How many strats were made before they started using the serial number system?

You mean before the serial was moved from the neck plate to the headstock?

What exactly are you asking? Strats have always been serialized. In 1954 the serial number was stamped on the plastic tremolo cavity cover of first 100 or so Strats. Then Fender started stamping the serial number on the neckplate. http://home.provide.net/~cfh/54strat.html

In 1976 the serial number moved to the headstock. http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html#serial The American Vintage reissues continue stamping the serial on the neckplate.

Or are you asking how many protoypes were built and sent out with local musicians for testing to report back to Leo Fender before the Strat was officially released in 1954? If that's the case, then the answer is very few if any. I haven't heard of any that are accounted for.

p.s. I hope some of that answers your question.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Well, the whol reason I asked about it in the first place was because I know that David Gilmour has Serial #00001 (not sure how many zero's are there ) but it's not the first strat made.

Thats what made me ask. I was guessing that they didnt have them before that particualr one?

Thanks for the replies

Lots of info about that Strat here:

http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=259

the 54 Strat pictured at this link is super. That is what you call road worn there! Serious Mojo

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Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!