The numbers and decals were produced far in advance, and some N9 decals (denoting 1999), were inadvertantly affixed to some instruments in 1990. It was used for 19! Here is why: 'N'-prefix serial numbers denoting the 1990s were introduced in 1990. And then you take off ther neck and find out it is 8 months or even a year off from the serial number! At least we have some reference to go by! Also note the N9 serial numbers. Sometimes there are several prefixes found within a single year’s production, but generally, the system still gives a good guideline. Sometimes instrument production did not meet the levels for which decals were produced-thus there are some overlapping years. While the idea seems rather simple, the reality often differed. (I Do not know if you see what is happening here! Catch this: S = Seventies!, E = Eighties N = Nineties and then Z = zed? (Or 2000s+).

In 1977, the serialization went to a letter for the decade, followed by a single digit for the year and then 5 to 6 digits.Įxamples of the letter/digit code follow like this: S for the ’70s, E for the ’80s, N for the ’90s, Z for 2000+. The numbers appeared on the pegheads and for the remainder of 1976 they had a prefix of 76 or S6 preceding a 5 digit sequence. In late 1976, Fender decided to move to a new numbering scheme for their serialization. (For Japanese Serial Numbers, scroll down)

Dean guitars serial number lookup