How Old is My Mexican Fender Stratocaster?
Contents
In the early to mid-1980s Fender realized that labor and shipping costs overseas were being to rise, so Fender decided it would be easier to set up a plant in Ensenada, Mexico. Fender Mexico was established May 5, 1987. Fender started producing guitars in its 200,000 sq. ft. Ensenada plant in 1990. Due to production times and shipping dates, there is an overlap between each years guitars. That is why each number has two years of production.
1990 – 1999 Mexican Fender Serial Numbers
As with all Fender serial numbers, the Mexican Fender serial numbers are inconsistent and change patterns a few times. The Mexican serial numbers start by following the same lettering pattern that American Fender guitar had in the 1990s using the letter “N” to indicate the 1990s. The letter “N” is followed by a number that indicates the specific year of production.
To differentiate these guitars from the American guitars, Fender decided to add an “M” in front of the serial numbers that stood for Mexico. So MN100001 was a Mexican Fender guitar built in 1991-1992. All of the “MN#” serial numbers are then followed by five or six digits like this.
| Numbers | Years |
|---|---|
| MN0 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1990 – 1991 |
| MN1 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1991 – 1992 |
| MN2 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1992 – 1993 |
| MN3 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1993 – 1994 |
| MN4 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1994 – 1995 |
| MN5 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1995 – 1996 |
| MN6 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1996 – 1997 |
| MN7 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1997 – 1998 |
| MN8 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1998 – 1999 |
| MN9 + 5 of 6 Digits | 1999 – 2000 |
2000 – 2009 Mexican Fender Serial Numbers
After 1999, Fender switched its Mexican serial number system to “MZ#” numbers. Just like the American Fenders, the “Z” stood for zero or the 2000s.
Just like the “MN#” numbers, the first number in the serial number stood for the specific year of production. Each “MZ#” was followed by five or six digits like this.
| Numbers | Years |
|---|---|
| MZ0 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2000 – 2001 |
| MZ1 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2001 – 2002 |
| MZ2 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2002 – 2003 |
| MZ3 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2003 – 2004 |
| MZ4 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2004 – 2005 |
| MZ5 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2005 – 2006 |
| MZ6 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2006 – 2007 |
| MZ7 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2007 – 2008 |
| MZ8 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2008 – 2009 |
| MZ9 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2009 – 2010 |
2009 – 2010 Mexican Fender Serial Numbers
Ok. So everything was pretty simple up to this point, right? Fender didn’t screw it up too much so far. Well, then comes 2010. Now the “Z” can’t be used for a serial number. Fender decided to switch to using the number 10 instead of a letter prefix. The number 10 was supposed to represent the first year of the second decade in the new millennium. Confusing, right? So starting in late 2009, guitars were being produced with the number 10 with a space followed by seven or eight digits.
These new serial numbers didn’t actually track the country of origin. Instead, you have to rely on the “Made in” decal on the headstock to find out where the guitar was made. Another oddity of these guitars is that Fender’s computers had a glitch and only recorded the seven-digit serial number. The number 10 prefix was not recorded in their operations systems. Obviously, Fender had to do something about this, so it changed the serial number scheme a few months later. Only late 2009 to March 2010 Fender guitars will have a “10 0000001” serial number.
| Numbers | Years |
|---|---|
| 10 (space) + 7 or 8 Digits | Late 2009 – March 2010 |
2010 – Present Mexican Fender Serial Numbers
Once Fender saw the errors in the old system, they decided to go back to the previous lettering serial number schemes. This way the country of origin and the date of production can be coded into the serial number.
This time they chose the letter “X” to represent the second decade of the 2000s. The first two letters following the “MX” serial numbers indicate the year of production. After the “MX##” prefix, six digits were added.
| Numbers | Years |
|---|---|
| MX10 + 6 Digits | 2010 – 2011 |
| MX11 + 6 Digits | 2011 – 2012 |
| MX12 + 6 Digits | 2012 – 2013 |
Other Mexican Fender Serial Numbers
Mexican Fender Signature Series
It wouldn’t be like Fender, if there weren’t some kind of exceptions to the exceptions. Some signature models like the Jim Root Telecaster, James Burton Standard Telecaster, Buddy Guy Stratocaster (polka dot model), Robert Cray Stratocaster, and Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster substituted an “MS#” serial number for the standard “MX#” number.
