Jerome Bonaparte Squier and his son Victor Carroll Squier were two English immigrants who started a violin building and repair company in Boston in 1881. Victor opened a store in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1890, and soon after, a violin factory at 427 Capital Ave SW (V.C. Squier Company) that also produced violin, banjo, and guitar strings.
In the early 1950s, V.C. Squier Company began making strings for Leo Fender’s electric guitars, and by 1963, it became an official supplier for the company.
In 1965, Fender Electric Instruments bought V.C. Squier Company.
Before the introduction of the Squier line in 1982, the company produced lower-priced guitars such as the Lead series at its Fullerton, California plant. But the brand had never made low-priced guitars based on the Stratocaster and Telecaster models until the Squier line was introduced. Instead, they used different designs for cheaper models.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company faced competition from cheaper Japanese guitars. Japanese labor and production costs were significantly lower than those in America, and they relocated cheaper guitar production from America to Japan to compete. However, it was difficult to compete with Japanese rivals such as Tökai and Greco, and sales in Japan were disappointing.
Negotiations were held with various Japanese musical instrument distributors and an agreement was eventually reached with Yamano Gakki and Kanda Shokai. One condition of the agreement was that Kanda Shokai would stop producing its own Greco guitars. Tökai negotiations were put on hold, and FujiGen Gakki was selected.
The first Squier models appeared in August 1982. The Squier series has gradually evolved over time and now includes original model designs. Production has also been relocated from Japan to various other Asian countries such as Korea, China, Indonesia, and India.
Where to Find The Serial Number?
You will find the serial number on the headstock or on the neck plate.
American-made Squier Serial Number
Since 1985, American-made Squier guitars have been produced in Corona, California.
Guitars from the 1980s have serial numbers beginning with E plus 6 or 7 digits. Guitars from the 1990s have serial numbers beginning with H plus 6 or 7 digits.
Some USA Squiers have no serial number on the headstock. They only have a number without a prefix on the neck plate. But, determining the production date using this number is very difficult.
Mexican Squier Serial Number
Since 1991, the Squier has been produced at the Fender factory in Ensenada, Mexico. In 1994, production was temporarily moved to Corona due to a fire at the Ensenada factory.
Serial numbers for Mexican Squiers produced in the 1990s begin with MN, and in the 2000s, with MZ.
Japanese Squier Serial Number
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fender faced a unique challenge. The market was flooded with high-quality, inexpensive Japanese copies of their guitars. These copies were not only affordable but were sometimes on par or even superior in quality to Fender’s American-made offerings.
To solve this problem, Fender started a collaboration with Japanese manufacturers to produce official Fender guitars.
The Fujigen Gakki factory is perhaps the most well-known Japanese factory involved in the early days of Squier production.
The initial batch of Japanese-made guitars bore the serial number starting with “JV“, which stands for “Japanese Vintage,” followed by a series of numbers. These JV guitars, made between 1982 and 1984, are highly regarded by collectors and players alike. They were precise replicas of vintage Fenders and were made using many of the same techniques and materials as the original American instruments from the 1950s and 1960s.
“Made in Japan” Serial Numbers
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| A + 6 digits | 1985-1986 |
| B + 6 digits | 1985-1986 |
| C + 6 digits | 1985-1986 |
| E + 6 digits | 1984-1987 |
| F + 6 digits | 1986-1987 |
| G + 6 digits | 1987-1988 |
| H + 6 digits | 1988-1989 |
| I + 6 digits | 1989-1990 |
| J + 6 digits | 1989-1990 |
| K + 6 digits | 1990–1991 |
| L + 6 digits | 1991-1992 |
| M + 6 digits | 1992-1993 |
| N + 6 digits | 1993-1994 |
| O + 6 digits | 1993-1994 |
| P + 6 digits | 1993-1994 |
| Q + 6 digits | 1993-1994 |
| S + 6 digits | 1994-1995 |
| T + 6 digits | 1994-1995 |
| U + 6 digits | 1995-1996 2007-2008 |
| N + 5 digits | 1995-1996 |
| V + 6 digits | 1996-1997 |
| JV + 5 digits | 1982-1984 |
| SQ + 5 digits | 1983-1984 |
| T + 6 digits | 2006-2008 |
“Crafted in Japan” Serial Numbers
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| A + 6 digits | 1997-1998 |
| B + 6 digits | 1998-1999 |
| C + 6 digits | 1985-1986 |
| N + 5 digits | 1995-1996 |
| F + 6 digits | 1986-1987 |
| O + 6 digits | 1997-2000 |
| P + 6 digits | 1999-2002 |
| Q + 6 digits | 2002-2004 |
| R + 6 digits | 2004-2006 |
| S + 6 digits | 2006–2008 |
| T + 6 digits | 2007–2008 |
Korean Squier Serial Number
In the 1980s, Japan’s economy boomed, and as production costs rose, many companies sought more cost-effective manufacturing solutions, such as those in South Korea. In the 1990s, Squire began to shift production to Korean factories, such as the renowned Samick plant.
Founded in 1958, by the 1980s, Samick had grown to be one of the largest guitar manufacturers in the world, producing instruments under its own name and manufacturing guitars for many other brands.
The guitars produced by Samick for Squier during this period were, and still are, regarded as reliable instruments that offer good value for money.
Apart from Samick, other notable factories in Korea producing for Squier included Cort and Sungham. Like Samick, Cort produces instruments under its brand and has been an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for numerous other brands.
