The good news is that there is an entire section of the Fender site devoted to the topic. You can order these titles through your local Authorized Fender Dealer.The sheer amount of Fender instrument-dating information is far too voluminous to be presented here in a single column. Indeed, we use these same books here at Fender when researching historical and date-related issues. They are detailed reference resources with a wealth of information on determining the production years of various instruments and on Fender history in general. 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. REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR DATING FENDER INSTRUMENTS ’52 Vintage Telecaster 1988-present (Check neck date for specific year) ’52 Vintage Telecaster 1982-1988 (Check neck date for specific year)

“Strat” from about 1980, (Gold hardware, two-position rotary tone switch) Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Gold Stratocaster from 1982-1983 Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982 Precision Bass Special from 1981 Black and Gold Telecaster from 1981-1982

Precision® Bass Special from 1981, CB(XXXXX) Gold Jazz® Bass from 1982 Korean-made Fender/Squier guitars (dating unclear) Sold as a promotional three-piece set with a Blonde Deluxe Reverb® Amp They were made for the export market and have “Made in USA” stamped on the neck heel.īlonde Jazzmaster® and Jaguar® guitars with gold hardware made in 1994. or found their way back (made to Standard Stratocaster specs dating unclear)Ī limited number of these “I” series guitars were made in 19. U.S.-made guitars and basses destined for export market. If you have what you consider an odd serial number, it might appear here.Ĭalifornia Series electric guitars and basses 19 The “odd” serial numbers on the chart below exist somewhat outside the more well-known Fender serial number schemes. How can I find out how old my instrument is if it uses an odd or non-standard serial numbering schemeĭATING FENDER INSTRUMENTS WITH ODD AND NON-STANDARD SERIAL NUMBERS

Fender guitar serial numbers s721161