Squier Serial Number Lookup

Squier Serial Number Lookup

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FDP Forum / The Squier Forum / Squier Serial Numbers

leadowner
australia
Jun 12th, 2007 05:24 AM EditProfile
How to date Japanese, Mexican, USA, Korean, Chinese, Indonesian and Indian Squiers
Pre-1996 dating is approximate.
Japanese Squiers:
For Japanese serial number dating see Fenders site.
The Japanese MIJ Squiers were made by FujiGen up to 1997 and the Japanese CIJ Squiers were made by Tokai and Dyna from 1997.
Mexican Squiers:
M stands for Mexico, the second character refers to the decade: N represents Nineties (1990's). And the first number following is the year. So, for example 'MN8' = made by Fender at Ensenada Mexico in 1998.
USA Squiers:
USA Squires are very rare and usually have a E serial number and were made for less than a year spanning 1989 and 1990.
Korean Squiers:
C refers to Cort, V refers to Saehan(Sunghan), S was already taken by Samick so Saehan(Sunghan) used V instead (Saehan(Sunghan) made the Vester guitars). Those made by Cort are the most desirable. The second character refers to the decade: N represents Nineties (1990's). And the first number following is the year. So, for example 'CN6' = made by Cort in 1996 and 'VN6' = made by Saehan(Sunghan) in 1996.
Exceptions:
Pro-Tone Series (solid ash bodies) had serial numbers with either a) no preceding letters and 7 digits, with the first number being the year, or b) starting with KC for Korean Cort, followed by 2-digit year.
Stagemaster Deluxe (neck-thru maple necks with basswood wings), and the Double Fat Tele Deluxe (all solid mahogany with set necks), with serial numbers starting with KC for Korean Cort, followed by 2-digit year.
There were also some KV (Korean Saehan(Sunghan)) serial numbers followed by 2-digit year.
The KC and KV forms are apparently associated with the change to Crafted in Korea. So, post-1996 models only would have this form of serial number.
Six-digit serial numbers with no preceding letters, with the first number being the year.
Squier II's could not possibly have been assembled before 1987/88, as these represent the transition to Indian and then Korean production, and all the ramifications of such (the serial numbers can be off by years for these particular axes, and neck dates may also be misleading).
The S and E Squires seem to be from the late 1980's/early 1990's and don't seem to have a reliable serial number system for dating.
Some Squier II's were made in India around 1989-1990.
A lot of the Squier II's had a plywood body.
Chinese Squiers:
YN: Y = Yako (Taiwan). The second character refers to the decade N = Nineties (1990's). And the first number following is the year. So, for example 'YN6' = 1996. This form is associated with Made in China Affinitys (with the standard body thickness of 45mm/1.75).
CY: Y = Yako (Taiwan) C = China. CY is followed by 2-digit year. CY appears on most models produced in China, and is by far the most common form. These forms are apparently associated with the change to Crafted in China, so post-1996 models only would have this form of serial number.
Some Chinese Gretsch's use a CY serial number.
YN is associated with 'made in china' rather than 'crafted in china' and 1996 was the year they swapped to 'crafted in china' and mostly CY prefixes.
Miscellaneous Chinese serials: CD, CT, CJ, NC: C = China, the first number following the serial number prefix is the year.
Probably made by Yako (Taiwan).
Squier serial numbers beginning with CA are made by Axl China.
Indonesian Squiers:
IC = Made in Indonesia by Cort (solid agathis from 1998), followed by 2-digit year.
IS = Made in Indonesia by Samick. Bullet Series (plywood), followed by 2-digit year.
Indian Squiers:
Some Squier II's were made in India around 1989-1990.
Some recent Squiers are being made in India.

(This message was last edited by leadowner at 06:07 AM, Jul 18th, 2007)

trex160
florida
Jun 12th, 2007 05:48 AM EditProfile
Leadowner thanks for the info. It's nice to have this in one place, for everyone to benefit from.
metulmykul
Australia
hell this is fun
Jun 12th, 2007 06:01 AM EditProfile
'Leadowner thanks for the info. It's nice to have this in one place, for everyone to benefit from.'
+1!
leadowner
australia
Jun 12th, 2007 06:03 AM EditProfile
I don't know if it's 100% accurate as it's just info I've picked up but it's a good guide.
Rand-O-Monium
Jax,FL USA
'Scalloped & Stickered'
Jun 12th, 2007 09:31 PM EditProfile
Cool Chart!
What about a MIK with an E9(Strat)?
Ausquier
Australia
Jun 12th, 2007 09:42 PM EditProfile
Or a MIK S (1990) with no other letters?
I reckon all this needs compiling into a Squier FAQ. Its a pity there is no official Squier history.
BlindFusion
USA
Jun 12th, 2007 11:41 PM EditProfile
The early (perhaps original?) Affinity Strats were MIC and started with NCxxxxxx.
cfender
USA
Jun 13th, 2007 08:50 AM EditProfile
My Affinity Strat Crafted in China has a CJ serial number.. I think I bought it in 1998 and the next two digits are 07 so I presume it was made in 1997. (I don't have the axe in front of me I'll have to double check.)
This was part of a Strat Pak that came with a Squier Champ 15 amp.
Anyone know what CJ actually indicates? I called Fender. They had no clue.
faelup
Germany/Europe
Fender Lite Ash Nature Strat
Jun 15th, 2007 05:25 AM EditProfile
Whats with the Squier Made in Korea which Serial begins with M ?
Black Squier logo with silver outlines ...
Squierlogo, then beyound small made in korea,
beyound the black serialnumber
beneath the squierlogo stands stratocaster
beyound that stands by Fender
Look at the picture

