Check Your Squier By Serial Number
Squier guitars have been produced since 1982 in Japan. The Korean-made Squiers were introduced in 1988, but there were no documented serial numbers until mid-1993. Other countries with lower production costs, such as China, Indonesia, and India, have also begun producing Squier.
Table of Contents
Where to Find The Serial Number?
Typically, Squier serial number can be found stamped on either the front or back of the headstock, or occasionally on the neck plate.
See also
USA-made Squier Serial Number
Squier guitars “Made in USA” have been produced since 1985 in Corona, California.
Squier E serial number = 80s, 6 or 7 digits.
Serial number with N = 90s, 6 or 7 digits.
Some American Squier guitars had no serial number stamped on the headstock but a number without a prefix on the neck plate. A date with such a number is difficult to determine. For more details about these serials see Fender Serial Number Lookup.
Japanese Serial Number
The Japanese “Made in Japan” Squier guitars were made by FujiGen until 1997 and the Japanese “Crafted in Japan” Squier by Tokai and Dyna from 1997.
The difference between Squier guitars “Crafted” and “Made” in Japan is not the quality of the instrument but has to do with contractual agreements that Squier made with FujiGen Gakki Corp. The guitars produced by FujiGen Gakki are “Made in Japan.”
Since 1992, other Japanese companies such as Yamano Gakki have also produced Squier. These guitars are “Crafted in Japan” because only FujiGen Gakki owned the rights to use “Made in Japan.”
‘Made in Japan’ Serial Numbers 1985-1997
| Letter | Year | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1985-1986 | 6 |
| B | 1985-1986 | 6 |
| C | 1985-1986 | 6 |
| E | 1984-1987 | 6 |
| F | 1986-1987 | 6 |
| G | 1987-1988 | 6 |
| H | 1988-1989 | 6 |
| I | 1989-1990 | 6 |
| J | 1989-1990 | 6 |
| K | 1990-1991 | 6 |
| L | 1991-1992 | 6 |
| M | 1992-1993 | 6 |
| N | 1993-1994 | 6 |
| O | 1993-1994 | 6 |
| P | 1993-1994 | 6 |
| Q | 1993-1994 | 6 |
| S | 1994-1995 | 6 |
| T | 1994-1995 | 6 |
| U | 1995-1996 | 6 |
| N | 1995-1996 | 5 |
| V | 1996-1997 | 6 |
| JV | 1982-1984 | 5 |
| SQ | 1983-1984 | 5 |
Example: K123456 is production date 1990-1991, serial number 123456.
‘Made in Japan’ Serial Numbers 2006-2008
| Letter | Year | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| T | 2006-2008 | 6 |
| U | 2007-2008 | 6 |
‘Crafted in Japan’ Serial Numbers 1997-2008
| Letter | Year | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1997-1998 | 6 |
| B | 1998-1999 | 6 |
| C | 1985-1986 | 6 |
| F | 1986-1987 | 6 |
| N | 1995-1996 | 5 |
| O | 1997-2000 | 6 |
| P | 1999-2002 | 6 |
| Q | 2002-2004 | 6 |
| R | 2004-2006 | 6 |
| S | 2006-2008 | 6 |
| T | 2007-2008 | 6 |
Mexican Serial Number
In 1987 a plant was opened in Ensenada, Mexico where built amps and combos. The production of Squier guitars started here in 1991.
Squier MN serial number – M = Mexico, N = Nineties, MZ – M = Mexico, Z = 2000’s.
On February 11, 1994, the Ensenada plant burned down and production was temporarily moved to Corona.
Korean Serial Number
The dating of the Korean guitars built before 1993 is uncertain because information about them is incomplete or missing.
Korean Squier guitars with a black logo on the headstock always have a thin laminated body. They are the lowest quality Korean Squiers. They were built between 1992 and 1995.
The serial number starts with CN or VN followed by 6 digits.
The letter “C” stands for manufacturer Cor-Tek, and the letter “V” for manufacturer Saehan.
The letter “N” stands for the 90s, the first digit for the year.
The Squier silver logo was used for models built in the late 80s and for the Squier Series Strats, built in 1992 and 1993.
Squier guitars with a gold-colored logo have an alder body or ash wood if it is from the ProTone series. These Squiers have been produced since mid-1995.
Squier models with a black logo with a CN serial number have a thin laminated body and are of lower quality.
Korean Squier Stratocaster, Telecaster, Bullet, P-Bass, and Jazz Bass were built from 1987 to 1998.
