I recently purchased from a pawn shop in Branson, Missouri a MIM Strat with serial # MZ4235479. The Fender web site notes that an instrument with MZ4 + 5 digits would have been produced in 2004-2005. However, mine has 6 digits following the MZ4 - what would the date of production be for my instrument. Also, how is it possible to identify the model of the instrument. Can it be done from the serial number, or is there another way I can determine the model.

Welcome to the Forum.

Your guitar was made at the
Ensenada Plant (Fender), Mexico
in the Year(s): 2004 - 2005

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Chet Feathers

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

6 digits just means they ran out of 5 digit numbers. That doesn't necessarily mean they built more than 100,000 MIM Standard Series guitars that year. They don't use all the possible numbers. There's never a "00000" or a "00001" and they randomly skip large chunks of possible numbers. Possibly to keep competitors from being able to use the serials to estimate production quantities.

I don't know why they haven't corrected the dating page to say "MZx followed by 5 or 6 digits". People are often confused when they see 6 digits following the origin/decade/year code.

To determine the exact model, you pretty much just have to examine the features. If you contact Fender Customer Service and give them the serial they can probably tell you exactly what model it is, but it'd be faster just to look at the different models on the website and compare it to them.

Post some pics of the guitar here and we'll let you know what model it is.

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

I received the following response from Fender Customer Relations today. I wasn't expecting such a detailed reply at all. Certainly says something about Fender's Customer Relations.

"Rick

You have a 1/2005 Mexico Standard Strat.

Model Name: Standard Stratocaster(r)
Model Number: 013-4600-(Color#) and 013-4602-(Color#)
Series: Standard Series
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple, Modern "C" Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Rosewood (p/n 013-4600) or Maple (p/n 013-4602), 9.5"
Radius (241 mm)
No. of Frets: 21 Vintage Style Frets
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.650" (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender(r)/Ping(r) Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Bridge: Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
Pickguard: 3-Ply White
Pickups: 3 Standard Single-Coil Strat(r) Pickups (Ceramic Magnets)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume,
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
Colors: (506) Black,
(519) Sage Green Metallic,
(529) Blue Agave,
(532)* Brown Sunburst add $50.00,
(575) Midnight Wine,
(580) Arctic White,
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Fender(r) Super Bullets(r) 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to
.042), p/n 073-3250-003
Unique Features: Vintage Styling
Source: Mexico
Accessories: None
U.S. MSRP: $527.99
NOTICE: Product Prices, Features And Specifications Are Subject To
Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1/1991
DISCONTINUED: 1/2006
DISCONTINUED COLORS: (573) Midnight Blue, (1/2002)
(502) Lake Placid Blue (1/98),
(525) Crimson Red Metallic (1/98),
(509) Candy Apple Red (For Musician's Friend Only in 10/1998)
(521) Natural (For Musician's Friend Only in 3/1999)
COMMENTS:
WRENCH SIZES: Truss Rod Wrench #0038467000 (3/16" Hex)
Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench #0050919000 (Hex 1.5mm)"