Fender Serial Number Lookup
Fender Dating Guide
Identify the Year and Value of Your Fender Guitar
Use this Fender serial number guide to estimate the production year, model era, and authenticity of your instrument. This tool helps identify vintage and modern Fender guitars including Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass, and more.
If you are trying to determine what year your Fender guitar was made or whether it is a collectible vintage instrument, start by entering your serial number below.
Fender Serial Numbers: Quick Guide (1950s → Present)
Fender changed serial conventions several times and often used model-dependent schemes. Use serials as a strong clue — but always confirm with neck-heel stamps, potentiometer date codes, and hardware/finish details.
Fender Serial Lookup
This tool provides a best-effort estimate. If you want a full evaluation, include photos and any paperwork when you contact us.
Need a More Accurate Valuation?
Fender serial numbers can narrow down production era, but exact value depends on originality, condition, and specifications.
For a professional assessment, we offer formal vintage guitar appraisals and can also advise whether your instrument should be sold or placed on consignment.
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1950 - 1954
Model-dependent schemes: bridge-plate or neck-plate serials; small runs and overlapping sequences are common.
- Serial location: Bridge plate on early Telecasters & Strat prototypes; some models used neck plates.
- Reliability: Low → numbers were model-specific and not globally sequential.
- Common anomalies: Parallel numbering systems for different models (Tele, Esquire, Precision Bass).
- What to check: bridge plate stamps, neck heel stamps, pot codes, pickup types and finish clues (nitro lacquers for early runs).
| Pattern / Range | Notes |
|---|---|
| 0001 – 0999 | 1950 – 1952 (Broadcaster / Tele / early runs) |
| 000 – 5300 | 1952 – 1954 (transition to neck-plate numbering for many models) |
Precision Bass (selected ranges)
- Serial location: Bridge plate or neck plate (varied).
- Reliability: Moderate — ranges are useful for rough dating but cross-checks advised.
- What to check: pickup covers, headstock shape, and pot codes.
| Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 161 – 357 | 1951 |
| 299 – 619 | 1952 |
| 0001 – 0160 | 1952 |
| 0161 – 0470 | 1951 – 1952 |
| 0475 – 0840 | 1952 – 1953 |
| 0848 – 1897 | 1953 – 1954 |
1954 - 1963
Neck-plate serials become more common; four- and five-digit numbers predominate.
- Serial location: Neck plate is primary for many models in this era.
- Reliability: Moderate — ranges can help but Fender reused ranges across models occasionally.
- Known anomalies: some years used a leading zero/prefix or reused low ranges between models.
- What to check: headstock logo shape, bridge type, neck heel ink stamps, pot codes (best secondary evidence).
| Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 0001 – 7000 | 1954 |
| 7000 – 9000 | 1955 |
| 9000 – 17000 | 1956 |
| 17000 – 25000 | 1957 |
| 25000 – 34000 | 1958 |
| 34000 – 44000 | 1959 |
| 44000 – 59000 | 1960 |
| 59000 – 71000 | 1961 |
| 71000 – 93000 | 1962 |
| 93000 – 99999 | 1963 |
1963 - 1965 (L-series)
The “L” prefix appears (L + 5 digits) — a consolidated neck-plate system used during the mid-60s.
- Serial location: Neck plate.
- Reliability: Good — L-series is fairly clean for 1963–1965 dating.
- Known anomalies: The L-run spans multiple models; model context (headstock logo, neck carve) still matters.
- What to check: finish checking (nitro vs later lacquers), F vs non-F stamped plates, and neck heel marks.
| Range | Year |
|---|---|
| L00001 – L20000 | 1963 |
| L20000 – L59000 | 1964 |
| L59000 – L99999 | 1965 |
1965 - 1976
Six-digit blocks begin; Norlin-era changes and stamping conventions appear (large "F", changed neckplate formats).
- Serial location: Neck plate (6-digit numbers) and some early headstock placements later in the period.
- Reliability: Moderate — large production volumes and plant changes produced overlap and reuse in some ranges.
- Known anomalies: Some years show two overlapping ranges; "F" stamp and other factory marks were used.
- What to check: F-stamp, neck heel stamps, pot codes — pot dates are often more precise for this era.
| Range | Year / Note |
|---|---|
| 100000 – 110000 | late 1965 |
| 110000 – 200000 | 1966 |
| 200000 – 210000 | 1967 |
| 210000 – 250000 | 1968 |
| 250000 – 280000 | 1969 |
| 280000 – 300000 | 1970 |
| 300000 – 340000 | 1971 |
| 340000 – 370000 | 1972 |
| 370000 – 520000 | 1973 |
| 500000 – 580000 | 1974 |
| 580000 – 690000 | 1975 |
| 690000 – 750000 | 1976 |
1976 - Present
Multiple prefixes and factory codes appear (S, E, N, Z, US, MX, JD, etc.). Post-1970s dating often depends on prefix interpretation combined with digit counts.
- Serial location: Back of headstock or neck plate (varies; modern guitars often show headstock serials).
- Reliability: Variable — many factory-specific schemes exist; prefix + digit count is usually the best first pass.
- Known anomalies: Prefix overlaps between factories and reissues (some E-series overlap early 80s Corona builds vs later runs).
- What to check: prefix, digit length, country stamps (Mexico/US/Japan), and factory paperwork when available.
| Prefix / Pattern | Years (typical) |
|---|---|
| 76 + 5 digits | 1976 |
| S6 / S7 / S8 / S9 + 5 digits | 1976–1979 (S-prefix decade codes) |
| E0 / E1 / E2 / E3 / E4 | Early 1980s (Corona U.S. retooling) |
| N0–N9 | 1990s era (various) |
| Z0–Z9 | 2000s decade transition |
| MX + 5/6 digits | Mexico — often indicates year in next two digits (e.g., MX17 → 2017) |
| US10–US14 + 6 digits | United States (2010–2014 examples) |
| JD / J + codes | Japanese factory codes (various years) |
Notes: Modern prefixes have many variations and factory-specific behaviors — treat prefix + digit count as the primary signal, then corroborate with country stamps, headstock labels, and paperwork.
Need a professional opinion? Contact Garrett Park Guitars and include clear photos of the headstock, neck heel, pot codes, and any body or neck stamps.