Fender Jazz Bass Serial Number Identification

1960-’62 Fender Jazz Bass ($25,000 to $38,000 in custom-color finish) The holiest of Fender Bass grails is a “stack knob” custom-color Jazz. The “J-Bass” proved the market could support fancy, pricier bass guitars; a solid duco-finish Jazz was a hot-rod four-string nonpareil. Fender was sold to CBS in January 1965. Serial numbering didn’t change immediately because instruments continued to be made using existing, tooling, parts and serial number schemes. The chart below details Fender serial number schemes used from 1965 to 1976. Notice that there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years.

Japan Squiers

The Japanese MIJ (Made in Japan) Squiers were made by FujiGen up to 1997 and the Japanese CIJ (Crafted in Japan) Squiers were made by Tokai and Dyna from 1997.

“Made In Japan” (1982-1987)

JV+ 5 digits 1982-1984L + 6 digits 1991-1992
SQ + 5 digits 1983-1984M + 6 digits 1992-1993
A + 6 digits 1985-1986N + 6 digits 1993-1994
B + 6 digits 1985-1986O + 6 digits 1993-1994
C + 6 digits 1985-1986P + 6 digits 1993-1994
E + 6 digits 1984-1987Q + 6 digits 1993-1994
F + 6 digits 1986-1987S + 6 digits 1994-1995
G + 6 digits 1987-1988T + 6 digits 1994-1995
H + 6 digits 1988-1989U + 6 digits 1995-1996
I + 6 digits 1989-1990N + 5 digits 1995-1996
J + 6 digits 1989-1990V + 6 digits 1996-1997
K + 6 digits 1990-1991

Crafted In Japan” (1995-2008)

A + 6 digits 1997-1998Q + 6 digits 2002-2004
B + 6 digits 1998-1999R + 6 digits 2004-2006
N + 5 digits 1995-1996S + 6 digits 2006-2008
O + 6 digits 1997-2000T + 6 digits 2007-2008
P + 6 digits 1999-2002

“Made In Japan” (2007-)

T + 6 digits 2006-2008U + 6 digits 2007-2008

Mexican Squiers

MN - M = Mexico, N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the serial number prefix is the year.
MZ - M = Mexico, Z = 2000's, the first number following the serial number prefix is the year.

For example:

  • 'MN8' indicates that it was made at Ensenada, Mexico in 1998-1999.
  • 'MZ1' indicates that is was made at Ensenada, Mexico in 2001-2002

USA Squiers

E(“Made in USA”) – E = Eighties (1980s), The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7 digit number.

Example: E9xxxxxx = 1988

N(“Made in USA”)– N = Nineties (1990s), The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7 digit number.

Example: N0xxxxx = 1990

No Prefix(“Made in USA”) - Some USA made Squiers also had a 000XXX serial stamp on the neckplate with no letter prefix and no serial number on the headstock. 6-digit number

Korean Squiers

CN(“Made in Korea”, “Crafted in Korea”) - C = Cor-Tek , N – Nineties (1990s), The first digit following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.

Example: CN5xxxxx = 1995 made by Cor-Tek/Cort

VN(“Made in Korea”) - V = Saehan(Sunghan), S was already taken by Samick so Saehan(Sunghan) used V instead (Saehan(Sunghan) made the Vester guitars), N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7-digit number

Examples: VN7xxxxxx = 1997 made by Saehan/Sunghan.

KC, KV(“Made in Korea”, “Crafted in Korea”) - KC (Korean Cor-Tek (Cort)) and KV (Korean Saehan(Sunghan)), the prefix is followed by a 2 number year. 8-digit number.

Examples:

KC97 = made by Cor-Tek (Cort) in 1997
KV97 = made by Saehan(Sunghan) in 1997

S, E(“Made in Korea”) S = Samick, E = Young Chang, E letter serial numbers were used on Young Chang's Fenix brand guitars. The S and E serial number prefix Korean Squiers are from the late 1980s/early 1990s. The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7 digit number. The first guitars made in Korea are those with serial number written in silver E1 + 6 digits

Examples:

E1 + 6 digits with silver serial = made by Samick in 1987-88
S9 = made by Samick in 1989
E0 = made by Sung-Eum in 1990
E1 with black serial = made by Sung-Eum in 1991.

M(“Made in Korea”) – The first number following the prefix is the year. 7-digit number. Used in early 90's, featured the a high gloss maple neck with a slimmer 40mm body made from plywood.

Example: M1xxxxxx = 1991

No prefix(“Crafted in Korea”) – The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7-digit number.

Example: 7xxxxx = 1997

Chinese & Taiwanese Squiers

CA (“Made in China”, “Crafted in China”) - The first number following the serial number prefix is the year.

CAE ('Made in China' - may not be on all models) - The first 2 numbers following the prefix Is the year. 10-digit number.

Example: CAE-08xxxxxxxx = made in 2008

YN(“Made in China”) - Y = Yako (Taiwan), N = Nineties (1990s), the first numbers following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.

Fender Bass Serial Number Lookup

Example: YN5xxxxx = made by Yako in 1995.

CY(“Crafted in China”) - C = China, Y = Yako (Taiwan), the first number following the prefix is the year. 8-digit number.

