Fender Serial Numbers Guide

Fender Serial Numbers: 1950 to Present – Identifying the Year

Fender serial numbers help estimate when a guitar was made, but they’re not always completely accurate. This is because Fender didn't assign numbers in a strict order. Instead, serial numbers were chosen randomly from a bin and added to guitars without a consistent tracking system. Because of this, serial numbers can overlap between years.

For Fender guitars made before 1977, the serial number is typically found on either the bridge plate (for models like the Telecaster) or the neck plate (for other models). While the numbers usually follow a general pattern, they aren’t perfect for pinpointing the exact year of manufacture.

To get a more accurate date for guitars made before 1977, it’s best to also check other details like body dates, neck dates, and pot codes (which refer to the date codes on the electronic components). These can give you a clearer picture of when the guitar was actually built.

1950–1954: Serial Numbers Stamped on the Bridge Plate

1950: 0001-High 800’s

1951: Low 200’s-High 2000’s

1952: Low 200’s-Mid 5000’s

1953: High 1000’s-High 4000’s

1954: Mid 2000’s-Mid 5000’s

*The serial number was moved from the bridge plate to the neck plate in October/November of 1954.  The lowest neck plate serials are typically in the high 5000’s 

1954–1976: Neck Plate Serial Numbers

Mid-1954: Transition to neck plate serial numbers.
1957–1958: Some numbers had a “-” or “0” prefix.

1959–1960: Some numbers were stamped at the bottom of the neck plate.

1957–1959: Double-stamped serial numbers.

4 to 6-Digit Neck Plate Serial Numbers (1954–1963)

0001–8000 → 1954

6000–10000 → 1955

9000–16000 → 1956

16000–25000 → 1957

25000–30000 → 1958

30000–40000 → 1959

40000–58000 → 1960

50000–72000 → 1961

72000–93000 → 1962

93000–99999 → 1963

L-Series (1963–1965)

(Serial numbers preceded by an “L”, indicating the final Pre-CBS era)

• L00001–L20000 → 1963
• L20000–L55000 → 1964
• L55000–L99999 → 1965

F-Series (Late 1965–1976)

(Neck plates feature a large scripted “F” below the serial number; CBS-era guitars)

• 100000–110000 → Late 1965
• 110000–200000 → 1966
• 180000–210000 → 1967
• 210000–250000 → 1968
• 250000–280000 → 1969
• 280000–300000 → 1970
• 300000–330000 → 1971
• 330000–370000 → 1972
• 370000–520000 → 1973
• 500000–580000 → 1974
• 580000–690000 → 1975
• 690000–750000 → 1976

1976–Present: Serial Numbers on Headstock Decals

Starting in mid-1976, Fender serial numbers were moved to the peghead decal. Keep in mind, these numbers can be off by up to two years.

1970s (S-Series Prefix)

• S1–S5 + 5 Digits → 1979–1982
• S6 + 5 Digits → 1976
• S7–S8 + 5 Digits → 1977–1978
• S9 + 5 Digits → 1978–1981

1980s (E-Series Prefix)

• E0 + 5 Digits → 1979–1981
• E1 + 5 Digits → 1980–1981
• E2–E3 + 5 Digits → 1982–1984
• E4 + 5 Digits → 1984–1985, 1987–1988
• E8–E9 + 5 Digits → 1988–1990

1990s (N-Series Prefix)

After CBS sold Fender in March 1985, production temporarily shifted to Japan until a new U.S. factory opened in 1987. U.S.-made Fenders from 1990 onward followed this serial format:

• N9 + 5 Digits → 1990
• N0 + 5 Digits → 1990–1991
• N1–N9 + 5/6 Digits → 1991–2000

2000s–Present (Z-Series & DZ-Series Prefix)

• 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

Gibson Serial Numbers Guide

Gibson Non-Hyphen Serial Numbers (1902-1947)

Gibson serial numbers from 1902 to 1947 follow a sequential pattern beginning at 1000. These serial numbers do not contain hyphens or letters. For factory order numbers that include hyphens or letters, refer to the previous section.

• 1903: Last number 1500
• 1904: Last number 2500
• 1905: Last number 3500
• 1906: Last number 5500
• 1907: Last number 8300
• 1908: Last number 9700
• 1909: Last number 10100
• 1910: Last number 10600
• 1911: Last number 10850
• 1912: Last number 13350
• 1913: Last number 16100
• 1914: Last number 20150
• 1915: Last number 25150
• 1916: Last number 32000
• 1917: Last number 39500
• 1918: Last number 47900
• 1919: Last number 53800
• 1920: Last number 63650
• 1921: Last number 69300
• 1922: Last number 71400
• 1923: Last number 74900
• 1924: Last number 81200
• 1925: Last number 82700
• 1926: Last number 83600
• 1927: Last number 85400
• 1928: Last number 87300
• 1929: Last number 89750
• 1930: Last number 90200
• 1931: Last number 90450
• 1932: Last number 90700
• 1933: Last number 91400
• 1934: Last number 92300
• 1935: Last number 92800
• 1936: Last number 94100
• 1937: Last number 95200
• 1938: Last number 95750
• 1939: Last number 96050
• 1940: Last number 96600
• 1941: Last number 97400
• 1942: Last number 97700
• 1943: Last number 97850
• 1944: Last number 98250
• 1945: Last number 98650
• 1946: Last number 99300
• 1947: Last number 99999 (April 28, 1947)

Gibson "A" Style Serial Numbers (1947-1961)

From 1947 to 1961, Gibson used the "A" series serial numbers on hollow body models. These numbers were written on an interior label. Initially, a white oval label (used from spring 1947 to January 1955) was employed, later replaced by an orange label (from January 1955 to 1964). Post-1964 labels included "union made" text.

