Dec 08, 2015 They were kind enough to include the serial number on that page: JD15005053, the 'JD' means 'made in Japan by Dyna Gakki', the '15' means made in 2015. The '00' is supposed to be the month, not sure why it's zeroes, perhaps it represents January, not sure, then the '5053' is the sequential production count for that month. Fender Serial Numbers from 1976 (For Japanese Serial Numbers, scroll down) 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. Fender Stratocaster made in Japan serial number Q038280. Fender Stratocaster made in Japan serial number Q038280. Serial Numbers The early Fender Japan E series serial numbers from 1984-1987 follow the Fender USA serial number format of E = eighties and the first digit of the serial number representing the year. For example E6XXXXX = 1986. Most of the Fender Japan serial numbers do not follow this format.
Although a serial number is useful for roughly determining the age of a guitar, this is often not the exact date. As a result of the overlap between years, Fender serial numbers are also not by definition chronological.
In the past (before 1976) the serial numbers were often randomly assigned. To approximate the correct year of construction for the period before 1976, also look at the date on the heel of the neck and of the potmeters. Usually the production date is stamped or written on the heel of the neck. To approximate the correct year of construction for the period before 1976, also look at the date on the heel of the neck and of the potmeters. To read this it is necessary to unscrew the neck from the body.
Most specifications for a particular Fender guitar have hardly changed, if at all. Although there have been times when major changes have taken place, such as the acquisition of Fender by CBS, and the transition from CBS Fender to the current owner (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation), most models have generally not changed.
At Stratocasters from the early fifties, the serial numbers were stamped on the back of the vibrato cover plate. On some Telecasters at the bridge between the pick-up and the saddles.
Fender Japan Serial Number Decoder
| Patent numbers Various patent numbers were added to the models between 1960 and 1977. These were stamped in the headstock under the Fender logo. | Example: PAT, 2,573,254 2,968,204 3,143,028 2,976,755 DES 187304 2,573,254 for pickup and bridge combination. 2,968,204 for the single coil pickup patent awarded in 1961 under other for Jaguar, Stratocaster, Duosonic. 3,143,028 the patent granted in August 1964 for Fender's adjustable neck construction. 2,976,755 for the split coil pickup design. (Used since 1957 to the Precision Bass) The DES is the serial number. |