In 1987 Fender opened the Mexican plant in Ensenada, which became operational and started to produce guitars only in 1990.
The serial number of the “Made in Mexico” Stratocasters, was located on the front of the headstock, is very simple and intuitive: it provides a suffix composed by the letter “M” and one indicating the decade (“N” for the 90s, “Z” from 2000 and “X” from 2010), followed by five or six numbers.
In 2010 also for the Mexican Stratocasters, as already happened for the American ones, a serial number without letters but composed by the prefix “10” followed by seven numbers was used for some months. In these cases the origin of the guitar was reported on a decal placed on the back of the headstock next to the serial.
Moreover in 2010 the serial number was moved on the back of the headstock of the Mexican Stratocasters.
Obviously, there are some exceptions, like the California Series, whose serial number was characterized by the prefix "AMXN", and some signature guitars, with the prefix "MS" + "N", "Z" or "X", according to the decade.
It is interesting to note that some of these, like the Jimmie Vaughan or the Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster, had the serial number with the prefix "MSN" also if made in the 2000s (and not '90s as you might think). In these cases the real dating of the instrument has to be done by reading the other dates on body, neck, pickguard or thanks to the 1996 anniversary tags placed on the back of the headstock.
In addition, in October 2010 also Mexican signature strats moved to the serial number "MX10".
The serial number of the “Made in Mexico” Stratocasters, was located on the front of the headstock, is very simple and intuitive: it provides a suffix composed by the letter “M” and one indicating the decade (“N” for the 90s, “Z” from 2000 and “X” from 2010), followed by five or six numbers.
In 2010 also for the Mexican Stratocasters, as already happened for the American ones, a serial number without letters but composed by the prefix “10” followed by seven numbers was used for some months. In these cases the origin of the guitar was reported on a decal placed on the back of the headstock next to the serial.
Moreover in 2010 the serial number was moved on the back of the headstock of the Mexican Stratocasters.
Obviously, there are some exceptions, like the California Series, whose serial number was characterized by the prefix "AMXN", and some signature guitars, with the prefix "MS" + "N", "Z" or "X", according to the decade.
It is interesting to note that some of these, like the Jimmie Vaughan or the Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster, had the serial number with the prefix "MSN" also if made in the 2000s (and not '90s as you might think). In these cases the real dating of the instrument has to be done by reading the other dates on body, neck, pickguard or thanks to the 1996 anniversary tags placed on the back of the headstock.
In addition, in October 2010 also Mexican signature strats moved to the serial number "MX10".
Tab.5 Mexican Stratocasters serial numbers
|
1990
|
MN0 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1991
|
MN1 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN0 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1992
|
MN2 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN1 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1993
|
MN3 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN2 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1994
|
MN4 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN3 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1995
|
MN5 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN4 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1996
|
MN6 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN5 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1997
|
MN7 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN6 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1998
|
MN8 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN7 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1999
|
MN9 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN8 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2000
|
MZ0 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MN9 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2001
|
MZ1 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ0 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2002
|
MZ2 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ1 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2003
|
MZ3 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ2 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2004
|
MZ4 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ3 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2005
|
MZ5 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ4 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2006
|
MZ6 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ5 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2007
|
MZ7 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ6 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2008
|
MZ8 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ7 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2009
|
MZ9 + 5 or 6 digits
A few MZ8 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2010
|
MX10 + 6 digits
10 + 6 or 7 digits A few MZ9 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2011
|
MX11 + 6 digits
A few MX10 + 6 digits |
|
2012
|
MX12 + 6 digits
A few MX11 + 6 digits |
|
2013
|
MX13 + 6 digits
A few MX12 + 6 digits |
|
2014
|
MX14 + 6 digits
A few MX13 + 6 digits |
...And so on
