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How to date a Stratocaster

Stratocaster Serial numbers: Made in Japan

Serial Numbers
Italiano
English
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, as in the case of the "JV", "SQ" and "A" serial numbers.
Until 1997 the serial number of these guitars was paired with the "Made in Japan" decal (period called MIJ Era); between 1995 and 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).  This change happened by chance concurrently with the gradual shift of production from Fujigen factory to Tokai (only few months) and Dyna Gakki.  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 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. 
Some CIJ serial numbers overlap the MIJ ones, so that to distinguish them it is essential to see which decal is applied.
To complicate matters there are the serial numbers used on the “Standard” models made from 1997 just for the Japanese market, like the ST-38.  These Stratocasters, all characterized by a Modern logo, had a decal “MADE IN JAPAN” on the headstock, although they were built during the “Crafted in Japan” period! 
Made in Japan
Made in Japan
Crafted in Japan
Crafted in Japan
MIJ Serial Numbers

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 (Made in Japan decal)

E + 6 digits
1984 - 1987 ​(Made in Japan decal)

A0 + 5 digits
1985 - 1986 (Made in Japan decal)

B0 + 5 digits
​1985 - 1986​ (Made in Japan decal)

C0 + 5 ​digits
​1985 - 1986​ (Made in Japan decal)

F0 + 5 digits
1986 - 1987​ (Made in Japan decal)

G0 + 5 digits
1987 - 1988​ (Made in Japan decal)

H0 + 5 digits
​1988 - 1989​ (Made in Japan decal)

I0 + 5 digits
1989 - 1990​ (Made in Japan decal)

J0 + 5 digits
1989 - 1990​ (Made in Japan decal)

K0 + 5 digits
1990 - 1991 (Made in Japan decal)

L0 + 5 digits
1991 - 1992​ (Made in Japan decal)

M0 + 5 digits
​1992 - 1993​ (Made in Japan decal)

​N0 + 5 digits
1993 - 1994 (Made in Japan decal); It was used in 1995-1996, too

O0 + 5 digits
1993 - 1994​ (Made in Japan decal)

P0 + 5 digits
1993 - 1994 (Made in Japan decal)

Q0 + 5 digits
1993 - 1994​ (Made in Japan decal)

S0 + 5 digits
1994 - 1995 (Made in Japan decal)

T0 + 5 digits
1994 - 1995​ (Made in Japan decal)

U0 + 5 digits
​1995 - 1996 (Made in Japan decal)

N0 + 5 digits
1995 - 1996 (Made in Japan decal); It was already used in 1993-1994

V0 + 5 digits
​1996 - 1997​ (Made in Japan decal)

CIJ Serial Numbers* (*MIJ on Standard models)

N0 + 5 digits
1995 - 1996 (Crafted in Japan decal)

V0 + 5 digits
1996 - 1997​ (Crafted in Japan decal)

A0 + 5 digits
1997 - 1998​ (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

B0 + 5 digits
1998 - 1999​ (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

O0 + 5 digits
1997 - 2000​ (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

P0 + 5 digits
1999 - 2002​ (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

Q0 + 5 digits
2002 - 2004​ (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

R0 + 5 digits
​2004 - 2006 (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

S0 + 5 digits
2006 - 2008​ (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

T0 + 5 digits
​2007 - 2010​ (Crafted in Japan decal; Made in Japan on Standard Models)

MIJ Serial Numbers

S0 + 5 digits
2007 - 2008 (Made in Japan decal)

T0 + 5 digits
2008 - 2009​ (Made in Japan decal)

U0 + 5 digits
2010-2011​ (Made in Japan decal)

JD11 + 6 digits
2011 and a few in ​2012​ (Made in Japan decal)

JD12 + 6 digits
2012 and a few in ​2013 (Made in Japan decal)

JD13 + 6 digits
2013 and a few in ​2014 (Made in Japan decal)

JD14 + 6 digits
2014 and a few in ​2015 (Made in Japan decal)

JD15 + 6 digits
2015 and a few in ​2016 (Made in Japan decal)

JD16 + 6 digits
2016 and a few in 2017 ​(Made in Japan decal)

And so on...
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