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Vintage Fender® Serial Numbers

Serial Numbers and Approximate Producation Years 1950's to 1964
Serial Number Range Production Years
Up to 6,000 1950 to 1954
6,000 to 10,000 1954 to 1956
10,000s 1957
10,000s to 20,000s 1957
20,000s to 30,000s 1958
30,000s to 40,000s      1959
40,000s to 50,000s 1960
50,000s to 70,000s      1961
60,000s to 90,000s    1962
80,000s to 90,000s 1963
90,000s up to L10,000s 1963
L10,000s up to L20,000s   1963
L20,000s up to L50,000s    1964

In early 1965, Fender was sold to the CBS.  The old Fender serial number scheme did not change immediately as CBS to use up
existing parts and use existing tooling however a large F logo was added to the neck plate shortly after the accquisition.


Serial Numbers and Approximate Producation Years 1950's to 1964
Serial Number Range Production Years
L50,000s up to L90,000s 1965
100,000s    1965
100,000s to 200,000s 1966 to 1967
200,000s 1968
200,000s to 300,000s 1969 to 1970
300,000s   1971 to 1972
300,000s to 500,000s 1973
400,000s to 500,000s     1974 to 1975
500,000s to 700,000s 1976


There were numerous serial number schemes used after 1976.  Here are the most common schemes.
Serial Number Range Production Years
76 + 5 DIGITS
S6 + 5 DIGITS
1976
S7 + 5 DIGITS
S8 + 5 DIGITS
1977
S7 + 5 DIGITS
S8 + 5 DIGITS
S9 + 5 DIGITS  
1978
S9 + 5 DIGITS
E0 + 5 DIGITS   
1979
S9 + 5 DIGITS
E0 + 5 DIGITS
E1 + 5 DIGITS    
1980
S9 + 5 DIGITS
E0 + 5 DIGITS
E1 + 5 DIGITS     
1981


In 1982 the Vintage Series of guitars was introduced.  The vintage series used a "V" prefix in serial numbers.  Perhaps the best way to
date the Vintage series is to carefully remove the necek and check the bottom of the neck for a production date.

Serial Number Range Production Years
EI + 5 DIGITS
E2 + 5 DIGITS
E3 + 5 DIGITS
V + 4, 5 or 6 DIGITS (U.S. Vintage Series except '52 Telecaster)
1982 (For Vintage Series, check neck date for specific year)
E2 + 5 DIGITS
E3 + 5 DIGITS
V + 4, 5 or 6 DIGITS (U.S. Vintage Series except '52 Telecaster)     
1983

(For U.S. Vintage Series, check neck date for specific year)
E3 + 5 DIGITS
E4 + 5 DIGITS
V + 4, 5 or 6 DIGITS (U.S. Vintage Series except '52 Telecaster)

1984