Korean Squiers made before 1993 are difficult to date due to insufficient information.
| Serial Number | Approx. period | Factory |
|---|---|---|
| CN + 6-7 digits | 1990s (black-logo guitars commonly 1992-1995) | Cor-Tek (Cort) |
| VN + 6-7 digits | 1990s (black-logo guitars commonly 1992-1995) | Saehan (Sunghan) |
| KC + 8 digits | 1990s | Korean Cor-Tek (Cort) |
| KV + 8 digits | 1990s | Korean Saehan (Sunghan) |
| S + 6-7 digits | Late 1980s – early 1990s | Samick |
| E + 6-7 digits | Late 1980s – early 1990s | Young Chang |
| M + 7 digits | Early 1990s | – |
Notes:
CN/VN Prefixes
- In CN and VN serials, the letter N means “Nineties”.
- The first digit after N is commonly used as the year within the 1990s.
Example: CN2xxxxx – 1992, VN5xxxxx – 1995.
Logo
- Black logo: typically 1992-1995. Often associated with a thin laminated body and generally lower-end Korean Squiers.
- Silver logo: used on late-80s models, and also on Fender Squier Series Strats around 1992-1993.
- Gold logo: used from mid-1995 onward. Usually alder bodies; ProTone series often uses ash.
Model
- 1987-1998: Stratocaster, Telecaster, Bullet, P-Bass, Jazz Bass.
- 1999-2002: Stagemaster, Showmaster.
- 2002-2004: Series 24 (released January 2002 for Squier’s 20th anniversary).
- 2004-2007: Master Series.
Indonesian Squier Serial Number (2000s-2010s)
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Indonesia became an important guitar manufacturing center.
In 1992, Samick built the P.T. Samick factory in Cileungsi, near Bogor, Indonesia. At this factory, Samick manufactured a wide range of acoustic and electric guitars under OEM contracts for various major brands, including Squier.
In 1995, Cort built the P.T. Cort factory in Surabaya, Indonesia, where it manufactured Squier instruments.
| Serial Number | Factory |
|---|---|
| IC + 8-9 digits | Cor-Tek (Cort), Indonesia |
| ICS + 8-9 digits | Cor-Tek (Cort), Indonesia |
| ICS + 7 digits | Cor-Tek (Cort), Indonesia |
| ISS + 6 digits | Samick, Indonesia |
| IS + 8-9 digits | Samick, Indonesia |
| SI + 8-9 digits | – |
Notes:
- These prefixes are typically found on instruments marked “Crafted in Indonesia”.
- IC / ICS point to Cort (Cor-Tek) production in Indonesia.
- IS / ISS point to Samick production in Indonesia.
- ICS with 7 digits is a specific exception seen in 2009–2010.
Indian Squier Serial Number
Squier II guitars were manufactured in India around 1989-1990. They had the inscription “Made in India” on the headstock.
In 2007, other Squier models began to be produced in India, including the Vintage Modified series. This series has the inscription “Crafted in India” on the headstock.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| CS07 + 6 digits | 2007-2008 |
| SH07 + 6 digits | 2007-2008 |
| ZSSH07 + 6 digits | 2007-2008 |
| SH08 + 6 digits | 2008-2009 |
| NSHJ08 + 6 digits | 2008-2009 |
| ZSSH08 + 6 digits | 2008-2009 |
| NSHA09 + 6 digits | 2009-2010 |
| NSHD09 + 6 digits | 2009-2010 |
| NSHE09 + 6 digits | 2009-2010 |
| NSHF09 + 6 digits | 2009-2010 |
| NSHG09 + 6 digits | 2009-2010 |
| NSHH09 + 6 digits | 2009-2010 |
| NSHI09 + 6 digits | 2009–2010 |
| NSHJ09 + 6 digits | 2009–2010 |
| NSHK09 + 6 digits | 2009–2010 |
| NHS10 + 6 digits | 2010–2011 |
| NHS11 + 5 digits | 2011–2012 |
Chinese Squier Serial Number
Beginning in the late 1990s, China quickly became a global manufacturing power.
By the 2000s, several Squier guitar models began to be produced in China. These guitars were positioned as entry-level instruments.
Yako Musical Instruments Company was the first company to begin producing Squier guitars under an OEM agreement in China. Although Yako had factories in both Taiwan and mainland China, Squier instruments were primarily produced at their Zhangzhou plant in southeastern China.
AXL Musical Instruments also produced Squier guitars for Fender at its Chinese factories starting in the late 1990s. These were identified by serial numbers beginning with “CA” and “CAE.”
In 2004, a new, modern guitar factory was built in Shanghai. Squier guitars produced at the new plant had serial numbers in the format “CXS.”
In October 1995, Mr. S. V. Tsai founded Grand Reward Education & Entertainment (GREE). GREE served over ten OEM clients, including Squier. Grand Reward’s factory was located in Guangdong Province, southern China. A significant portion of its production, 55%, was shipped to the United States, while another 20% was exported to Japan.
| Serial Number | Factory | Marking |
|---|---|---|
| CA | Axl | – |
| CD | ~Yako (Taiwan) | – |
| CT | ~Yako (Taiwan) | – |
| CJ | ~Yako (Taiwan) | – |
| CAE + 10 digits | – | Made in China |
| NC + 6 digits | – | Made in China |
| YN + 6 digits | Yako (Taiwan) | Made in China |
| CY + 8–9 digits | Yako (Taiwan) | Crafted in China |
| CXS + 9 digits | Axl | Crafted in China |
| CGS + 7–8 digits | – | Crafted in China |
| CGRx + 7–8 digits | Grand Reward | Crafted in China |
| CMCx + 8 digits | Muse Incorporated (Weifang) | Crafted in China |
| COS + 8 digits | Cor-Tek (Cort) | Crafted in China |
| COB + 9 digits | Cor-Tek (Cort) | Crafted in China |
Notes:
- CY appears on many China-produced models and is one of the most common China serial formats.
- For CGRx and CMCx, the last letter A-L indicates the month (A = January, B = February, etc.).