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
|
|
1992
|
MN2 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1993
|
MN3 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1994
|
MN4 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1995
|
MN5 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1996
|
MN6 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1997
|
MN7 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1998
|
MN8 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
1999
|
MN9 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2000
|
MZ0 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2001
|
MZ1 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2002
|
MZ2 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2003
|
MZ3 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2004
|
MZ4 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2005
|
MZ5 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2006
|
MZ6 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2007
|
MZ7 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2008
|
MZ8 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2009
|
MZ9 + 5 or 6 digits
|
|
2010
|
MX10 + 6 digits
10 + 6 or 7 digits |
|
2011
|
MX11 + 6 digits
|
|
2012
|
MX12 + 6 digits
|
|
2013
|
MX13 + 6 digits
|
|
2014
|
MX14 + 6 digits
|
