Blackguard Fender Broadcaster
22/07/08 10:24 Filed in: Fender Guitars
I first came across this wonderful Black Guard in the very early 1980's, must have been 1981. At that time the local gang of Pre CBS Stratocaster collectors all scratched their heads (including myself). The guitar had a Fender Telecaster decal that was added I would say in the seventies. We had never seen an early fifties Black Guard before, how do you tell what's original? Well that was over a quarter of a century ago!
1981 - Sold for $1,000
Today we have had the opportunity to educate ourselves with the benefit of having seen these beautiful Black Guard Tele's, Esquire's, Nocaster's plus a couple of rare Broadcasters (to which we believe this to be one!) which have come into the store. The reason we say believe is due to the fact that the decal is not the original and maybe (being pinpointed to 1950), could it have been a 1950 Esquire? Which would then make it much rarer than a Broadcaster from that era!
1998 - Sold for $6,500
Until the "Black Guard Book" by Nacho Benos (which is the most comprehensive and detailed look of the Black guard era of Fender) We thought the dates had been lost to the thirty plus year old refinsh. The book clearly shows that most of the early Black Guards from 1950 were without dates. It was also near impossible to date these instruments via pot dates, as the solder was (in nearly every case) placed over the codes in the centre of the pots. This Guitar when I first saw it had the original pots and were replaced some twenty years back.
First style 1950 Bushings - The peg head had the original PAT APPLD for tuners to which we inadvertently sold to a US dealer around ten years ago (As they floated into the store separately) and we didn't know they were off this guitar until it's return a fair while later. However, the original machine head screws together with the first style 1950 string post bushings still remain.
First style Truss Rod Screw - The neck features the first type flat truss rod screw, that changed to a double (Star - Phillips) in 1951.
First style 1950 String retainer - The guitars show a slightly different 1950 string retainer, compared to the 1951 style that gradually dishes in on the top rim.
2003 - Sold for $12,750
First style 1950 Fender Knobs - The guitar still carries the original first series knobs which have a taller dome than later versions. The original control plate is showing plenty of character as it has had much use in its 58 year history.
First style 1950 Ferrules - these are found on the rear of the guitar for which to feed the strings through. These are the original first version 1950 ferrules on this guitar.
First type Strap Button '50 - 51 type - The guitar still has the original "Steel Rod" nickel plated with the shaper top edge and flat base. These of course are also showing their age.
Bridge Saddles from November 50 Broadcasters onwards - The saddles are the original second series Brass with flat bottom that appeared on Broadcaster and Esquires from November 1950 onwards.
First style Bridge plate - The bridge plate is the original and has the early mat lower half as all the earlier Black Guard models have. Interesting to note is the rear of the bridge has a small hole drilled in the rear. We will come back to that later.
Serial number – One of the reasons I always thought this guitar was later (all those years ago) was due to the serial number being #1803. Once again after reading the fabulous Black Guard book, it reveals that Leo Fender exaggerated with higher numbers in the serial numbers being used and made the production of guitars look much higher as he jumped forward in sequences, to suggest Fender had made many more instruments than they had at that point in time.
First series Jack Cup - This Jack Cup fitted here is one of the three early 1st versions made for these guitars.
First version rear pickup - Elevator Plate - The first versions of these 1950 - 1951 Black Guards had a zink plated Elevator plate as does this guitar. The pickup was weak and open circuit and has been rewound with original type wire by Martin Kell and sounds fantastic. The original Rope was replaced in the same position and looks like the pickup has not been touched. The front pickup appears to be original and I will keep researching that .... Back to the Black Guard book!
First series Switch Lever - The book states the first examples of the Broadcaster have a two PAT Number Switch that ran up intil early 1951 when they switched to a three Pat Number switch. Pictured here is the original first version switch. Attached is also the first series original Capacitor. The switch like most old Tele style guitars has had the wiring converted to the conventional Tele pickup selections. The switch tip is a type two PAT number which may have been replace early on, as like the bridge cover, it was easy to lose or possible brake.
