How Can I Tell The Age Of My Fender Guitar?

Dating Your U.S.-Made Fender Instrument Most notably, production dates have been penciled or stamped on the butt end of the heel of the neck of most guitars and basses, although there were periods when this was not consistently done (1973 to 1981, for example) or simply omitted.

Can you tell the year of a guitar with the serial number?

Serial numbers can be useful in determining the year of manufacture of a guitar or amp. But due to incomplete registrations and illogical serial numbers, its history is often unclear. With the help of the serial number decoder, tables and instructions are the year and location of the largest well-known brands.

How do I read my Fender serial number?

Four or five digit serial number on the neck plate with no letters, 1954 – 1963. Serial number on neckplate starts with an L, 1963 – 1965. Big F on the neckplate with a six digit serial, 1965 – 1976. Serial number starts with a letter followed by six or seven digits, 1976 – present.

How can you tell if a Fender guitar is vintage?

Start here: Is there a letter prefix?

1. Four or Five digits on the bridge plate (1950-1954) Telecaster, Broadcaster, Esquire, Precision Bass.
2. Four or Five digits on the neck plate (1954-1963)
3. “L” Serial numbers (1963-1965)
4. 6 digits with Large “F” underneath (1965-1976)
5. “V” Serial numbers Modern reissues since 1982.

How do I know what model Fender guitar I have?

At the top of the neck plate, on the front or at the back of the headstock or on the cover plate of the vibrato (Stratocasters), or at the end of the heel of the neck. Between 1973 and 1981 there were periods when this did not happen consistently.

How do I find out what year my guitar was made?

For US instruments, the serial number will start with a letter. That letter indicates the decade. The second character will usually be a number. That number indicates the specific year.
That number indicates the specific year.

1. S9 means 1979.
2. E4 means 1984.
3. N8 means 1998.
4. Z5 means 2005.
5. US11 means 2011.

How old is considered vintage guitar?

For electric guitars, the ’50s and ’60s are often considered the ultimate vintage guitars. So they’re less than 100 years old. There are more and more vintage guitars emerging from the 70s. So there is no strict definition as with antiques.

What is considered vintage Fender?

However, a common increase in value for standard American made guitar models occurs from the late 60s to the early 70s, thus setting a general date for “vintage” guitars as anything manufactured before 1970.

How much is my Fender guitar worth?

What’s A Fender Guitar Worth? Fender guitars are typically worth around $500, give or take a few hundred dollars depending on the model, condition, and age of the guitar. It is common for Fender guitars to hold their value well because they are made in the United States.

What does the V mean on Fender serial number?

In 1982, Fender introduced the U.S. Vintage series. These instruments have a “V”-prefix serial and the only way to definitively date these is, like with the earliest serial numbered guitars, by removing the neck and checking the butt of the neck for a production date, which may be stamped or written there.

What does the Z mean in a Fender serial number?

“Z”-prefix serial numbers denoting the new millennium appeared on U.S.-made instruments in 2000. Z0 denotes 2000; Z1 denotes 2001, etc. American Deluxe Series instruments use the same dating convention, but with the addition of a “D” in front of the “Z”; i.e., DZ1, DZ2, etc.

When did Fender stop using slab boards?

In 1959, Fender introduced a thick Brazilian rosewood fretboard to the Stratocaster, now colloquially referred to as a “slab-board”. This thicker board lasted until 1962, when the fretboard was made with a thinner ‘veneer’ of Brazilian Rosewood.

Why are old Fender guitars so expensive?

Supply and Demand
Since these guitars are so renowned,there’s ample demand to own one. High demand and only 1400 guitars ever made is bound to drive the cost up. This is a huge factor as well when it comes to guitar amplifiers. Unlike guitars, they have almost always been made out of the same materials.

How do I tell what year my Fender acoustic guitar is?

There are a few ways to tell what year your Fender was made. One is to look at the serial number on the back of the headstock. The serial number will start with a letter that corresponds to the year the guitar was made. For example, a guitar with a serial number that starts with an “A” was made in 1965.

How do you date a Stratocaster?

Date with neck and body dates (expert technicians only)
Stratocasters have two main date indicators: one signed in pencil or stamped on the heel of the neck and one pencil signed in the tremolo cavity on the back of the body (until about 1966 or so).

What do Fender model numbers mean?

The serial number is a unique reference for an individual guitar. In contrast, the model code identifies every guitar with a particular set of specifications. So, for example, every right-handed, 1993 Fender American Standard Telecaster with a rosewood fingerboard would have exactly the same model code: 10-8400.

What year was my product made?

To Determine Manufacture Date Based on Serial Number: The 1st three numbers of your serial number will always provide your manufacture date. The 1st number is the YEAR of manufacture; the 2nd & 3rd numbers indicate the MONTH of manufacture.

How do I know if my guitar is worth money?

A quick Google or Ebay search of your make and model will show you what others are selling guitars like yours for. You can also consult the Blue Book of Guitar Values to see what it is worth. Another great resource is Vintage Guitar Magazine’s Price Guide, which is regularly updated and available at Amazon.

What is my Fender Stratocaster worth?

Fender guitars hold their value well, especially the American-made ones. The classic American Professional Stratocaster costs around $1500 and around $1000-$1200 second-hand. Vintage Fender guitars in mint condition have been sold for over $1 million.

How do I age my guitar naturally?

A quick and easy way to get the process going is to leave your guitar exposed in the sun for a couple of days. Over time, all lacquer finishes will yellow and age, which will create that vintage patina so many players crave — leaving it in the sun can help speed up that process.

What does the oldest guitar look like?

In fact, the oldest surviving guitar-like instrument is a tanbur from Egypt, dating back to circa 1500 BC. This instrument is a fretted lute with three strings, a long neck and a pear-shaped sound box. It was owned by a court singer by the name of Har-Mose, who sang for the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut.