Serial number dating

Some of the earliest ones actually popped up in late as well:. After the CBS purchase of Fender in , the factory switched to a new serial sequence with numbers that continued the same general format used prior to the takeover.

These are generally referred to as F series due the large Fender branded F on the neckplates of the era. This period also saw a switch from the orginal four-bolt neckplate of the '60s to a three-bolt neckplate in just one example of cost-saving costs introduced under CBS.

Starting in , Fender transitioned to a new serial number scheme and moved the placement of most serial numbers to the headstock of the instrument. Depending on the era and model, the number can be found on either the front or back of the headstock.

After a short period of overlap with the old system, the post numbers will start with a letter that indicates the decade, followed by a number that indicates the year of that decade. In the s, you'll also see serials starting with a DZ which indicates the Deluxe series, but the format is otherwise the same. For example, a serial number with N4 would be from One starting with Z5 would be from This is particularly pronounced in the transitional period of the mid-'80s, though the system has been pretty much on point since about After , the letter changed to a format starting with US then two digits that tell the year of the current decade.

American-made signature series instruments follow a very similar scheme to the above, but use a prefix S before the decade letter. For example, a Signature Series guitar from would have a serial starting with SN8 followed by five digits. These have serial numbers starting with V and do not strictly correlate to years. The neck dates on these guitars, however, are usually reliable. Fender Japan serial numbers can usually be found on the back of the neck near the neck joint. Though examples also exist with the number on the headstock or the neck-plate in the case of certain early reissue models.

Up until , the serial was paired with the words "Made in Japan. In , Fender expanded operations with a series of instruments produced in Japan by the Fuji Gen Gakki company. Like the US serial numbers, MIJ made in Japan serials start with a letter or pair of letters that indicate the rough year of production.

This system, however, is notoriously inconsistent and incomplete, which makes dating by serial number even less reliable for MIJ Fenders. After , Fender Japan switched back to marking Fenders as "Made in Japan" though for a few years instruments with both decals were made.

Serial numbers since this transition have continued the same sequence as the "CIJ" era. Fender opened a factory in Ensenada, Mexico in the late '80s and instruments started coming off the line in The MIM serial number scheme is actually very straight-forward. For Mexican Fenders made in the s, the serial will start with an MN followed by a number that indicates the year of the decade. Instruments made in the s follow the same form but start with MZ.

For the s, the prefix is MX1. There is probably some kernel of truth to all of them. But the fact remains; there is no original, single, totally accurate database of serial numbers from forward that we are aware of. But perhaps these pages can help you somewhat in your research. There are other outside resources — including the Cody Firearm Museum -- which can be excellent for determining date of manufacture and value: Click here to go to our gun values resource links.

Please remember that this information is a compilation over time -- collected from secondhand information. No confidentail records were used. We reserve the right to make changes at any time and make no claims as to accuracy. No attempt has been made to determine the value of any Winchester products. Take me to Winchester International No. Take me to Winchester North America.

Serial Number Reference. What year was my Winchester manufactured? A few reasons cited are: A fire at the factory Inadvertent destruction during office cleaning Records simply lost in filing Records misplaced between ownership transitions Documents borrowed but not returned There is probably some kernel of truth to all of them.

In most cases, only the upper end instruments were assigned identification numbers. YEAR LAST YEAR LAST White oval labels were used on instruments from to , at which time the oval label was changed to an orange color. On instruments with round soundholes, this label is visible directly below it. On f-hole instruments, it is visible through the upper f-hole. The second type of serial numbers used started with an A prefix and ran from to The first number is A Though not used on the earliest instruments produced those done in , a few of these instruments have 3 digits stamped on the headstock top.

Some time in , instruments were ink stamped on the headstock back with 5 or 6 digit numbers, the first indicating the year, the following numbers are production numbers. The production numbers run in a consecutive order and, aside from a few oddities in the change over years , it is fairly accurate to use them when identifying solid body instruments produced between and It consisted of numbers that are impressed into the wood.

It is also generally known to be the most frustrating and hard to understand system that Gibson has employed. The numbers were used between the years There are several instances where batches of numbers are switched in order, duplicated, not just once, but up to four times, and seem to be randomly assigned, throughout the decade.

All numbers were impressed into the wood and a six digit number assigned, though no particular order was given and some instruments had a letter prefix. The orange labels inside hollow bodied instruments was discontinued in and were replaced by white and orange rectangle labels on the acoustics, and small black, purple and white rectangle labels were placed on electric models.

A few bolt on neck instruments had a date ink stamped on the heel area. In , Gibson first introduced the serialization method that is in practice today. This updated system utilizes an impressed eight digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions. The numbers show Kalamazoo production, show Nashville production. The Kalamazoo numbers were discontinued in Bozeman instruments began using designations and, in , Nashville instruments began using designations.

It should also be noted that the Nashville plant has not reached the s since , so these numbers have been reserved for prototypes. Examples: means the instrument was produced on Jan.