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Fernandes Guitar Serial Number Dating



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  1. Fernandes Guitar Serial Number Dating Guide
  2. Fernandes Guitar Serial Number Dating

History

Guitars

Fernandes USA division has closed. Please visit: Fernandes Co. (Japan only) Gearstreet Shop (Authorized USA dealer).

The Fender Contemporary models were the first Fender Japan models to be named Fender Stratocasters or Telecasters. The previous Fender Japan models were all Fender Squier models. The Fender Contemporary models were manufactured from 1984 to 1987 by FujiGen Gakki and these Stratocasters were designed to be Superstrats (Super Strat) with a Floyd Rose like bridge designed by Schaller (and Gotoh) and humbucking pickups. There was a lower priced Fender Contemporary Squier model produced as well. The Fender Contemporary Stratocaster and Telecaster models were part of the Fender Japan E series model range.

https://truejfile752.weebly.com/videopad-7-3700.html. When CBS sold Fender to its current owners in 1984 there was a transitional period from 1984 to 1987 with limited Fender USA production resulting in mostly Fender Japan and leftover stock being sold. There are also Fender Contemporary Telecaster models with HSS or HH pickup configurations and switches for selecting pickup options. The Fender Contemporary Telecaster models used the same tremolo systems as the Fender Contemporary Stratocaster models. Black Francis used a Fender Contemporary Telecaster in the Pixies.

  • I have a Fernandes Strat Guitar that also has a sticker on the back of the headstock. It says Fernandes, Made in Japan and has a serial number 01796. The headstock is shaped differently than any I have seen. The Chrome neck plate has Fernandes across the top and Made in Japan across the bottom.
  • The Fernandes Custom Skull-Knobs can turn your gear into a menacing metal machine. They look great on guitars, basses, amps and effect processors. Featuring a highly detailed 3D design that faces the audience instead of the floor, the knobs fit both standard and metric shafts using a special insert for a smooth wobble-free fit.
  • The Guitardater Project cannot verify the authenticity of ANY Guitar, this site is simply meant as a tool to satisfy the curiosity of guitar enthusiasts. This website possesses NO DATABASE of guitars made by manufactures, instead simple serial code patterns that are available on this site and in the wider guitar community are used.

Fernandes Guitar Serial Number Dating Guide

There were also USA Contemporary Stratocasters and Telecasters which were totally different than the original Japanese models in terms of features and construction. These shortlived American-made models were made by the Fender Custom Shop in the mid-1990s.

Technical Information

CLICK LINK (box) BELOW

1985 Fender Contemporary Stratocaster with System III Tremolo and Humbucking Pickups

The System I bridge string height is set by adjustable pivot post screws and has no individual string height adjustments but has individual string intonation adjustments and is very much like the Gibson Tune-o-matic bridge in terms of intonation and string height adjustments. Minitube for youtube 3 3 1. The System I tremolo system uses a behind the nut string locking mechanism and was manufactured by Gotoh. The System II and System III bridges have individual string height and individual string intonation adjustments. The System II and III tremolo systems use a height adjustable locking nut.

The System II tremolo system was designed by John Page, Chip Todd and Charlie Gressett. The System III tremolo system was designed by John Page, Dan Smith, Charlie Gressett and John Carruthers. Both bridges were manufactured in Germany by Schaller. Sometimes parts of the tremolo system are lost and one common modification is to make the bridge function as a hardtail by locking the bridge into a non movable position and installing a string tree for the first and second strings so that the strings don't slip out of the nut slots.

The pickups used in the Contemporary models were manufactured by Fujigen. All the pickups used on the Contemporary models are Alnico and not ceramic pickups. The humbucking pickups used in the Contemporary models have a DC resistance which is approximately 7.6 kiloohms. The single coil pickups used in the Contemporary models have a DC resistance which is approximately 5.6 kΩ. The Contemporary models that use a TBX tone control use 500 kΩ volume pots and use 0.022 µF tone capacitors. The body wood is either a tan coloured Birch or a white coloured Basswood.

Serial Numbers

The early Fender Japan E series serial numbers from 1984-1987 follow the Fender USA serial number format of E = eighties and the first digit of the serial number representing the year.

For example E6XXXXX = 1986.

Drivers license generator california. Most of the Fender Japan serial numbers do not follow this format. The Fender USA serial format was used on the Fender Japan E series because most of them were exported to the USA while Fender was undergoing a transitional period.

. work differently than Fender USA guitar serial numbers.

Translator 1 2 0. This guide explains the basic differences between Fender USA guitar serial numbering, and Fender Japan serial numbering. If you already have a basic understanding of the USA serial numbering system, just skip down to the next Bold Centeredorange-underlined text.

Most readers of this are probably already aware that Fender USA guitar serial numbers 'theoretically' follow a pattern. They were designed to help identify the approximate manufacturing date of the guitar.

For example: a guitar whose serial number begins with the letter and number 'E8', would have 'theoretically' been manufactured in 1988 (E = in the Eighties, 8 = the 8th year. so, 1988); a Fender USA guitar serial starting 'N4' would 'theoretically' mean 1994 (N = in the Nineties, 4 = the 4th year. so, 1994); a Fender USA guitar serial starting 'Z3' would 'theoretically' mean 2003 (Z = 2000, 3 = in the 3rd year. so.). you get the picture.

