List by 1st body code

[ATO]

I've started compiling a list of guitars by month of manufacture where I can find them, to try and make sense of the codes & serial oddities.

Really this list needs to have many more guitars so I'll keep my eye out for more codes/serials but they are not so easy to come by. Sigmania's lists are always a good source!

1978
3=7N 12=9B ST100 BL 8001307 (black refin)
6=16B 6=19N YS Fernandes FST60 8002022
7=27 ST80N 8002043
7=32 ST60 YS 8000690
7=35N 7=34B ST50 8000479
7=40B 7=42N ST48 8000586
7=40 ST42 8002075
8=18 PB65 N 8000182
9=42 ST80 GS 8003061
9=42 ST60 GS 8003148
10=9 ST60 GS 8003246
10=10 ST50 YS 8003383
11=1 PB48 BB 8001362
11=5 ST80 BB 8003675

1979
1=11 TE80 BL 9005450
3=7 ST80N (no visible serial)
3=17 ST50 OW 9006936
4=7 SS36 YS 9001897
4=8N 4=9B ST80 GS 9002336
5=8&9 Neck 5=9 Body ST80 GS 9003248
6=1&2 ST42 OW 9007709
7=1 ST80 GS 9002547
7=1 ST80 GS 9002980
7=4N 7=3 ST50 OW R 9005982
7=4N 7=8B ST50 OW 9009290 (Spain)
7=9 ST50 GSR 9001122
8=2 SS36 YSR 9004394
8=2 ST80 9005792
8=3&4N 8=3B ST100 GS 9003909
8=4 ST80 GS 9003875
8=5&6N 8=7B ST45 BB 9009978
9=9B 9=12N ST100
11=1 ST80 YSR 9004445
11=7 ST50 YSR 9004895
11=11 TE50R BL 9007788
12=2B 8=3&4N ST80 GS 9005343
12=7 TE80 9005178
12=7 TE80 YSR 9005303
12=7 TE80 GS 9005420
12=9 SS36 BB 9007742

1980
1=1 ST60 YS 0014539
1=1 ST60R FO 0016208
1=3 ST100 BB 0000717
1=4 ST100R GS (neck 3=9) 0000290
2=1B 2=2N ST60 MR 0016685
2=1B ST60BB (has a maple cap neck, code faded & can't be read 2=)
2=4 ST60 GS 0010621
3=8 ST80 GS 0006409
3=8 ST80 GS 0006732
3=15B TE50 0011225 (neck 6=15)
4=5 ST80R GS 0006037
4=5 ST80 YSR 0006238
4=9 ST50 BB 0013357
5=6 ST60 OW 0011709
5=8 ST100 BL 0000188
5=8 SS85 N 0009492
6=1 ST100 N 0000639
6=10 PB80 GS A 0007059
7=3 ST80 0006689
7=6 ST80 GSR
10=1 ST80 GS 000608#
10=2 ST60 or 80 GS
10=9 JS BB 0009273
10=10 JB120 0010854 (neck 120A)
10=11 ST80 GS 0009002
11=15 ST80 YS 0009957
12=2 ST60 YS 0014476 (sold on reverb as an ST80)
12=2 ST60 FO 0014802
12=4N 12=4B (but 4 overstamped with 5 on body) PB80 YS 00011028
12=13 ST80 GS 00010396