Original Pickguard - The Black Guard on this guitar is original. To quote the Black Guard book " ..... Most Broadcasters come with the Straight-Edged pickguards" This guitar has the Straight-Edge (Non Beveled) pickguard. The Characteristics of these early guards have traces or polish on the bridge end of the pickguard as does this one! Under the guard shows the factory original 5" paint can ring. On close inspection, this guitar shows the traces as stated, on the bridge end of the pickguard.
The rare cavity rout - The rare cavity rout on this guitar has the early “gully way” for the wiring to pass through the bridge pickup cavity to the neck pickup cavity. This early wire feeding system proceeds the Diagonal rout that followed on later bodies. The cavity also shows the earlier router entry circle off the the right rather than the centre found on post 1950 bodies.
Early 1950 Control Cavity Rout - Early Broadcasters had handmade enlargements to the pickup cavities ... as this guitar has! The post 1950 guitars had a flat lower end. The Control cavity also has the punched hole on the bass side of the control cavity found on most Broadcasters.
Back to the hole in the Bridge .... An interesting thought ... We were looking at pictures of the "Bill Carson" playing a Broadcaster and we noticed the way Bill played with the Bridge cover slid back on the bridge with the rear pickup exposed. This guitar (when I first saw it) had the bridge cover attached with an original bridge screw so one could slide it back with an original spring on the inside, to stop the cover from moving away from the bridge (in the slid back position). Also when being refinished back in the seventies, the top horn had a little more attention with the sanding than anywhere else .... Right where a name may have been!
Secondly, the headstock has a unique circle with a factory type fill with almost matching timber that does not go right through. The circle is around the same size as the top dish of the original string retainer. A factory second given to an Artist? If anyone can shed some light, that would be appreciated.
Over all ... playing this guitar one can see what all the fuss is about with these early Black Guard Fenders. It is super light weight, warm, colourful and takes you back to the time pre the Stratocaster, when Fender were like a big custom shop. One could almost see
the thoughts going into these guitars!
Thanks to the Black Guard book, researching these early Fenders has become much easier. I suggest anyone that has an interest in the Black Guard or the history of Fender, read this wonderful book more than once!
These books are numbered and I was fortunate to get the matching number to this guitar #1803 which the picture on the cover supports. The book comes with the guitar.
2008 - Yours for $75,000
Vist our main web site to see more of this guitar.
1981 - Sold for $1,000
Today we have had the opportunity to educate ourselves with the benefit of having seen these beautiful Black Guard Tele's, Esquire's, Nocaster's plus a couple of rare Broadcasters (to which we believe this to be one!) which have come into the store. The reason we say believe is due to the fact that the decal is not the original and maybe (being pinpointed to 1950), could it have been a 1950 Esquire? Which would then make it much rarer than a Broadcaster from that era!
1998 - Sold for $6,500
Until the "Black Guard Book" by Nacho Benos (which is the most comprehensive and detailed look of the Black guard era of Fender) We thought the dates had been lost to the thirty plus year old refinsh. The book clearly shows that most of the early Black Guards from 1950 were without dates. It was also near impossible to date these instruments via pot dates, as the solder was (in nearly every case) placed over the codes in the centre of the pots. This Guitar when I first saw it had the original pots and were replaced some twenty years back.
First style 1950 Bushings - The peg head had the original PAT APPLD for tuners to which we inadvertently sold to a US dealer around ten years ago (As they floated into the store separately) and we didn't know they were off this guitar until it's return a fair while later. However, the original machine head screws together with the first style 1950 string post bushings still remain.
First style Truss Rod Screw - The neck features the first type flat truss rod screw, that changed to a double (Star - Phillips) in 1951.
First style 1950 String retainer - The guitars show a slightly different 1950 string retainer, compared to the 1951 style that gradually dishes in on the top rim.
2003 - Sold for $12,750
First style 1950 Fender Knobs - The guitar still carries the original first series knobs which have a taller dome than later versions. The original control plate is showing plenty of character as it has had much use in its 58 year history.
