Seriel Numbers

[jrechin]

This may be a bit of a noob question. To the extent that parts on a tele are numbered, should those numbers all match? A recent Vintage Guitar issue had 0033 on its cover. This was the number on the bridge. If I am not mistaken Fender put numbers on the headstock at some point. Did the headstock numbers match the bridge number?

Another way to look at this would be if you were to build or buy small run hand made guitars would numbered parts be something you would like to see? I suppose for a future value/collectable/all original kind of appeal? Does that make sense? Or is is this a turn off the computer and play your guitar kind of question?

[KevinB]

There are no "matching" numbers on Fender guitars.

Telecaster serial numbers were stamped on the bridge plate from 1950 to '54. From '54 to '76 they were stamped on the neck plate, and from '76 to the present they have been incorporated into the headstock decal. The '52 Re-Issue has a number stamped on the bridge plate (like the originals) but with a dot stamped below it.

Fender guitars have always been assembled from parts bins, and (especially with older models) the serial numbers have never been very consistent or logical.