The “S” stood for signature. Only a few signature models were converted over to the”MX10″ numbering system in October 2010. However, the Reggie Hamilton and Frank Bello Jazz basses used an “MX” serial number prefix before the 2010 change.
| Numbers | Years |
|---|---|
| MSN0 + 5 Digits | 1990 – 1991 |
| MSN1 + 5 Digits | 1991 – 1992 |
| MSN2 + 5 Digits | 1992 – 1993 |
| MSN3 + 5 Digits | 1993 – 1994 |
| MSN4 + 5 Digits | 1994 – 1995 |
| MSN5 + 5 Digits | 1995 – 1996 |
| MSN6 + 5 Digits | 1996 – 1997 |
| MSN7 + 5 Digits | 1997 – 1998 |
| MSN8 + 5 Digits | 1998 – 1999 |
| MSN9 + 5 Digits | 1999 – 2000 |
| MS0 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2000 – 2001 |
| MS1 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2001 – 2002 |
| MS2 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2002 – 2003 |
| MS3 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2003 – 2004 |
| MS4 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2004 – 2005 |
| MS5 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2005 – 2006 |
| MS6 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2006 – 2007 |
| MS7 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2007 – 2008 |
| MS8 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2008 – 2009 |
| MS9 + 5 or 6 Digits | 2009 – 2010 |
Other signature guitar like the Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster and Duff McKagan P Bass used a “MSZ” serial number rather than the “MS#” number.
Mexican Fender California Series
Fender also made a series of guitars in 1997 and 1998 that were produced and assembled in both the US and Mexico. These California Series guitars and basses use an “AMX#” prefix to indicate that they were made in America and Mexico.
| Numbers | Years |
|---|---|
| AMX7 + 6 Digits | 1997 – 1998 |
| AMX8 + 6 Digits | 1997 – 1998 |
I hope that wasn’t too confusing for you. Fender has always been good at keeping us guessing with their numbering systems. The Mexican guitars are no exceptions. I hope this article helped you understand your Mexican Fender guitar serial number and figure out how your guitar is. Now it’s time to get back to playing!
You can also find more information on the Fender site.
i’m unclear …
so the Mexican Fenders with authentic serial numbers are as valuable and perform as well as the USA made. Correct? because Sam’s Guitar or Guitar center has an pretty Fender Strat going for 600 dollars… that price sounds like an authentic USA price? i can buy an fender made in Mexico in a pawn shop for 75 dollars… so, please clarify the value of these Mexican and Korean made instruments… thank you
I bought a new 93′ MiM Jazz bass in 93′. I bought it because I actually liked it better than the American models I tried. I still have it and it still goes to every single gig. To me the neck profile couldn’t be more perfect. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I know it’s not a Strat but hopefully that helps you.
$600 does not sound like an authentic American made price for a new Strat. A new American made Strat is going to run double that or more. Sometimes you can find a bare bones version for around $1000. Mexican made Fenders are not horrible, but they are not equal to their American counterparts. They use cheaper components, lesser grade woods, and do not have the meticulous American craftsmanship behind them. I am working now on refurbishing a 1991 Mexican made Fender P bass, and the wiring is a mess. The standard P bass pots are supposed to be 250k pots. This one has factory installed 500k pots. The reason? It’s made in Mexico, and Fender must have had a line on some cheap 500k pots. This would never happen on an American model. Bottom line however, it’s still a Fender, and you could do a lot worse. $75 in a pawn shop sounds pretty good – if everything is functional. Hope that helps.
My strat number is MX18107371. Does not match up with your series in Mexico. Love this guitar
As usual, I’m even more confused now. I have an MO prefix with SEVEN digits following. I think it may have been an overproduction “limited” piece that went to my local shop. Ideas?
A Fake?
