MIJ serial # query

I'm looking at a MIJ '62 RI on ebay. It says "Made in Japan" on the back of the neck near the base, with no serial number there or on the headstock.

The seller gave me the serial number as A + six digits, saying it was stamped on the bridge plate. A Made in Japan guitar with A in the serial number would mean it was manufactured between 1985-86 according to Fender's website.

Does anyone know if that's really how they did serial numbers in the mid-'80's? Was it all guitars, or just a few such as the '62 RI?

Thanks!

No, that serial number is useless for dating that guitar. All MIJ vintage style Telecasters have an A serial number stamped into the bridge plate regardless of when they were made. The only way accurately to date it is to pull the neck and see if there is a date stamped or written on the heel of the neck. Many of them have no date there though and you won't be able to know for sure.

Oh, wow, I'm glad I asked! I'd never seen a MIJ/CIJ without a serial number on the back of the neck or on the headstock.

The fact that it's Made in Japan and not Crafted in Japan gives me some indication of the age, but not a real accurate notion.

Does it say FENDER on the neckplate?

If you like the look of the guitar don't worry about when it was made. It won't make it play any better.

Those mij's are probably amongst some of the sweetest playing guitars made. The Japanese really take pride in making sure the instrument is top notch...I like to imagine that they would commit heary ceary if the instruments they made sucked.

Many compare the MIJ's to Fenders custom shop, essentially riveling standard american made fenders. There are threads on here referring to this subject. (One of which I posted many moons ago).

My experience has been that I have found nothing that compares to my MIJ strat.

I would LOVE to get my paws on an MIJ tele someday. They're just so pricey now.

Does it say FENDER on the neckplate?

mine does. does that mean anything significant?

I've got a CIJ tele and love the way the thing plays. I would easily compare it to anything Fender USA Custom Shop puts out. There attention to detail is impeccable. Just need to swap out the electronics and pickups.

I've got a CIJ tele and love the way the thing plays. I would easily compare it to anything Fender USA Custom Shop puts out. There attention to detail is impeccable. Just need to swap out the electronics and pickups.

i'm in the process of gutting the electronics and swapping pickups and it's been a bit more of a job than i expected. the control plate screw and pot holes had to be enlarged to fit new components and the bridge pickup mounting screws aren't the same so i'm having to hunt some of those down. i love this guitar to death so it's well worth it.

mine does. does that mean anything significant?

yes those were made like that for a short time span.

What year is yours?

yes those were made like that for a short time span.

Mark, do you know when they were made with the FENDER stamp on the neck plate?

yes those were made like that for a short time span.

What year is yours?

i'm not sure. i was told it was from the mid 80's but who knows if that's right. there is no serial number on the headstock or heel.

Mark, do you know when they were made with the FENDER stamp on the neck plate?

The ones Ive seen are mid 80's ones.

The ones Ive seen are mid 80's ones.

Cool, thanks.

Does it say FENDER on the neckplate?

Yes it does.

I've got a CIJ tele and love the way the thing plays. I would easily compare it to anything Fender USA Custom Shop puts out. There attention to detail is impeccable. Just need to swap out the electronics and pickups.

Everyone says this sort of thing. I've owned three CIJ guitars and thought they were great as is. Maybe my ears aren't as good as they used to be or something.

But how can you say in the same breath that they rival Fender USA Custom Shop, but you need to swap out the electronics and pickups? Would you swap out the electronics and pickups on a Fender USA Custom Shop guitar? I don't get it.

Everyone says this sort of thing. I've owned three CIJ guitars and thought they were great as is. Maybe my ears aren't as good as they used to be or something.

But how can you say in the same breath that they rival Fender USA Custom Shop, but you need to swap out the electronics and pickups? Would you swap out the electronics and pickups on a Fender USA Custom Shop guitar? I don't get it.

Yup. I'm with you on that one...

Everyone says this sort of thing. I've owned three CIJ guitars and thought they were great as is. Maybe my ears aren't as good as they used to be or something.

But how can you say in the same breath that they rival Fender USA Custom Shop, but you need to swap out the electronics and pickups? Would you swap out the electronics and pickups on a Fender USA Custom Shop guitar? I don't get it.

i think the bodies and necks rival them being that they're of a very high quality and cost a fraction of the price. you can put $100 of electronics and pickups into a $600 dollar japanese fender and you've got a guitar that feels and sounds just as nice as something that costs a whole lot more.

FWIW,

my July 1985 60's custom (or 62 custom or whatever it is called!) MIJ tele (neck dated, by the way) has no "Fender" on the neck plate.

Probably doesn't help much, but that wouldn't be a first for me!

As other posted---if you like it, man, I wouldn't worry about the date of origination, really. Give 'er a try. If it sounds/plays good, keep it. If not, move it along.

I know that mine plays like buttah...

i have an all rosewood tele...mij...i called fender after i pulled the number off the back and they say they dont have any records pre 1993...

it has a L and then 4 numbers...i looked on here and an L plus 6 numbers equals a japanese made in 90-1

but this one is different than that and no one has info on the rosewood teles...

i would agree that quality wise this MIJ is pristine!
i love it!!
its my first tele and now im tempted to get another masterbuilt rosewood tele...i think its safe to say that i have a disease!!!!!!!!!

I have a MIJ 62 reissue Strat circa 1996.
Just a blank neck plate on that one.
Build quality on this guitar is second to none...The best guitar I've ever owned and I've had quite a few!

All the parts (including electronics) are original and I wouldn't change a thing about it...It sounded and played great the day I bought it and still does today, so I don't really see the point of changing anything.

I can't understand all this talk of changing the electronics in these Japanese Fenders...Most sound excellent, a few sound not so excellent, but that is the same also with MIA guitars and indeed may MIM.

Im sure there are MIJ's with no serial # that dont say FENDER on the neckplate too.

I just thought it was odd the few Ive seen 5-7 without a serial # also had FENDER in caps on the neckplate.