(This message was last edited by faelup at 05:28 AM, Jun 15th, 2007)

leadowner
australia
Jun 15th, 2007 09:28 AM EditProfile
There are a few odd serials from time to time which no one seems to know much about.
texasb5
Texas, USA
New Strat (& Tele) fan
Jun 15th, 2007 09:30 AM EditProfile
faelup
That may be Mexico??
I think that logo looks cool.
Edited to add:
What does it say below the Squier logo?
Korea?

(This message was last edited by texasb5 at 09:33 AM, Jun 15th, 2007)

oil rig
USA / SLC
51, 2, 3, 4..
Jun 15th, 2007 03:43 PM EditProfile
texasb5
It looks like is says 'Made in Korea' to me.
I've never seen a headstock with that many
decals on it. Original?
Ausquier
Australia
Jun 15th, 2007 10:26 PM EditProfile
Looks near the same as mine (MIK). except mine is S series and has silver on black logo rather than black on Silver. What year is that one faelup?
faelup
Germany/Europe
Fender Lite Ash Nature Strat
Jun 17th, 2007 04:10 AM EditProfile
Don't know the year ... thats why I'm asking. Yes, as I wrote she's made in Korea. Not mine, but maybe become mine ;0)
The S-Serial Strats Ausquier mentioned, I know ..
had one by myself ... give it away as a present
for christmas 2.5 years ago ... had it since 1996 ... build march 1989 according to the neckfootstamp.
WireDog
Contributing Member
****
Baghdad
See Eternity today, in your Chevrolet...
Jun 17th, 2007 05:15 AM EditProfile
The CIC SE-100 line sometimes surfaces around here. The examples we've discussed here started with CAE.
They are sold as a Strat-pac with a little Squier 10W amp. They are black with a three ply WBW Pickguard, 21 frets, small headstock, 6 point trem, and non-staggered ceramic pups. Many, including mine, have really nice frets and necks.
I've A/Bd mine with an Affinitie, and they are very different. The CAE's rosewood slab is thinner; the saddles are different, the frets were carefully rounded at the ends, to name a few.
There is an EXCEPTION that I saw last year in a shop in Regensburg, Germany. It was a CAE prefix, Three Tone Sunburst, 22 frets, and 2 Point trem. The frets weren't real nice.
So I'm thinking there are export lines intended for different locations, or the factory that does CAE's has gone through some changes.
Thanks for compiling this great list, leadowner!

(This message was last edited by WireDog at 05:17 AM, Jun 17th, 2007)

Trucking704
Contributing Member
USA
Jun 19th, 2007 09:52 PM EditProfile
How about Made In US squiers?
Any info on those?
leadowner
australia
Jun 21st, 2007 12:39 AM EditProfile
I don't know but there is probably a good chance that the USA Squires are made from Alder or Ash or maybe Poplar.
Ausquier
Australia
Jun 21st, 2007 01:01 AM EditProfile
I have some old Frontline mags from around that era. There are 2 Squier Strats listed. One in the Fender section and the other one in the Squier section. They only say Classic Stratocaster shape or the like. In the case of my MIK it is Ply (considered changing it for US standard, but I like the weight and sound so, meh;-). I have noted that every Fender where I have seen that description has been ply (laminate whatever). I assumed the US one would be the same also with a 12' radius neck iirc. I will have another look tonight. Might even scan the entries if your interested?
Trucking704
Contributing Member
USA
Jun 21st, 2007 09:37 PM EditProfile
Please Ausquier scan the entries...it would be greatly appreciated. The internet rules!!!!!
Ausquier
Australia
Jun 21st, 2007 11:49 PM EditProfile
I did have a read his morning. None of the Squier Strats were listed as more than 'Classic Stratocaster shape' bodies. I have the Fall 92, 93 and 94 Frontlines. There are 2 Squier Standard Stratocaster models, one listed in the Squier section and one in the Fender section. The later I am assuming is either a MIM or MIA Squier and the former either MIJ or MIK. Both have different model numbers. By 1994 there is no longer a Squier section in the mag and the Squier Stratocaster is still listed in the Fender section, but no longer with a 12' radius neck, now it is 10'.
I don't know what year the MIC and MII Squiers kicked off, but it would have to have been after 1994 I reckon. Anyway I will scan and post on my website when I get a chance.
BTW a lot of the Standard Fender models at this time are listed with Poplar or Basswood bodies. Including reissues like Jazzmasters and Mustangs. So again I have to assume that the 'Classic Stratocaster shape' bodies are either out of any old parts bin or ply.
Sorry about the long post, it was alot of reading;-)

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