FENDER SERIAL NUMBERS

Four or Five digits on the bridge plate (1950-1954) Precision Bass

Four or Five digits on the neck plate (1954-1963)

"L" Serial numbers (1963-1965)

6 digits with Large "F" underneath (1965-1976)

"V" Serial numbers  Modern reissues since 1982

"S" Prefix 1977 - 1980

E Prefix - 1980s

N Prefix - 1990s

 

Fender Serial Numbers on the bridge plate

 

Precision Bass

100 - 600  Three digits 1951 or 1952

0001 - ~0900  1952 and 1953

0800 - 2000  1954

 

Fender Serial Numbers on the neck plate

0001   –   8000 1954       

6000   – 10000 1955

9000   – 16000 1956

16000 – 25000 1957 

25000 – 30000 1958 

30000 – 40000 1959

40000 – 58000 1960    

55000 – 72000 1961        

72000 – 93000 1962        

93000 – 99999 1963

 

Fender serial numbers preceded by an "L": Fender guitars made between 1963 and 1965 have a letter "L" preceding the serial number. 

L00001 – L20000 1963    

L20000 – L55000 1964         

L55000 – L99999 1965

 

Fender serial numbers with large "F" underneath: Leo Fender sold his company to CBS in 1965. The new owners instituted a mostly consecutive serialization system comprised of 6 digits and a large stylized "F" underneath. The F neck plate style was the location of Fender serial numbers from 1965 until 1976. 

100000 – 110000 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