Here is a nearly comprehensive list of Fender serial numbers for Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, and Jaguars made from 1950 until the 1980s. Keep in mind that Fender serial numbers are not necessarily consecutive and the plates are easily swapped out using only a screwdriver. You can begin to date your Fender guitar by checking the serial number, then move on to the model specific pages for a more thorough view on the year your guitar was made.
How to read Fender serial numbers: The most common place to find them is on the back of the guitar where the neck joins the body. The square metal plate is called the neck plate. The second most common place will be at the top of the neck called the head stock, or in the middle of the body where the strings attach called the bridge plate. Preceding V serial numbers are modern reissues beginning in 1982, not vintage guitars. "L" serial numbers were likely made between 1963 and 1965. Numbers with a preceding "-" or "0" were likely made during 1957 or 1958.
Fender Precision Bass Serial Number Guide
Fender serial numbers from 1950 until 1955 are different than later numbers in that they are model or style specific. The Broadcaster, Esquire, and Telecaster have one set, the Precision Bass its own set, and the Stratocaster an entirely different set. I am looking for nice examples of each model of Fender guitars made in the 1950s. Let me know if you're considering selling one a Stratocaster, Telecaster, or Precision Bass from this time period: Sell a Fender.
Fender began stamping serial numbers on the metal plate on the back of the body in 1954. This serial number range is appropriate for dating Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters from 1958 onward, and Jaguars from 1962 on. Remember that the plates are easily swapped for another plate using only a screwdriver, so it's only the first step in dating a vintage Fender guitar. If your neck plate has a serial number with more than six digits then it was not made in the 1950s or 1960s. Some of the earliest Stratocasters have a four digit serial number on the white plastic tremolo plate cover on the back of the body. I am looking for Fender guitars in the following serial number range so you can contact me here to sell a Fender guitar.
Fender serial numbers preceded by an "L": Fender guitars made between 1963 and 1965 have a letter "L" preceding the serial number. The actual year of manufacture can range wildly during this time period, so it's important to check the model specific pages to accurately date Fender guitars with L serials.
Fender serial numbers with large "F" underneath: Leo Fender sold his company to CBS in 1965. The new owners instituted a mostly consecutive serialization system comprised of 6 digits and a large stylized "F" underneath. The F neck plate style was the location of Fender serial numbers from 1965 until 1976.
Fender began applying the serial numbers to the headstock instead of the neck plate in 1976. The serial number scheme usually began with a letter prefix to indicate the decade then a series of numbers. An "S" indicates 1970s, "E" indicates 1980s, and "N" = 1990s. The first digit after the prefix usually indicates the year but there is plenty of overlap. While the first two digits following the letter prefix is supposed to be the year it was made, some were made the following year or even 2 years after. I recommend dating these guitars with the neck date and potentiometer codes.
"E" Prefix to indicate EightiesE.g. E2xxxxx = 1982. There is much overlap during this period, so the serial number is only a ballpark estimate. It's best to use potentiometer codes for a more accurate date.
Fender introduced a new US Vintage series in 1982 using a serial number system consisting of a letter V prefix and four or five following digits. We recommend dating these guitars using the neck heel and potentiometer codes instead of the serial numbers. Some of the earliest US Vintage series Stratocasters can be considered by many players to be vintage collectible guitars at this point.
The earliest Fender serial numbers were stamped on the bridge, moving to the neck plate in 1954. From 1951 to 1963, the Fender bass serial numbers were pretty straightforward, using sequential numbers, although there are exceptions.
In 1995, Fender moved the serial number to the back of the headstock for all U.S. models. The vintage reissue line, which began in 1982 and continues to this day, uses a separate serial number system, as do the Fender Custom Shop models. You can usually find those numbers on the neck plate.
Taking a Fender serial number and doing some detective work on your bass can be a lot of fun actually. Just be methodical about how you do your research. Understand how dating methods have changed over the years, and enjoy the sleuthing trail!