1981
1=2 SS70S RR 1023532
1=2 SS70 LTD OW 1016***
1=4N 1=5B SS60 YS 1016555
1=6 SS80 YS 1012478
2=7 SS36 MR 1016332
4=1 ST80R MR 1013537
4=1 ST80 MR 1014088
4=3 JB120
4=8 ST80 GS 1014927
5=6 ST YS 0011016 (5=1 79 neck)
5=8 JB80 1014043
5=8 JB neck only
5=9 ST60 MR 1018817
7=4 ST80 GS 1017057
7=5 ST60 GS 1016904
4=6 TE70 YS 1022408
7=6 ST80 1014911
7=8 VSB80 OF 1015889
7=8 VSB80 1018020
7=9 TE50R BL (no serial, only year)
7=11 1016436
8=5 SS70 MR 1017962
8=5 SS70 MR Maple neck only
8=5 SS70 MR RW neck only
8=15B (051BB neck) ST80 BB Matching head 1019###
9=1 SS80 OW 1015816
9=2 ST85 MB
9=13 ST BB 1020477
9=13 ST50 GS 1020999
10=2 ST80 MRR 1018243
10=3N (10=3 10=4 Body) ST60 YS 1021048
10=4 ST60 GS 1020781
10=5 ST80 GS
10=6 ST55 MR 1020817
10=6N 10=5B ST55 OW 1020828 (Matching head springy bought in Japan)
10=6 ST65 MG 1020940
10=6 ST55 MG 1021223
10=6 ST55 MR 1021435
10=6 ST55 MR 1021437
10=6 ST50R OW 1021689
10=6B 10=4N ST55 MR 1022181 (switch dated Sept 81 = 19 3)
10=10 TE120 1019235
11=1 GS 1016910 (D fretboard stamp demonstrator?)
11=6 SS40 MB 1016250
11=9 TE50 BL 1022621
12=1 TE60? RO 1022676 (neck stained, can't see a code, 1 piece body!)
12=4N 12=5B ST50 MR 1023106
12=5B 11=5N ST55 LB 1023859
12=5B 1=3N ST55 N 1024158 (Jan 82 neck?)
12=5 ST50 1024409 GS
12=5B 11=5N ST55 LB 1024464
12=6 SS60OWR 1024845
12=8 TE55N (no serial)
12=9 ST70 GS YSO 1024205
12=9 ST75R MG 1024448

1982
1=1 MG ST with 81 serial 1024941
1=3 MG ST55
1=5 JB80R N L00652
1=8 TE70R YS L00173
1=9 TE 1023373 (odd one with MB colour code, should be MR)
1=9 TE50 BB 11486
2=1 ST50 GS L00505 (switch Dec 81)
2=4 .38 Special MR 2018568
3=2 ST50 Spag MB L01179
3=8 TE55 N spag 10500
3=11 ST60 Spag BB L02897
4=2 ST60 Spag BB L02734
4=11 TE BB 10999
5=13 ST55 R L01762
5=13 ST50 GS 12008
5=13 ST55 Gold body only
5=20N 5=21B THS60 WR Stain
6=2 SS YS 2026069
6=11 Block logo OW L02121
6=11 Block logo FO 1005
7=1 ST50 FO Block logo
7=1 ST50 MB 12431
7=3 ST80R YSO L03488
7=16 SS BB 2023212
8=15 JB50 MR L03389 (serial hard to read so might not be 100% correct)
8=17 SS50 2024070
9=1B 9=26N ST100 OW 0837
9=9 ST60 BB L03768 (swapped maple neck with Spag decal - no code for that)
9=10 ST80R BB L15572 Spag logo ?? (this one's odd)
9=11 .38 special MR 2024162
9=36N 10=1B JB60 MR L04855
10=5 ST50 GS SPAG 13287
10=5B 10=6N ST GS SPAG 13350
10=5B 10=6N ST70 Extra Tokai MR SPAG L04663
11=12 Block Logo neck only (seen for sale)
11=12 ST Block Logo FO L04863
11=12 ST Block Logo N L05689
11=12 ST 55 Block Logo N L06140
11=12 ST GS 10926
11=12 ST Block Logo FO 13123
11=12 ST Block Logo BB 13583
11=12 ST Block Logo BB 14167
11=13 Jap Spag logo (June 82 pots) MR L04352
11=19 SS 2026395
12=1 SS40 BB 2026559
12=1 SS38 MR 2027195
12=6 ST50 SO Block logo 11052
12=6 ST55 SO Block logo 11058
12=6 ST55 FO Block logo 11248
12=6 ST50 LB BLock Logo 11278
12=6 ST55 LB Block logo, serial unknown
12=6 ST55 MB Block logo serial unknown
12=6 ST55 FO Block Logo (no serial pic)
12=6 ST55 FO Block Logo (no serial pic - not same guitar as one above)
12=6 ST55 SO Block logo (no serial)
12=6 ST50 OR Fender decal