• 1947: A-100 (Apr 28), A-411 (Jul 2), A-1146 (Dec 1), A-1304
• 1948: A-1305 (Jan 8), A-1849 (Jul 2), A-2613 (Dec 8), A-2665
• 1949: A-2666 (Jan 5), A-3353 (Jul 1), A-4209 (Dec 1), A-4413
• 1950: A-4414 (Jan 3), A-5456 (Jul 3), A-6312 (Dec 4), A-6597
• 1951: A-6598 (Jan 4), A-8030 (Jul 2), A-9194 (Dec 3), A-9419
• 1952: A-9420 (Jan 2), A-11057 (Jul 1), A-12202 (Dec 1), A-12462
• 1953: A-12463 (Jan 8), A-14332 (Jul 1), A-15883 (Dec 2), A-16101
• 1954: A-16102 (Jan 5), A-17435 (Jul 1), A-18496 (Dec 1), A-18667
• 1955: A-18668 (Jan 6), A-18750 (Jan 12, last white label), A-20001 (Jan 13, First orange label), A-20991 (Jul 1), A-21745 (Dec 1), A-21909
• 1956: A-21910 (Jan 6), A-23387 (Jul 3), A-24567 (Dec 1), A-24755
• 1957: A-24756 (Jan 3), A-25899 (Jul 3), A-26695 (Dec 3), A-26819
• 1958: A-26820 (Jan 6), A-27816 (Jul 1), A-28576 (Dec 1), A-28880
• 1959: A-28881 (Jan 9), A-30569 (Jul 13), A-31844 (Dec 2), A-32284
• 1960: A-32285 (Jan 4), A-34068 (Jul 1), A-35252 (Dec 1), A-35645
• 1961: A-35646 (Jan 3), A-35943 (Feb 1), A-36147 (Feb 21, Last "A" number)

1952 - 1961: Solid Body Models (Ink Stamped Serial Numbers)

• 1952: No serial numbers used.
• 1953 - 1960: The first digit represents the last digit of the year.

Gibson Serial Numbers for Solid Body Models (1952-1961)

Gibson introduced solid body guitars in 1952 but did not apply serial numbers that year. From 1953 onward, the first digit of the serial number corresponds to the last digit of the year. The serial number is ink-stamped on the back of the peghead.

• 1953: Serial numbers start with "3"
• 1954: Serial numbers start with "4"
• 1955: Serial numbers start with "5"
• 1956: Serial numbers start with "6"
• 1957: Serial numbers start with "7"
• 1958: Serial numbers start with "8" (some LP Juniors/Specials had a four-digit serial without a leading year digit)
• 1959: Serial numbers start with "9"
• 1960: Serial numbers start with "0"
• 1961: Serial numbers start with "1" (very rare)

By 1961, serial stamping was phased out, though a few early models, including lap steels and Les Paul guitars, retained the ink-stamped numbers before Gibson transitioned to pressed-in serials for all instruments.

1961 - 1970: Stamped Serial Numbers

• Serial numbers stamped into the back of the peghead (not inked).
• No "Made in USA" stamp (used pre-1970).
• Many numbers were duplicated from 1963-1969, requiring cross-checking with specs.
• Some 5-digit and 6-digit numbers look similar (e.g., 55555 vs. 555555).

Serial Number Ranges & Corresponding Years

• 0100 - 42440 → 1961
• 42441 - 61180 → 1962
• 61450 - 64222 → 1963
• 64240 - 71040 → 1964
• 71041 - 96600 → 1962 (some from 1963/1964)
• 96601 - 99999 → 1963
• 000001 - 099999 → 1967 (all starting with "0")
• 100000 - 106099 → 1963 or 1967
• 140000 - 140100 → 1963 or 1967
• 250336 - 305983 → 1965
• 348093 - 349100 → 1966
• 500000 - 500999 → 1965, 1966, 1968, or 1969
• 570087 - 570643 → 1966
• 600000 - 600998 → Low-end models: 1966-1968
• 900000 - 909999 → 1970
• 910000 - 999999 → 1968

1970 - 1975: Stamped Serial Numbers ("Made in USA" Added)

• "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp appears below the serial number.
• Some serials have a letter prefix.

