“Dead zones” of serial number ranges for 1950-1951? (Esquires, Broadcasters, Nocasters)

[VintageMIJ]

Hi! Thanks for accepting me to the forum.

I have a question for the vintage experts.

When talking specifically about the 1950 to 1951 time period specifically (so, obviously pre-truss-rod Esquires, full Broadcaster period, full Nocaster period, very early Tele period), are there known “dead zones” in the serial number ranges?

For my question, I am probably mainly talking about the serial range 0001 through around 1000, possibly give or take a hundred or two numbers on either side.

Are there any “stretches” of serial numbers (just purely as a possible illustration, say, serial numbers 250 through 400) where there seem to be few, if any known of these guitars (again, limited to Esquires, Broadcasters, Nocasters, early Telecasters).

And, if so, what do these “dead zone” serial ranges seem to be? What are those ranges of serial dead zones, if they exist?

Conversely, are there “hot zones” that you might have noticed, that seem to be the opposite of the “dead zone” serial ranges? Just for example, I think I would probably characterize 0001 to 0100 as a hot zone, just based on what I know about existing guitars out there, within that serial range.

By the way, this is not to say that a “dead zone” would be expected to have actual zero known examples. I’m guessing we would probably expect to see some know examples, even in a dead zone. But… I guess I am talking about a big-picture perspective, with observable general trends in the serials, not 100% strict dead zones (if that makes sense).

Thank you!

 

[VintageMIJ]

By the way, I should probably have included this question as well: *if* there are any serial number dead zones… what theory explains that?

For the first 1000 or so serials (1950-1951 specifically), did Leo have an actual serial number metal engraving tool on site, at his factory, in order to engrave the metal plates? Or was that metal serial engraving outsourced, off site? And how (if at all) might that distinction play into the overall picture here?

 

[Adam Wolfaardt]

Bridges were made and stamped in house. I never thought of dead zones but I would be very surprised if such a thing existed

 

[sonicdom]

I'm not aware of any 'dead zones' in early telecaster serials except that the last bridge plate serials are in the 5500 range where as the lowest neck plate serial I can remember is in the 5800 range. The plates were stamped in-house and used up in no particular order so you can find early 1951 guitars with serials in the 1700 range and 1952 telecasters in the 0200 range. This might have been a deliberate move so that competitors in the early years couldn't figure out how many guitars fender sold simply by looking at the serial number. You can find around 1000 registered blackguard serial numbers on https://guitarlogs.com (site is currently down due to migration but should be back up soon).

 

[Masmus]

The non sequential serial numbers are intentional, Leo didn’t want people to know which ones were the first made. Some early Broadcasters don’t have neck or body dates also.

The dead zones you are referring to are probably the result of guitars that were lost in fires, accidents, angry girlfriends or even people thinking it is a piece of junk and throwing it away.

I’ve personally lost a set of 1960’s P90’s and two Technics D1200 turntables when members of my family threw them away as junk during a move. It happens.