The First Serial Numbers
Serial number on the back plate
The first Stratocasters featured a serial number on the plastic back plate which covered the springs of the vibrato unit. But not all the collectors agree on what the first serial numbers of 1954 were.
Gruhn and Duchossoir claim that they were four-digit, even if the last digit wasn't perfectly aligned with the first three and sometimes it was slightly detached, suggesting that this was due to a machine that was not fully functional or that the Stratocaster serial number was born three digits and that the fourth was added in a second step. According to them, the serial number engraved on the back plate was between 0100 and 0200 and indicated the first Stratocasters fabricated which yet weren’t those with the lowest serial number.
Another famous collector, James Werner, supports another hypothesis, which currently seems to be the most accredited. Werner has compiled a list of instruments in which many Stratocasters with two, three or four serial numbers appear, although these numbers have been used on the very first Stratocasters without a specific order. Some, like the 19, the 008, the 771, just to name a few, are simply dated 1954; others also refer to the month, like the 0155 (March 1954), the 0035 (April 1954), the 0065 (June 1954), the 0207 (May 1954).
Later, the serial number was moved on the neck plate, probably because the plastics of the first back plates broke easily or because the guitarists, in order to mount the strings, removed and sometimes lost it. In this case also there wasn’t a specific order of the serial numbers. The first documented serial numbers on the neck plate start from the 0246 (April 1954), 0287 (May 1954), 0240 (June 1954), and 0333 (July 1954) Stratocasters. However, there are also Stratocasters with serial number on the neck plate even lower, but which are dated June or July, like David Gilmour’s 0001 Stratocaster, that is not the older one (date on the neck June 1954, date on the body 28 September 1954), though it is one of the first Stratocasters fabricated.
Most of the time the numbers were engraved on the top of the neck plate, but, between the end of the '50s and the early '60s, they could sometimes be found on the bottom.
The serial number gradually grew, though in a way not perfectly linear with the production date, and reached, in December 1954, the series 12xx – however, given the Stratocasters arrived to the present days, it appears really unlikely that more than 1200 had been made! According to Duchossoir, in the same month Fender decided to unite the serial numbers of its solid body instruments (Telecaster, Esquire, Precision Bass and Stratocaster), which until that moment had distinct numbers, in a single numbering line. Because of this, Stratocaster’s serial number leapt forward to about 5000 and the last 1954 Stratocasters reached the 6xxx series.
At the end of 1955, a “0”was added in front of the four digits of the 8xxx series which, from that moment, became five-digit (08xxx).
The guitars made between 1957 and the beginning of 1958 exhibited a curious sign "-", engraved on the inner face of the neck plate.
Gruhn and Duchossoir claim that they were four-digit, even if the last digit wasn't perfectly aligned with the first three and sometimes it was slightly detached, suggesting that this was due to a machine that was not fully functional or that the Stratocaster serial number was born three digits and that the fourth was added in a second step. According to them, the serial number engraved on the back plate was between 0100 and 0200 and indicated the first Stratocasters fabricated which yet weren’t those with the lowest serial number.
Another famous collector, James Werner, supports another hypothesis, which currently seems to be the most accredited. Werner has compiled a list of instruments in which many Stratocasters with two, three or four serial numbers appear, although these numbers have been used on the very first Stratocasters without a specific order. Some, like the 19, the 008, the 771, just to name a few, are simply dated 1954; others also refer to the month, like the 0155 (March 1954), the 0035 (April 1954), the 0065 (June 1954), the 0207 (May 1954).
Later, the serial number was moved on the neck plate, probably because the plastics of the first back plates broke easily or because the guitarists, in order to mount the strings, removed and sometimes lost it. In this case also there wasn’t a specific order of the serial numbers. The first documented serial numbers on the neck plate start from the 0246 (April 1954), 0287 (May 1954), 0240 (June 1954), and 0333 (July 1954) Stratocasters. However, there are also Stratocasters with serial number on the neck plate even lower, but which are dated June or July, like David Gilmour’s 0001 Stratocaster, that is not the older one (date on the neck June 1954, date on the body 28 September 1954), though it is one of the first Stratocasters fabricated.
