HELP? how do I find out the age of my guitar?

danandliz · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:19 pm **Posts:** 11

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new here and am wondering how to find the date my guitar was made?
I'm from New Zealand and have inherited my Dads Fender Stratocaster.
I have been told it is a 1962 "Celebration Year" model, but that really means nothing to me. I'm wondering how I can actually authenticate its date?
The only numbers I see on it say "PAT 3,143,028" and on the back on the metal plate thing with the Fender logo it has the number "533454".

Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you!!

Liz

Buxom · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:54 pm

Buy it some fine wine and roses first.

danandliz · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:19 pm **Posts:** 11

Oh the hilarity

Buxom · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:15 pm

You ruined it. You're no fun.

danandliz · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:19 pm **Posts:** 11

cmon, it was funny.... i swear

stratpack76 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:22 pm

Buxom wrote:

Buy it some fine wine and roses first.

The number on the Fender plate is the serial number. The most exact way is to take the scratch-plate off and remove the neck looking for the date stamps.
Failing that, if you could put some photos up that would make it easier to tell if its a genuine '62. There's loads of people on here that know there stuff!

Buxom · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:28 pm

Also, if it means nothing to you... Send it my way...

T2Stratman · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:20 pm

That serial number on the neck plate would put the guitar somewhere between 1960-1961 or so. But the Patent number on the front of the headstock doesn't show up until 1964 and that number was also accompanied with two other similar numbers all in one line below the Fender Logo...so some Pics would help get it a little closer. Pics of the front of the headstock, 12th fret markers on the neck, pickgaurd, neck plate and bridge would be great.

HTH

T2

danandliz · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:19 pm **Posts:** 11

Thank you so much for your help!!
Will definitely post photos when I get home.
We found under the neck a red stamp that says "0903 1055".
I took it in to our local music shop today, the guy said it looks too new to be 1962 - but I did tell him it has only been played 3 times in the last 20 years.
He also said the stamp numbers would usually be in black not red.
The guy also mentioned about the two other similar numbers below the fender logo, but there aren't any - which is also why he wasn't so sure.
Here's hoping he doesn't know what he's talking about!!!
It'd be so great if it really was from the 60's

Thanks again!

ZZDoc · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 8:30 pm

[quote="danandliz"]Hi everyone,

I'm brand new here and am wondering how to find the date my guitar was made?
I'm from New Zealand and have inherited my Dads Fender Stratocaster.
I have been told it is a 1962 "Celebration Year" model, but that really means nothing to me. I'm wondering how I can actually authenticate its date?
The only numbers I see on it say "PAT 3,143,028" and on the back on the metal plate thing with the Fender logo it has the number "533454".

Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you!!

Welcome. Send what you have to mroberts@fender.com. That Fender Consumer Relations,

ZZDoc · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 8:33 pm

Buxom wrote:

Buy it some fine wine and roses first.

I remember when he was asking for information about guitar shops in lower Manhattan.
He was treated differently. :wink:

Not to worry. We know he's basically a good guy. He'll shape up eventually. They all do. That is.....the one's that want to stay

Syeklops · **Posted:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:39 am

Go to this website and enter your serial number.

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

danandliz · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:19 pm **Posts:** 11

danandliz · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:19 pm **Posts:** 11

how the heck do you post photos so they show up on here! ugh!

danandliz · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:19 pm **Posts:** 11

@Syeklops - I tried your link, but none of my numbers come up

boo hoo

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