The following chart came from Fender Japan official Homepage (Japanese only) Fender Japan never announced the manufacturers detailed. The OEM contractors for Fender Japan are Fujigen, Dyna, Terada and Tokai. We are sure that JV and E serials are Fujigen made. Early production lot have the serial number on head under Fender logo mark.
Fender Japan Serial
Fender Japan Serial guide - the most complete and updated chart
Enter Serial Number eg. Z512345 The Fender serial number decoder currently supports all documented MIA, MIJ, MIM, MIK and MII formats with the exception of Custom Shop, Relic and Reissue instruments. Please note that fender serial numbers tend to overlap by at least a year, and thereby the date of your guitar can only be approximated. Enter Serial Number eg. Z512345 The Fender serial number decoder currently supports all documented MIA, MIJ, MIM, MIK and MII formats with the exception of Custom Shop, Relic and Reissue instruments. Please note that fender serial numbers tend to overlap by at least a year, and thereby the date of your guitar can only be approximated.
Some old Fender guitars have the manufacture date written (by pencil) on the bottom of the neck (month, day, year) - second photo after the chart below ilustrates it. For Telecasters, please read the additional info.American Fender Serial Numbers
| Fender Japan | Production |
| Serial numbers | Dates |
| JV + 5 digits | 1982 - 1984 |
| SQ + 5 digits (Squier only) | 1983 - 1984 |
| (MIJ) E + 6 digits | 1984 - 1989* |
| (MIJ) A + 6 digits | 1985 - 1986 |
| (MIJ) B + 6 digits | 1985 - 1986 |
| (MIJ) C + 6 digits | 1985 - 1986 |
| (MIJ) F + 6 digits | 1986 - 1987 |
| (MIJ) G + 6 digits | 1987 - 1988 |
| (MIJ) H + 6 digits | 1988 - 1989 |
| (MIJ) I + 6 digits | 1989 - 1990 |
| (MIJ) J + 6 digits | 1989 - 1990 |
| (MIJ) K + 6 digits | 1990 - 1991 |
| (MIJ) L + 6 digits | 1991 - 1992 |
| (MIJ) M + 6 digits | 1992 - 1993 |
| (MIJ) N + 6 digits | 1993 - 1994 |
| (MIJ) O + 6 digits | 1993 - 1994 |
| (MIJ) P + 6 digits | 1993 - 1994 |
| (MIJ) Q + 6 digits | 1993 - 1994 |
| (MIJ) S + 6 digits | 1994 - 1995 |
| (MIJ) T + 6 digits | 1994 - 1995 |
| (MIJ) U + 6 digits | 1995 - 1996 |
| (MIJ) V + 6 digits | 1996 - 1997 |
| transition from MIJ to CIJ** | 1992 - 1997 |
| (CIJ) A + 6 digits | 1997 - 1998 |
| (CIJ) B + 6 digits | 1998 - 1999 |
| (CIJ) O + 6 digits | 1997 - 2000 |
| (CIJ) P + 6 digits | 1999 - 2002 |
| (CIJ) Q + 6 digits | 2002 - 2004 |
| (CIJ) R + 6 digits | 2004 - 2005 |
| (CIJ) S + 6 digits | 2006 - 2008 |
| (CIJ) T + 6 digits**** | 2007 - 2010 |
| transition from CIJ to MIJ*** | 2007 - 2010 |
| (MIJ) U + 6 digits | 2010 - 2011 |
| (MIJ) JD11 + 6 digits | 2011 |
| (MIJ) JD12 + 6 digits | 2012 |
| (MIJ) JD13 + 6 digits | 2013 |
| (MIJ) JD14 + 6 digits | 2014 |
*Same logic until the present day: JD18 + 6 digits = 2018, for example.
Obs: MIJ - Made in Japan / CIJ - Crafted in Japan*I have never seen a 'E' serial dating 1984. The thing is that i had Fender Japan guitars with 'E' serialdating 1988 and 1989 on the bottom of the neck (written by pencil on the wood of the neck, under the original finish coat), and I have seen other photos showing the same thing in some forums. See below one of the guitars I had with E8 serial (1988):
** There is some 'Crafted in Japan' since 1992 (I had a CIJ 'N' serial, probably from 1993/94), but the definitive change to 'Crafted in Japan' happened in 1996/97.
*** Transition from CIJ to MIJ in 2007/08 (it is possible to find CIJ up to 2010). There is some MIJ with 'T + 6 digits' serial.
**** For different models like Pawn Shop '51, '72, Mustang Special, Precision Bass '70s, Jaguar Bass, Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller Jazz Bass, the 'T + 6 digits' serial was used with 'Made in Japan' decal up to 2011.
**** For different models like Pawn Shop '51, '72, Mustang Special, Precision Bass '70s, Jaguar Bass, Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller Jazz Bass, the 'T + 6 digits' serial was used with 'Made in Japan' decal up to 2011.