Most of the time the numbers were engraved on the top of the neck plate, but, between the end of the '50s and the early '60s, they could sometimes be found on the bottom.
The serial number gradually grew, though in a way not perfectly linear with the production date, and reached, in December 1954, the series 12xx – however, given the Stratocasters arrived to the present days, it appears really unlikely that more than 1200 had been made! According to Duchossoir, in the same month Fender decided to unite the serial numbers of its solid body instruments (Telecaster, Esquire, Precision Bass and Stratocaster), which until that moment had distinct numbers, in a single numbering line. Because of this, Stratocaster’s serial number leapt forward to about 5000 and the last 1954 Stratocasters reached the 6xxx series.
At the end of 1955, a “0”was added in front of the four digits of the 8xxx series which, from that moment, became five-digit (08xxx).
The guitars made between 1957 and the beginning of 1958 exhibited a curious sign "-", engraved on the inner face of the neck plate.
The "L" series
Although legends say that the letter “L” preceding the numeration of the serials appeared on the Stratocasters made between the end of 1962 and mid 1965 represented a tribute to Leo Fender, actually it looks like it was a simple engraving mistake.
These serial numbers were included between "L00001" and the series L9xxxx, and they grew once again in a way not perfectly linear with the dates on the neck. Despite these serial numbers are found until just beyond the middle of 1965, they can appear also on some 1966 Stratocasters.
These serial numbers were included between "L00001" and the series L9xxxx, and they grew once again in a way not perfectly linear with the dates on the neck. Despite these serial numbers are found until just beyond the middle of 1965, they can appear also on some 1966 Stratocasters.
The "F" Series
When the “L” Series reached the numeration of 9xxxx, after the CBS takeover in 1965, the serial numbers went from five to six digits, starting from 100000, and without the “L” suffix. These were engraved on the new neck plates above the large “F” letter, typical of the CBS Stratocasters, hence their nicknames.
Despite these neck plates appeared in mid 1965, until the beginning of the following year the last ones belonging to the "L" series were also used, in order to finish all the neck plates in stock.
Due to the strong increase in the production of the Stratocasters of this period, the serial numbers leapt from the 1xxxxx series to the 7xxxxx series in just eleven years.
Despite these neck plates appeared in mid 1965, until the beginning of the following year the last ones belonging to the "L" series were also used, in order to finish all the neck plates in stock.
Due to the strong increase in the production of the Stratocasters of this period, the serial numbers leapt from the 1xxxxx series to the 7xxxxx series in just eleven years.
Serial Numbers on the headstock
In late 1976 Fender stopped engraving the serial number on the neck plate and printed it, together with other decals, on the front of the headstock. The new code was composed by seven numbers, of which the first two indicated the year of production and the other five identifying the guitar.
In late '70s it was possible to find the serial number also printed on a sticker put on the bottom of the pickguard and on the body, on the neck pocket.
The first year the serial number had a simple prefix “76” written in bold, which in a few months was replaced by the “S6” one, with “S” standing for “seventies”.
This scheme, clear and simple, actually didn’t represent a good method to date a Stratocaster because, usually, at the beginning of a new year, the new decals were not applied immediately, but only after some time, and on the headstock of the first guitars of a year the serial number of the previous one still appeared.
In late '70s it was possible to find the serial number also printed on a sticker put on the bottom of the pickguard and on the body, on the neck pocket.
The first year the serial number had a simple prefix “76” written in bold, which in a few months was replaced by the “S6” one, with “S” standing for “seventies”.
This scheme, clear and simple, actually didn’t represent a good method to date a Stratocaster because, usually, at the beginning of a new year, the new decals were not applied immediately, but only after some time, and on the headstock of the first guitars of a year the serial number of the previous one still appeared.
- For example, many 1980 and 1981 guitars were made with the code “S9” instead of “E0” or “E1” (in which “E” stands for “eighties”).