Convert cat mp3 to midi. The 'theoretically' appears in the previous paragraph a number of times for these reasons:

  • According to verifiable public information, the older serial numbers were notoriously placed in emptied coffee cans, boxes, etc. When a Fender employee needed a serial number, they would sometimes reach in a grab whatever number came out. serial numbers lotto-style. I have personally seen (and have seen the same listed on eBay more than once) E3 serial numbered USA Fenders, with a neck date of 1989.
  • Fender USA will tell you - if you take the time to email them and ask (you can do so at the Fender web site), orbetter yet. read the dating information at the same Fender site - the best way to date a USA Fender guitar is almost always the neck/body date/markings.

It should be noted. the serial numbering system for USA Fenders has been more accurate in recent years, and that the Fender Japan serial numbering system has had a few quirks of its own. neither is perfect.

Additionally, Fender USA sometimes adds letters to the serial number to make special designations. For example, the US Fender serial number DZ575xxxx, would designate a Deluxe (the 'D') guitar made in 2005. All this is public information, avaiable on the web. I encourage you to take initiative and verify this (and ALL) information independently, for yourself.

First we need to understand there is a *when manufactured* difference in the 'MADE In Japan' Fenders, and the 'CRAFTED In Japan' Fender guitars. For example: a 'MADE' In Japan guitar having a serial number starting with the letter 'A,' would have been made in 1985 or 1986. While a 'CRAFTED' In Japan guitar with a serial number starting with the letter 'A' would have been made in 1997 or 1998.

For more on the MADE vs CRAFTED thing, see the Guide I authored titled 'MADE In Japan - vs - CRAFTED In Japan Fender Guitar(s)' .

The Fender Japan serial numbering system is - on the face of it - a little more complex than the Fender USA system. But in the past, as we have already seen, the USA system has served only as a good starting point when dating a Fender USA instrument. I have found the Fender Japan serial numbering system considerably more reliable (although, not perfect) for dating instruments. it *does* have some quirks of its own, and is a subject for a seperate Guide.

Fender Japan began production in 1982. It was decided that the first serial numbers issued by Fender Japan would begin with the letters 'JV.' The JV was followed by 5 digits which have nothing to do with dating the guitar. The 'JV' alone, tells us the guitar was made between 1982 and 1984. Oblivion chameleon spell vendor. The 'JV' serialed MIJ (Made In Japan) Fenders have become, and will probably remain, the most collectable - The Holy Grails - of the Fender Japan instruments. while the 'SQ's strut closely behind.

The second serial number prefix used by Fender Japan was 'SQ Scourge of war gettysburg review. ', which was followed by 5 digits. And the 'SQ' alone, tells us the quitar was made in 1983 or 1984.

Seeing the pattern yet? Hang on for just a few more moments. we're almost there.

The next serial number prefix used by Fender Japan - as shown on the Fender web site (and other web sites as well) - was 'E'. The E was followed by 6 digits. The 'E' alone tells us the guitar was made between 1984 and 1987. the first digit of the serial number has nothing to do with dating the instrument. Not the same use of the 'E' as the US serial number of the same time frame.

Next were the 'A', 'B', and 'C' prefixes, each followed by 6 digits. 'A', 'B', and 'C' prefix serial numbers were all made in 1985 or 1986.

I'm ceratin you've got the picture by now. right? The first letter (or letters) alone, is (are) all we need to determine the year of manufacture - in most cases.you didn't really think it was going to be that easy, did ya. ;)

Fernandes Guitar Serial Number Dating

But the exceptions are rare, and beyond the scope of this Guide. Another time.

A great place to start in verifying this for yourself is. you guessed it, the Fender web site. You'll notice on their 'DATING JAPANESE MADE FENDER INSTRUMENTS' page, they start with the 'MADE In Japan' serial numbers. If you scroll down to the lower portion of the page, you'll see the 'CRAFTED In Japan' numbers and prefixes.


SERIAL NUMBERS CIRCA
JV+ 5 digits1982-1984
SQ + 5 digits1983-1984
E + 6 digits1984-1987
A + 6 digits1985-1986
B + 6 digits1985-1986
C + 6 digits1985-1986
F + 6 digits1986-1987
G + 6 digits1987-1988
H + 6 digits1988-1989
I + 6 digits1989-1990
J + 6 digits1989-1990
K + 6 digits1990-1991
L + 6 digits1991-1992
M + 6 digits1992-1993
N + 6 digits1993-1994
O + 6 digits1993-1994
P + 6 digits1993-1994
Q + 6 digits1993-1994
S + 6 digits1994-1995
T + 6 digits1994-1995
U + 6 digits1995-1996
N + 5 digits1995-1996
V + 6 digits1996-1997
Crafted in JapanA + 6 digits 1997-1998
Crafted in JapanO + 5 digits1997-2000
Crafted in JapanP + 5 digits1999-2002
Crafted in JapanQ + 5 digits2002-2004
Crafted in JapanR + 5 digits2004-2005

click link for a tour.

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Fernandes Guitar Serial Number Dating
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