Fender Japan Serial Numbers Jd
Hi, i already own a Fender Mustang labelled 'Crafted in Japan' with a serial starting with 'S' and i need to buy another one for my daughter. The one i've found is labelled 'Made in Japan' with a serial number starting with JD13+6 numbers. I think it's from 2013 and i'd like to know if this guitar are as good as the old ones which were 'crafted in Japan' instead of MIJ (I don't talk about the first japan guitars which were also labelled MIJ but only about the MIJ guitars build in 2013/14).
Understand first: Fender Japan Guitar Serial Numbers. Work differently than Fender USA guitar serial numbers.
Fender Japan Serial Numbers Lookup
Made in Japan and Crafted in Japan Fender serial numbers can be difficult to read and understand. Learn how to read Japanese Fender serial numbers and tell how old your Fender guitar is. Fender Japan Guitar Serial Number Sequencing: Fender Japan Guitar Serial. Fender JV models had the serial numbers engraved into either the neck plate or bridge. Understand first: Fender Japan Guitar Serial Numbers. Work differently than Fender USA guitar serial numbers. This guide explains the basic differences between Fender USA guitar serial numbering.
This guide explains the basic differences between Fender USA guitar serial numbering, and Fender Japan serial numbering. If you already have a basic understanding of the USA serial numbering system, just skip down to the next Bold Centered orange-underlined text. Most readers of this are probably already aware that Fender USA guitar serial numbers 'theoretically' follow a pattern. They were designed to help identify the approximate manufacturing date of the guitar. For example: a guitar whose serial number begins with the letter and number 'E8', would have 'theoretically' been manufactured in 1988 (E = in the Eighties, 8 = the 8th year.
So, 1988); a Fender USA guitar serial starting 'N4' would 'theoretically' mean 1994 (N = in the Nineties, 4 = the 4th year. So, 1994); a Fender USA guitar serial starting 'Z3' would 'theoretically' mean 2003 (Z = 2000, 3 = in the 3rd year. You get the picture. The 'theoretically' appears in the previous paragraph a number of times for these reasons:.
According to verifiable public information, the older serial numbers were notoriously placed in emptied coffee cans, boxes, etc. When a Fender employee needed a serial number, they would sometimes reach in a grab whatever number came out. Serial numbers lotto-style. I have personally seen (and have seen the same listed on eBay more than once) E3 serial numbered USA Fenders, with a neck date of 1989. Fender USA will tell you - if you take the time to email them and ask (you can do so at the Fender web site), or better yet.
Read the dating information at the same Fender site - the best way to date a USA Fender guitar is almost always the neck/body date/markings. It should be noted. The serial numbering system for USA Fenders has been more accurate in recent years, and that the Fender Japan serial numbering system has had a few quirks of its own. Neither is perfect. Additionally, Fender USA sometimes adds letters to the serial number to make special designations.
For example, the US Fender serial number DZ575xxxx, would designate a Deluxe (the 'D') guitar made in 2005. All this is public information, avaiable on the web. I encourage you to take initiative and verify this (and ALL) information independently, for yourself. From this point forward, our focus will be on the Fender Japan serial numbering system. And the Fender Japan serial numbering system is. Ummmmm, it's a whole nutter ball game!
First we need to understand there is a. when manufactured. difference in the 'MADE In Japan' Fenders, and the 'CRAFTED In Japan' Fender guitars. For example: a ' MADE' In Japan guitar having a serial number starting with the letter ' A,' would have been made in 1985 or 1986. While a ' CRAFTED' In Japan guitar with a serial number starting with the letter ' A' would have been made in 1997 or 1998. For more on the MADE vs CRAFTED thing, see the Guide I authored titled ' MADE In Japan - vs - CRAFTED In Japan Fender Guitar(s)'.
The Fender Japan serial numbering system is - on the face of it - a little more complex than the Fender USA system. But in the past, as we have already seen, the USA system has served only as a good starting point when dating a Fender USA instrument. I have found the Fender Japan serial numbering system considerably more reliable (although, not perfect) for dating instruments.
It. does. have some quirks of its own, and is a subject for a seperate Guide.
Fender Japan began production in 1982. It was decided that the first serial numbers issued by Fender Japan would begin with the letters ' JV.' The JV was followed by 5 digits which have nothing to do with dating the guitar.
The 'JV' alone, tells us the guitar was made between 1982 and 1984. The 'JV' serialed MIJ (Made In Japan) Fenders have become, and will probably remain, the most collectable - The Holy Grails - of the Fender Japan instruments. while the ' SQ's strut closely behind. The second serial number prefix used by Fender Japan was ' SQ', which was followed by 5 digits.
And the 'SQ' alone, tells us the quitar was made in 1983 or 1984. Seeing the pattern yet? Hang on for just a few more moments. We're almost there. The next serial number prefix used by Fender Japan - as shown on the Fender web site (and other web sites as well) - was 'E'.
The E was followed by 6 digits. The 'E' alone tells us the guitar was made between 1984 and 1987. The first digit of the serial number has nothing to do with dating the instrument. Not the same use of the 'E' as the US serial number of the same time frame.
Next were the 'A', 'B', and 'C' prefixes, each followed by 6 digits. ' A', ' B', and ' C' prefix serial numbers were all made in 1985 or 1986. I'm ceratin you've got the picture by now. The first letter (or letters) alone, is (are) all we need to determine the year of manufacture - in most cases.
You didn't really think it was going to be that easy, did ya.;) But the exceptions are rare, and beyond the scope of this Guide. Another time. A great place to start in verifying this for yourself is. You guessed it, the Fender web site. You'll notice on their 'DATING JAPANESE MADE FENDER INSTRUMENTS' page, they start with the 'MADE In Japan' serial numbers. If you scroll down to the lower portion of the page, you'll see the 'CRAFTED In Japan' numbers and prefixes. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
Verify for yourself this information. It is readily avaiable on the web. I sincerely hope you've found this guide worthwhile. If you found this guide worthwhile, please take a moment to click the 'YES' button at the bottom of this page.