It is accepted that there were serial numbers with and without letter prefixes at that time, but as definitive information is lacking, serial-number dating for Korean instruments made before 1993 is highly uncertain.ĭigital records beginning in 1993 show some “CN” and “VN” prefixes on the serial numbers of Korean-made instruments (these numbers almost certainly occur before 1993, but there is no documentation of this).

This may not be helpful to you, but it underscores the vagaries associated with identifying a Fender build year due to its purchase by CBS and subsequent serial numbering changes.How can I find out when my Korean-made instrument was manufactured?Īlthough Fender began producing Fender and Squier instruments in Korea in 1988, its digital records only go back to mid-1993, with little if any information available on serial numbering from 1988 through 1992. As seen in the overlap of numbers and years, even these references to actual production dates are rather loose. Serial numbers with an “S” prefix denote the 1970s (signifying a CBS attempt to use serial numbers to identify production years) an “E” prefix was introduced in 1979 to denote the 1980s. The only way to try to narrow the date range of your specific instrument is to remove the neck and check the butt end of the neck heel for a production date, which may be stamped or written there (if you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, please refer to an experienced professional guitar tech in your area). Once again, there is quite a bit of overlap in numbers and years. The charts below detail the most common Fender serial number schemes from 1976 to the present. That would be very strange though.ĭoes anyone have knowledge on this matter? In 1967, Fender stamped a special batch of neck plates in the 500000 range for Coronados only. Fender sold Coronados in 1973/1974 that we built with parts dating from 1967. Since I have never seen a Strat, a Tele, a Pbass, a Jbass from 1967 with 73/74 serial numbers, and I have seen many (they all had serial numbers in the 180000/200000 range), I guess one could assume that: In other words, all these Coronado have 1967 neck dates but serial numbers from 1973/1974. There are currently at least 6 Coronados advertised as 1967 models on Reverb that bear 500000 something serial numbers:ĥ01353 (1967, SB, exact same model as mine)ĥ00366 (1967, SB, exact same model as mine, but with checkered binding)ĥ00569 (1967, SB, exact same model as mine)ĥ04290 (1967, SB, exact same model as mine) Hence the phrase 'On top of that, I have seen a few Coronados advertised and sold by reputable vintage shops as 1967 models and some of them also had 500XXX number plates'. Perhaps by checking them out you can get a better handle on yours? Well that's exactly what I did prior to my first post. I Still, there are a number of 60's-70's Coronados on sale at Reverb.

Fender coronado serial numbers