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How to date a Stratocaster

Stratocaster Serial numbers: Made in Japan

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 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
Made in Japan
Crafted 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

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