History
Apr 20, 2011 The older Fernandes guitars do have serial numbers on occasion, and can be found on the neck plates of the Stratocasters of the Revival series, but otherwise, Burny and Fernandes didn’t often use serial numbers. Dating a Burny or Fernandes can be loosely done by looking at the truss rod cover. Find Out About Japanese Burny Guitars at OrangeGuitar.com (Guitar) (Guitar Equipment) (Search Service). Example: A serial number of 4-3001 would indicate the 1st guitar made in April of 1973. Modern Pre-Fender: 1989 - 2002. When Gretsch the great-grandson regained control of the company, there was a solid decade of Japan production with a xxxxxx-xxx type serial number. These serial numbers include year, month, model number and production order info.
The Fender Contemporary models were the first Fender Japan models to be named Fender Stratocasters or Telecasters. The previous Fender Japan models were all Fender Squier models. The Fender Contemporary models were manufactured from 1984 to 1987 by FujiGen Gakki and these Stratocasters were designed to be Superstrats (Super Strat) with a Floyd Rose like bridge designed by Schaller (and Gotoh) and humbucking pickups. There was a lower priced Fender Contemporary Squier model produced as well. The Fender Contemporary Stratocaster and Telecaster models were part of the Fender Japan E series model range.
- The Fernandes Custom Skull-Knobs can turn your gear into a menacing metal machine. They look great on guitars, basses, amps and effect processors. Featuring a highly detailed 3D design that faces the audience instead of the floor, the knobs fit both standard and metric shafts using a special insert for a smooth wobble-free fit.
- Dec 23, 2016 Hi, i've been looking at a fernandes elite JP from 2014. The serial number has FSG at the start which makes me believe it's either made in China or Korea however the JP in the name suggests it should be made in Japan.
When CBS sold Fender to its current owners in 1984 there was a transitional period from 1984 to 1987 with limited Fender USA production resulting in mostly Fender Japan and leftover stock being sold. There are also Fender Contemporary Telecaster models with HSS or HH pickup configurations and switches for selecting pickup options. The Fender Contemporary Telecaster models used the same tremolo systems as the Fender Contemporary Stratocaster models. Black Francis used a Fender Contemporary Telecaster in the Pixies.
There were also USA Contemporary Stratocasters and Telecasters which were totally different than the original Japanese models in terms of features and construction. These shortlived American-made models were made by the Fender Custom Shop in the mid-1990s.
Technical Information
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1985 Fender Contemporary Stratocaster with System III Tremolo and Humbucking Pickups
The System I bridge string height is set by adjustable pivot post screws and has no individual string height adjustments but has individual string intonation adjustments and is very much like the Gibson Tune-o-matic bridge in terms of intonation and string height adjustments. The System I tremolo system uses a behind the nut string locking mechanism and was manufactured by Gotoh. The System II and System III bridges have individual string height and individual string intonation adjustments. The System II and III tremolo systems use a height adjustable locking nut.
The System II tremolo system was designed by John Page, Chip Todd and Charlie Gressett. The System III tremolo system was designed by John Page, Dan Smith, Charlie Gressett and John Carruthers. Both bridges were manufactured in Germany by Schaller. Sometimes parts of the tremolo system are lost and one common modification is to make the bridge function as a hardtail by locking the bridge into a non movable position and installing a string tree for the first and second strings so that the strings don't slip out of the nut slots.
The pickups used in the Contemporary models were manufactured by Fujigen. All the pickups used on the Contemporary models are Alnico and not ceramic pickups. The humbucking pickups used in the Contemporary models have a DC resistance which is approximately 7.6 kiloohms. The single coil pickups used in the Contemporary models have a DC resistance which is approximately 5.6 kΩ. The Contemporary models that use a TBX tone control use 500 kΩ volume pots and use 0.022 µF tone capacitors. The body wood is either a tan coloured Birch or a white coloured Basswood.
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. The Fender USA serial format was used on the Fender Japan E series because most of them were exported to the USA while Fender was undergoing a transitional period.
.. work differently than Fender USA guitar serial numbers.
Chemdraw serial number registration code free. 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 Centeredorange-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.. so..).. 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), orbetter 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.
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.. right? 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.
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click link for a tour..
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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.
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.
Fernandes Guitar Serial Number Dating M1 Garand
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.
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. |