Mate sorry to say seen a few over yhe years. And the MO was often the first part that they had in common. We Pulled one apart and under the gaurd where some shocking wire and soldering. The pick ups where shockers uneven screws the reason we pulled the guard was the pick ups where loose and adjusting the height wasn’t moving found springs didn’t spring they had just squashed ?? So put multi meter on all pots and pick ups the pots ment to be the 250k at worst 15% where USA 5-10% variations as few yrs cbs must got deal on 10%. Yet we got 1 pot hitting 380k 1 at 175k and. 270k. The cheap Mexico 5 way was there but no fender white sticker or holes in any lugs or capacitor at all. The routing had wood chips and shavings painted over on the bottom. Shocker but explained a lot of the volume out put and harsh single coil unpotted coils and no reverse middle. So lots of hum with something. As simple as kitchen fluorescent light on lol. Tuners where the light fender sealed version. Non stamped bridge. I said best not pop neck as the painter over shaving I thought chances are to high it would not line back up or have wedges as the last bit of shock was the painter truss rod hole had no truss rod lol, couldn’t believe that part. I hope your version is not by that company. As there where a few trying hard to sell these guitars. Couple tags where just photo copied versions on thin card. Don’t want to make you feel crappy but there has never been a overbuild that they changed serial numbers for. Better off getting a Mim and upgrading the parts. As I wouldn’t waste the $$ as the wood on body and especially the neck you be paying out maybe even more than a good USA Strat.
Still doesn’t tell me what year my strat was made. Too many variables, ok, between 1990 and 2000..jeeze. And yes, Mexican strats these days are just as good and sometimes better than American made ones. Tone with mine is much better. Mix between a tele and strat. LOVE my guitar. Played it since 1998, believe it’s a ’96. Lots of voice, tone and very usuable over many styles.
It is and always be a crap shoot with guitars, that is what evens the playing field…the more you spend the less likely a dud though..
I have a MIM Telecaster , ’92-’93 model. Installed a couple of Epiphone humbuckers and 500 pots and love it. Notes more true than my Gibson es355 I bought new in 1960. But…I would never get rid of my Gibson (my love).
I’ve got a Squire 2 a Squire and a Jazzmaster as well as a regular Stratocaster. I have to say that there are a lot of variables in ANY guitar. My very inexpensive Jazzmaster is my favorite. The action is the best I’ve ever played on. Can’t say much for the pups but I love playing this 🎸. Now my regular Stratocaster is better looking but it just seems to miss that something special. Now I’m sure there are alot of folks that will disagree and yes your average Strat is 100% nicer than your average Jazzmaster or Affinity. But guitars are each an individual and just need to be looked at that way. Just my opinion, and we know what those are like.
If its a 90’s MIM strat there is usually a stamp of the production date on the back of the pick guard as well. Mine is having its 20th birthday Aug 25 2019, almost old enough to go to the bar.
Can you date month of production by the serial number?
I’d like to know how early in the year the guitar was made.
I was told that in the early months of 1990 production, a large number were made by the American tech’s that were instructing the Mexican Luithiers.
I have a Mexican made Stratocaster with the Serial Number of MN013929 In Wine metallic.
I have a made in Mexico MZ7095950 Color Blue: One of my favorite workhorse strats… your article stated no MZ’s?
I did come across the MZ series in this article…
I was checking out a MIM blue Stratocaster, boy looks great!! I have one already and love it to pieces, its my go to guitar 🙂
Totally agree with you on that the guitar is a workhorse 🙂
Dang, I may just have to get the blue Stratocaster now!!!
M = Mexico – Z = 2000’s first digit tells you the year ie. MZ6 means Mexico 2006
MZ7 = 2007
This HAS helped my find the year of an MIM guitar…
Here goes, ok I went very deep after saving all I could to buy an Elite USA made Stratocaster. Planets lined up and finally could put in an order in, waited 70 days and it found its way to me! I was in awe on how it felt, the finishing touches on it were to die for. But the sound, well let’s just say it was nice but not what I thought it would sound like. Couple years later I walked in a shop and saw a MIM black Stratocaster that caught my eye. I can tell you that after a few hours the guys at shop looked at me like “is this dude going to buy, or play all day long”… playing straight out of an amp, no effects!!!
I couldn’t put the damn thing down!!! It sounded and felt great!!
Was selling as a used 11 year old guitar that was played 10 times by previous owner, basically still new!!! I ate rice for a while after purchasing that guitar, I was tight on money but thought I gotta take this one home with me!!!