First style 1950 Ferrules - these are found on the rear of the guitar for which to feed the strings through. These are the original first version 1950 ferrules on this guitar.
First type Strap Button '50 - 51 type - The guitar still has the original "Steel Rod" nickel plated with the shaper top edge and flat base. These of course are also showing their age.
Bridge Saddles from November 50 Broadcasters onwards - The saddles are the original second series Brass with flat bottom that appeared on Broadcaster and Esquires from November 1950 onwards.
First style Bridge plate - The bridge plate is the original and has the early mat lower half as all the earlier Black Guard models have. Interesting to note is the rear of the bridge has a small hole drilled in the rear. We will come back to that later.
Serial number – One of the reasons I always thought this guitar was later (all those years ago) was due to the serial number being #1803. Once again after reading the fabulous Black Guard book, it reveals that Leo Fender exaggerated with higher numbers in the serial numbers being used and made the production of guitars look much higher as he jumped forward in sequences, to suggest Fender had made many more instruments than they had at that point in time.
First series Jack Cup - This Jack Cup fitted here is one of the three early 1st versions made for these guitars.
First version rear pickup - Elevator Plate - The first versions of these 1950 - 1951 Black Guards had a zink plated Elevator plate as does this guitar. The pickup was weak and open circuit and has been rewound with original type wire by Martin Kell and sounds fantastic. The original Rope was replaced in the same position and looks like the pickup has not been touched. The front pickup appears to be original and I will keep researching that .... Back to the Black Guard book!
First series Switch Lever - The book states the first examples of the Broadcaster have a two PAT Number Switch that ran up intil early 1951 when they switched to a three Pat Number switch. Pictured here is the original first version switch. Attached is also the first series original Capacitor. The switch like most old Tele style guitars has had the wiring converted to the conventional Tele pickup selections. The switch tip is a type two PAT number which may have been replace early on, as like the bridge cover, it was easy to lose or possible brake.
Original Pickguard - The Black Guard on this guitar is original. To quote the Black Guard book " ..... Most Broadcasters come with the Straight-Edged pickguards" This guitar has the Straight-Edge (Non Beveled) pickguard. The Characteristics of these early guards have traces or polish on the bridge end of the pickguard as does this one! Under the guard shows the factory original 5" paint can ring. On close inspection, this guitar shows the traces as stated, on the bridge end of the pickguard.
The rare cavity rout - The rare cavity rout on this guitar has the early “gully way” for the wiring to pass through the bridge pickup cavity to the neck pickup cavity. This early wire feeding system proceeds the Diagonal rout that followed on later bodies. The cavity also shows the earlier router entry circle off the the right rather than the centre found on post 1950 bodies.
Early 1950 Control Cavity Rout - Early Broadcasters had handmade enlargements to the pickup cavities ... as this guitar has! The post 1950 guitars had a flat lower end. The Control cavity also has the punched hole on the bass side of the control cavity found on most Broadcasters.
Back to the hole in the Bridge .... An interesting thought ... We were looking at pictures of the "Bill Carson" playing a Broadcaster and we noticed the way Bill played with the Bridge cover slid back on the bridge with the rear pickup exposed. This guitar (when I first saw it) had the bridge cover attached with an original bridge screw so one could slide it back with an original spring on the inside, to stop the cover from moving away from the bridge (in the slid back position). Also when being refinished back in the seventies, the top horn had a little more attention with the sanding than anywhere else .... Right where a name may have been!
Secondly, the headstock has a unique circle with a factory type fill with almost matching timber that does not go right through. The circle is around the same size as the top dish of the original string retainer. A factory second given to an Artist? If anyone can shed some light, that would be appreciated.
Over all ... playing this guitar one can see what all the fuss is about with these early Black Guard Fenders. It is super light weight, warm, colourful and takes you back to the time pre the Stratocaster, when Fender were like a big custom shop. One could almost see
the thoughts going into these guitars!