1983
1=1 TST70 ET MR L06463
1=1 TST60 YS L07057
1=11 TE80 Spag(!) Cliffs L06241
1=15B TST50 script MR L06688 (can't see neck code, sept 82 switch)
1=16 TST60 YS 0619
2=3 Script MR L07847
2=5 TST100 TG 13695
2=24 VX80 VF 3030758
3=1 Super Edition ST L08071
3=16 JB OW Script L09966
3=25 TST50 OW L07428 (only neck code, no code on body as paint in cavity, though looks factory, odd)
3=25 TST50 GS 14313
3=25 TST50 OW 18724
3=26 Script TST80 Super Edition BB L09474 (all black neck, extra tokai)
3=26 Super Edition L12441
4=4 TE70 N block logo colour 136**
4=4 TE50 BL block logo 13753
4=4 TTE50 MR Script L07741
4=9 TST70 MRR L08805
5=3 script 3 part logo missing bottom line (poss replaced decal?), maybe 82?
5=12 ST YSO Block Logo L10325
5=12 ST60 MR Block logo matching head L11236
5=12 ST60 MB Block logo matching head L11444 (purchased 28th November 1983, from Guitarzan Middlesborough, UK)
5=12 ST60 SO Block logo matching head L12126 (switch code 341 = April 83)
5=12 ST55R MR Block logo
5=12 ST50 FO block logo ''5 digit serial'
5=12 ST50 GS 14820
5=12 TST script YSO 15970 (Fanatics)
5=12 ST50 OW no serial (fanatics with out the fanatics line - Stratmans)
5=13 TST60 BB L11996 (Norway)
5=13 TST60 YSO 16903
6=7B 6=5N TST56 YSO 0977 (E pups)
6=7 OW TST50 Script L09544
6=7 SO Matching head (new spag decal - should be script or block) L14447
6=7 Block logo SO ST55 16131 (switch code 351 = May 83)
6=8 Super Edition L11189
6=9 TST70 Script 107628
6=10 TST80 YSO Script L11357 (slab R board, A stamp neck & body, VS1)
7=4 TST50 BB to MR script L11982
7=9 TTE55 N L11212
7=12 TJB70 L13###
7=12 TJB70 L15105
8=2 TST60 YSO 2871
8=2 TST50 FO 16925
8=2 TST60 YSO L13115 (E pups)
8=2B 8=3N TST60 YSO L14531 (E pups) (France)
9=3 TST50 goldie L13538
9=3 TST BB L13654
9=3 TST MB L14371
9=3 TST50 FO L14904
9=3 TST60 MB Script matching headstock L14947
9=3 TST60 SO matching headstock
9=4 TST60 2330 (Switch 351)
9=9 script breezy L14887
9=9 TE50
9=9 TE50 YS script 18499
10=2 TST60 BB 2293 (E pups)
10=6N 10=8CC 10=9B 18846 Breezy Script
10=8B TE70 MB 18025
11=4 TST55 FO 18053
11=4 TST55 FO Oct 83 switch, Sept 83 pots, no serial :-(
11=4B TST50 189#4 (body also has 9=4 and neck 10=1)
11=5 SS60 YSR L14925
12=1 FSD50 3042026
12=20 SS36 SO

1984
1=3 ST60 OW L16609 (VII pups, Nov 83 pots, replaced Spag decal, same seller as L14447)
2=4 TST50 MR 20793 (nov 83 pot codes)
2=4 TST55 MB 214**
=== TST55 Left hand 20731
2=5 TST YSO Left hand 21064
2=5 TST BB Left hand 21221
2=11 TE50 L19744
3=4 TST40 OW script L22701
3=4 TST BB L23512
3=7 TST OW L24410
4=1 Ltd Edition MR L17563
4=14 TJB55G MR L17161
4=2 TST40 BB L22795
4=6 TE80 fender decal 2736
4=7 TST BB L22769
=== TST55 Left hand L22668
4=8 TST Left hand L22746 (purchased Aug 1984)
4=8 TST Left Hand L22816
4=9 TST80 YSO 2387
4=10 TSD60 neck only
5=2 TE50 BL Left Hand 20594 (switch April 84)
6=1 TST36H Ltd Edition 110919
7=5 TST55 Left Hand MRR L24903 (June 84 pot codes)
7=5 TST50 NECK ONLY Left Hand (bolted to 21064 body 2=5)
7=6 TE50 Left Hand 19863
=== YSO Left Hand 21439 (MAY 84 Pot) no codes
9=7B 9 . 7N AST50 BB L20141