Squier Stagemaster and Showmaster were built in Korea between 1999 and 2002.
Korean guitars from the Squier 24 series were built between 2002 and 2004. The Series 24 guitars were released in January 2002 in honor of Squier’s 20th anniversary.
Squier Master Series models were built in Korea between 2004 and 2007.
Squier “Made in Korea” and “Crafted in Korea”:
Squier CN serial number – C = Cor-Tek, (Cort) N = Nineties, 6 or 7 digits.
Serial numbers KC and KV – KC = Korean Cor-Tek (Cort), KV = Korean Saehan(Sunghan), 8 digits.
Squier “Made in Korea”:
Squier VN serial number – V = Saehan(Sunghan), N = Nineties, 6 or 7 digits.
Serial numbers S and E – S = Samick, E = Young Chang, 6 or 7 digits. Squier guitars with prefixes S and E are from the late 80s and early 90s.
E serial number was used on Young Chang’s Fenix guitars.
Squier M serial number – 7 digits. Used in the early 90s, characterized by the high-gloss maple neck and plywood slim 40 mm body.
Indonesian Serial Number
Squiers “Crafted in Indonesia”:
Squier serial number IC – I = Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort), 8 or 9-cijfers.
Serial number ICS – I = Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort), S = Squier, 8 or 7 digits.
In 2009 and 2010, some Indonesian guitars had an ICS serial number with 7 digits instead of 8 or 9.
Squier serial number ISS – I = Indonesia, S = Samick, S = Squier, 6 digits.
IS serial – I = Indonesia, S = Samick, 8 or 9 digits.
SI serial number – S = Squier, I = Indonesia, 8 or 9 digits.
Squier FSR Guitars
Squier FSR stands for ‘Fender Special Run‘. These guitars were made “exclusively” for individual dealers and built to their specifications in limited editions. Many Squier FSR guitars are simply modified versions of existing models. For example, the pickup type was changed or the neck was changed to a different wood type and neck profile. With all the different electronics, necks, and bodies that can be mixed, countless combinations are possible. However, some models in the FSR range are finished in a separate color. This is often the case with Squier FSR models.
Indian Serial Number
Some Squier II were produced in India around 1989–1990, with “MADE IN INDIA” on the headstock. The Squier II made in India seems to follow the numbering scheme in the USA.
The serial number is on a sticker on the back of the neck, close to the attachment point with the body. Some more recent Squier guitars, including the Vintage Modified series (the serial number starts here with SH), were introduced in 2007.
The VM series has “Crafted in India” on the back of the headstock. With this VM series, the serial number is stamped on the headstock and therefore has no sticker.
“Made in India” Serial Numbers
| Letter | Year | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| CS07 | 2007-2008 | 6 |
| NHS10 | 2010-2011 | 6 |
| NHS11 | 2011-2012 | 5 |
“Crafted in India” Serial Numbers
| Letter | Year | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| SH07 | 2007-2008 | 6 |
| SH08 | 2008-2009 | 6 |
| NSHA09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHD09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHE09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHF09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHG09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHH09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHI09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHJ08 | 2008-2009 | 6 |
| NSHJ09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| NSHK09 | 2009-2010 | 6 |
| ZSSH07 | 2007-2008 | 6 |
| ZSSH08 | 2008-2009 | 6 |
Example: NSHD09123456 is production year 2009-2010, serial number 123456.
Chinese Serial Number
Serial number CA – C = China, A = Axl (made by Axl).
Serials CD, CT, CJ – C = China, probably made by Yako (Taiwan).
Squier “Made in China”:
Squier serial number CAE – 10 digits.
Serial number NC – 6 digits.
Serial YN – Y = Yako (Taiwan), N = Nineties, 6 digits.
Squier “Crafted in China”:
Squier CY serial numbers – C = China, Y = Yako (Taiwan), 8 or 9 digits. CY appears on all models produced in China and is by far the most common form.
Serial number CXS – C = China, X = Axl, S = Squier, 9 digits.
CGS serial – C = China, G = factory code, S = Squier, 7 or 8 digits.
Serial numbers CGRA, CGRB, CGRG, CGRH, CGRI, CGRJ, CGRK and CGRL:
- C = China. GR = Grand Reward (factory);
- The last letter A, B, G, H, I, J, K, L = factory code, 8 digits.
Squier COB serial number – 9 digits.
Serial number COS – 8 digits.
Squier serial numbers with COB or COS prefix are Crafted by Cor-Tek, China.