Thanks to the Black Guard book, researching these early Fenders has become much easier. I suggest anyone that has an interest in the Black Guard or the history of Fender, read this wonderful book more than once!
These books are numbered and I was fortunate to get the matching number to this guitar #1803 which the picture on the cover supports. The book comes with the guitar.
2008 - Yours for $75,000
Vist our main web site to see more of this guitar.
Steve Jackson talks about this guitar on 2001’s The Guitar Show TV seriesFender Guitar Serial Numbers
09/02/08 21:11 Filed in: Fender Guitars
(American Made Guitars Only)
All Fender guitars prior to 1977 have a serial number on either the bridgeplate or the neckplate (Very early Stratocasters however had a four digit serial number on the tremelo back cover plate). Serial numbers are basically chronological, but there is some overlap amoung years. The definitive way to date a pre-CBS Fender guitar is to look at the dates on the body, neck, and the tone/volume pots. The serial number should only ever be used as a guide.
Fender Esquires, Broadcasters and Telecasters from 1950 to 1954 (number on bridgeplate) use a system of serialisation which is unique to these three models, until around early summer of 1954 when Fender switched to a universal neck plate serial number system for all models.
Fender Telecaster with numbers on the bridge plate
0001 to 0999 = 1950 to 1952
1000 to 5300 = 1952 to 1954
Fender Precision Basses from 1951 to 1955 (number on bridgeplate) also used a unique system of serialisation until about 1955, even though Fender went to a universal neckplate serial number system on all instruments in 1954. However some old style Precision Bass serialised bridges were still left over and used until 1955.
Fender Precision Basses with numbers on the bridge plate
100 to 400 = 1951 to 1952
0001 to 0999 = 1952 to 1954
1000 to 2000 = 1953 to 1955
All Fender models from the summer of 1954 to mid 1976
All Fender models from the summer of 1954 to mid 1976 have the serial number on the neckplate. During 1957 and 1958 some serial numbers started with a minus sign ("-"), or had a "0" prefix before the number. Also in 1959 and 1960 some serial numbers were at the bottom of the neck plate instead of the top as is the norm. Double stamped serial number plates were also produced (number on both front and back of the neck plate) in late 1957 to early 1959. It is not unusual to find that there is some overlap in serial numbers between the years.
Fender Guitars with 4 to 6 digit neck plate serial numbers
There should be no other letters or markings on the neck plate, except for the rare "-" or "0" prefix, which is noted above.
0001 to 6000 = 1954
6001 to 9000 = 1955
9001 to 16000 = 1956
16001 to 25000 = 1957 (some numbers with a "0" or "-" prefix)
25001 to 30000 = 1958 (some numbers with a "0" or "-" prefix)
30001 to 40000 = 1959
40001 to 58000 = 1960
55000 to 72000 = 1961
72001 to 93000 = 1962
93001 to 99999 = 1963
Fender L-Series guitars from 1963 to late 1965
Serial number on the neckplate preceded with an "L". Even though CBS bought Fender in January 1965, these guitars are considered Pre-CBS. Keep in mind it is not unusual to find an "L" serial number on a late 1962 model.
L00001 to L20000 = 1963
L20001 to L55000 = 1964
L55001 to L99999 = 1965
F-Series Fender guitars from late 1965 to mid-1976
Known as the CBS era, these guitars feature a large script "F" on neckplate just below the serial number.
100000 to 110000 = Late 1965
110001 to 200000 = 1966
180000 to 210000 = 1967
210001 to 250000 = 1968
250001 to 280000 = 1969
280001 to 300000 = 1970
300001 to 330000 = 1971
330001 to 370000 = 1972
370001 to 520000 = 1973
500000 to 580000 = 1974
580001 to 690000 = 1975
690001 to 750000 = 1976
Fender Guitars with the serial number on the peghead decal
American made Fenders, starting in mid-1976 have the serial number on the peghead. Note the following numbers could be off by as much as two years. In rough terms, an "S" prefix equals the 1970's, "E" prefix equals the 1980's, and "N" prefix equals the 1990's.