Serial Number Formats & Corresponding Years

• 6 digits + "A": 1970
• 000000’s: 1973
• 100000’s: 1970-1975
• 200000’s: 1973-1975
• 300000’s - 500000’s: 1974-1975
• 600000’s: 1970-1972, 1974-1975
• 700000’s: 1970-1972
• 800000’s: 1973-1975
• 900000’s: 1970-1972
• A-F + 6 digits: 1973-1975

1975 - 1977: Decal Serial Numbers

• Decal format: 2-digit prefix + 6-digit number.
• Some decals include the model name/number.

1977 - Present: 8-Digit Serial Numbers

• Impressed into the peghead (not a decal).
• Format: YDDDYNNN

Example:

Serial 80012005 →

• 5th instrument made in Kalamazoo on January 1, 1982.

Factory Codes:

• Kalamazoo (1977-1984) & Bozeman (1989-present): Serial numbers start at 001 each day.
• Nashville: Serial numbers start at 500 each day.

Martin Serial Numbers (1898-Present)

Martin has consecutively numbered all guitars since 1898, except for solid-body electrics from the 1970s and basses. Ukuleles do not have serial numbers, and mandolins use a different numbering system.

• Serial numbers started at 8000 in 1898 because Martin estimated they had produced 8,000 instruments prior to that year.
• Model numbers stamped above the serial number starting in October 1930. The model number indicates body size (e.g., "00") followed by ornamentation style (e.g., "28" for rosewood body, ice cream cone-style neck).
• Serial and model number locations:

Serial Number Ranges by Year

Each year below shows the last serial number used in that year.

• 1898: 8349
• 1899: 8716
• 1900: 9128
• 1901: 9310
• 1902: 9528
• 1903: 9810
• 1904: 9988
• 1905: 10120
• 1906: 10329
• 1907: 10727
• 1908: 10883
• 1909: 11018
• 1910: 11203
• 1911: 11413
• 1912: 11565
• 1913: 11821
• 1914: 12047
• 1915: 12209
• 1916: 12390
• 1917: 12988
• 1918: 13450
• 1919: 14512
• 1920: 15484
• 1921: 16758
• 1922: 17839
• 1923: 19891
• 1924: 22008
• 1925: 24116
• 1926: 28689
• 1927: 34435
• 1928: 37568
• 1929: 40843
• 1930: 45317
• 1931: 49589
• 1932: 52590
• 1933: 55084
• 1934: 58679
• 1935: 61947
• 1936: 65176
• 1937: 68865
• 1938: 71866
• 1939: 74061
• 1940: 76734
• 1941: 80013
• 1942: 83107
• 1943: 86724
• 1944: 90149
• 1945: 93623
• 1946: 98158
• 1947: 103468
• 1948: 108269
• 1949: 112961
• 1950: 117961
• 1951: 122799
• 1952: 128436
• 1953: 134501
• 1954: 141345
• 1955: 147328
• 1956: 153225
• 1957: 159061
• 1958: 165576
• 1959: 171047
• 1960: 175689
• 1961: 181297
• 1962: 187384
• 1963: 193327
• 1964: 199626
• 1965: 207030
• 1966: 217215
• 1967: 230095
• 1968: 241925
• 1969: 256003
• 1970: 271633
• 1971: 294270
• 1972: 313302
• 1973: 333873
• 1974: 353387
• 1975: 371828
• 1976: 388800
• 1977: 399625
• 1978: 407800
• 1979: 419900
• 1980: 430300
• 1981: 436474
• 1982: 439627
• 1983: 446101
• 1984: 453300
• 1985: 460575
• 1986: 468175
• 1987: 476216
• 1988: 483952
• 1989: 493279
• 1990: 503309
• 1991: 512487
• 1992: 522655
• 1993: 535223
• 1994: 551696
• 1995: 570434
• 1996: 592930
• 1997: 624799
• 1998: 668796
• 1999: 724077
• 2000: 780500
• 2001: 845644

Important Serial Number Milestones

• October 1930: First instance of both body size and style number being stamped on the neck block.
• 1934 (#57305): Introduction of T-frets and T-bar reinforcement.
• 1935 (#59044-61181): "Martin" stamp on the back of the peghead discontinued.
• 1939 (#72740): Nut width change on 14-fret 000 and D models (1 ¾" to 1 11/16").
• 1942 (#80585): Ebony neck reinforcement introduced during WWII.
• 1944 (#89926): Approximate last scalloped-braced guitar.
• 1947 (#98223): Last herringbone-trimmed Style 28 guitar produced.
• 1964 (#196228): Last guitar made at the North Street factory (June 25). First day at new factory: July 6, 1964.
• 1966 (#217215): Tortoise pickguards discontinued.
• 1967 (#220467): Last hand-stamped serial/model numbers.
• 1969 (#254497): Last Brazilian rosewood Style 28 guitar.
• 1975 (#350287): Plastic saddles introduced on D-18 models.
• 1984 (#447501): Last glued-down pickguard in regular production.
• 1985 (#453181): Adjustable truss rods introduced.
• 1988 (#478093): Maple bridge plates introduced on all guitars.
• 2000 (#737277): Last HD-28LSV with Adirondack spruce top—Sitka spruce used afterward.