Best thing I did!!!! Still playing it, after these years, has a second fret job on it and would never ever sell it!!! Moral of story, don’t judge a guitar by price, play it before you buy, and keep in mind that EVERY guitar sounds different…
So I’m trying to find specs for strat made in mexico in 2013, serial number MZ13340724 but can’t find anything. I wanna know whats the radius and type of neck is on that guitar. Also is it nitro or poly, and what are the pickups on it. Would appreciate some help. Tnx
I can pretty much unless it’s a deluxe with a S1 switch button. It will be a radius of 9 1/2 with a C neck. Pick ups will be fender standards which where a general wind low out put single coil. Often found all the same out put. The only ref u might find is a basic spec on that yr model. As they are not a guitar worth keeping a log of parts and wiring. It may have middle tone hooked into bridge as well or no tone bridge pick up. If you really love it and get good tone great. But use your tone and volume just setting 10 you are missing so much more a nice setup guitar will produce. Intonation string Height above pick ups good seating in the nut of the string gauge you use. You can get some great sound. Yet intonation never adjusted and neck over bow or under can cause buzz and frets to pop. Nut binding on wrong string size is another cheap easy fix. Get a good guitar tech to do a string change and set up for your playing style. As he will Also see how pots are and pick ups 5 way mim switches die early and plug being very thin do tend to either get very loose or bend out from guitar lead. They are two things I’ve replaced for people the most. With nut and pick up swap over next then locking set of tuners. Cheers
I own a 1994 Mexican made fender Stratocaster (SER # MN41…..) I have often wondered if it would be better to upgrade the components to get the American Stat quality of sound or just buy up to the American Strat and sell the Mex…. It is a rather heavy guitar but has a nice feel…. what is a good choice for a guitarist on a budget ?
Sometimes if you really like the feel and it’s playability. Set of tex mex fender pick ups a set of fender locking tuners the pick up springs throw away get some pick tubing to replace. a tusq nut or bone. You’ll still have your feeling and maybe your neck has worn and let’s you move easy. As long as frets are ok. Tex mex are better priced these days and there are a hotter set. But it will give you a SRV Texas blues tone. Get a tech at a good guitar shop to set up and check neck for truss rod adjust. If nut get that done as easy to stuff up. Or if they sell you the gear they may give great deal to put together and set to your string gauge on the nut put correct string to pick up pole spaceing and height off the neck. Hope it helps. To many quick sell shops don’t set up people’s guitars who don’t know how to do it properly to get the right sound from your dollars. I’m in a australia and on veterans pension family ditched me after 12.5 yr marriage and 2 great kids. So all I am left with that my drs let me continue is playing guitar and service for a few bands and locals i don’t advertise as I do all by hand with good diamond grit files for frets and lots of Reading and taking time other guitar nerds lol. As I just love the looks the feel the smell of nitro on a good guitar. I also hand do the nut slots at the players pref and string choice.
There comes a time when you’ve got to go with what you like, not what the reviewers tell you that you should like. Maybe I’m lucky having three Baja Teles that I love; maybe the next person would have a different opinion of those Bajas. That’s fine, it doesn’t make me any less happy with my MIM Teles and how they sound and play for me. I’ll admit I’m a recent-convert to MIM, but I’ve been around in Guitarworld long enough to know value and, very often, amazing quality when I find it. If your main concern is re-sell value, well that’s another matter completely.
Hello,
I have a mexico strat number MN6218702.
Supposed to be a Barrelhouse Limited Edition.
Does anyone know more about this Limited Edition?
Greetings
Patrick
What gives with the triple black John 5 Telecaster serial numbers? Mine is a MSN7XXXXX, which according to this page, makes it a ‘97? Can’t be.
just learned that my black MiM strat I bought used was `95-`96. I love it. I’m a bass player when I play out and I’m 6’3″ & 319 lbs. Big boy who moves and tossed my basses around. My red MiM P bass was just THE BEST and it was big and solid & I was amazed what a 9volt battery can with active pickups…but that’s playing out. MiM, no problem at all & will forever be my favorite. But back to the strat. Bought it from a teen who was gifted it & never played it. I got it for $200 & I only use in the home studio. Never seen cigarette smoke, beer spills or sweat…no this is pristeeeen So I’m a die hard Ravens fan & swapped the pick guard and the tremelo cover for purple M/of/Pearl. Sweet. I work in radio on a morn show & write & perform parodies. That strat comes to work with me & I can make it sound like ANY guitar. MiM, no sweat from me. Jose & Wanita south of the border, you folks build a great, smooth, beautiful piece of musical aftwork for me & I thank you.