The serial number of the Japanese Stratocasters is usually marked on the back of the neck, at the junction with the body of the guitar; in some cases, however, it is possible to find it on the headstock or on the neck-plate.
Until 1997 the serial number of these guitars was paired with the "Made in Japan" decal (period called MIJ Era); since 1997 Fender has replaced this decal with the "Crafted in Japan" one, paving the way for the CIJ Era (some CIJs, however, appeared already in 1995). After 2007 Fender used again the “Made in Japan” decal, though for a few years both were printed.
The serial number of the Japanese guitars was similar to that of the American Stratocasters: in fact this also was composed by one or two letters followed by some numbers. The first series of the Japanese Stratocasters is that called “JV”, and it is surrounded by an aura of magic: there are many guitarists who, after having tried them, have praised their construction quality and sound. It is important to note that some CIJ serial numbers overlap the MIJ ones, so that to distinguish them it is essential to see which decal is applied.
Until 1997 the serial number of these guitars was paired with the "Made in Japan" decal (period called MIJ Era); since 1997 Fender has replaced this decal with the "Crafted in Japan" one, paving the way for the CIJ Era (some CIJs, however, appeared already in 1995). After 2007 Fender used again the “Made in Japan” decal, though for a few years both were printed.
The serial number of the Japanese guitars was similar to that of the American Stratocasters: in fact this also was composed by one or two letters followed by some numbers. The first series of the Japanese Stratocasters is that called “JV”, and it is surrounded by an aura of magic: there are many guitarists who, after having tried them, have praised their construction quality and sound. It is important to note that some CIJ serial numbers overlap the MIJ ones, so that to distinguish them it is essential to see which decal is applied.
Made in Japan
|
Crafted in Japan
|
Tab.3 - Serial Numbers MIJ
|
JV + 5 digits
|
JV0xxxx April - July 1982
JV1xxxx August - October 1982 JV2xxxx October 1982 - January 1983 JV3xxxx January - March 1983 JV4xxxx March - May 1983 JV5xxxx May - June 1983 JV6xxxx June - August 1983 JV7xxxx August - October 1983 JV8xxxx October - December 1983 JV9xxxx December 1983 - circa February 1984 (export models only) |
|
SQ + 5 digits
|
1983 - 1984
|
|
E + 6 digits
|
1984 - 1987
|
|
A + 6 digits
|
1985 - 1986
|
|
B + 6 digits
|
1985 - 1986
|
|
C + 6 digits
|
1985 - 1986
|
|
F + 6 digits
|
1986 - 1987
|
|
G + 6 digits
|
1987 - 1988
|
|
H + 6 digits
|
1988 - 1989
|
|
I + 6 digits
|
1989 - 1990
|
|
J + 6 digits
|
1989 - 1990
|
|
K + 6 digits
|
1990 - 1991
|
|
L + 6 digits
|
1991 - 1992
|
|
M + 6 digits
|
1992 - 1993
|
|
N + 6 digits
|
1993 - 1994
|
|
O + 6 digits
|
1993 - 1994
|
|
P + 6 digits
|
1993 - 1994
|
|
Q + 6 digits
|
1993 - 1994
|
|
S + 6 digits
|
1994 - 1995
|
|
T + 6 digits
|
1994 - 1995
|
|
U + 6 digits
|
1995 - 1996
|
|
N + 5 digits
|
1995 - 1996
|
|
V + 6 digits
|
1996 - 1997
|
|
S + 6 digits
|
2007 - 2008
|
|
T + 6 digits
|
2008 - 2009
|
|
JD11 + 6 digits
|
2011
|
|
JD12 + 6 digits
|
2012
|
|
JD13 + 6 digits
|
2013
|
|
JD14 + 6 digits
|
2014
|
|
JD15 + 6 digits
|
2015
|
|
JD16 + 6 digits
|
2016
|
Tab.4 - Serial Numbers CIJ
|
N + 5 digits
|
1995 -1996
|
|
A + 6 digits
|
1997 - 1998
|
|
B + 6 digits
|
1998 - 1999
|
|
O0 + 5 digits
|
1997 - 2000
|
|
P0 + 5 digits
|
1999 - 2002
|
|
Q0 + 5 digits
|
2002 - 2004
|
|
R0 + 5 digits
|
2004 - 2006
|
|
S0 + 5 digits
|
2006 - 2008
|
|
T0 + 5 digits
|
2007 - 2010
|