7600000 ("76" in bold) = 1976-1977
800000s = 1979-1981
1000000 to 8000000 = 1976-1981 (7 digits)
S1 to S5 + 5 Digits = 1979-1982
S6 + 5 digits = 1976
S7 + 5 digits = 1977-1978
S8 + 5 digits = 1977-1978
S9 + 5 digits = 1978-1981
E0 + 5 digits = 1979-1981
E1 + 5 digits = 1980-1981
E1 + 5 digits = 1982
E2 + 5 digits = 1982-1983
E3 + 5 digits = 1982-1984
E4 + 5 digits = 1984-1985, 1987-1988
E8 + 5 digits = 1988-1989
E9 + 5 digits = 1988-1990
In March 1985, CBS sold Fender to a group of private investors, however the serial numbers do not reflect this change. Fender continued to make instruments using existing serial number schemes. The new owners of Fender did not acquire any physical assets of the old company, just the name "Fender". Hence during 1985 to 1987, production of Fender guitars was only done in Japan, while USA Fender created a new factory in California.
N9 + 5 digits = 1990
N0 + 5 digits = 1990-1991
N1 + 5 or 6 digits = 1991-1992
N2 + 5 or 6 digits = 1992-1993
N3 + 5 or 6 digits = 1993-1994
N4 + 5 or 6 digits = 1994-1995
N5 + 5 or 6 digits = 1995-1996
N6 + 5 or 6 digits = 1996-1997
N7 + 5 or 6 digits = 1997-1998
N8 + 5 or 6 digits = 1998-1999
N9 + 5 or 6 digits = 1999-2000
DZ0 or Z0 + 5/6 digits = 2000
DZ1 or Z1 + 5/6 digits = 2001
DZ2 or Z2 + 5/6 digits = 2002
DZ3 or Z3 + 5/6 digits = 2003
DZ4 or Z4 + 5/6 digits = 2004
DZ5 or Z5 + 5/6 digits = 2005
Other Fender Serial Number Schemes
Fender has in the last 25 years introduced many different serial numbers schemes, depending on the country the Fender was made. Not all schemes are covered here, but below are some examples of letter prefixes used in recent serial number schemes.
V + 4 to 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series) = 1982-1988 (neck date=exact year)
V + 5 to 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series) = 1989-present (model dependant)
AMXN + 6 DIGITS = California Series electric guitars and basses, '97 and '98
DN + 6 DIGITS = American Deluxe series instruments, '98 and '99
NC(XXXXXX) = Squier Strat Bullets (dating unclear)
FN(XXXXXX) = US made guitars and basses destined for the export market
I(XXXXXXX) = Limited number of these "I" series guitars were made in '89/'90. They were made for the export market and have
Made in USA stamped on neck heel.
LE(XXXXXX) = Blonde Jazzmasters and Jaguars with Gold hardware made in 1994. Sold as a promotional 3 piece set with a Blonde Deluxe Reverb Amp
CN(XXXXXX) = Korean made Fender/Squier guitars (dating unclear)
VN(XXXXXX) = Korean made Fender/Squier guitars (dating unclear)
CA(XXXXX) = Gold Strat 1981, 82 and 83
CB(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special from 1981, CB(XXXXX) Gold Jazz Bass from 1982
CC(XXXXX) = Walnut Strat 1981-82-83
CE(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special from 1981, Black and Gold Tele from 1981-82
CD(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982
CO(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982
GO(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Gold Strat 1982-83
D(XXXXXX) = Jazz Bass from 1982
SE8(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats (dating unclear, check neck date)
SE9(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats (dating unclear, check neck date)
SN0(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1990
SN1(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1990
SN2(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1992
SN3(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1993
3 digits of 500 = 35th Anniversary Strat from 1989-1990
G(XXXXXX) = "STRAT" from about 1980, (Gold hardware, 2 pos. rotary tone switch)
4 digits stamped on bridge plate = 1952 reissue Telecaster 1982-1988 (Check neck date for exact year)
5 digits stamped on bridge plate = 1952 reissue Telecaster 1988-present (Check neck date for exact year)
Recommended Reading
All Fender guitars prior to 1977 have a serial number on either the bridgeplate or the neckplate (Very early Stratocasters however had a four digit serial number on the tremelo back cover plate). Serial numbers are basically chronological, but there is some overlap amoung years. The definitive way to date a pre-CBS Fender guitar is to look at the dates on the body, neck, and the tone/volume pots. The serial number should only ever be used as a guide.