Can you please tell me what year my Fender Precision is? The serial number is; 47861I believe that puts in 1960. That said, it has no neck stamp, and I understand that occurred in 1959. Is it possible to provide not only the year, but month as well? Thanks! Thank
The only way to find a specific date is to remove the neck. If the year is unreadable, it can be written on the body under the pickguard or in the cavity where the pickups are located. In the case of Fenders manufactured between 1955 and 1985, you cannot determine the year because the serial numbers cannot be used.
How old is a good vintage guitar? The serial number on the rear of the headstock should be found. If they do not have any letters, the serial number should be ignored. In both cases, the first and second digits indicate the year of manufacture, namely 99 = 1999,07 = 2007.
There is no easy way to determine the year of your Fender bass without looking up the serial number. The serial number can be found on the back of the headstock and will be either 6, 7 or 8 digits long. The first two digits will indicate the year of manufacture, while the remaining digits will indicate the week of manufacture.
There is no one definitive answer to this question. However, there are a few ways that you can try to determine the age of a bass guitar. One way is to look at the serial number on the guitar. If the guitar has a serial number, this can often give you some clues as to when the guitar was made. Another way to try to determine the age of a bass guitar is to look at the overall condition of the instrument. If the guitar is in good condition, it is likely that it is not very old. However, if the guitar is in poor condition, it is possible that it is quite old. Finally, you can also ask the owner of the guitar or the person who sold it to you. They may be able to give you some information about the age of the guitar.
On some models, the serial number on the back of the headstock is visible. The serial number will be visible under the intonation screws on some basses. Some older instruments may not return results due to the fact that they do not have access to this website.
On a bass guitar, there are between 20 and 24 frets that can be played. The fret numbers on the strings are represented by these numbers. The string with which the fret numbers are played is labeled with them. A bass with a typical depth of 20 to 24 frets has a lot of potential. There is a chance that fret numbers ranging from 0 to 24 will appear on the open string. On the Bass TAB, fret numbers can be found. As a result, if you see the number 5 on a string, it means the fifth fret is being played. If the number 12 is visible on a string, it indicates that the 12th fret of the string has been played. If you want to learn how to play the bass, our Bass TAB classes can help. There are numerous lessons available to assist you in learning how to play the bass.
The Fender serial numbers were used for Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, and Jaguars from 1950 until the 1980s. The back of the guitar is the best place to find them, where the neck joins the body. Preceding V serial numbers are modern reissues that debuted in 1982, not vintage guitars. Fender began engraving serial numbers into the metal plate on the back of the body in 1954. From 1958 to 1986, this serial number range was appropriate for Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, and Jaguar models. If your neck plate has a serial number that exceeds six digits, it was not produced in the 1950s or 1960s. Is there any vintage Fender guitar from the 1960s?
Most guitars and basses have production dates penciled or stamped on the end of their heel, though there were periods when this practice was not consistently followed (for example, from 1973 to 1981) or it was simply not done. Vintage guitars may also have a vintage sticker on the headstock, indicating a specific date, and this will tell you something about their condition. You must look at the serial number of the guitar in order to determine if it is vintage. The serial number scheme typically begins with a letter prefix that represents the decade and then a number sequence. The letters S represent 1970s, E represent 1980s, and N represent 1990s. The year is typically preceded by the first digit after the prefix, but there are several alternate digits. If the serial number begins with the letter S, E, or N, and no one has a letter after it, the guitar may be from the 1990s. Before the 1990s, if a serial number does not have a prefix, it is from prior to that date. Vintage stickers on the headstock of vintage guitars will give the guitar a more specific date. If the guitar does not have a serial number or a vintage sticker, you can try to determine the year it was made by comparing the specifications of the guitar in question to those of the year it was made. A guitar with a 1960s serial number, for example, may have a vintage sticker with the number1960 on it.
Fender basses have a long and rich history, dating back to the early days of electric bass guitar. The first Fender bass was the Precision Bass, which was introduced in 1951. Since then, Fender has produced a wide variety of bass guitars, each with its own unique features and sound. Serial numbers can be useful in identifying a particular instrument, especially when combined with other factors such as the date of manufacture and model. However, there is no definitive guide to dating a Fender bass by serial number alone, and the best way to identify a specific instrument is to consult a reputable guitar dealer or expert. 2ff7e9595c
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