If you have what you consider an odd serial number, it might appear here. I found it to be mostly correct so it’s great for a fast lookup, especially if you don’t have the serial number handy. dating fender instruments with odd and non-standard serial numbers The odd serial numbers on the chart below exist somewhat outside the more well-known Fender serial number schemes. Lastly, here’s a website (with Ads) that lets to more easily peruse things like which models came out in which years and their specs. You’ll see 70’s pickguards, etc for sale, how do you prove they are what they are? Mostly impossible so keep that in mind when you pay a fortune for a part of Stratocaster that’s supposed to be older than moses. NOTE: OLDER Stratocaster are notoriously easy to fake. Here’s a BARE BONES lookup which might be helpful if fender doesn’t have the info: Guitar Insite – Serial number lookup Other websites might be scam ones so I’d focus on using Guitar Insite or the Fender Website. Pickups are not a good reference because they are easily changed, and Noiseless ones (the vintage) are a favorite forgery target (check bottom of pickup). Enter the Fenders serial number and select if your guitar was made in USA, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Indonesia or China. These include the top of the neck plate, somewhere on the headstock, on the bridge plate or the back of the neck near the body. The other defining features are headstock shape, location of the decals, font of the serial number, truss rod hole (big indicator). There are a number of possible locations for the serial number on a Fender guitar. It could be a forgery (less likely if the serial is correct). From 1950 to 1954 Fender guitar unique numbers were stamped in the bridge cavity cover plate. Keep in mind, when trying to figure out your Stratocaster pay attention to the features that came out the year it was released. The serial number location has changed a few times of the years. It’s not perfect but it’s mostly awesome! Fender Spec Sheet Serial Number Lookupįender also lets you register you guitar which tells you (Most of the time) if it exists but does not give you any specifications at all other than the “catalog” description in a one liner.

Here is Fenders “new” lookup page which will give you detail specs on a given model.

Fender guitar serial numbers