- It should also not be forgotten that, after the 1985 buyout and until 1988, the new Fender applied on its guitars the leftover decals from the old management: consequently, in these years, no Stratocaster whose serial number started with "E5", "E6" or "E7" was made, but only guitars whose serial number was preceded by "E3", "E4" or "EE" (in the case of some export guitars).
- Moreover, at the beginning of 1990, when Fender was still using the old decals “E9”, the new ones were ordered. But, because of an error, "N9" decals were ordered and for some time serial numbers which started with "N9" (so 1999!) were used on the American Standard and on the Plus Series, before passing to decal "N0" (1990). But it’s easy to distinguish between a 1990 “N9” and one of 1999 due to the date applied on the neck of the Stratocaster. In addition in 1995 Fender moved, in its American Standard and Plus series, the serial numbers from the front face of the headstock to the back one, and at the same time replaced the Modern Logo with a clear Spaghetti one. Consequently a 1999 “N9” Stratocaster will have the whitish Spaghetti Logo on the front of the headstock and the serial number and on the back, while a 1990 or 1991 “N9” will have both serial number and Modern Logo on the front. Any doubts?
- In 2000 the letter “Z” was chosen as prefix of the serial number, while in 2010 Fender started to use “US” followed by the last two digits of the year (for example, "US12" for 2012), marked in bold, with the exception of the Stratocasters made in the first three months of 2010, whose serial number was composed by numbers only: “10”, in normal font, followed by six digits. Moreover in 2010 Fender decided to unite the serial numbers of the American Standards with those of the American Deluxe and of the Signature Stratocasters (whose serial numbers, until now, was like that of the standard models, but preceded respectively by the prefixes "D" and "S").
Tab.1 - Serial numbers of few Stratocasters from 1954 to 1973, analyzed by Duchossoir:
note that there wasn’t a specific order and they grow in a way not perfectly linear with the dates on the neck.
VINTAGE SERIES/AMERICAN VINTAGE/AMERICAN ORIGINAL SERIES:
The Vintage Stratocasters, unveiled in 1982, had the serial number on the neck plate starting with “V” and without any correlation with the year of production. Until 1988 their serial number was V + 4 or 5 or 6 digits. From 1989: V + 5 or 6 digits.
Since the end of 2012 also the serial number of the American Vintage Strats has been connected to the year: "V12" for the American Vintage Strats made in 2012 or so, “V13” for those made in 2013 and so on.
Since 2018 the serial number “V” has been present also on the American Original Stratocasters.
SIGNATURE SERIES:
Until 2009 the Signature models follow the same rule of the standard line, but their serial number was preceded by the letter “S”. Therefore SE8xxxxx for 1988, SE9xxxxx for 1989, SN0xxxxx for 1990, etc., up to SZ9 in 2009.
Since 2010, with the unification of the serial numbers of the Stratocasters, they follow the same identical mechanism of the American Standards (US10xxxxxx, US11xxxxxx, etc.), without the prefix “S”.
In late '80s Fender ordered a large batch of the "SE" decals. It was likely a mistake. So they used them - and continued using them well into 1993. When the "SE9" prefix decals were used up, in about 1994, Fender started using "SN" serial numbers for Signature models.
AMERICAN DELUXE SERIES:
The American Deluxe Stratocasters, on the market since the late '90s, had a serial number that followed the same rule of the Signature Strats, with the difference that it did not start with the letter “S”, but with the letter “D”. Therefore, the prefixes had been DN8, DN9, DZ0, DZ1, DZ2, etc., up to DZ9. Since 2010 also the serial numbers of the American Deluxe Series adapted to the "universal" one of the Stratocasters made in USA with the prefix "US".
