
DG19CE-NAT1996 – 1998Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
DG19CE-SB1996 – 1998Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
DG30-121996Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG30S1996Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG30S LH1996Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG30SCE-BLK1996Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG30SCE-NAT1996Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG30SCE-SB1996Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG31-121996 – 1999Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG31S1996 – 1999Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG31S LH1996 – 1999Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG31SCE-BLK1996 – 1999Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG31SCE-CSB1996 – 1997Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG31SCE-NAT1996 – 1999Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
DG40S1996Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
DG40S-121996Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
DG40SCE-NAT1996Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
DG951996Spruce top, nato back and sides

Spring Hill Series

Acoustic guitars handmade in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

ModelYearsMaterials
LS-101994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
LS-201994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides
LS-20 LH1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
LS-301994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides
LS-40C1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
LS-50C1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides
LS-60C1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides
SB-151994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
SB-15SB1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
SB-251994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides
SB-25SB1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides
SB-351994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides
SB-45C1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
SB-55C1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides
SB-65C1994 – 1996Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides

AG Series

Acoustic guitars imported from Korea.

ModelYearsMaterials
AG101994 – 1995Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
AG151994 – 1995Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
AG201994 – 1995Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
AG211995Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
AG221995Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
AG231995Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
AG251994 – 1995Spruce top, mahogany back and sides

SX/CX Series

Acoustic guitars imported from Korea.

ModelYearsMaterials
200SX1995Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
600SX1994 – 1995Spruce top, nato back and sides
800SX1994 – 1995Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
1000SX1992 – 1995Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
1100SX1992 – 1995Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
1105SXE1992 – 1994Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
1200SX1992 – 1994Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
1300SX1992 – 1994Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
1500SX1992 – 1994Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
1505SX1992 – 1994Solid spruce top, sycamore back and sides
1600SXE1993 – 1994Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
150CX1995Spruce top, meranti back and sides
2100CX1994 – 1995Solid cedar top, ovangkol back and sides

Gemini Series

Acoustic guitars imported from Korea, distributed in the U.S. by Midco.

ModelYearsMaterials
Gemini I (Classical)1984 – 1988Spruce top, nato back and sides
Gemini II1984 – 1987Spruce top, nato back and sides
Gemini IIE (Electric)1987 – 1990Spruce top, nato back and sides
Gemini III (Black)1987 – 1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Gemini IV (White)1987 – 1990Spruce top, mahogany back and sides

California Series

Acoustic guitars imported from Japan since 1982 to 1985, then imported from Korea since 1985 to 1992.

ModelYearsMaterials
Avalon (Folk)1985-1992Spruce top, nato back and sides
Balboa1983-1987Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Capistrano1983-1987Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
Catalina1983-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Concord1987-1992Spruce top, nato back and sides
Del Mar1983-1989Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
El Rio1983-1987Solid spruce top, sycamore back and sides
La Brea (Black)1987-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
La Brea (Maple)1992-1995Spruce top, flame maple back and sides
La Brea (Natural)1990-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
La Brea (Sunburst)1990-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Laguna1986-1988Spruce top, redwood back and sides
Malibu1983-1992Sycamore top, back and sides
Montara (Black)1990-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Montara (Maple)1992-1995Spruce top, flame maple back and sides
Montara (Natural)1990-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Montara (Sunburst)1990-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Montclair1987-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Newporter1983-1992Mahogany top, back and sides
Redondo1983-1990Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
San Luis Rey1990-1995Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
San Marino1990-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
San Miguel1990-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Santa Maria XII1988-1992Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Santa Rosa1989-1990Basswood, Semi-solid body electric/acoustic

Standard Series

Acoustic guitars imported from Asia, distributed in the U.S. by Midico.

ModelYearsMaterials
F2001982-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F2101982-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F210S1988-1990Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F210LH1982-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F220SB1982-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F2301982-1988Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F230CE1988-1990Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F240A1982-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F2501982-1988Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F260S1987Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F265C1987Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F270SCE1987Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F310-121985-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F330-121982-1987Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F360S-121987Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
FC1001982-1988Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
FC1101982-1988Spruce top, ovangkol back and sides
FC1201982-1988Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
FC130S1987Spruce top, rosewood back and sides

“F” Series

Acoustic guitars imported from Asia.

