Has Fender always put serial numbers on their guitars or when did they first start doing this? Reason I ask is a friend recently bought a "vintage" Fender and it doesn't have a serial number on it. He also bought a 52 reissue telecaster from the early 1980-82 and it doesn't have a serial number either.

Does anyone know when Fender first started using serial numbers or if they always have. I tried to tell the guy he should check here first before buying but he said he got a "good deal".

Any thoughts/info?

Check this out, you answer is in here: http://www.fender.com/support/usa_instruments.php

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

thanks for the info, i checked out that page and it sounds like he is going to need to take them apart to tell anything. There are no serial numbers either on the front or the back of the headstock at all. I'll try to put up some pics later this weekend if I can and maybe you guys will be able to tell.

i guess my main queston is, a fender stratocaster or telecaster WITHOUT serial numbers on the headstock would mean it is not Authentic right?

Fender has used several different places for serial numbers over the years: Front of headstock, back of headstock, back of the neck, and on the neck plate.
It would be best to post some pics. And if you can take the neck off to see what is there and in the neck pocket.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

this is the 52 Tele reissue. He said the guy he bought it from told him it was a 1982 and the first year they reissued the 52. No serial numbers on the headstock and a plain neckplate on the back. the bridge plate says fender though. what do you think?

FYI- today I had this guitar taken apart and it is in fact a true 1982 AVRI 52 Reissue. FIrst year of reissue.

Also I took apart the Yellow Strat 1982/83 Fullerton 57 reissue and it is also legit.

The earliest Strats had their serial numbers on the plastic trem cavity cover.

So if a vintage Strat "lost" it's cover or neck plate, it would be serial number-less.

Some of the very first Telecasters might not have had serial numbers, I'd have to check the site: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.