So "D" Strats in the 1980-98 did not use this letter. The "D" prefix indicates Deluxe (but note, this was not used till late 98-early 99. "V" Prefixes (introduced circa 1982) designate Vintage Reissue Series.
"R" prefixs designate Relic Series instruments.
Truth is, it is a 1987-88, as production for the Plus Series started in mid-1987, while the parts might have been from-who knows?
The very first Plus' will have an E4XXXXX serial number indicating they are from 1984. Some have said this was due to the use of parts left over from the CBS buyout, or even serial number decals left over from CBS. Many of the 1987 and later models will have a serial number that says one thing and the date in the neck pocket in the body or on the butt end of neck that says something different. The serial numbers on the 87- early 88 Strat Plus and newly introduced American Standard Strat models have caused some confusion due to the CBS buyout and the start up of the new plant in Corona, California. Consequently, some 1990 guitars bear 1999 "N9" serial numbers.Īnother bit of confusion was the E4 serial numbers. The numbers and decals were produced far in advance, and some N9 decals (denoting 1999), were inadvertantly affixed to some instruments in 1990. It was used for 19! Here is why: "N"-prefix serial numbers denoting the 1990s were introduced in 1990. And then you take off ther neck and find out it is 8 months or even a year off from the serial number! At least we have some reference to go by! Also note the N9 serial numbers. Sometimes there are several prefixes found within a single year’s production, but generally, the system still gives a good guideline. Sometimes instrument production did not meet the levels for which decals were produced-thus there are some overlapping years. While the idea seems rather simple, the reality often differed. (I Do not know if you see what is happening here! Catch this: S = Seventies!, E = Eighties N = Nineties and then Z = zed? (Or 2000s+).
In 1977, the serialization went to a letter for the decade, followed by a single digit for the year and then 5 to 6 digits.Įxamples of the letter/digit code follow like this: S for the ’70s, E for the ’80s, N for the ’90s, Z for 2000+. 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. In late 1976, Fender decided to move to a new numbering scheme for their serialization. (For Japanese Serial Numbers, scroll down)