Telecasters - in some japanese reissues, serial will not be showed with the Made/Crafted in Japan decal, instead there will be a 'serial number' stamped on the bridge. However, this serial will always begin with the 'A' letter (Fender Japan serial number chart will not apply in this case), and unfortunately it will be possible to know only if there is a written date on the bottom of the neck (if the neck is the original from the guitar... some people may swap necks or bodies...). If there is not anything written, all the parts will have to be analised and compared to the models showed in Fender Japan catalogs over the years... it is not an easy thing to do and it may not be possible to know the accurate date...
Fender Japan Serial Number Decoder
Tips to help you accurately date your Fender Japan guitar...
First, you want to determine whether your guitar is from the JV, SQ, MIJ or CIJ series.
Q: What's the difference and how can you tell?
A: The serial number of your guitar will begin with one of the above lettering sequences. Fender Japan used
all of the above lettering sequences for the serial numbering of their guitars and basses over the years, and
knowing this first will help you determine the year of manufacture. These stamps can be found in different
locations on your guitar, so now I'll tell you where you need to look to find these markings...
JV... acronym for 'Japan Vintage' On these guitars you will find the letters 'JV' stamped/engraved into the
neck plate of the Stratocasters and bass guitars and on the bridges of the Telecasters and other guitar
models. There will be 5 numbers also engraved after the 'JV' lettering. Fender 'JV' guitars were only
made from 1982 to 1984. On early Fender JV models, you will also find 'MADE IN JAPAN' written very
small under the Fender spaghetti logo on the headstock of the guitar. On later Fender JV models, the
'MADE IN JAPAN' can be found on the heel of the guitar neck, just above the metal neck plate. All
Fender JV models had the serial numbers engraved into either the neck plate or bridge. Many also have
penciled neck dates (6-14-82) you can only see when the neck is removed from the body of the guitar.
SQ... acronym for 'Squier' These models were made by a different division of Fender and bear the Squier logo
and not the Fender logo. These models have the serial numbering and markings in the same location as
Fender JV guitars, and were made only during the years 1983 to 1984.
MIJ... acronym for 'MADE IN JAPAN' These models spanned the years from 1984 to 1997. You will find the
MADE IN JAPAN stamp on the heel of every guitar's neck, without variation. On Stratocasters and bass
guitars, you will find the serial number just below this stamp, also on the heel of the neck. On Telecasters
and certain other models, you will find the serial number on the bridge. The serial numbers will start with
a letter that corresponds to specific years of production. My chart will help you determine those specifics.
You will not find the MADE IN JAPAN stamp on the headstocks of Fender MIJ guitars.
CIJ... acronym for 'CRAFTED IN JAPAN' These guitars were made from 1997 and are still being manufactured
today. They follow the same serial numbering patterns as the Fender MIJ models.
Please refer to the chart I have provided below in order to pinpoint the exact year your guitar was manufactured...
First, you want to determine whether your guitar is from the JV, SQ, MIJ or CIJ series.
Q: What's the difference and how can you tell?
A: The serial number of your guitar will begin with one of the above lettering sequences. Fender Japan used
all of the above lettering sequences for the serial numbering of their guitars and basses over the years, and
knowing this first will help you determine the year of manufacture. These stamps can be found in different
locations on your guitar, so now I'll tell you where you need to look to find these markings...
JV... acronym for 'Japan Vintage' On these guitars you will find the letters 'JV' stamped/engraved into the
neck plate of the Stratocasters and bass guitars and on the bridges of the Telecasters and other guitar
models. There will be 5 numbers also engraved after the 'JV' lettering. Fender 'JV' guitars were only
made from 1982 to 1984. On early Fender JV models, you will also find 'MADE IN JAPAN' written very
small under the Fender spaghetti logo on the headstock of the guitar. On later Fender JV models, the
'MADE IN JAPAN' can be found on the heel of the guitar neck, just above the metal neck plate. All
Fender JV models had the serial numbers engraved into either the neck plate or bridge. Many also have
penciled neck dates (6-14-82) you can only see when the neck is removed from the body of the guitar.
SQ... acronym for 'Squier' These models were made by a different division of Fender and bear the Squier logo
and not the Fender logo. These models have the serial numbering and markings in the same location as
Fender JV guitars, and were made only during the years 1983 to 1984.
MIJ... acronym for 'MADE IN JAPAN' These models spanned the years from 1984 to 1997. You will find the
MADE IN JAPAN stamp on the heel of every guitar's neck, without variation. On Stratocasters and bass
guitars, you will find the serial number just below this stamp, also on the heel of the neck. On Telecasters
and certain other models, you will find the serial number on the bridge. The serial numbers will start with
a letter that corresponds to specific years of production. My chart will help you determine those specifics.
You will not find the MADE IN JAPAN stamp on the headstocks of Fender MIJ guitars.
CIJ... acronym for 'CRAFTED IN JAPAN' These guitars were made from 1997 and are still being manufactured
today. They follow the same serial numbering patterns as the Fender MIJ models.
Please refer to the chart I have provided below in order to pinpoint the exact year your guitar was manufactured...