1985
1.8 TTE50 BL 22759
2-19 Script Goldstar L24480
3 . 2 TST55 PP (Pale Pink) 19805
3-4 TST60 MG Left Hand 20143 (VII) (pots dated 84)
5-24 TST55L Left Hand BB 21870 (this serial & code would fit 84?)
5.24B 6-24N TST55 Left Hand OW (no serial)
5.15 TTE70 22069
6-5 TST60 Purple Sparkle 21921
6-20 TGB50 MGR L26343
7-2 AST62 23181 (V pups)
7.15 MG 23128 (may 85 pots)
7-15 7.15 TST LB L23081
7-17 TST BB Z 23401 (VII pups, brass plate)
7-17N 7-15B TST55LPB L25181 (switch 3D1, pots may 85)
7.18 LTD Edition LB L25502
8-2N 8=2B AST56 OF (pots date May 85)


Odd bits:
21360 AST55SW - US purchase invoice dated 11th June 1985 - no stamps, have asked.

 

[ATO]

For the 'what's it worth' posts, give them nothing till they've handed over the codes and serial

 

[Sigmania]

I like this approach. I was trying it from the serial number side.

It is clear to me that the production stamps and neck plates are out of sequence on some individual guitars, but as a whole there seems to be consistency.

Maybe this will lead us to answer the next natural question, why are some guitars out of sync...

 

[Johnny Sylvester]

My Springy Sound:

1979 ST 80 GS
7 = 1 (neck and body)
Serial# 9002547

 

[Sigmania]

July and the A stamp seems to mean nitro.

 

[Sigmania]

And what I always have in mind with these Fender type guitars is that the parts can easily be moved around, so I look for overall trends and assume a portion of the guitars we see have been altered.

 

[ATO]

Updated and also some silly errors corrected.

 

[ATO]

Note in this list, post 1979 the only guitars with the 2nd number over 13 are silver stars.

 

[Sigmania]

9=3 TST50 goldie L013538

I am working on integrating your findings with the lists I started with serial number priority.

Just pointing out that this one has too many digits. Do you know if this is correct?

 

[ATO]

I am working on integrating your findings with the lists I started with serial number priority.

Just pointing out that this one has too many digits. Do you know if this is correct?

Yes sorry, remove the zero!

 

[ATO]

Updated

 

[ATO]

Updated, more oddities.

 

[ATO]

84 & 85 gets odder the more guitars I find.

Wonder if '=' and '-' ran concurrently for a while. Different factories?

 

[Sigmania]

Here are the ones I had collected a while back. I assumed it was just a change in production lines or techniques rather than indicative of different factories. But who knows?

The Mystery Of The - Hyphen, Dash, or Minus Sign

Dot Codes

Mixed Symbols = & -

 

[ATO]

Just leaving this here so I don't forget about it. Will go through it later.

ATTENTION Springy, Breezy and Silverstar owners

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

10=50 ST55 W 1020828 (Matching head springy bought in Japan)

I believe that is supposed to read 10=5 OW, because the neck is stamped "10=6OW", that would be 10 numbers apart and both are really high numbers and I think 'W' isn't a color code, but OW is.

 

[ATO]

I believe that is supposed to read 10=5 OW, because the neck is stamped "10=6OW", that would be 10 numbers apart and both are really high numbers and I think 'W' isn't a color code, but OW is.

Corrected, thanks!

 

[ATO]

Think this list might benefit from serial type sub groups.

 

[ATO]

Over 200 guitars on this list now and it is definitely throwing some light.

Strong evidence that the 2nd number is a batch # as only the same model ever shares the same code, eg

10=6N 10=5B ST55 1020828
10=6 ST65 MG 1020940
10=6 ST55 MG 1021223
10=6 ST55 MR 1021435
10=6 ST55 MR 1021437

8=5 SS70 MR 1017962
8=5 SS70 MR Maple neck only
8=5 SS70 MR RW neck only

12=7 TE80 9005178
12=7 TE80 YSR 9005303
12=7 TE80 GS 9005420

If I see a TE with the same code as an ST I'll eat my words but I don't think it's gonna happen!

 

[Sigmania]

Good job. I was wondering how you knew my ST70 was 12=9.