Xhefris Guitars – Serial Numbers & History

In late 1976, Fender decided to move to a new numbering scheme for their serialization. The numbers appeared on the pegheads and for the remainder of 1976 they had a prefix of 76 or S6 preceding a 5 digit sequence. In 1977, the serialization went to a letter for the decade, followed by a single digit for the year and then 5 to 6 digits.

Examples of the letter/digit code follow like this: S for the ’70s, E for the ’80s, N for the ’90s, Z for 2000+. (I Do not know if you see what is happening here! Catch this: S = Seventies!, E = Eighties; N = Nineties; and then Z = zed? (Or 2000s+). Interesting!)

1970s S (seen as) S8 – 1978
1980s E (seen as) E1 – 1981
1990s N (seen as) N2 – 1992
2000s Z (seen as) Z2 – 2002

While the idea seems rather simple, the reality often differed. Sometimes instrument production did not meet the levels for which decals were produced—thus there are some overlapping years. Sometimes there are several prefixes found within a single year’s production, but generally, the system still gives a good guideline. And then you take off ther neck and find out it is 8 months or even a year off from the serial number! At least we have some reference to go by! Also note the N9 serial numbers. It was used for 1990 and 1999! Here is why: “N”-prefix serial numbers denoting the 1990s were introduced in 1990. The numbers and decals were produced far in advance, and some N9 decals (denoting 1999), were inadvertantly affixed to some instruments in 1990. Consequently, some 1990 guitars bear 1999 “N9” serial numbers.

Here is the list of letter/digit year codes:

760000S                      1976, 1977
800000S                      1979, 1980, 1981
1000000-8000000S      1976-1981
S100000-S600000S     1979-1982
S700000-S770000S     1977
S740000-S800000S     1978
S810000-S870000S     1979
S880000-S980000S     1980
S950000-S990000S     1981
E000000-E100000S     1979-1982
E110000-E120000S     1980-1983
E200000S                       1982
E300000-E310000S     1983
E320000-E390000S     1984-1985
E400000S                       1984, 1985, 1987 (For the Plus Series)

E800000S                       1988, 1989
E900000S                       1989, 1990
N900000S                       1990
N000000S                       1990 (1989-90 were confusing years!)
N100000S                       1991, 1992
N200000S                       1992, 1993
N300000S                       1993, 1994
N400000S                       1994, 1995
N500000S                       1995, 1996
N600000S                       1996, 1997
N700000S                       1997, 1998
N800000S                       1998, 1999
N900000S                       1999, 2000 (Also 1990!!!)
Z000000S                        2000, 2001
Z100000S                        2001, 2002
Z200000S                        2002, 2003
Z300000S                        2003, 2004
Z400000S                        2004, 2005

R prefixs designate Relic Series instruments. V Prefixes (introduced circa 1982) designate Vintage Reissue Series. The D prefixindicates Deluxe. The M prefix designates Mexican Mfg. The S prefix designates Signature model. Here is an example: a new Fender Deluxe Stratocaster with serial no. DZ0363437 indicates a deluxe instrument manufactured in 2000. Or a Fender Clapton Signature Model made in 1992 would be SN20435746.

ODD SERIAL NUMBERS

NUMBER	DESCRIPTION
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. Some may have stayed in the U.S or found their way back (Made to Standard Strat specs, dating unclear)
I(XXXXXXX)	A limited number of these “I” series guitars were made in ’89 and ’90. They were made for the export market and have Made in USA stamped on the heel of the neck.
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) 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) 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
SE(XXXXXX) SN(XXXXXX) SZ(XXXXXX)	Signature Series Instruments SE8(XXXXX)-’88, SE9(XXXXX)-’89 SN0(XXXXX)-’90, SN1(XXXXX)-’90, SN2(XXXXX)-’92, etc. SZ0(XXXXX)-’00, SZ1(XXXXX)-’01, SZ2(XXXXX)-’02, etc.
3 DIGITS OF 500	35TH Anniversary Strat from 1989-1990
G(XXXXXX)	“STRAT” from about 1980, (Gold hardware, 2 position rotary tone switch)
4 DIGITS STAMPED ON BRIDGE PLATE	U.S. ’52 Vintage Telecaster 1982-1988 (Check neck date for specific year)
5 DIGITS STAMPED ON BRIDGE PLATE	U.S. ’52 Vintage Telecaster 1988-present (Check neck date for specific year)
T(XXXXXX)	Tribute series instruments
C(XXXXXX)	Collectors Series
XN(XXXXX)	FSRs and ’52 Teles

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Among the Fender Japanese guitars, there were two different logos used: Crafted in Japan and Made in Japan, and both were being made at the same time from 1994 till 1997. This means that the the serial numbers starting in 1994 ran consecutively on both the MIJ and the CIJ models while the MIJ logo was being phased out. Mid–1997 the CIJ logo was the only one used on Fender guitars coming out of Japan (with exception the Squire series). I have more info on the MIJ Reissues page.

There are several theories about why some Japanese Fenders have MIJ and others CIJ. One is that there was a reorganizing of where the parts were being make in the large, expansive Fugi Gen Gakki company. The island of Matsumoto is where the Fugi plant is located. It houses 15-20 different smaller companies, Like Kawi, Gen Gakki Ten, Yamara, Gotoh, Yamoto, etc. I was told by a former Fender Rep that the necks were made one place and the bodies another, while the electronics were made in yet another. I was told that the contract with Yamoto stated if any major subcontractor was to be changed the weaning process would have to take place (MIJ to CIJ). They call it the “Squire countdown.” Since Fuji was pressing hard to get the Epiphone contract, a change was made.Kawi was moving the bulk of their piano building to a new facility in China, and would also be making their own “harp” frames there. This freed up a lot of space in the plant. Yamara and Gotoh retooled to handle the woodwork and finish aspects of the guitars—thus the Crafted in Japan line was created.

The other story is, and maybe both are true and run consecutively, I really don’t know, but the MIJ logo Fenders were for the USA market. USA Fender wanted to stop the import of these guitars to the USA due to firing up their Mexican plant and due to the “too good” quality Japan was creating which competed with the USA models.

Regarding quailty, I have owned many of both these Japanese guitars and it is a fallacy that the Made in Japan models are better than the Crafted in Japan or vice versa. As far as I am concerned, the quality of either is much better than the Mexican made guitars and rival many of the USA models. The JV and SQ guitars, as well as some of the E series, had USA parts (mostly pickups, switches, and potentiometers) that were shipped over to Japan to help speed up production while the new USA plant was being set up in Corona, California. The early series are the most popular for collectors. Also, some Crafted in Japan models came with Custom Shop parts, like special Limited Edition guitars and Signature guitars. The Japanese serial number can be confusing too. For instance, many of the MIJ/CIJ Telecasters have the serial number on the bridge and they start with an “A”. Yet if you take the neck off they can be 1994-1997!