You can find the Squier serial number on the headstock or neck plate of the guitar.
To find your guitar’s production date, use our free Squier Serial Number Decoder. You’ll also find a detailed guide to Squier serial numbers and the different formats used over the years.
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Squier Serial Number Decoder
Enter the serial number and click the Check button. The decoder will show the production year and country of your Squier guitar.
Squier Serial Numbers USA
Since 1985, American-made Squier guitars have been produced in Corona, California.
Guitars from the 1980s have serial numbers beginning with E followed by 6 or 7 digits.
Guitars from the 1990s have serial numbers beginning with H followed by 6 or 7 digits.
Some USA Squiers have no serial number on the headstock. Instead, they have a number without a prefix on the neck plate. Dating these guitars from this number alone can be very difficult.
Squier Serial Number Mexico
Since 1991, Squier guitars have been produced at the Fender factory in Ensenada, Mexico. In 1994, production was temporarily moved to Corona after a fire at the Ensenada factory.
Serial numbers for Mexican Squiers made in the 1990s begin with MN, while serial numbers from the 2000s begin with MZ.
Squier Serial Number Japan
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fender faced strong competition from high-quality, inexpensive Japanese copies of its guitars. These guitars were not only more affordable but were sometimes equal to or even better in quality than Fender’s American-made models.
To compete, Fender began working with Japanese manufacturers to produce official Fender guitars in Japan.
The Fujigen Gakki factory is perhaps the best-known Japanese factory involved in the early years of Squier production.
The first Japanese-made guitars had serial numbers beginning with JV, which stands for “Japanese Vintage”, followed by a series of digits. These JV guitars were made between 1982 and 1984 and are highly regarded by collectors and players.
They were close 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 Number Chart
| 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 Number Chart
| 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 |
Squier Serial Number Korea
In the 1980s, production costs in Japan increased, and many companies began looking for less expensive manufacturing options, including factories in South Korea. In the 1990s, Squier began moving some production to Korean factories such as Samick.
Founded in 1958, Samick had become one of the world’s largest guitar manufacturers by the 1980s. The company made instruments under its own name and also produced guitars for many other brands.
The guitars Samick made for Squier during this period were, and still are, regarded as reliable instruments that offer good value for money.
Other Korean factories that produced Squier guitars included Cort and Sungham. Like Samick, Cort makes instruments under its own name and has also worked as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for many other brands.
Korean Squiers made before 1993 are difficult to date because there is not enough information available.
Squier Korean Serial Number Chart
| 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 serial numbers, the letter N means “Nineties.”
- The first digit after N is commonly used to show the year within the 1990s. Example: CN2xxxxx = 1992, VN5xxxxx = 1995.
Logos
- Black logo: Typically used from 1992 to 1995. It is often associated with a thin laminated body and generally lower-end Korean Squiers.
- Silver logo: Used on late-1980s models and also on Fender Squier Series Strats around 1992-1993.
- Gold logo: Used from the middle of 1995 onward. These guitars usually have alder bodies, while the ProTone series often uses ash.
Models
- 1987-1998: Stratocaster, Telecaster, Bullet, P-Bass, Jazz Bass.
- 1999-2002: Stagemaster, Showmaster.
- 2002-2004: Series 24, released in January 2002 for Squier’s 20th anniversary.
- 2004-2007: Master Series.
Squier Serial Number Indonesia
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Indonesia became an important center for guitar manufacturing.
In 1992, Samick built the P.T. Samick factory in Cileungsi, near Bogor, Indonesia. The factory produced a wide range of acoustic and electric guitars under OEM contracts for major brands, including Squier.
In 1995, Cort built the P.T. Cort factory in Surabaya, Indonesia, where it also produced Squier instruments.
Squier Indonesian Serial Number Chart
| 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 commonly found on instruments marked “Crafted in Indonesia.”
- IC / ICS indicate Cort (Cor-Tek) production in Indonesia.
- IS / ISS indicate Samick production in Indonesia.
- ICS + 7 digits is a specific exception seen in 2009-2010.
Squier Serial Number India
Squier II guitars were made in India around 1989-1990. They were marked “Made in India” on the headstock.
In 2007, other Squier models began to be made in India, including the Vintage Modified series. These guitars are marked “Crafted in India” on the headstock.
Squier Indian Serial Number Chart
| 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 |
Squier Serial Number China
Beginning in the late 1990s, China quickly became a major global manufacturing center.
By the 2000s, several Squier guitar models were being made in China. These guitars were positioned mainly as entry-level instruments.
Yako Musical Instruments Company was the first company to produce Squier guitars in China under an OEM agreement. Although Yako had factories in both Taiwan and mainland China, Squier instruments were produced mainly at its Zhangzhou plant in southeastern China.
AXL Musical Instruments also produced Squier guitars for Fender at its Chinese factories starting in the late 1990s. These guitars have serial numbers beginning with CA or CAE.
In 2004, a new guitar factory opened in Shanghai. Squier guitars made at this factory have serial numbers beginning with CXS.
In October 1995, S. V. Tsai founded Grand Reward Education & Entertainment (GREE). GREE worked with more than ten OEM clients, including Squier.
The Grand Reward factory was located in Guangdong Province in southern China. About 55% of its production was shipped to the United States, while another 20% was exported to Japan.
Squier Cninese Serial Number Chart
| 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 Chinese-made models and is one of the most common Squier serial number formats from China.
- For CGRx and CMCx, the final letter from A to L shows the month (A = January, B = February, and so on).
A Brief History of Squier Guitars and Where They Are Made
Jerome Bonaparte Squier and his son Victor Carroll Squier were English immigrants who started a violin-making and repair company in Boston in 1881.
In 1890, Victor opened a store in Battle Creek, Michigan, followed soon after by a violin factory at 427 Capital Ave SW. The company, known as the V.C. Squier Company, also made strings for violins, banjos, and guitars.
In the early 1950s, the V.C. Squier Company began making strings for Leo Fender’s electric guitars. By 1963, Squier had become an official supplier to Fender.
In 1965, Fender Electric Instruments bought the V.C. Squier Company.
Before the Squier Line was introduced in 1982, Fender already made lower-priced guitars such as the Lead series at its factory in Fullerton, California. However, Fender had not yet offered lower-priced versions of the Stratocaster and Telecaster under a separate brand. Instead, its cheaper guitars used different designs.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fender faced growing competition from less expensive Japanese guitars. Labor and production costs in Japan were much lower than in the United States, so Fender moved production of some lower-priced guitars from America to Japan to compete.
Even then, competing with Japanese brands such as Tökai and Greco was difficult, and Fender’s sales in Japan were disappointing.
Fender negotiated with several Japanese musical instrument distributors and eventually reached an agreement with Yamano Gakki and Kanda Shokai.
One condition of the agreement was that Kanda Shokai would stop producing its own Greco guitars.
Negotiations with Tökai were put on hold, and FujiGen Gakki was selected as the manufacturer.
The first Squier models appeared in August 1982.
Over time, the Squier line expanded and began to include original model designs. Production also spread from Japan to other Asian countries, including Korea, China, Indonesia, and India.