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 was due to the 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.
It is important to note that Standard models featured always the "made in Japan" decal, never the "crafted in Japan", even in the CIJ Era.
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 was due to the 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.
It is important to note that Standard models featured always the "made in Japan" decal, never the "crafted in Japan", even in the CIJ Era.
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
|
|
U + 6 digits
|
2010-2011
|
|
JD11 + 6 digits
|
2011
|
|
JD12 + 6 digits
|
2012
|
|
JD13 + 6 digits
|
2013
|
|
JD14 + 6 digits
|
2014
|
|
JD15 + 6 digits
|
2015
|
|
JD16 + 6 digits
|
2016
|
And so on...
Tab.4 - Serial Numbers CIJ (MIJ for Standard models)
|
N + 6 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
|
