fender american stratocaster serial numbers

CBS/Fender referred to both models as the 'Standard Stratocaster' on the price sheets. I have always seen those 2-knobs generally referred to as ' Smith-Era Strats' and the 1982 Stratocasters where Fender went back to the 4-bolt neck, misshapen small headstock with the large CBS logo and vintage-style truss rod adjustment, better body contours, etc. Okay - I'll take 'Smith Strats for $2,000 please Alex'. FMIC famously used up some left-over E4 serial number decals for the first American Standards and Strat Pluses built from late 1986 through 1987. FMIC assembled all possible parts and shipped them out in early 1985 then there was no USA production for about 6-8 months.įMIC actually had their first factory up and running with a very small output of the US Vintage reissues by the end of 1985 the first American Standards were out by the end of 1986. However, the Standard and Elites mostly still used up the E3 serial numbers through 1984. In 1984 CBS built the 'Standard' Strat (that 2-knob version with the output jack on the pickguard), the 3 or so Elite Strat versions (regular, gold, and walnut), the '57 reissue, and the '62 reissue through the end of the year. While you do have a very cool 1st year American Standard that carries an 'E4' serial number there were in fact USA built Fender in 1984 and even in 1985.ĬBS didn't shut down Fender and sell them to FMIC until February 1985.

Fender american stratocaster serial numbers