DATING FENDER INSTRUMENTS WITH ODD AND NON-STANDARD SERIAL NUMBERS
The “odd” serial numbers on the chart below exist somewhat outside the more well-known Fender serial number schemes. If you have what you consider an odd serial number, it might appear here.
| NUMBER | DESCRIPTION |
| AMXN + 6 digits | California Series electric guitars and basses; 1997 and 1998 |
| DN + 6 digits | American Deluxe series instruments; 1998 and 1999 |
| NC(XXXXXX) | Squier® Strat Bullets (dating unclear) |
| FN(XXXXXX) | U.S.-made guitars and basses destined for export market. Some may have stayed in the U.S. or found their way back (made to Standard Stratocaster specs; dating unclear) |
| I(XXXXXXX) | A limited number of these “I” series guitars were made in 1989 and 1990. They were made for the export market and have “Made in USA” stamped on the neck heel. |
| LE(XXXXXX) | Blonde Jazzmaster® and Jaguar® guitars with gold hardware made in 1994. Sold as a promotional three-piece set with a Blonde Deluxe Reverb® Amp |
| CN(XXXXXX) VN(XXXXXX) | Korean-made Fender/Squier guitars (dating unclear) |
| CA(XXXXX) | Gold Stratocaster; 1981, 1982 and 1983 |
| CB(XXXXX) | Precision® Bass Special from 1981, CB(XXXXX) Gold Jazz® Bass from 1982 |
| CC(XXXXX) | Walnut Stratocaster; 1981, 1982 and 1983 |
| CE(XXXXX) | Precision Bass Special from 1981; Black and Gold Telecaster from 1981-1982 |
| CD(XXXXX) CO(XXXXX) | Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982 |
| GO(XXXXX) | Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Gold Stratocaster from 1982-1983 |
| D(XXXXXX) | Jazz Bass from 1982 |
| SE(XXXXXX) | Signature Series Instruments SE8(XXXXX)-1988, SE9(XXXXX)-1989 SN0(XXXXX)-'90, SN1(XXXXX)-’90, SN2(XXXXX)-’92, etc. SZ0(XXXXX)-2000, SZ1(XXXXX)-2001, SZ2(XXXXX)-2002, etc. |
| 3 digits of 500 | 35th Anniversary Strat from 1989-1990 |
| G(XXXXXX) | “Strat” from about 1980, (Gold hardware, two-position rotary tone switch) |
| 4 digits stamped on bridge plate | U.S. ’52 Vintage Telecaster 1982-1988 (Check neck date for specific year) |
| 5 digits stamped on bridge plate | U.S. ’52 Vintage Telecaster 1988-present (Check neck date for specific year) |
| T(XXXXXX) | Tribute series instruments |
| C(XXXXXX) | Collectors Series |
| XN(XXXXX) | FSRs and ’52 Teles |
REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR DATING FENDER INSTRUMENTS
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. We highly recommend each of them.
They are detailed reference resources with a wealth of information on determining the production years of various instruments and on Fender history in general. Indeed, we use these same books here at Fender when researching historical and date-related issues. You can order these titles through your local Authorized Fender Dealer.
| TITLE | PART NUMBER | U.S. MSRP |
| 50 Years of Fender | 099-5050-000 | $19.99 |
| The Fender Stratocaster 40th Anniversary Edition | 099-5000-000 | $14.99 |
| The Stratocaster Chronicles | 099-5057-000 | $50.00 |
| The Story of the Fender Stratocaster | 099-5017-000 | $19.99 |
| Fender—The Sound Heard ’Round The World | 099-5015-000 | $29.95 |
| The Fender Telecaster | 099-5005-000 | $14.99 |
| The Fender Bass | 099-5004-000 | $9.99 |
| The Fender Bass: An Illustrated History | 099-5046-000 | $24.99 |
| How the Fender Bass Changed the World | 099-5045-000 | $27.99 |
| The Fender Book—2nd Edition | 099-5006-100 | $24.99 |
| The Fender Custom Shop Guitar Gallery | 099-5012-000 | $12.99 |
| Fender Classic Moments | 099-5013-000 | $24.99 |
| The Story of the Fender Stratocaster | 099-5016-000 | $24.95 |