I have a "lipstick red" Fender Stratocaster serial number N566243.

It's has a matching red headstock, 22 frets and a rosewood fingerboard

I bough in the mid-90's new in a shop in Limerick, Ireland as an American Strat but I've always been curious at the absence of the "Made in the USA" mark. I know some Strats were made in Japan around that time and I had thought until recently that I may have one of them, however, I recently read that Japanese made Strats marked as either "made in" or "crafted in" Japan.

I notice that both US and Japanese guitars of this time had serial numbers of the N123456 format so the serial number is not an indicator in its self.

The Headstock on my guitar has no country of manufacture.....

Anyone know if Strats of this period were known to omit the country of manufacture and whether such an omission indicates US or other builds ?

Ultimately it doesn't matter where the instrument was made as I love it and would never part with it. Would just like to know out of curiosity.

That raises an interesting question: when did the Made in the USA Fenders start getting marked "Made in USA"?

I'm not sure.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Does it have a 2-point bridge? If so N serial number plus 22 frets and 2 point bridge =American Standard. Should say made in the USA under Stratocaster

Since atleast 82/83. Up until 1982 Fenders were only made in the USA, but then that year is when Fender Japan/Squier first came about.

Here is a 1981 and you can make out "Made in The USA" under Stratocaster:

It a two point bridge alright.

Here's the head stock - no country marks......

http://www.hapkido.ie/download/HeadstockFront.jpg

http://www.hapkido.ie/download/HeadstockRear.jpg

Hi Quillo, welcome to the Forum.

I think looking at the markings inside the neck pocket will help. Though others here are more expert on what you should find there if it is Japanese, so I'll let them come in on it.

Cheers - C

EDIT: oops, I see the neck pocket has already been suggested on the other version of this thread currently in circulation. Apologies for being repetitive...

Will check out the neck pocket the next time I restring. Thanks.

I have an American strat, lipstick red serial num N541.... and is write made in USA under the Fender name on the peg head.

You can look at your electronic. American pots and other are differents.

I replace my pickups and on the originals one I read a number ;016730 printed under each pickups.

Send picture of your pots and pickups, we will tell you

Curiosity got the better of me and I removed the neck

Pocket and neck-heel look like this:

http://www.hapkido.ie/download/pocket.jpg

http://www.hapkido.ie/download/neck.jpg[/url]

Definitley a American Standard.

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No no and no

Ha. Well I should certainly wait for someone more knowledgeable to comment - but it seems I won't!

I think that is clearly a US neck and pocket - no? (Guys?)

Cheers - C

EDIT: oops - posted before seeing Nick's above. Luckily, he agrees!

Looks Fender made

Thanks...
That big J on the neck had me wondering !

I would have to agree that it's an American Standard.

Also, wasn't 1995 the year Fender changed from the "Modern" logo (like on the 1991 Yogi posted) with the serial number on the front of the headstock back to the "spaghetti" logo with the serial number on the back of the headstock for the USA non-reissue models (American Standard, Strat Plust, etc.)?

The "Made in USA" part could have gotten "lost" on a few guitars in that transition - if I'm remembering correctly those custom color Am Stds with the matching headstocks from 1995 were the first ones to get the "spaghetti" logo/serial number on the headstock back when the change was made.

Nice to think my pride and joy is one of a few made this way !