Haywire Custom Guitars-Vintage Fender® Serial Numbers
How to identify the age of your Fender guitar with Vintage Fender® Serial Numbers
Fender serial numbers and approximate production 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.
Fender serial numbers and approximate production 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) |