Fender Serial Numbers
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, hardware/finish details and expert photos.
Enter your serial below for a best-effort estimate. For precise dating, pair the serial with pot codes and headstock/neck-heel photos.
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.
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.