Fender Esquires, Broadcasters and Telecasters from 1950 to 1954 (number on bridgeplate) use a system of serialisation which is unique to these three models, until around early summer of 1954 when Fender switched to a universal neck plate serial number system for all models.
Fender Telecaster with numbers on the bridge plate
0001 to 0999 = 1950 to 1952
1000 to 5300 = 1952 to 1954
Fender Precision Basses from 1951 to 1955 (number on bridgeplate) also used a unique system of serialisation until about 1955, even though Fender went to a universal neckplate serial number system on all instruments in 1954. However some old style Precision Bass serialised bridges were still left over and used until 1955.
Fender Precision Basses with numbers on the bridge plate
100 to 400 = 1951 to 1952
0001 to 0999 = 1952 to 1954
1000 to 2000 = 1953 to 1955
All Fender models from the summer of 1954 to mid 1976
All Fender models from the summer of 1954 to mid 1976 have the serial number on the neckplate. During 1957 and 1958 some serial numbers started with a minus sign ("-"), or had a "0" prefix before the number. Also in 1959 and 1960 some serial numbers were at the bottom of the neck plate instead of the top as is the norm. Double stamped serial number plates were also produced (number on both front and back of the neck plate) in late 1957 to early 1959. It is not unusual to find that there is some overlap in serial numbers between the years.
Fender Guitars with 4 to 6 digit neck plate serial numbers
There should be no other letters or markings on the neck plate, except for the rare "-" or "0" prefix, which is noted above.
0001 to 6000 = 1954
6001 to 9000 = 1955
9001 to 16000 = 1956
16001 to 25000 = 1957 (some numbers with a "0" or "-" prefix)
25001 to 30000 = 1958 (some numbers with a "0" or "-" prefix)
30001 to 40000 = 1959
40001 to 58000 = 1960
55000 to 72000 = 1961
72001 to 93000 = 1962
93001 to 99999 = 1963
Fender L-Series guitars from 1963 to late 1965
Serial number on the neckplate preceded with an "L". Even though CBS bought Fender in January 1965, these guitars are considered Pre-CBS. Keep in mind it is not unusual to find an "L" serial number on a late 1962 model.
L00001 to L20000 = 1963
L20001 to L55000 = 1964
L55001 to L99999 = 1965
F-Series Fender guitars from late 1965 to mid-1976
Known as the CBS era, these guitars feature a large script "F" on neckplate just below the serial number.
100000 to 110000 = Late 1965
110001 to 200000 = 1966
180000 to 210000 = 1967
210001 to 250000 = 1968
250001 to 280000 = 1969
280001 to 300000 = 1970
300001 to 330000 = 1971
330001 to 370000 = 1972
370001 to 520000 = 1973
500000 to 580000 = 1974
580001 to 690000 = 1975
690001 to 750000 = 1976
Fender Guitars with the serial number on the peghead decal
American made Fenders, starting in mid-1976 have the serial number on the peghead. Note the following numbers could be off by as much as two years. In rough terms, an "S" prefix equals the 1970's, "E" prefix equals the 1980's, and "N" prefix equals the 1990's.