ModelYearsMaterials
F10001969-1973Laminated hardwoods
F10101969-1973Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F10301969-1973Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F1040 (Classical)1969-1973Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F10501969-1973Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F10601969-1973Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F1070-121969-1973Laminated hardwoods
F1151977-1987Solid spruce, top jacaranda back and sides
F15 (Concert)1973-1981Spruce top, nato back and sides
F25 (Auditorium)1972-1981Spruce top, nato back and sides
F31981Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F351972-1981Spruce top, obankole back and sides
F451972-1974Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F51980-1981Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F5-121980-1981Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
F501980Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F55-121972-1980Spruce top, bubinga back and sides
F651972-1981Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F751974-1980Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F80-121977-1981Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F851974-1980Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides
F951974-1980Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides
FC10 (Classical)1972-1981Spruce top, mahogany or chitora back and sides
FC10 ¾ (Classical)1972-1981Spruce top, nato back and sides
FC20 (Classical)1972-1981Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
FC30 (Classical)1972-1981Cedar top, rosewood back and sides
FC40 (Classical)1972-1981Cedar top, rosewood back and sides
FJ70 (Jumbo)1980-1981Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides

Early U.S.-Made Acoustic Guitars

These early U.S.-made acoustic guitars had laminated construction, bolt-on necks, through-body tension rods and Stratocaster-styled headstocks.

ModelYearsMaterials
Concert1963-1970Spruce top; mahogany, rosewood, vermilion, or zebrawood back and sides
Folk1963-1964Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Kingman1965-1971Spruce top, rosewood or vermilion back and sides
Malibu1965-1971Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Newporter1965-1971Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Palomino1968-1971Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Redondo1969-1971Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Shenandoa XII1965-1971Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Villager XII1965-1969Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
Wildwood1966-1971Spruce top, dyed figured beechwood back and sides

Tarrega Acoustic Guitars

Tarrega guitars were made in Sweden and distributed by Fender from the mid- to late 1960s. These guitars had laminated construction.

ModelYears (T0)Materials
FT108 (Flat-top)1968Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
FT110 (Concert)1968Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
FT111 (Concert)1968Spruce top, maple back and sides
FT112 (Grand Concert)1968Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
FT113 (Grand Concert)1968Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
FT114 (Grand Concert)1968Spruce top, maple back and sides
FT115 (Grand Concert)1968Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
FT116 (Grand Concert)1968Spruce top, rosewood back and sides

Regal Acoustic Guitars

These early acoustic guitars were distributed by Fender from the mid- to late 1960s. They also had laminate construction.

ModelYears (To)Description
R-2001969Student model flat-top Spanish guitar
R-2051969Student concert grand flat-top
R-2101969Standard-size flat-top Spanish guitar
R-2151969Tenor guitar
R-2181969Folk, concert grand
R-2201969Regal classic guitar
R-2301969Auditorium-size flat-top Spanish guitar
R-2351969Jumbo flat-top Spanish guitar
R-2401969Student auditorium-size archtop guitar
R-2501969Auditorium grand archtop guitar
R-2511969Auditorium grand archtop guitar
R-2601969Cutaway auditorium grand archtop guitar
R-2611969Cutaway auditorium grand archtop guitar
R-265 (3/4 size)19693/4-size student electric
R-2701969Electric single-cutaway archtop, thin body
R-2721969Electric single-cutaway archtop, thin body
R-2731969Electric double-cutaway archtop, thin body
R-275 Baritone Ukulele1969Baritone ukulele

FAQ

How old is my Fender?

To find out how old your guitar is, locate its serial number. Then you can check it using the serial number decoder or look for information on websites and forums.

How do I find Fender serial number?

You can find the Fender serial number at the top of the neck plate, on the headstock, on the lid vibrato (Stratocasters), or vibrato on the back of the cover (early 50’s Stratocasters), at the end of the heel neck, between pickup and saddle (some Telecasters).