Example: CY2xxxxxxx = made by Yako in 2002-03

COS(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8-digit number.

Example: COS10xxxxxx = 2010

COB(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 9-digit number. The plant from which the COB serial number prefix models originate remains a mystery. No documentation, or comment from the manufacturer has resolved the question of which plant produced them.

Fender Precision Bass Pickup Serial Number

Example: COB09xxxxxxx

CD, CT, CJ(“Made in China”, “Crafted in China”) - C = China, the first number following the prefix is the year. Probably made by Yako (Taiwan).

NC(“Made in China”) – The first number following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.

Example: NC8xxxxx = 2008

CXS(Crafted in China) – X = Axl, The first number following the prefix is the year. 9-digit number.

Example CXS07xxxxxxx = 2007

CGRL(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8-digit number.

Example: CGRL09xxxxxx = 2009

CGS(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 7 or 8- digit number.

Example: CGS10xxxxxx = 2010

Indonesian Squiers

IC(“Crafted in Indonesia”) - I = Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort), The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.

Example: IC09xxxxxx = 2009

ICS(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number. In 2009-10 some Indonesian Squier's had the prefix ICS09XXXXX and ICS10XXXXX. Usually the S in ICS designates a Factory Special Run or FSR guitar manufactured by Cor-Tek in Indonesia.

Example: ICS10xxxxxx = 2010

IS(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – I = Indonesia, S = Samick, The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.

Example: IC02xxxxxxx = 2002

ISS(“Crafted in Indonesia”) - I = Indonesia, SS = ??, The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.

Example: ISS19xxxx = 2019

SI(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.

Example: SI08xxxxxxx = 2008

India Squiers

Some Squier IIs were made in India around 1989-1990. The head stock is marked 'MADE IN INDIA'. Made in India Squier IIs seem to follow the made in USA serial numbering scheme. For example, a 1990 made in India Squier II serial number would start with N0 plus 5 digits. The serial number is printed on a sticker located on the back of the neck, close to where the neck attaches to the body. Because the number was placed on a sticker it is fairly common for the serial number to be missing.

Some more recent Squiers, including the Vintage Modified series (serial numbers starting with SH), were introduced in 2007. The VM series is marked 'Crafted in India' on the rear of the head stock, and the serial numbers are not stickers, but printed and sealed on the rear of the head stock.

CS07 + 6 digits = 2007-08NSHI09 + 6 digits = 2009-10
NHS10 + 6 digits = 2010-11NSHJ08 + 6 digits = 2008-09
NHS11 + 5 digits = 2011-12NSHJ09 + 6 digits = 2009-10
NSHA09 + 6 digits = 2009-10NSHK09 + 6 digits =2009-10
NSHD09 + 6 digits = 2009-10SH07 + 6 digits = 2007-08
NSHE09 + 6 digits = 2009-10SH08 + 6 digits = 2008-09
NSHF09 + 6 digits = 2009-10ZSSH07 + 6 digits = 2007-08
NHSG09 + 6 digits = 2009=10ZSSH08 + 6 digits = 2008-09
NSHH09 + 6 digits = 2009-10
Fender Japan Serial guide - the most complete and updated chart
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.


Fender Japan Production
Serial numbers Dates
JV + 5 digits 1982 - 1984
SQ + 5 digits (Squier only)1983 - 1984
(MIJ) E + 6 digits1984 - 1989*
(MIJ) A + 6 digits1985 - 1986
(MIJ) B + 6 digits1985 - 1986
(MIJ) C + 6 digits1985 - 1986
(MIJ) F + 6 digits1986 - 1987
(MIJ) G + 6 digits1987 - 1988
(MIJ) H + 6 digits1988 - 1989
(MIJ) I + 6 digits1989 - 1990
(MIJ) J + 6 digits1989 - 1990
(MIJ) K + 6 digits1990 - 1991
(MIJ) L + 6 digits1991 - 1992
(MIJ) M + 6 digits1992 - 1993
(MIJ) N + 6 digits1993 - 1994
(MIJ) O + 6 digits1993 - 1994
(MIJ) P + 6 digits1993 - 1994
(MIJ) Q + 6 digits1993 - 1994
(MIJ) S + 6 digits1994 - 1995
(MIJ) T + 6 digits1994 - 1995
(MIJ) U + 6 digits1995 - 1996
(MIJ) V + 6 digits1996 - 1997
transition from MIJ to CIJ**1992 - 1997
(CIJ) A + 6 digits1997 - 1998
(CIJ) B + 6 digits1998 - 1999
(CIJ) O + 6 digits1997 - 2000
(CIJ) P + 6 digits1999 - 2002
(CIJ) Q + 6 digits2002 - 2004
(CIJ) R + 6 digits2004 - 2005
(CIJ) S + 6 digits2006 - 2008
(CIJ) T + 6 digits****2007 - 2010
transition from CIJ to MIJ***2007 - 2010
(MIJ) U + 6 digits2010 - 2011
(MIJ) JD11 + 6 digits2011
(MIJ) JD12 + 6 digits2012
(MIJ) JD13 + 6 digits2013
(MIJ) JD14 + 6 digits2014
Fender jazz bass value
*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.

Fender Jazz Bass Serial Number Identification Lookup

*** 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.

Fender Precision Bass Identification

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...