Fender Serial Number Lookup

Want to know how old your guitar is? First you need to find the serial number. Then just 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

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.

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. “Z” Prefix: Used in the 2000s.
5. “V” Prefix: For ‘vintage’ reissues.
6. “S” Prefix: Signifies the 1970s.
7. “US” Prefix: American Standard Series.
8. “DZ”, “DN” Prefix: American Deluxe Series.

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.

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;

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