Dating Fender Guitars Serial
Can anyone explain my mystery Teal Fender Stratocaster?
Ok, I got a new guitar a few months ago, and I simply cannot find the date or value. I got it used at guitar center, with no history (but it IS a genuine fender). The serial number is MZ4****** (yes, that’s 6 digits). It has a metallic teal finish, which is not the common baby blue found on tex classics. I thought that it was a 40th anniversary, but it doesn’t have the pearled pick guard, and it has a plain back plate. Can anybody tell me what this is?
Hello! I don’t think there is anything really mysterious here. According to the serial number it is a 2004-2005 Mexican Stratocaster (see http://www.fender.com/support/mexican_instruments.php ), in the Teal Green Metallic finish (color number 45 at http://www.fender.com/resources/colors/ ). The fact that it has six additional numbers, rather than the usual five, does not in itself indicate it is a Special Edition guitar. Typically, unique models are indicated with added graphics on the headstock, and marketed as such. As far as the color, it could have been a special order or just happened to be a color that Fender offered that year for that particular series. Best not to pay too much attention to the pedigree of the instrument (unless you are a collector, which is a whole different arena!), just enjoy playing it! Best regards, Dana
Fender Stratocaster serial # 0001. History.