7600000 ("76" in bold) = 1976-1977
800000s = 1979-1981
1000000 to 8000000 = 1976-1981 (7 digits)
S1 to S5 + 5 Digits = 1979-1982
S6 + 5 digits = 1976
S7 + 5 digits = 1977-1978
S8 + 5 digits = 1977-1978
S9 + 5 digits = 1978-1981
E0 + 5 digits = 1979-1981
E1 + 5 digits = 1980-1981
E1 + 5 digits = 1982
E2 + 5 digits = 1982-1983
E3 + 5 digits = 1982-1984
E4 + 5 digits = 1984-1985, 1987-1988
E8 + 5 digits = 1988-1989
E9 + 5 digits = 1988-1990
In March 1985, CBS sold Fender to a group of private investors, however the serial numbers do not reflect this change. Fender continued to make instruments using existing serial number schemes. The new owners of Fender did not acquire any physical assets of the old company, just the name "Fender". Hence during 1985 to 1987, production of Fender guitars was only done in Japan, while USA Fender created a new factory in California.
N9 + 5 digits = 1990
N0 + 5 digits = 1990-1991
N1 + 5 or 6 digits = 1991-1992
N2 + 5 or 6 digits = 1992-1993
N3 + 5 or 6 digits = 1993-1994
N4 + 5 or 6 digits = 1994-1995
N5 + 5 or 6 digits = 1995-1996
N6 + 5 or 6 digits = 1996-1997
N7 + 5 or 6 digits = 1997-1998
N8 + 5 or 6 digits = 1998-1999
N9 + 5 or 6 digits = 1999-2000
DZ0 or Z0 + 5/6 digits = 2000
DZ1 or Z1 + 5/6 digits = 2001
DZ2 or Z2 + 5/6 digits = 2002
DZ3 or Z3 + 5/6 digits = 2003
DZ4 or Z4 + 5/6 digits = 2004
DZ5 or Z5 + 5/6 digits = 2005
Other Fender Serial Number Schemes
Fender has in the last 25 years introduced many different serial numbers schemes, depending on the country the Fender was made. Not all schemes are covered here, but below are some examples of letter prefixes used in recent serial number schemes.
V + 4 to 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series) = 1982-1988 (neck date=exact year)
V + 5 to 6 digits (U.S. Vintage Series) = 1989-present (model dependant)
AMXN + 6 DIGITS = California Series electric guitars and basses, '97 and '98
DN + 6 DIGITS = American Deluxe series instruments, '98 and '99
NC(XXXXXX) = Squier Strat Bullets (dating unclear)
FN(XXXXXX) = US made guitars and basses destined for the export market
I(XXXXXXX) = Limited number of these "I" series guitars were made in '89/'90. They were made for the export market and have
Made in USA stamped on neck heel.
LE(XXXXXX) = Blonde Jazzmasters and Jaguars with Gold hardware made in 1994. Sold as a promotional 3 piece set with a Blonde Deluxe Reverb Amp
CN(XXXXXX) = Korean made Fender/Squier guitars (dating unclear)
VN(XXXXXX) = Korean made Fender/Squier guitars (dating unclear)
CA(XXXXX) = Gold Strat 1981, 82 and 83
CB(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special from 1981, CB(XXXXX) Gold Jazz Bass from 1982
CC(XXXXX) = Walnut Strat 1981-82-83
CE(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special from 1981, Black and Gold Tele from 1981-82
CD(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982
CO(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982
GO(XXXXX) = Precision Bass Special (Walnut) from 1982, Gold Strat 1982-83
D(XXXXXX) = Jazz Bass from 1982
SE8(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats (dating unclear, check neck date)
SE9(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats (dating unclear, check neck date)
SN0(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1990
SN1(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1990
SN2(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1992
SN3(XXXXX) = Signature Edition Strats 1993
3 digits of 500 = 35th Anniversary Strat from 1989-1990
G(XXXXXX) = "STRAT" from about 1980, (Gold hardware, 2 pos. rotary tone switch)
4 digits stamped on bridge plate = 1952 reissue Telecaster 1982-1988 (Check neck date for exact year)
5 digits stamped on bridge plate = 1952 reissue Telecaster 1988-present (Check neck date for exact year)
Recommended Reading