Dating a fender stratocaster guitar carbon dating or date

Whether you inherited your instrument or bought it at a swap meet, you're probably curious about its provenance.Most gear has a serial number, either printed on a label inside it or stamped into the headstock or neck plate.The "JV" alone, tells us the guitar was made between 19.The "JV" serialed MIJ (Made In Japan) Fenders have become, and will probably remain, the most collectable - The Holy Grails - of the Fender Japan instruments...

so, 1994); a Fender USA guitar serial starting "Z3" would "theoretically" mean 2003 (Z = 2000, 3 = in the 3rd year... For example, the US Fender serial number DZ575xxxx, would designate a Deluxe (the "D") guitar made in 2005.But in the past, as we have already seen, the USA system has served only as a good starting point when dating a Fender USA instrument.I have found the Fender Japan serial numbering system considerably more reliable (although, not perfect) for dating instruments... It was decided that the first serial numbers issued by Fender Japan would begin with the letters "JV." The JV was followed by 5 digits which have nothing to do with dating the guitar.manufactured* difference in the "MADE In Japan" Fenders, and the "CRAFTED In Japan" Fender guitars.For example: a "MADE" In Japan guitar having a serial number starting with the letter "A," would have been made in 1985 or 1986.