Hi all

I just bought a John Mayer Strat at the weekend and I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about the serial numbers it goes like this.

SE03XXX

So obviously SE = Signature Edition (or something along those lines) but what does the rest mean. Is there any way of telling the year of production on this number?

This is simply for my own interest, it would be useful to know.

Thanks for the help.

I believe SE start with SE8 which is 1988. SE03 does not compute. Let's wait for more advise...

Yeah, I had read that about SE8 meaning 1988, but like you say 2003 doesn't really make any sense.
Ok I'm just trying to guess here but the numbering goes like this SE035xx. Could this be decade 00 2000 - 2009 and the 35 being the 35th quarter, this would place it around the end of 2008. But this would mean 100 SE guitars per quarter? Does that sound right?
Like I say, a complete guess. It's good this, it's like trying to crack a code.

I would say at this point email Fender consumer relations is your best bet

consumerrelations@fender.com

The guitar dater project site does not recognize this serial either.

In any event, let us know the outcome.

You could take the neck off and see if there's a date stamped in the neck pocket.

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JIM,I am trying to figure it out myself.On my 2003 Jeff Beck the number is SZ3 and on my 2002 Clapton it is SZ2 my friends Clapton which is a few years later a 2006 is SZ6 .I had to go on ebay to see where the number is and it is on the plate.Does this guitar come with a hardshell case or that lining bag as I have not seen one sold with a hard case.But back to the number I would try to ask someone selling especially a power seller how to tell what year it is from the plate number.Keep us posted and I will keep trying to find out for you.

This is an interesting point, because like you say Fender's own serial number information clearly shows that anything built in the 2000s should be 'SZ', and yet the John Mayers seem to be all 'SE'. Very odd.

In answer to your question there is no hard-case, it's a soft case by Incase. However it's a very sturdy case with plenty of padding and strengthen sides. In fact I think it's a very good case and could probably take a lot of throwing about.

Atolleter, I have contacted Fender through that email address, and was not very happy with their response. Just like here I asked them if they could explain the number and all they did was send me back the specs of my guitar. It does have a date on 1/5/2009. I take it this is US date (I'm a Brit, we do things slightly differently ). I don't know what this date refers to though, could be just the date it left the factory. It may even be wrong because the spec says it has a 4 ply Tortoise Shell pickguard which it doesn't, it's a 3 ply Mint green!
Anyway I will reply and say that's very nice but it's not actually what I was asking.

Info recieved from Fender

Heres your date scheme. Don't no who told you that above. And don't know what SE0XXX would be?

Signature Series Instruments SE8(XXXXX)-1988, SE9(XXXXX)-1989 SN0(XXXXX)-'90, SN1(XXXXX)-'90, SN2(XXXXX)-'92, etc. SZ0(XXXXX)-2000, SZ1(XXXXX)-2001, SZ2(XXXXX)-2002, etc.

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Like I said, it came from Fender. The consumer relations email advised above.