OTHER PREFIXES INDEPENDENT FROM THE YEAR OF PRODUCTION:
G: The Strat
CA: Gold Stratocaster
CC: Walnut Strat
GO: Gold Strat
AMXN: California Series
R: Time Machine and Relics Series
CS, CN, CZ: Custom Classic, Classic Player and other '80s and '90s Custom Shop guitars
TN7: Voodoo Stratocaster and '68 Reverse Strat Special (ca. 1992-1998)
FN2: Floyd Rose Classic Stratocaster and the first Floyd Rose Classic HH (and HSS) Stratocaster
EE: Stratocaster made in USA but intended for the foreign market
I: Stratocaster made in USA between 1989 and 1990, but intended for the foreign market, which have printed at the neck base "Made in USA"
The Vintage Stratocasters, unveiled in 1982, had the serial number on the neck plate starting with “V” and without any correlation with the year of production. Until 1988 their serial number was V + 4 or 5 or 6 digits. From 1989: V + 5 or 6 digits.
Since the end of 2012 also the serial number of the American Vintage Strats has been connected to the year: "V12" for the American Vintage Strats made in 2012 or so, “V13” for those made in 2013 and so on.
Since 2018 the serial number “V” has been present also on the American Original Stratocasters.
SIGNATURE SERIES:
Until 2009 the Signature models follow the same rule of the standard line, but their serial number was preceded by the letter “S”. Therefore SE8xxxxx for 1988, SE9xxxxx for 1989, SN0xxxxx for 1990, etc., up to SZ9 in 2009.
Since 2010, with the unification of the serial numbers of the Stratocasters, they follow the same identical mechanism of the American Standards (US10xxxxxx, US11xxxxxx, etc.), without the prefix “S”.
In late '80s Fender ordered a large batch of the "SE" decals. It was likely a mistake. So they used them - and continued using them well into 1993. When the "SE9" prefix decals were used up, in about 1994, Fender started using "SN" serial numbers for Signature models.
AMERICAN DELUXE SERIES:
The American Deluxe Stratocasters, on the market since the late '90s, had a serial number that followed the same rule of the Signature Strats, with the difference that it did not start with the letter “S”, but with the letter “D”. Therefore, the prefixes had been DN8, DN9, DZ0, DZ1, DZ2, etc., up to DZ9. Since 2010 also the serial numbers of the American Deluxe Series adapted to the "universal" one of the Stratocasters made in USA with the prefix "US".
OTHER PREFIXES INDEPENDENT FROM THE YEAR OF PRODUCTION:
G: The Strat
CA: Gold Stratocaster
CC: Walnut Strat
GO: Gold Strat
AMXN: California Series
R: Time Machine and Relics Series
CS, CN, CZ: Custom Classic, Classic Player and other '80s and '90s Custom Shop guitars
TN7: Voodoo Stratocaster and '68 Reverse Strat Special (ca. 1992-1998)
FN2: Floyd Rose Classic Stratocaster and the first Floyd Rose Classic HH (and HSS) Stratocaster
EE: Stratocaster made in USA but intended for the foreign market
I: Stratocaster made in USA between 1989 and 1990, but intended for the foreign market, which have printed at the neck base "Made in USA"
SERIAL NUMBERS MADE IN USA
|
1954
|
Under 1300
A few in the 6000s |
|
1955
|
4 digits between the 6000s e 8000s
5 digits under 10000 (beginning with "0") A few 5 digits in the first half of 10000s |
|
1956
|
A few 4 digits over the 6000s
A few 5 digits under 10000 (beginning with "0") 5 digits in the high 16000s |
|
1957
|
A few 5 digits in the mid of the 10000s
5 digits between second half of 17000s and the first half of 20000s (many beginning with "-") |
|
1958
|
A few 5 digits in the 20000s (many beginning with "-")
6 digits in the 020000s (beginning with "0") 5 digits in the high 20000s and the low 30000s |
|
1959
|
5 digits in the 30000s and the low 40000s
|
|
1960
|
5 digits in the 40000s and 50000s
|
|
1961
|
5 digits in the 50000s and 60000s
5 digits in the low 70000s |
|
1962
|
5 digits in the 60000s, 70000s and 80000s
A few in the first half of the 90000s |
|
1963
|
5 digits between the 80000s and the 90000s
