DATING SQUIER GUITARS BY REFERENCE OF SERIAL NUMBERS
Fender Squierguitars have been produced outside the USA since 1982, with production starting in Japan. The Korean-made FenderSquiers 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 FenderSquiers. However, the serial number registration for these guitars from these countries can sometimes be incomplete.
Where to find the serial number
Typically, the serial number can be found stamped on either the front or back of the headstock, or occasionally on the neck plate.
To determine the production year of your Squier guitar, you can use Squier serial numbers decoder or refer to the dating system PROVIDED BELOW.
Jerome Bonaparte Squierand 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 Fender Electric Instruments. In 1965, just before CBS acquired Fender, Fender bought V.C. Squier Company.
Before the introduction of the Fender Squier line in 1982, Fender produced cheaper guitars such as the Fender Lead series at its Fullerton, California plant. Fender had never made low-priced guitars based on the Stratocaster and Telecaster models until the Fender Squier line was introduced. Instead, Fender used different designs for cheaper models.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fender faced competition from cheaper Japanese guitars. Japanese labor and production costs were significantly lower than those in America, and Fender relocated cheaper guitar production from America to Japan to compete. However, Fender could not compete with Japanese competitors such as Tökai and Greco, and sales in Japan were disappointing.
Fender negotiated with various Japanese distributors of musical instruments and eventually reached an agreement with Yamano Gakki and Kanda Shokai to establish Fender Japan. One condition of the agreement was that Kanda Shokai would stop producing its own Greco Fender guitars. Tökai negotiations were put on hold, and FujiGen Gakki was selected.
The first Squiermodels 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.
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 USA 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.
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 Crafted and Made is not the quality of the instrument but has to do with contractual agreements that Fender made with FujiGen Gakki Corp. The guitars produced by FujiGen Gakki are “Made in Japan”. From 1992, other Japanese companies such as Yamano Gakki also produced for Fender. These guitars are “Crafted in Japan” because only FujiGen Gakki owned the rights to use “Made in Japan”.
Made in Japan
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.
Crafted in Japan
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
Made in Japan
LETTER
YEAR
DIGITS
T
2006-2008
6
U
2007-2008
6
Mexico
In 1987 Fender opened the plant 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.
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, V for manufacturer Saehan. N stands for the nineties, the first digit for the year.
Silver logos were used for models built in the late 80s and for the Fender 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.
Models with a black logo with a CN serial number have a thin laminated body and are of lower quality.
Stratocasters, Telecasters, Bullets, P-Basses and Jazz basses were built from 1987 to 1998. Stagemasters and Showmasters were built between 1999 and 2002. The models from the 24 series were built between 2002 and 2004. The Series 24 guitars were released by Fender in January 2002 in honor of Squier’s 20-year anniversary. The Master Series models were built between 2004 and 2007.
“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), 8 digit. KV = Korean Saehan(Sunghan), 8 digits.
“Made in Korea” VN – V = Saehan(Sunghan) N = Nineties, 6 or 7 digits. S and E -S = Samick, 6 of 7 digits. E = Young Chang, 6 or 7 digits. Squiers with prefix S and E are from the late eighties and early nineties. 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.
Indonesia
“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. FSR stands for ‘Fender Special Run’. These guitars are made “exclusively” for individual dealers and built to their specifications in limited editions. Many Fender FSR guitars are simple modified versions of existing models. For example, Fender changes the pickup type or changes the neck with 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.
India
Some Squier IIs were made in India around 1989-1990, with “MADE IN INDIA” on the headstock. The Squier IIs 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.
Made in India
LETTER
YEAR
DIGITS
CS07
2007-2008
6
NHS10
2010-2011
6
NHS11
2011-2012
5
Made 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.
China
CA – C = China A = Axl (made by Axl). CD, CT and CJ – C = China. Probably made by Yako (Taiwan).
“Made in China” CAE – 10 digits. NC – 6 digits. YN – Y = Yako (Taiwan) N = Nineties, 6 digits.
“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
How can I tell what year my Squier guitar was made?
Fender Squier guitars have been produced outside the USA since 1982, with production starting in Japan. The Korean-made Fender 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 Fender Squiers. However, the serial number registration for these guitars can sometimes be incomplete. To date the production year of your Squier guitar, you can use a serial number decoder or refer to the dating system.
How do I find Squier guitar 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.