Just interested to find out how old my Stratocaster is, Ive own it for nearly 20yrs and it was used when i got it so its at least 20 years old.

The serial is "E740071" Made in Japan.

Is there some trick to adding the numbers together or is that a batch number (if there is such a thing) ? or is it as obvious as either 1974 or 1971 ?
I really don't think its that old though ?!?

E = eighty 7 = 7. E+7= '87.

at least that is what I understand about the serial numbers but it could be wrong due to some fender abnormalities in serial numbers but that should give a general idea. if you want to know everything about your guitar send fender an email with serial # and ask for info.

hope I helped

Most helpful, thank you very much !
Yeah there was no way it was a early 70s but 1987 seems very feasible !
Nice one an thanks again!

if you want a more specific date you could take the neck off and the neck and body should have stamps with a specific date on which body and neck were finished. these dates will most likely be different but in the same year.

"E" Series MIJ Strats were made from 1984-1989. Take the neck off and see if there is a date written on it.

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Chet Feathers

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

And post some pics!!

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Chet Feathers

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

I had the neck off it a while ago to adjust the truss rod, no date on either, just an ink stamp saying "made in japan" on the body and nothing on the neck.
Late 80s does sound about right though going from when getting it and it being a few years old then.

pink-floyd-fan explained it well (pretty obvious when pointed out like that lol )
E = eighty 7 = 7. E+7= '87.

If you put up some pics I can probably give you a model, which may help to nail down the year.

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Chet Feathers

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

About to fit it with new pots, selector, jack etc an some Texas specials, will take pics of the process as i go along but for now this is all that i have on my lappy.









Thanks for your impute, regards
Dan.

That is a sweet looking '57RI!!!!

Year is probably 1986-1987

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Chet Feathers

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

Thanks !

Just been looking through my bag of parts that are about to get fitted, got a black/white/black pic guard to finish it off with an starting to think that i like the way it looks with the single ply white ? hmmmmmm
Well can always change it back, the only thing that will be used of the original is the P/U covers an volume/tone knobs (they have aged naturally an look, well you can see )

What you all think ?

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Dan...

Fender 1987 MIJ Stratocaster, Texas Special Loaded.
Fender 2007 MIA Jazz Deluxe.

Danny - that dating system ("E = eighty,7= 7, E+7=87") only works for USA Fenders; the MIJ ones were all over the board; that first digit has no meaning on the MIJ guitars.

As an FYI there are no USA Fenders with "E5", "E6" or "E7" serial numbers; USA models jump from "E4" (a few were used by CBS/Fender in 1984; the rest were used by FMIC/Fender from late 1986 into early 1988) to "E8" (used for most of 1988). Of course there are a few "E3" and "E4" serial numbers on some 1989s as well.

Thats interesting, thank you, It being made late 80s does sound about right to me going from when i first got it an it being a few years old when i did, just be nice to put an exact year on it.
When i get on with putting the new pickups in ill start looking for date stamps on the pots etc cause theres nothing informative in the neck pocket apart from a blue ink stamp saying "Made in Japan"
Thanks an all the best,

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Dan...

Fender 1987 MIJ Stratocaster, Texas Special Loaded.
Fender 2007 MIA Jazz Deluxe.

oops sorry for the misinformation. but I think it works for MIM's too.

BTW very nice guitar indeed.

Hay no worries, it seemed logical though, I got the guitar in June 1992 an it was secondhand then so it cant be that far off from late 80s to early 90s

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Dan...

Fender 1987 MIJ Stratocaster, Texas Special Loaded.
Fender 2007 MIA Jazz Deluxe.