Between L0xxxx and L20000s A few in the low L20000s |
|
1964
|
In the L20000s, L30000s, L40000s and L50000s
|
|
1965
|
In the L50000s, L60000s, L70000s, L80000s e L90000s
6 digits in the low 100000s |
|
1966
|
6 digits in the 100000s and the low 200000s
|
|
1967
|
6 digits in the high 100000s and the first half of 200000s
|
|
1968
|
6 digits in the 200000s
|
|
1969
|
6 digits in the second half of 200000s
A few 6 digits on the low 300000s |
|
1970
|
6 digits in the high 200000s and the low 300000s
|
|
1971
|
6 digits in the first half of 300000s
|
|
1972
|
6 digits in the 300000s
|
|
1973
|
6 digits in the high 300000s, in the 400000s and the low 500000s
|
|
1974
|
6 digits in the high 400000s, in the 500000s and the low 600000s
|
|
1975
|
6 digits in the high 400000s, in the 500000s and 600000s
|
|
1976
|
6 digits in the high 500000s, in the 600000s and in the low 700000s
A few 76 + 5 digits A few S6 + 5 digits |
|
1977
|
S7 + 5 digits
A few S8 + 5 digits |
|
1978
|
S8 + 5 digits
A few S7 + 5 digits or S9 + 5 digits |
|
1979
|
S9 + 5 digits
|
|
1980
|
S9 or E0 + 5 digits
A few E1 + 5 digits |
|
1981
|
E1 + 5 digits
A few S9 and E0 + 5 digits |
|
1982
|
E2 + 5 digits
A few E1 and E3 + 5 digits |
|
1983
|
E3 + 5 digits
A few E2 + 5 digits |
|
1984
|
E4 + 5 digits
A few E3 + 5 digits |
|
1985
|
E4 + 5 digits
A few E3 + 5 digits |
|
1986
|
Corona factory produced only Vintage reissues and the first American Standard Strats with "E4" Serial Number
|
|
1987
|
E4 + 5 digits
|
|
1988
|
E4 or E8 + 5 digits
|
|
1989
|
E9 + 5 digits
A few E8 + 5 digits |
|
1990
|
E9 or N0 + 5 digits
A few N9 + 5 digits |
|
1991
|
N1 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N0 + 5 digits |
|
1992
|
N2 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N1 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1993
|
N3 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N2 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1994
|
N4 + 5 or 6 cifre
A few N3 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1995
|
N5 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N4 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1996
|
N6 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N5 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1997
|
N7 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N6 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1998
|
N8 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N7 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
1999
|
N9 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N8 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2000
|
Z0 + 5 or 6 digits
A few N9 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2001
|
Z1 + 5 or 6 digits
A few Z0 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2002
|
Z2 + 5 or 6 cifre
A few Z1 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2003
|
Z3+ 5 or 6 digits
A few Z2 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2004
|
Z4 + 5 or 6 digits
A few Z3 + 5 o 6 digits |
|
2005
|
Z5 + 5 or 6 digits
A few Z4 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2006
|
Z6 + 5 or 6 digits
A few Z5 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2007
|
Z7 + 5 or 6 digits
A few Z6 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2008
|
Z8 + 5 or 6 digits
A few Z7 + 5 or 6 digits |
|
2009
|
Z9 + 5 or 6 digits
A few Z8 + 5 or 6 digits A few 10000000s |
|
2010
|
US10 + 6 digits
A few Z9 + 5 or 6 digits A few 10000000s |
|
2011
|
US11 + 6 digits
A few US10 + 6 digits |
|
2012
|
US12 + 6 digits
A few US11 + 6 digits |
|
2013
|
US13 + 6 digits
A few US12 + 6 digits |
|
2014
|
US14 + 6 digits
A few US13 + 6 digits |
|
2015
|
US15 + 6 digits
A few US14 + 6 digits |
|
2016
|
US16 + 6 digits
A few US15 + 6 digits |
|
2017
|
US17 + 6 digits
A few US16 + 6 digits |
|
2018
|
US18 + 6 digits
A few US17 + 6 digits |
|
2019
|
US19 + 6 digits
A few US18 + 6 digits |
