Squier Serial Number Lookup
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 Squiers. However, the serial number registration for these guitars from these countries can sometimes be incomplete. To lookup the production year of your Squier, you can use serial number decoder and the dating system provided below.
For extended search you can also
Where to find Squier serial number Location?
Typically, Squier serial number can be found stamped on either the front or back of the headstock, or occasionally on the neck plate.
Squier Serial number Decoder
Squier serial numbers USA
The Squiers “Made in USA” have been produced since 1985 in Corona, California.
“Made in USA” – E = Eighties, 6 or 7 digits.
“Made in USA” – N = Nineties, 6 or 7 digits.
Some American Squiers 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.
Squier serial numbers Japan
The Japanese “Made in Japan” Squiers were made by FujiGen until 1997 and the Japanese “Crafted in Japan” Squiers 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“. From 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”.
SquierS Made in Japan (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 year 1990-1991, serial number 123456.
SquierS Crafted in Japan (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 |
SquierS Made in Japan (2006-2008)
| LETTER | YEAR | DIGITS |
|---|---|---|
| T | 2006-2008 | 6 |
| U | 2007-2008 | 6 |
Squier Serial Numbers Mexico
In 1987 a plant was opened in Ensenada, Mexico where built amps and combos. The production of Squier guitars started here in 1991.
MN – 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.
Squier Serial Numbers Korea
The dating of the Korean instruments built before 1993 is uncertain because information about them is incomplete or missing.
Korean Squiers 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.
These serial numbers start with CN and VN followed by 6 digits.
The letter “C” stands for manufacturer Cor-Tek, the letter “V” for manufacturer Saehan. The letter “N” stands for the nineties, the first digit for the year.
Squier silver logo was used for models built in the late 80s and for the Squier Series Strats, built in 1992 and 1993.
Squiers with a gold-colored logo have an alder body or ash wood if it is from the ProTone series. These Squiers were built from mid-1995.
Squier models with a black logo with a CN serial number have a thin laminated body and are of lower quality.
Squier Stratocaster, Telecaster, Bullet, P-Bass and Jazz bass were built from 1987 to 1998.
Squier Stagemaster and Showmaster were built between 1999 and 2002.
The models from Squier 24 series were built between 2002 and 2004. The Series 24 guitars were released in January 2002 in honor of Squier’s 20-year anniversary.
Squier Master Series models were built between 2004 and 2007.
Squiers “Made in Korea” and “Crafted in Korea”:
CN – C = Cor-Tek, (Cort) N = Nineties, 6 or 7 digits.
KC and KV – KC = Korean Cor-Tek (Cort), KV = Korean Saehan(Sunghan), 8 digits.
Squiers Made in Korea:
VN – V = Saehan(Sunghan), N = Nineties, 6 or 7 digits.
S and E –S = Samick, E = Young Chang, 6 or 7 digits. Squiers with prefix S and E are from the late 80s and early 90s. E-letter serial numbers were used on Young Chang’s Fenix brand guitars.
M – 7 digits. Used in the early 90s, characterized by the high-gloss maple neck and plywood slim 40 mm body.
Squier Serial Numbers Indonesia
Squiers “Crafted in Indonesia“:
IC – I = Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort), 8 or 9-cijfers.
ICS – I = Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort), S = Squier, 8 or 7 digits.
In 2009 and 2010, some Indonesian Squier’s had an ICS number with 7 digits instead of 8 or 9.
ISS – I = Indonesia, S = Samick, S = Squier, 6 digits.
IS – I = Indonesia, S = Samick, 8 or 9 digits.
SI – S = Squier, I = Indonesia , 8 or 9 digits.
Squier FSR Guitars
Squier FSR stands for ‘Fender Special Run‘. These guitars are made “exclusively” for individual dealers and built to their specifications in limited editions. Many Squier FSR guitars are simple 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.
Squier Serial Numbers India
Some Squier II were made in India around 1989–1990, with “MADE IN INDIA” on the headstock. The Squiers II made in India seem 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 Squiers, including the Vintage Modified series (the serial numbers start here with SH), were in Introduced in 2007.
The VM series has “Crafted in India” on the back of headstock. With this VM series the serial number is stamped on the headstock and therefore has no sticker.
Squiers Made in India
| LETTER | YEAR | DIGITS |
|---|---|---|
| CS07 | 2007-2008 | 6 |
| NHS10 | 2010-2011 | 6 |
| NHS11 | 2011-2012 | 5 |
Squiers Crafted in India
| 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.
Squier Serial Numbers China
CA – C = China, A = Axl (made by Axl).
CD, CT and CJ – C = China, probably made by Yako (Taiwan).
Squiers “Made in China“:
CAE – 10 digits.
NC – 6 digits.
YN – Y = Yako (Taiwan), N = Nineties, 6 digits.
Squiers “Crafted in China“:
CY – C = China, Y = Yako (Taiwan), 8 or 9 ditgits.
CY appears on all models produced in China and is by far the most common form.
CXS – C = China, X = Axl, S= Squier, 9 digits.
CGS – C = China, G = factory code, S= Squier, 7 or 8 digits.
CGRA, CGRB, CGRG, CGRH, CGRI, CGRJ, CGRK and CGRL:
- C = China. GR = Grand Reward (factory);
- Last letter A, B, G, H, I, J, K, L = factory code , 8 digits.
COS – 8 digits.
COB – 9 digits.
Serial numbers with COS or COB prefix are Crafted by Cor-Tek, China.
FAQ
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When my Squier was made?
Squier serial number registration can sometimes be incomplete. To date the production year of your Squier guitar, you can use a serial number decoder.
-
How do I find Squier 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 of your guitar.
